Current events

First RoSBNet Synthetic Biology Workshop - 14-16 September 2009

The first RoSBNet Synthetic Biology workshop was held on the 14th, 15th and 16th of September 2009 at St Annes' College, University of Oxford.

Topics

• Biology Theme: Constructing simple function network motifs (switches, oscillators, etc.) from standardised parts.

• Electrical/Computer Engineering Theme: The "Art of electronics" - building transistors, op-amps etc.

• Control/Systems Engineering Theme: Modelling and understanding the robustness of simple biological and electrical circuits.

Ethical, economical, philosophical, legal and societal issues as well as measurement methods will form underlying themes.

Confirmed Speakers

• Professor Ron Weiss, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• Professor Jeff Hasty, University of California at San Diego.
• Professor Chris J. Myers, University of Utah.
• Professor Domitilla Del Vecchio, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
• Professor Mustafa Khammash, University of California at Santa Barbara.
• Professor Hana El Samad, University of California at San Francisco.
• Professor Julian Savulescu, University of Oxford.
• Professor David Fell, Oxford Brookes University.
• Dr Michael Liss, GENEART.
• Dr Jim Haseloff, University of Cambridge.
• Dr George Wadhams, University of Oxford.
• Dr Jane Calvert, University of Edinburgh.

Speaker Presentations

Monday 14th September:

Speaker	Institution	Topic
Professor Ron Weiss	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Synthetic Biology: From Modules to Systems
Professor Mustafa Khammash	University of California at Santa Barbara	Stochastic Biochemical Reaction Networks: Modeling, Analysis and Identification
Professor Hana El Samad	University of California at San Francisco	Predictive Modeling: The Challenges of Analysis and Synthesis for Systems and Synthetic Biology
Professor Julian Savulescu	University of Oxford	Ethical Issues in Synthetic Biolgy

Tuesday 15th September:

Speaker	Institution	Topic
Professor Jeff Hasty	University of California at San Diago	Engineered Genetic Oscilators
Professor Domitilla Del Vecchio	University of Michigan	Modular Cell Biology: Retroactivity and Insulation
Dr Jim Haseloff	University of Cambridge	Bioengineering of Plant Systems
Dr George Wadhams	University of Oxford	Parameter Measurements for Synthetic Biology

Notes taken from the Tuesday afternoom brainstorming session.

Wedenesday 16th September:

Speaker	Institution	Topic
Professor Chris Myers	University of Utah	Genetic Design Automation: Progress and Future Research Directions
Dr Michael Liss	GENEART	Synthetic Bio-Bricks: Enabling Tools for Biotechnology
Dr Jane Calvert	University of Edinburgh	Biology as Engineering: Concepts, Cultures and Collaborations
Professor David Fell	Oxford Brookes University	Synthetic Metabolism: Lessons for Metabolic Engineering

Location of the Workshop

St Anne’s is located within easy walking distance from the centre of Oxford and is situated within 5 acres of tranquil leafy grounds. The workshop will take place in the new conference facilities of the Ruth Deach Building and Tsuzuki Lecture Theatre. The conference brochure, which includes a map on page 6, is available here.

Travel Information

Oxford is accessible by car, train, bus and coach. It is within easy reach of Birmingham Airport, Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport and Southampton International Airport. Information on the best way to travel to Oxford can be found here. A map of St Anne’s College can be viewed here. Car Parking within Oxford is extremely limited and expensive. If you are coming by car it is recommended that you use the Pear Tree or Water Eaton Park and Ride facilities.

Flyer and Registration Form

RoSBNet 2009 workshop flyer
RoSBNet 2009 workshop Registration Form in PDF format
RoSBNet 2009 workshop Registration Form in MS Word format