SBA Conference 2025

Biosensors and screens are essential components of synthetic biology, used to detect, measure, and interact with biological or abiotic systems. This theme will focus on the establishment, improvement, and applications of biosensors and screens in areas such as environmental and health-related contexts. From real-time monitoring of contaminants to personalised medicine, biosensors and screens offer new opportunities for understanding and interacting with living systems, and addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our world today.

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Bioactive small molecules have a wide range of applications in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and even materials science. This conference theme will explore the latest developments in synthetic biology-driven production of bioactive small molecules, including the use of metabolic engineering to unlock the potential of silent biosynthetic gene clusters. Experts in the field will discuss how the use of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering can lead to the discovery of novel bioactive small molecules and enable the production of these compounds at scale.

Synthetic biology is revolutionizing genetic circuitry by designing programmable DNA-based systems that control cellular behaviour with precision. By engineering genetic circuits—combinations of genes, regulatory elements, and molecular switches—scientists can create cells that sense and respond to environmental signals, produce specific biomolecules, or execute complex functions like logic processing. These circuits enable advances in areas such as smart therapeutics, biosensors, and bio-manufacturing. With innovations in CRISPR, synthetic promoters, and computational modelling, genetic circuitry is becoming more sophisticated, scalable, and modular, unlocking new possibilities in medicine, agriculture, and industrial biotechnology.

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Plant synthetic biology is driving the bioeconomy by engineering crops and plant-based systems for sustainable production of valuable biomaterials, fuels, and medicines. By optimizing photosynthesis, enhancing stress resilience, and boosting biomass yield, synthetic biology enables more efficient and climate-resilient agriculture. Engineered plants can serve as biofactories, producing biodegradable plastics, pharmaceuticals, and high-value compounds with reduced environmental impact. Additionally, plant-based carbon capture solutions contribute to climate change mitigation. By harnessing synthetic biology, the bioeconomy can shift towards renewable, plant-derived alternatives, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and fostering a more sustainable future.

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Join leading experts in the field to explore the cutting-edge tools and techniques driving synthetic biology. From genome engineering tools like CRISPR-Cas9, to high-throughput screening methods and protein engineering platforms, this session offers a deep dive into the latest advancements in synthetic biology research. You'll gain valuable insights into the diverse range of tools and applications available, and discover the key trends and strategies shaping the future of the field. This is an essential opportunity for anyone interested in staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in synthetic biology, and learn how these tools are applied across different organisms and applications.

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This theme will explore the role of synthetic biology in applied biocatalysis, driven by environmental and economic incentives for using enzymes in the synthesis of various pharmaceutical and industrially important chemicals. Engineered enzymes can now outperform the best chemocatalytic alternatives, but custom engineering of a robust biocatalyst remains a time-consuming process. Recent advances in ultrahigh-throughput screening, mutational scanning, DNA synthesis, metagenomics, and machine learning will soon make it possible to accelerate the tailor design of novel biocatalysts, providing significant opportunities for synthetic biologists.

Synthetic biology is transforming therapeutic technologies by enabling the design and engineering of biological systems for precision medicine. Researchers use synthetic biology to create advanced gene therapies, programmable cell-based treatments, and customized biologics that target diseases at the molecular level. Synthetic biology accelerates vaccine development, regenerative medicine, and drug discovery by optimizing biomolecule production. This powerful synergy between biology and engineering is driving the next generation of highly effective, personalized, and scalable therapeutic solutions.

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This special session will explore what it takes to translate synthetic biology research into success stories for industrial and advanced biomanufacturing. Attendees will hear from experts in the field on leveraging the potential of synthetic biology to drive growth and innovation in the Australasian bioeconomy. The session will provide valuable insights into strategies for investment and growth, as well as highlight the significant impact synthetic biology can have on industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and biotechnology.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is revolutionizing synthetic biology by accelerating discovery, optimizing genetic design, and enhancing automation. AI and machine learning driven algorithms can analyze vast biological datasets, predict protein structures, and design novel genetic circuits with unprecedented speed and precision. By integrating AI and machine learning, synthetic biology can push the boundaries of innovation, making biological engineering more scalable, cost-effective, and impactful for medicine, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.

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As engineers of the biological world, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our organisms, devices, and materials for the environment. The early emergence of recombinant DNA technologies and biosecurity meetings like the Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA in California in 1975 marked an integral part of biotechnology and the soon-to-emerge field of synthetic biology. Since then, it has been essential for synthetic biologists to consider the potential consequences of their work. We want to discuss what ethical boundaries we face in our work and what social responsibility we have to the broader public.

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