C-GEM is establishing a fundamentally new way to program chemical matter and transform the way scientists design and produce materials and medicines. Using computation and experiment, C-GEM is repurposing nature’s protein synthesizing machine–the ribosome and it’s associated translation factors–to biosynthesize genetically encoded, sequence-defined chemical polymers with unprecedented functions and activities. Our combined activities span the fields of chemical biology, synthetic biology, synthetic chemistry, structural biology, computational biology, and molecular biology, and are highly collaborative. To catalyze these efforts, C-GEM implemented GEM-NET, a sophisticated data management system to promote data sharing within and outside the team, and with industry, the NSF, and the public. By fostering innovation at the chemical-biology-materials frontier, C-GEM is establishing a diverse chemical workforce, perfecting the integration of research with training, and captivating scientists and non-scientists alike.