SCN events
Upcoming events
2012
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Joint SCN/EPSRC Directed Assembly Network Spring meeting
24th - 25th May 2012
A joint meeting of the Synthetic Components Network and the EPSRC funded Directed Assembly Network to explore shared interests and scope collaborative projects.
Passed events
2011
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SCN Annual Conference 2011: Past, Present and Future
5th - 6th December 2011
The third and final annual conference of the SCN will take place in Bristol. As this event will be part of the culmination of the network efforts of the past three years, we hope it will be a good opportunity to look back at how the Network has evolved, to take pride of its achievements and look forward to future potential.
The third and final annual conference of the SCN will take place in Bristol. As this event will be part of the culmination of the network efforts of the past three years, we hope it will be a good opportunity to look back at how the Network has evolved, to take pride of its achievements and look forward to future potential.
We are pleased to announce that Prof. Paul Freemont, currently Head of the Division of Molecular Biosciences and co-Director of the EPSRC Centre for Synthetic Biology and Innovation at Imperial College London, will be speaking at this event.
There will be presentations of collaborative projects that have emerged between network members and the progress made within the ELSI agenda and synthetic biology.
The network will be subsidising the conference heavily this year. To reserve a place at this event we would like delegates to pay a conference booking fee of £50. This payment will secure accommodation for one or two nights at the Avon Gorge Hotel, lunch and dinner on Monday 5 December and lunch on Tuesday 6 December.
- Venue:
- Engineers House and The Avon Gorge Hotel Bristol
- Agenda:
- SCN AC 2011 Conference Programme
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Free SCN Public Engagement Training
25-26 October 2011
Most research grant applications require that you describe how your research will impact on society and how you will disseminate your results. Public engagement is one of the routes to impact and this course, run over two days, will equip you with the skills you need to engage a variety of public audiences, as well as giving you the opportunity to think about your research in different ways and meet people from other institutions. The course is tailored for those working in synthetic biology, and will include discussion about the possible ethical and societal implications of this area of science as well as looking at funders' requirements.
A representative from BBSRC will be present.
All are welcome to apply but the course is particularly aimed at early career researchers.
Programme:
25 October
1pm Lunch2pm - 5pm Public engagement skills training at At Bristol
6pm Science cafe led by Professor Dek Wooflson and Dr Ainsley Newson
8pm Dinner, central Bristol
26 October
9am - 1pm Public engagement experience at At BristolPlaces are limited. Please register early to avoid dissapointment.
If you are interested in attending we would like to ask you to include in your registration a short statement (no more than 300 words) outlining why you would like to attend the course and what you hope to get out of it. Places will be awarded on the basis of your statement. Please submit the statement by 20 October.
Reasonable travel expenses and accommodation is also included. Dinner on the 25th October will be hosted by Prof. Woolfson.
Registration deadline: 20 October 2011
If you required further information please email scn-mail@bristol.ac.uk
Flyer: Public Engagement Training for synthetic biologists. (PDF, 856.6 Kb)
- Venue:
- Explore At Bristol
Biochemical Society Harden Conference
Synthetic Biology: design and engineering through understanding
22 - 26 August 2011, Keele University
The conference will bring together scientists from various backgrounds with a common interest in - but varying approaches to - Synthetic Biology, and will feature internationally renowned highlight speakers. More information will be available in due course, but please save this date if you are interested in attending.
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*** NEW DATE *** 3rd May 2011, followed by informal dinner. Cricklade Hotel
Discussion meeting of the network PIs with the view to developing specific research applications. The meeting will include a full day of discussion on the 3rd May, followed by an informal dinner. Accommodation will be provided on the 2nd and 3rd May. Please email scn-mail@bristol.ac.uk if you would like to attend.
- Venue:
- Cricklade Hotel, Cotswolds
- Agenda:
- SCN Discussion Meeting 2011
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Science Cafe
Synthetic Biology: science and ethics
18:00 - 20:00, 30 November 2010, Post-grad coffee lounge, School of Chemistry, Bristol University
Synthetic Biology can be broadly described as the design and construction of new biological systems not found in nature. The field encompasses aspects of biology, biochemistry, chemistry and engineering. This science café aims to explore the science and ethical implications of this fascinating subject, in an informal setting which promotes discussion and debate.
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SCN Annual Conference 2010
23rd - 24th September 2010
The second annual conference of the SCN will be held in Leeds. Acting upon feedback from last year the network will be subsidising the conference more heavily and offering registration at hugely reduced prices. We have also secured a great venue with lots of space for informal discussion, posters, networking and socialising.
Registration is now closed for this event
- Venue:
- Oulton Hall, Leeds
- Agenda:
- Draft programme for SCN Annual Conference 2010
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SCN Discussion Meeting
15th - 16th April 2010
Discussion meeting of the network PIs with the view to developing specific research applications. The meeting will start with an informal dinner on the evening of the 15th, followed by a full day of discussions on the 16th.
