Confirmed Speakers

                Prof. Jon Cooper               Prof. Jerome Bibette               Prof. Oscar Ces 

                      University of Glasgow                                 ESPCI, Paris                               Imperial College, London

                                         Dr. Darcy Wagner                Dr. Wang Baojun 

                                                            Lund University                           University of Edinburgh 

                                             Dr. David Lunn               Dr. Frank Gesellchen  

                                                                  OxsyBio Ltd.                                  Sphere Fluidics Ltd. 

Synopsis

Synthetic biology has proven to be an effective means for reconstructing functional biological devices from the basic building blocks of living systems. This bottom-up approach provides simple models for a better understanding of complex biological processes, including diseases and their treatments.

Recent advances in engineering and biology have enabled the development of cell chassis (or protocells), as artificial lipidic or polymeric membranes encapsulating genetic material for a variety of applications ranging from studies on cell and membrane activities, animal-free drug testing to tissues engineering. The latter is significant as synbio provides the opportunity to build responsive tissue construct (with sensors and actuators) all based on biological components, with the potential to generate ‘smart artificial organs. These early studies provided a deeper understanding of both fundamental biological processes and applications in biotechnology and medicine.

Cross-disciplinary research collaboration can address different aspects of such complex systems, in the generation and stabilisation of the chassis (as droplets), surface adsorption of enzymes and proteins (as actuators and sensors), formation of membranes and intracellular signalling pathways (as ‘living’ computers).

This workshop aims to bring together experts in relevant research fields, e.g. colloids, surface chemistry, materials and bio-medical engineering, to promote discussions on their research challenges and identify immediate and/or long-term goals for successful projects.

Workshop Programme 

The workshop will be a two half-days. It will start on 28th March afternoon with talks and a discussion panel on the end of the day. The discussion will continue on the 29th March morning in form of round the table discussions. 

The detailed workshop schedule will be available soon. 

Contact

Please contact local organisers for more information

Dr. Elijah Nazarzadeh, Dr. Julien Reboud,  Dr. Manlio Tassieri, Ms. Xi King and Ms. Louise Mason

This workshop is enabled by funding from Scottish Research Partnership in Engineering