Synthetic biology. Engineering life for the medicine of the future

Our capacity to engineer genomes has increased enormously, and this advancement is impacting science and society. Synthetic Biology is the application of science, technology and engineering to facilitate and accelerate the design, manufacture and/or modification of genetic materials in living organisms. It drives to a new era in a wide variety of research fields, including sustainable energy, food production, biomaterials, better understanding of human biology and development of novel therapies. Engineering of life is changing the medicine of the future. 

This B·Debate, a joint initiative of Biocat and Obra Social “la Caixa”, is co-organized with the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) and the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF). The conference will be focused on medical applications of gene editing technologies. A forum will be created to foster discussion between top scientists, to engage industry and society and to promote scientific advancement and its sustainable translation into economic and health benefits. The debate will highlight new tool development and new applications to diverse problems in biotechnology, focusing in life science and medicine, and will also face the ethical and philosophical concerns raised since its appearance, including in the conversation not only researchers but also the general public.

Confirmed speakers: 

• Bernhard Paetzold, S-Biomedic, Belgium
• Carole Lartigue, French National Institute for Agricultural Research, France
• Francesc Posas, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona
• John L. Collins, SynbiCITE, UK
• Jordi Garcia-Ojalvo, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona
• José Carlos Segovia, Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology Research (CIEMAT), Madrid
• Julia Oh, The Jackson Laboratory, US
• Laia Crespo, Sanofi Ventures, France
• Lluís Montoliu, Spanish National Centre for Biotechnology, Madrid
• Lluís Pareras, Invivo Capital i Healthequity, Barcelona
• Luis Ángel Fernández, Spanish National Centre for Biotechnology, Madrid
• Manel Juan Otero, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona
• María Jurado, Promega Biotech Ibérica
• Maria Lluch-Senar, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona
• Matthew Porteus, Stanford Medicine, US
• Prashant Mali, UC San Diego, US
• Ricard Solé, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona
• Sonja Erikainen, University of Edinburgh, UK
• Sylvain Sachot, Asabys Partners, Barcelona
• Victor de Lorenzo, Spanish National Centre for Biotechnology, Madrid

Registration closes on June 9. Early bird until April 30. Register here!
Deadline to submit an abstract to be selected for a poster presentation: May 24