Synthetic Biology. From Standard Biological Parts to Artificial Life

Synthetic biology encompasses various approaches traditionally separated from each other: 1) the design of gene and protein circuits from standard biological parts, 2) the development of synthetic genetic codes and 3) the creation of artificial cells and organisms. The common result of these efforts is the implementation of new functionalities that are absent in natural organisms. These new functionalities lead to applications such as detection and treatment of cancerous tumors, production of fuel and drugs, and even the recreation of extinct species. The potential of synthetic biology is becoming increasingly more evident, and the field is already being considered a key technology by countries such as the United Kingdom.

Within this context, the present event, co-organized by B·Debate and Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), with the collaboration of the Integrative Synthetic Biology Centre of the University of Warwick (UK), the Boston University Biological Design Center (USA)  and the Biomass Systems and Synthetic Biology Center of the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil), aims to be a debate forum in which to discuss and exchange Synthetic Biology ideas with international scientific leaders experts in different subdisciplines of the field, with the goal of approaching positions in the way towards achieving applications that are closer to society.