Author: Sarah Bennett

Researchers at the University of Warwick, Dr Lauren Swiney and Professor Declan Bates, have considered efforts to understand public perceptions of synthetic biology using cognitive science in their recently published article in the journal Trends in Biotechnology. It is proposed that human cognition places constraints upon how we think about synthetic biology. The research explores how intuitive reasoning can shape risk perception of specific synthetic biology technologies. The cognitive insights from this work will be used to improve the quality of public debate around synthetic biology. Engagement with the public is an important part of applying the principles of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), which has become a core component of the work being performed at synthetic biology centres across the UK.

The recently funded BIORIBOBOOST consortium had its first joint meeting at the end of October in Valencia. This EU-funded 25-partner consortium includes groups from eleven European countries plus further partners in China, Japan, Singapore and USA. John McCarthy represents WISB in the consortium, which has the objective to establish a new framework of future standards and guidance for technologies, practices and policies in synthetic biology.

Applications can be made to the SynBio CDT programme for PhDs starting in October 2018. The 4-year studentships cover UK/EU Tuition Fees in full and pay an annual stipend. The next application deadline is 24th November 2017.

The SynBioCDT draws upon the breadth and depth of multidisciplinary expertise within the research environment at the Universities of Oxford, Bristol and Warwick to offer comprehensive training in the design and engineering of biologically based parts, devices and systems as well as the re-design of existing, natural biological systems across all scales from molecules to organisms.

Students from a wide range of backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

For more details see the SynBioCDT website.

The WISB International Workshop will take place next week from Tuesday 19^th – Thursday 21^st September 2017 in Palazzo Pesaro Papafava, the University of Warwick’s conference facility in Venice.

The workshop will see WISB members come together with external speakers to discuss advances in their research, the latest global advances in Synthetic Biology, and will also see plans being made for future exploitation of these technologies.  This workshop will focus on multiple themes in the burgeoning field of synthetic biology, including predictive design, biological circuitry, biosynthetic pathways and cell communities. There will be oral and poster presentations on a range of synthetic systems, featuring computational modelling as well as experimental research on microbial, mammalian and plant cells. The workshop will also include a session on ethical and societal aspects of synthetic biology.

Guest speakers will be travelling from as far afield as the USA and South Korea with Josh Leonard and John Coley (Northwestern University, USA), Virginia Cornish (Columbia University, USA), Ahmad Khalil (Boston University, USA) and Haseong Kim (Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, South Korea) in attendance.

Speakers travelling from Europe include:

• Kobi Benenson (ETH Zurich, Switzerland)
• Victor de Lorenzo (Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia, Spain)
• Irina Borodina (Technical University of Denmark)
• Jordi Garcia Ojalvo (Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain)
• Philip Shapira (University of Manchester, UK)
• Stefaan Blancke (Ghent University, Belgium)
• Anke Becker (Philipps-Universitat Marburg, Germany)

You can follow updates from the workshop on Twitter #WISBinVenice

The 2017 WISB review workshop will take place on the 7th of June in the Oculus building at the University of Warwick.

The programme will primarily showcase the work of our PDRAs, Research Fellows and SynBio CDT PhD students. For those of you who are already familiar with WISB, these presentations will provide a valuable update on all of our science and technology development activities. For those of you who are relatively new to this community, these presentations will reveal the breadth of excellent work that is being done in the centre.

 

 

 

Applications are now closed for this position. Keep an eye out for more opportunities in the future.

We are looking for a WISB Research & Outreach Manager

This post will suit a candidate with a background in research who wishes to develop a career in research programme management, learning and/or applying skills in financial oversight, grant proposal writing, research communication and outreach activities.

Applications can be made to the SynBio CDT programme for the remaining two PhDs starting in October 2017. The 4-year studentships cover UK/EU Tuition Fees in full and pay an annual stipend. The next application deadline is 30th April 2017.

The SynBioCDT draws upon the breadth and depth of multidisciplinary expertise within the research environment at the Universities of Oxford, Bristol and Warwick to offer comprehensive training in the design and engineering of biologically based parts, devices and systems as well as the re-design of existing, natural biological systems across all scales from molecules to organisms.

Students from a wide range of backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

For more details see the SynBioCDT website.

Applications have now closed!

WISB is looking for an ambitious postdoctoral researcher who wishes to begin development of an independent career in Synthetic Biology. This fellowship is a fixed term contract for four years.

The closing date for applications is 26th February 2017.  For more information, please visit the University of Warwick’s job website.