On August 31 and September 1, the Centro Nacional de Biotecnología of the CSIC (CNB-CSIC) will host the international EUSynBio 2017 Symposium, a meeting that brings together future experts in synthetic biology. Graduate students, predoctoral and young scientists, together with leading scientists and industry representatives in the field, will discuss the potential of this research area for building a better society.
The conference, titled Engineering Biology for a Better Future, will centre debate not only on science, but also on the legal, ethical, and social aspects of this emerging branch of biology.
Four prominent speakers will bring their experience and viewpoints to the participants. Víctor de Lorenzo, a CNB-CSIC researcher with expertise in environmental biotechnology and bioremediation, will inaugurate the meeting, offering his view of the current state of synthetic biology and its possibilities for the future. Piers Millet and Filippa Lentzos will contribute their expertise as specialists in biological risk prevention, security, and political management of new life science technologies and their possible use as weapons. Hervé Vanderschuren, a plant biotechnology scientist focused on developing more sustainable agriculture, will be the final speaker of the day.
In addition to these keynote lectures, the open debate Synthetic biology and environmental engineering will be held on Friday with the participation of De Lorenzo, Ricard Solé (biologist and physicist at Pompeu Fabra University) and Catherine Rhodes (expert in the legal aspects of science).
Together with the presentations, there will be selected student talks and posters to generate discussion of specific research topics. These will will alternate with sessions on career perspectives and challenges, public communication of new technologies in the life sciences, biological risk management, and industrial biotechnology.
This will be the second congress in a series that began in London in 2016 and, according to the organizers, intends to "develop a new vision for the community of young people dedicated to synthetic biology."
Further information:
Congress: http://www.eusynbios.org/symposium/
Speakers: http://www.eusynbios.org/symposium-speakers/
Registration (OPEN): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eusynbios-symposium-2017-engineering-biology-for-a-better-future-registration-33696310572?aff=es2
Programme: http://www.eusynbios.org/symposium-schedule/
EUSynBioS 2017 Organizer
The European Association of Students and Post-docs in Synthetic Biology (EUSynBioS) was founded in 2014 as a student initiative. Its aim is to shape and foster a community of young researchers active in the scientific discipline of synthetic biology in Europe and to serve as a platform for interaction. Among its main objectives are the promotion of academic and industrial collaborations around the world, sponsorship of professional development events and creation of training opportunities. Website: http://www.eusynbios.org/