#synthetic biology

Sugar is the key feedstock for many synthetic biology processes. Source: Envato.

Getting clear on the value proposition for a sugar industry using synthetic biology

The sugar industry has a long history in Australia, with the first successful crops established in the mid-1800s. However, there are growing global challenges such as volatile sugar prices and changing consumer demands. Industry representatives are now looking for new and innovative ways to enable Australia’s sugar industry to thrive in the future.

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May 2021 Webinar: Synthetic Biology in the Environment and Biocontrol Application Domain

Watch the Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform Webinar featuring Dr Nina Pollak and Dr Caitlin Cooper.

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April 2021 Webinar: Synthetic Biology in the Foundation Technologies Application Domain

Watch the Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform Webinar featuring Nicholas DeBono.

Close-up image of gold-coloured threads. Honeybee silk, produced through a synthetic biology process created at CSIRO that allows industrial volume silk production at room temperature using sustainable resources. Source: CSIRO

Bio-based materials symposium attracts global online audience

How could bio-based materials, created from synthetic biology, benefit industries such as defence, health, and industrial biotechnology? Can we unlock this manufacturing capability in Australia?

Photo of human colorectal cancer cells treated with a drug therapy.

Article: Realizing the potential of synthetic biology to help people and the planet

Dr Claudia Vickers contributed to an article published as part of the Global Technology Governance Summit run by the World Economic Forum in April 2021.

Researchers at the Ecosciences Precinct, Brisbane

Science integration: responsible advancement of synthetic biology

Combining the natural and social sciences when planning and conducting research in synthetic biology is an important step towards responsible science.

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Public attitudes towards synthetic biology

A national survey has been conducted by CSIRO’s Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform as an important first step in measuring public attitudes towards synthetic biology. The survey draws on the views of more than 8,000 Australians, and researchers are examining the data to determine current attitudes to these emerging technologies.

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Looking forward – responsible research into gene drive organisms

Complex national challenges, such as those in managing pest species, are being addressed through an evolving area of synthetic biology. Research into gene drive organisms (GDOs) is taking place in laboratories all over the world and a diverse group of GDO researchers have recently called for standard field trial criteria to help assess and manage any potential impacts of this future work.

The Australian Synthetic Biology Challenge

The Australian Synthetic Biology Challenge is an annual event where teams consisting of Undergraduate and Master’s students from universities all over Australia develop their own projects targeting a significant problem in society using Synthetic Biology.