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Biological Engineering in the Service of Society

Biological Engineering in the Service of Society. Synthetic Biology: An Audacious Goal?. Understand Science + Engineer Systems = New Solutions. Physics. Microelectronics Revolution. +. Engineering. Chem. Chem. Synthetic Biology Revolution?. Engineering. +.

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Biological Engineering in the Service of Society

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  1. Biological Engineering in the Service of Society

  2. Synthetic Biology: An Audacious Goal? Understand Science + Engineer Systems = New Solutions Physics Microelectronics Revolution + Engineering Chem Chem Synthetic Biology Revolution? Engineering + Biology

  3. UC Berkeley Synthetic Biology Institute (SBI) • CHEMISTRY • Chemistry • Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering • Chemical Biology • ENGINEERING • Bioengineering • Mechanical Engineering • Electrical Engineering • Computer Sciences • Materials Science • BIOLOGY • Molecular & Cell Biology • Systems Biology • Plant & Microbial Biology • Integrative Biology • Genomics

  4. Institution History • Working group formed 2009 to link UC Berkeley and Berkeley Lab’s diverse capabilities in synthetic biology, leveraging a diverse set of major research enterprises: • SynBERC: Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center • BIOFAB: International Open Facility Advancing Biotechnology • JBEI: Joint Bioenergy Institute • EBI: Energy Biosciences Institute • And many others • SBI was officially launched in 2010 with 37 faculty from eight university departments and three national lab divisions

  5. Define the field of synthetic biology Deepen understanding of how biological systems work Robust, transferable tools to reliably engineer biosystems Standardized design rules for constructing enzymes,metabolic pathways, chromosomes, cells, etc. Address impacts: Ethical, environmental, economic, legal and social implications (E3LSI) of synthetic biology Push the boundaries: What is the real potential of thisemerging field? Meet society’s big challenges: Energy, environment, food… Goals of the Synthetic Biology Institute

  6. Crystallizing Our Research Themes • Five research themes:- Health & Medicine (David Shaffer, CBE)- Chemicals & Fuels (Harvey Blanch, CBE)- Environment & Agriculture (HenrikScheller, LBNL)- Foundational Science (Dan Fletcher, BioE)- E3LSI (CharisThompson, GWS) • Building our research story: What will our impact be and how can we get there?

  7. Recent SBI activities and collaborations • Signed multi-year, multi-million-dollar agreement with Agilent Technologies as SBI’s first Industrial Member (1/4/11) • Chaired Department of Defense workshop on “Future Directions in Engineering Biology” (4/4-5/11) and issued report • Launched SBI website, synbio.berkeley.edu (4/1/11) • SBI launch celebration, with 250 attendees and panel on “Synthetic Biology: Engineering Biological Solutions” (4/25/11) • Hosted three-day international workshop (with JBEI and the Univ. of Copenhagen) on “A Bio-Based Future (8/29-31/11) • First three faculty research grants initiated via Agilent partnership (Summer 2011) • Launched search and began interviewing for executive director • Initiated discussions and outreach with 9 potential new Industry Members

  8. Industry Partnerships Industry partners are key to SBI’s efforts to translate research into processes, products, and technologies that meet real-world demands. Partner benefits include: • Sole sponsorship of an area of research and results, defined by you • Ability to direct funds toward collaborations of sponsored research or infrastructure that align with your interests • Early access to research results and intellectual property • Scientist exchange programs and internships • Partners-only workshops • Close interaction with UC Berkeley faculty and students • Opportunities to recruit top graduate students

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