Advancing the frontiers of engineering biology at our second annual workshop 

A group of some 50 researchers stands on stage in front of a screen reading 'Advanced Engineering Biology', with CSIRO's logo in the background.

The second annual workshop of our Advanced Engineering Biology Future Science Platform (AEB FSP) was held on May 14 – 15, 2024, at Cloudland in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. With over 100 attendees, the event built on the momentum of last year’s inaugural workshop, marking significant progress in the AEB FSP’s research and collaboration efforts. 

Day 1: data and decision-making

Dr Rob Speight addresses the audience from a podium at the AEB FSP annual workshop.

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. 

The afternoon sessions, chaired by Aditi Mankad, focused on Interdisciplinary Decision-Making. Sofia Chaudry presented a technoeconomic 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: bioproduction platforms

Day two began with an update from Charlotte Williams on the SynBio Cross-Cutting Capability. The morning keynote by Dr Katie Barnhill from North Carolina State University discussed “Emerging Biotechnologies & the US Bioeconomy: The Role of the Social Sciences,” setting the stage 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 of Excellence in Plants for Space, followed by presentations on strain engineering, precision fermentation, and yeast-based protein production.  

Networking for future science

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.  

A panel of speakers sits on stage in red armchairs, engaged in conversation, while the moderator stands to the side listening.

The 2024 AEB FSP Workshop 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. 

As the event drew to a close, 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 synthetic biology and engineering biology at this pivotal time for our field.” 

This article was originally written by Juan Pinheiro de Oliveira Martinez for Synthetic Biology Australasia. It has been adapted with minimal changes for the AEB FSP website.