SYNBIOLOGY - An Analysis of Synthetic Biology Research in Europe and North America 4,5/4,5 CM SYNBIOLOGY: An Analysis of Synthetic Biology Research in Europe and North America Report on SB2.0 Conference (Berkeley: May 20-22, 2006) 30th May 2006 European Commission, Brussels

SYNBIOLOGY Brussels, 30 May 2006 Report on SB2.0 Conference - -The conference aimed at catalyzing the development of the synthetic biology field as a nascent bioengineering discipline - -Date: May 20-22, Location: University of California, Berkeley - -Organization - -Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory - -Massachusetts Institute of Technology - -University of California, Berkeley - -University of California, San Francisco Overview

SYNBIOLOGY Brussels, 30 May 2006 Report on SB2.0 Conference - -Total number of participants: Number of European participants: Other non-US participants: The conference brought together participants from various disciplines: biological engineering, biochemistry, quantitative biology, biophysics, molecular and cellular biology, bioethics, policy and governance, and the biotech industry Overview (2)

SYNBIOLOGY Brussels, 30 May 2006 Report on SB2.0 Conference - -SB2.0 had the first two days dedicated to plenary talks and discussions focused on five research areas - -Energy - -Chemistry - -Health - -Materials - -Foundational technologies Structure

SYNBIOLOGY Brussels, 30 May 2006 Report on SB2.0 Conference - -The third day of the conference was dedicated to presentations, discussions, and deliberations of four key societal issues - -Safety and security - -Public understanding & perception - -Ownership - -Community organization Structure (2)

SYNBIOLOGY Brussels, 30 May 2006 Report on SB2.0 Conference - -Website: - -The three days of webcasts and presentations will be available soon on the site - -The organizing committee is compiling a written statement describing some principles to advance this field safely and effectively, based on the third day discussions and input from the participants Conference Information

SYNBIOLOGY Brussels, 30 May 2006 Report on SB2.0 Conference - -Synthetic Biology is clearly a new, still developing multi- disciplinary field - -There is no consensus yet on who is a “synthetic biologist” - -The significant difference from the genetic engineering field is that synthetic biology allows for the synthesis of complex biological systems from component parts - -Synthetic Biology allows for the introduction or modification of complete metabolic pathways (i.e., not just a single gene) into a cell line Some Personal Observations

SYNBIOLOGY Brussels, 30 May 2006 Report on SB2.0 Conference - -A vast array of potential applications (i.e. commercialization) is possible, perhaps even in a not too distant future - -Engineering came through as a strong and fundamental underpinning for the development of synthetic biology - -Discussion on the third day topics is far more advanced in the US vis-à-vis the EU or Japan Some Personal Observations (2)

SYNBIOLOGY Brussels, 30 May 2006 Report on SB2.0 Conference - -Several options were outlined: - -Integrate into existing federal policy - -Push for synthetic biology to play a role in other national research priorities - -Develop a separate case for synthetic biology - -Argue for broader initiative, including but not limited to synthetic biology, such as: - -Advanced Biotechnology Initiative - -Enabling a Bio-Economy Possible Strategies to Further Synthetic Biology Research

SYNBIOLOGY Brussels, 30 May 2006 Report on SB2.0 Conference - -It should include - -Establishment of foundational technologies - -Identify applications of synthetic biology - -Address education and workforce development - -Infrastructure and tool development - -Address ethical, legal, societal implications, understanding and mitigating risks - -Develop prizes and rewards Elements of a Synthetic Biology Initiative

SYNBIOLOGY Brussels, 30 May 2006 Report on SB2.0 Conference - -Increase funding - -More coherent investment strategy - -Foster interdisciplinary collaborative research - -Attract young researchers to the field - -Catalyze greater investment by states, universities, start ups, foreign governments, etc Benefits of an Initiative

SYNBIOLOGY Brussels, 30 May 2006 Report on SB2.0 Conference - -May create hype, leading to a backlash - -National and policy attention may be premature - -Could result in re-labeling of existing activities - -Initiatives are harder to sustain than to launch - -Initiatives can be overly prescriptive Risks of a New Initiative

SYNBIOLOGY Brussels, 30 May 2006 Report on SB2.0 Conference - -Create ambitious but plausible goals - -Identify most promising and important research - -Address budget needs - -Division of labor between funding agencies - -Links to policy issues beyond R&D - -Public education “Homework” Needed

SYNBIOLOGY Brussels, 30 May 2006 Report on SB2.0 Conference - -The suggestions for the development of future strategy were offered at the conference by Dr. Thomas Kalil, Special Assistant to the Chancellor, University of California, Berkeley Acknowledgement