EngBio Forum

Join us for our Michaelmas 2018 SynBio Forum as we explore engineering complex systems in biology. We'll start with short talks by industry leaders on AI tools and methods followed by two keynote speakers. Afternoon tea, a dinner buffet and a drinks reception will be provided for discussion and networking opportunities.

Recent advances in synthetic biology have led to engineered organisms with novel genetic programmes that perform functions from computation through to complex metabolic processes. There's now a great need for tools to design these organisms and learn more about the interaction of genes, phenotype and the environment. In this SynBio Forum we explore the work of Prof Chris Voigt (MIT) and Dr Somenath Bakshi (Harvard University): two synthetic biologists who are creating revolutionary new insights into gene regulation and how we might harness regulatory mechanisms for DNA engineering.

These day-long workshops will introduce the challenges and opportunities in the field of cell-free diagnostics, with morning talks from the OpenDiagnostics team, expert in the latest advances of this technology Keith Pardee (University of Toronto, Canada) and plant disease expert Dr Richard Echodu (Gulu University, Uganda). This will be followed by an interactive sandpit session, and lab practicals the following day.

Dr. Keith Pardee (University of Toronto) and Dr. Richard Kelwick (Imperial College) discuss how use of cell extracts could revolutionise the field of biomanufacturing. The talk and dialogue will be followed by a wine reception and delicious finger buffet.

Professor Ron Weiss (MIT) introduces the design and implementation of synthetic gene circuits in mammalian systems, exploring the potential of this approach in regenerative medicine and stem cell engineering. The talk and dialogue will be followed by a wine reception and delicious finger buffet.

Synthetic gene circuits can be used to generate rapid and low-cost paper-based diagnostics for diseases including Zika and Ebola. Dr Vincent Noireaux (University of Minnesota), Dr Nick Rollins (Cambridge Consultants) and Dr Fernan Federici (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and University of Cambridge) present the technology and its disruptive implications during this seminar and hands-on prototyping workshop.

Dr Kevin Esvelt (MIT Media Lab) and Professor Luke Alphey (Pirbright Institute, founder of Oxitec Ltd) examine the science, ethics and regulation of genetic engineering to control mosquito-borne disease. What promise does this emerging technology hold and how do we ensure it is used responsibly?