What is Synthetic Biology

Synthetic Biology Explained

Adventures in Synthetic Biology

Online Synthetic Biology Resources

• Syntheticbiology.org
  A good web resource is the site Syntheticbiology.org, hosted on OpenWetWare. It can be edited by all members of the Synthetic Biology community.
• BioBricks Foundation
  The BioBricks Foundation (BBF) is a not-for-profit organization founded by engineers and scientists from MIT, Harvard, and UCSF with significant experience in both non-profit and commercial biotechnology research.
• iGEM
  The International Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) is the premiere undergraduate Synthetic Biology competition.
  Read, BIO Sponsors iGEM Competition, from BIO News
• The Synthetic Biology Project
  The Synthetic Biology Project of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars has links to many resources.
• SynBERC
  The Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center (SynBERC) is a multi-institution research effort to lay the foundation for the emerging field of synthetic biology. It brings together scientists from life, social and computer sciences plus mathematicians and engineers.
  

Synthetic Biology Upcoming Meetings, Workshops, and Conferences

• Webinar: Synthetic Biology for Advanced Biofuels, Biobased Chemicals,
  
  BIO hosted the first in a series of educational webinars on synthetic biology. The rapid growth of research in synthetic biology has created opportunities for novel products and processes, including consumer products such as advanced biofuels and biochemicals. Representatives of companies discussed the technology and its use in making consumer products.
  
  Janet Nelson, Director, Industrial and Environmental Section, Biotechnology Industry Organization -- Download the SynBioWebinar (February 27, 2009)
  Karl Sanford, Vice President, Technology Development, Genencor - a Division of Danisco -- Download the SynBioWebinar (February 27, 2009)
  Stephen Del Cardayre, Vice President, Research and Development, LS9 -- Download the SynBioWebinar (February 27, 2009)
  
  
• The Second European Conference on Synthetic Biology,
  Saint Feliu, Spain,
  March 29-April 3, 2009
  
• BioSysBio Conference in synthetic biology, systems biology, and bioinformatics,
  Cambridge, UK,
  March 23-25, 2009
  
• Advances in Synthetic Biology conference,
  London,
  April 28-29, 2009
  

Synthetic Biology Selected Background Reading

• Synthetic Genomics: Options for Governance
  This report from the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) outlines areas for interventions and policy options to help mitigate potential risks with this promising area of research.
• Genome Synthesis and Design Futures: Implications for the US Economy
  This report from Bio Economic Research Associates analyzes recent and expected impacts of the advance and adoption of new gene sequencing and synthesis technologies and techniques, and looks in depth at their likely significance in three strategically important sectors of the US economy.
• Synthetic Biology: social and ethical challenges
  This report by Andrew Balmer and Dr. Paul Martin of the University of Nottingham's Institute for Science and Society was an independent review commissioned by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
• Safety and Ethical Aspects of Synthetic Biology
  SYNBIOSAFE is a project in Europe to research the safety and ethical aspects of synthetic biology, and aims to proactively stimulate a debate on these issues.
• Synthetic Biology An Overview and Recommendations for Anticipating and Addressing Emerging Risks
  This article by Denise Caruso of The Hybrid Vigor Institute discusses a lengthy list of potential risks, as well as broad scientific and social concerns,in the field of synthetic biology.
• Trends in American & European Press Coverage of Synthetic Biology
  This is a landmark assessment tracking the last five years of coverage of the emerging technology in the news. The survey rests on the findings of individual U.S. and European press coverage analyses.