News

Loop Assembly: a simple and open system for recursive fabrication of DNA circuits

13 February 2018

As part of a collaboration between the University of Cambridge the Universidad Catolica de Chile, Pollak and Federici have devised a new method for gene assembly based on two Type IIS restriction endonuceases, Bsal and Sapl. Loop Assembly allows rapid and efficient production of large DNA constructs, is compatible with widely used Level zero (L0) DNA parts such as Phytobricks, and can be easily automated.

Opportunity for PhD Level Engineers to Join Deep Science Ventures

19 January 2018

Deep Science Ventures is a London-based venture studio for a multidisciplinary community of technical founders curious to explore opportunities, critical insights and build transformative companies. They are looking for motivated engineers that love entrepreneurship and problem solving.

Harnessing the Power of Algae: New, Greener Fuel Cells Move Step Closer to Reality

16 January 2018

A new design of algae-powered fuel cells that is five times more efficient than existing plant and algal models, as well as being potentially more cost-effective to produce and practical to use, has been developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge. (Dr. Paolo Bombelli is an OpenPlant Fund grantee and Chris Howe is an OpenPlant PI.)

OpenPlant Fund supports open source multi-fluorescence imaging system published in PLOS One

6 January 2018

The advent of easy-to-use open source microcontrollers, off-the-shelf electronics and customizable manufacturing technologies has facilitated the development of inexpensive scientific devices and laboratory equipment. In this study supported by the OpenPlant Fund, Isaac Nuñez, Tamara Matute and collaborators describe a multi-fluorescence imaging system that integrates low-cost and open-source hardware, software and genetic resources.

Synthetic Biology and the Senses: volunteers wanted for Cambridge Science Festival

4 January 2018

Synthetic biology can bring cutting edge biotechnology into everyday experiences through people's senses by harnessing the wonderful variety of colours, scents, tastes and textures produced in nature. We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers and interactive exhibits or colourful posters to illustrate the theme of 'Synthetic Biology and the Senses' at the Cambridge Science Festival Life Science Marquee on Sat 17 March 2018.

Congratulation to the winners of the Café Synthetique Christmas Quiz - how well would you have done?

22 December 2017

Four teams pitted their wits against the Café Synthetique SynBio Pub Quiz on 18 December at the Panton Arms. Congratulations to the winners and we've provided a couple of rounds of questions here so you can see how you would have done!

Prof Giles Oldroyd joins Sainsbury Lab to engineer nitrogen-fixing cereals

22 December 2017

Prof Giles Oldroyd, an OpenPlant PI who directs a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation programme of research to engineer nitrogen-fixing cereals has recently joined the Sainsbury Lab at University Cambridge after 15 years at the John Innes Centre in Norwich.

Science Makers explores 3D printing with food, flavour networks and molecular cuisine

5 December 2017

Lab equipment and chemistry has made its way into the kitchen - with water baths, centrifuges, freeze dryers, 3D printers and more now involved in gastronomic creations. During the December Science Makers session, over 25 members of the SRI, Cambridge Makespace and interested members of the public heard about some of the techniques of 'molecular gastronomy' and tried them out!

Call for Proposals: 5th International Synthetic & Systems Biology Summer School - SSBSS 2018

3 December 2017

The Synthetic and Systems Biology Summer School (SSBSS) is a full-immersion five-day residential summer school on cutting-edge advances in systems and synthetic biology with lectures delivered by world-renowned experts. The 2018 Summer School will take place July 25-29, 2018 at Certosa di Pontignano in Tuscany, Italy.

Synthetic Biology Student Society launch first collaborative project at Biomakespace

30 November 2017

The Cambridge University Synthetic Biology Student Society are running a student-led project 2017-18. They had their first lab session this month which represented the launch of the first collaborative project at Biomakespace, Cambridge's new community biology lab based at the Biomedical Campus. Over 10 students attended to start preparing DNA that will eventually be used to create 'bacterial photography'.

Loop Assembly: a simple and open system for recursive fabrication of DNA circuits

Opportunity for PhD Level Engineers to Join Deep Science Ventures

Harnessing the Power of Algae: New, Greener Fuel Cells Move Step Closer to Reality

OpenPlant Fund supports open source multi-fluorescence imaging system published in PLOS One

Synthetic Biology and the Senses: volunteers wanted for Cambridge Science Festival

Congratulation to the winners of the Café Synthetique Christmas Quiz - how well would you have done?

Prof Giles Oldroyd joins Sainsbury Lab to engineer nitrogen-fixing cereals

Science Makers explores 3D printing with food, flavour networks and molecular cuisine

Call for Proposals: 5th International Synthetic & Systems Biology Summer School - SSBSS 2018

Synthetic Biology Student Society launch first collaborative project at Biomakespace

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