NSF iBioFoundry Annual Retreat, 9/15
The NSF iBioFoundry is dedicated to developing new capabilities for biofoundries through an integrated and synergistic in-house research program and community-engaged program (user program) and providing the broader research community with unrestricted access to the research resources, training, education, and outreach activities developed in the center. Its overarching goal is to develop a cloud biofoundry that integrates synthetic biology, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), and laboratory automation to democratize basic and applied biological research. Such biofoundry will be remotely-accessible,programmable, and self-driving, and can be readily scaled up to bring the power of innovation in biology to everyone. It will revolutionize biology and the biotechnology industry similar to what computers did to computing and the microelectronics industry.
The first NSF iBioFoundry annual retreat will be held in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The retreat will feature invited lectures and breakout sessions with a focus on the implementation of the center’s strategic plan.
The Fourth U.S.-Korea Synthetic Biology Conference, 9/16-9/17
Synthetic biology holds tremendous promise for transforming diverse sectors of the bioeconomy, including healthcare, agriculture, and the sustainable production of materials and energy. Both the United States (U.S.) and South Korea recognize its importance and have designated synthetic biology as a strategic priority. By promoting collaborative research and the exchange of knowledge, resources, and innovations, these two countries can advance the global bio-based economy and set international standards for safe and responsible synthetic biology.
Building on the successes of the 1st and 3rd U.S.-Korea Synthetic Biology Conferences held in Korea (December 2022 and November 2024) and the 2nd U.S.-Korea Synthetic Biology Conference in the U.S. (November 2023), we will hold the 4th U.S.-Korea Synthetic Biology Conference in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This conference aims to further deepen scientific exchange and foster new research collaborations between the two countries. The main theme of this year’s meeting will be Artificial Intelligence and Biomanufacturing, emphasizing new strategies in AI, synthetic biology, and industrial biotechnology. Through keynote lectures, interactive sessions, and group discussions, participants will engage in collaborative brainstorming, generating innovative approaches and identifying future milestones in synthetic biology.
Global Biofoundry Alliance annual meeting, 9/18-9/19
Members’ annual meeting.
Global Center for Biofoundry Applications Annual Forum, 9/20
The Global Center for Biofoundry Applications (GCBA) focuses on the development of standards and metrics (both technical and non-technical) to make biofoundries reliable and scalable. It consists of seven biofoundries including the Illinois Biological Foundry for Advanced Biomanufacturing (iBioFAB) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Department of Energy (DOE)’s Agile BioFoundry (ABF), National Institute of Standardization and Technology (NIST)’s Living Measurement Systems Foundry (LMSF), the London Biofoundry (LBF) at the Imperial College London (United Kingdom), the VTT-Biofoundry at VTT Technical Research Centre (Finland), the KobeBioFAB at the Kobe University (Japan), and the KRIBB Biofoundry (KBF) at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) (Korea). In parallel to the development of metrics and standards, the team aim to achieve a broad impact by developing cross-national programs for outreach, education, and workforce development programs.
The annual forum will feature keynote speakers, interactive sessions, group discussions, and poster sessions.