Advancing the Frontiers of Engineering Biology at Second Annual CSIRO Workshop

Synthetic Biology Australasia is thrilled to report on the successful second annual workshop of CSIRO’s Advanced Engineering Biology Future Science Platform (AEB FSP), held on May 14-15, 2024, at Cloudland in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. With over 100 attendees, this year's event built upon the momentum of last year’s inaugural workshop, marking significant progress in the AEB FSP’s research and collaboration efforts.

Highlights from the Workshop

Day 1: Exploring Data-Driven Molecular Design and Interdisciplinary Decision-Making

The workshop kicked off with a warm welcome from Robert Speight, Director of the AEB FSP, who set the stage for two days of insightful presentations and networking.

The first session, chaired by Andrew Warden, delved into Data-Driven Molecular Design.

Highlights included a keynote by Astitva Chopra from Google on "Google for Science: Empowering researchers through technology, community and partnerships", and engaging talks and demonstrations on AI for protein design and enzyme engineering.

Additionally, Sean Vittadello and Lucy Ham from MACSYS presented a keynote on "Design principles through relational properties in biology," which covered blueprints of biology and mechanistic modelling for synthetic biology.

The afternoon sessions, chaired by Aditi Mankad, focused on InterdisciplinaryDecision-Making. Sofia Chaudry presented a techno-economic framework for decision-making in algae-based processes, while Barton Loechel and Darcy Lefroy provided insights into the psychological and institutional aspects of decision-making in advanced engineering biology.

Day 2: Innovative Bioproduction Platforms

Day two began with an update from Charlotte Williams on CSIRO’s SynBio Cross-Cutting Capability. The morning keynote by Dr. Katie Barnhillfrom North Carolina State University discussed "Emerging Biotechnologies& the US Bioeconomy: The Role of the Social Sciences," setting thestage for a panel discussion on the social and economic challenges in advanced engineering biology.

The final session, chaired by Craig Morton, showcased cutting-edge bioproduction platforms. Professor Sally Gras from the University of Melbourne highlighted AI optimisation in mammalian cell production systems and the ARC Centre ofExcellence in Plants for Space, followed by presentations on strain engineering, precision fermentation, and yeast-based protein production. The session concluded with a panel discussion on "Bioproduction 2050,"featuring Sally Gras, Esteban Saldana from AIBN, Rob Speight, David Wollborn, and Aditi Mankad, who discussed the future prospects and challenges in the field of bioproduction.

Networking and Collaborations

Beyond the technical sessions, the workshop provided ample opportunities for networking and collaboration. A satellite workshop on AI for Drug Discovery and a training session at the BioFoundry on May 13 further enhanced the collaborative spirit of the event. During the evening, participants enjoyed a relaxed dinner at TheWarehouse, where a quiz added to the excitement. Attendees were challenged to identify famous scientists from pictures and name different songs related to science, making the event both informative and entertaining.

Looking Ahead

The 2024 AEB FSPWorkshop underscored the significant strides made in engineering biology over the past year and set the stage for future advancements. The diverse range of topics, from AI-driven molecular design to innovative bioproduction platforms, highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the field and the importance of collaboration.

AEB FSP Director, Robert Speight said, “We thank all the speakers, presenters, and participants for their contributions and engagement. With our collaborators, we look forward to continuing this journey together, pushing the boundaries of engineering biology at this pivotal time for our field”.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights from Synthetic Biology Australasia. For more information about the AEB FSP, visit resesarch.csiro.au/aeb.

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