Welcome to SynBioNT
A Synthetic Biology Network for Modelling and Programming Cell-Chell Interactions
The field of synthetic biology holds a great promise for the design, construction and development of artificial (i.e. man-made) biological (sub)systems thus offering viable new routes to genetically modified organisms, smart drugs as well as model systems to examine artificial genomes and proteomes. The informed manipulation of such biological (sub)systems could have an enormous positive impact on our societies, with its effects being felt across a range of activities such as the provision of healthcare, environmental protection and remediation, etc.
The basic premise of synthetic biology is that methods commonly used to design and construct non-biological systems, such as those employed in the computational sciences and the engineering disciplines, could also be used to model and program novel synthetic biosystems. Synthetic biology thus lies at the interface of a variety of disciplines ranging from biology through chemistry, physics, computer science, mathematics and engineering.
The overarching aim of this network is to generate new vigorous interactions between the disciplines that impinge (and contribute to) Synthetic Biology by supporting a range of community building activities. These activities will be centred on the specific technical goal of achieving programmable interactions between biological and artificial cells.
By focusing on this specific technical challenge we hope to contribute to bridging the gap between synthetic biology from the top-down (i.e. knocking out or modifying functions of existing cells) and bottom-up synthetic biology, that is, from first principles. We believe that both approaches are important and will have a role to play in the future of synthetic biology, hence a challenge that calls for the interaction between top-down systems (modified cells) and bottom-up systems (chells, protocells) provides the ideal background against which a new research community can be built and sustained.
Network Activities
The following are some of the activities we coordinate:
3.Networking Visits
5.Sustainable Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Scholarship:
6. Supporting the European Conference on Synthetic Biology
Network Activities
Our members have organised and participated in the following activities:
SynBioNT coordinated events
- OR53 Bioinformatics, Systems and Synthetic Biology stream, September 2011
- Synthetic Biology Dialogue Workshop, February 2011
- SynBioNT Public Engagement Event, March 2010
- Challenges in Top-Down, Bottom-Up, Computational and ELSI Approaches in Synthetic Biology, March 2010
- IMPACT! Exhibition, March 2010
- ChellNet Meeting, December 2009
- Synthetic Biology and Computer Science: Challenges and Opportunities, October 2009
- Plant Bioinformatics, Systems and Synthetic Biology Summer School, July 2009
- SynBioNT Kick Off Workshop, March 2009
Grants Writing Sand-Pits
- The CHELL: A Bottom-Up approach to in vitro and in silico Minimal Life-like Constructs
- The Logistics of Small Things - A Crossdisciplinary Feasibility Account
Supporting the European Conference on Synthetic Biology
Natalio Krasnogor, Alfonso Valencia, and Victor de Lorenzo were instrumental setting up this conference series:
- ECSB I
- ECSB II (talks)
Societal Aspects of Synthetic Biology
A seminar series on societal issues raised by synthetic biology with a program of public engagement activities, science communication training for network members and media engagement activities was developed:
Still Have Questions? Reach Out to Us!
Our team at SynBioNT is here to support you. Whether you're curious about synthetic biology, want to explore collaborations, or simply need more information about our work, we’re ready to help. Contact us today and take the first step toward discovering the potential of synthetic biology to transform science, technology, and our world.