The United States is a leading nation in the development of synthetic biology, an emerging engineering discipline to create, control and reprogram biological systems. With strategic investment from its government agencies, the U.S. has established numerous research centers and programs in synthetic biology, enabling significant advances in foundational tool development and practical applications ranging from bioenergy, biomanufacturing, to biomedicine. To maintain its leadership in synthetic biology, U.S, has conducted several roadmap studies to provide strategic visions and action recommendations. Here we will provide a brief overview of the major research programs and roadmap studies of synthetic biology in the U.S.