- Venue:
- Corpus Christi, Oxford
- Agenda:
- Programme [PDF (26kB)]
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Synthetic Biology: Hype and Hope
15 February 2010
Synthetic biology is an emerging area of scientific research at the interface of biology, chemistry, engineering, physics and mathematics. The research promises cheaper and faster routes to drugs, biofuels, and new materials for medical applications. However, synthetic biology also provokes controversy because it aims to 'engineer biology'. Thus it raises ethical questions as well as pragmatic and ‘purely’ scientific ones. Dek Woolfson will explain his work, its promises and drawbacks, and expect questions and discussion covering the full spectrum of your interests and responses.
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DEMOCS - a synthetic biology deliberative session
3rd February 2010, 15:00 - 16:30
DEMOCS is a game that helps people make decisions about potentially controversial or challenging issues. We will be playing a round of the game, professionally facilitated, in a short, engaging session. This game will be about 'synthetic biology' - an emerging area of scientific research at the interface of biology, chemistry and engineering. The research promises cheaper and faster routes to drugs, biofuels, and new materials for medical applications. However, synthetic biology also provokes controversy because it aims to “engineer biology” - using the building blocks of life to redesign components and systems with new functions.
This event should be of particular interest to undergraduate students, although all are welcome.Registration is free, if you're interested in attending please contact Philippa Bayley on philippa.bayley@bristol.ac.uk or 0117 331 8321
- Venue:
- Senate Room, University of Bristol
2009
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Synthetic Biology: Hope and Hype
26th November 2009
The Synthetic Components Network is going to be holding its first public engagement event - a public discussion at @Bristol called 'Synthetic biology: hope and hype'. Dek Woolfson and Ainsley Newson will open the evening with short presentations about the science and ethics of Synthetic Biology. After a short question and answer session we would then move to round tableb discussions, with each table having somebody from the Network - scientist, an engineer or social scientist to talk to.
Registration is free, but please call Explore At-Bristol on +44(0)845 345 1235 or +44(0)117 915 5000 to reserve your place.
- Venue:
- Explore @Bristol
- Flyer:
- Synthetic Biology: hope and hype [PDF (70kB)]
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Synthetic Components Network Conference, Oxford, UK
23 - 24 September 2009 (limited places for early bird arrival on 22 September)
*** registration extended until 9 September ***
The Network will open its doors, not only to The Network members, but to the members of their laboratories. The conference will be focused largely on those people at the bench, with the aim that this will encourage hands on discussion of future research projects.
Posters
Posters are invited from anyone attending the event. If you would like to submit a poster, please read the guidelines below, complete the poster abstract form [MS Word (40kB)] and email it to scn-mail@bristol.ac.uk no later than 9 September. You will also be required to indicate on the online registration form that you are submitting a poster.
General poster guidance
* Posters should be A0, in portrait orientation (841mm wide × 1189mm high).
*There will be two poster sessions, one for post doctoral researchers and PhD students, and one for PIs and group leads (see below). You will be asked to man your poster during the appropriate session.
*Posters should be prominently labelled with the owner’s name. We also suggest including a photograph of yourself so that interested parties are able to identify you.
*Please complete an abstract form for your poster [MS Word (40kB)]. E-mail this to scn-mail@bristol.ac.uk.
Post doctoral researchers and PhD students
Please submit a poster describing a recent piece of work or discovery. The audience will be very broad, from many different disciplines and specialities. You might like to bear this in mind when developing your poster, and consider avoiding the use of highly specialist language and terminology.
PI and group lead posters
With the aim of increasing accessibility of the research within SCN to those who might not be an expert in a particular filed we are inviting PIs and group leads to submit a slightly different type of poster. We would like you to produce a poster that gives an introductory overview of your research interests and the approaches you employ to address your research questions. This might be illustrated by a single recent piece of work, or alternatively by a brief description of several projects that are going on within your laboratory.
Printable poster guidance [PDF (21kB)]
Conference Rates
Day Delegate £100 conference registration - all day on the 23rd and 24th September, and evening attendance on the 23rd Full Registration £145 conference registration plus overnight accommodation on the 23rd Early Bird £190 conference registration plus overnight accommodation on the 22nd and 23rd - early bird places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis -
- Venue:
- St Anne's College, Oxford, Conference Facilities
- Agenda:
- Programme [PDF (70kB)]
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Synthetic Components Network Inaugural Discussion Meeting
24 - 25 March 2009
The Network will host its first discussion meeting over two days. This is intended to bring together members of The Network, to start to find a common language upon which to build future activities. There will be special sessions on the Ethical, Legal and Social Issues surrounding Synthetic Biology.
- Venue:
- Coombe Lodge, Bladgon
- Agenda:
- Programme [PDF (146kB)]
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New Horizons Presentation to the Environment Agency - Synthetic Biology: Hype and Hope
14 January 2009
- Venue:
- University of Bristol
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Synthetic Biology: Hype and Hope
14 October 2008
- Venue:
- Cafe Scientifique, @bristol
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Synthetic Biology: from engineering molecules to new forms of life.
8 September 2008
- Venue:
- Cafe Scientifique, Bath
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