It’s September, that time of year when back-to-school feelings come over us whether we’re enrolled in school or not. In keeping with those feelings, GEN is posting a course selection guide, or what we’re normally inclined to call a table of contents. And, yes, there’s a lot of required reading: epigenome editing, nonviral gene therapy delivery systems, liquid biopsies, noncanonical amino acids, and cryogenic electron microscopy. You can take a recess whenever you like, but don’t miss the pep rally, our listing of the top 10 biopharma clusters. It may seem retrospective. But it actually asks us to consider how the interregional competition to accommodate life sciences companies will play out, given current trends in NIH funding, VC funding, patents, laboratory space, and employment. Whichever region you’re in, stay full of that old school spirit. And pick up some extra credit by reading editorials on digital biomanufacturing, bioinformatics challenges, and chemotherapy shortages.