Synthetic Biology’s Emergence and Potential To Be Discussed at World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Friday, April 17, 2009) - Successful applications and popular exploration have positioned the field of synthetic biology to become a growth industry. Thought leaders from the United States and Europe will explore the implications of the synthetic biology’s rapid emergence during the 2009 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, to be held July 19-22, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section, said, “New applications of synthetic biology for medicines, biofuels, and biobased chemicals have come forward at a rapid pace, highlighting the field’s technology’s potential. Leaders in the field are relying on industrial biotechnology’s long history of safety and best practices to guide the field’s continued growth.”

The Tuesday July 21 Lunch Plenary Session will feature a discussion of “Topics in Synthetic Biology” among high-level speakers:

·         Jim Greenwood, President and CEO, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO);

·         Arthur Caplan, Director, Center for Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania;

·         Denise Caruso, Executive Director and Chair, The Hybrid Vigor Institute; and

·         Kristala Jones Prather, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, MIT.

A Monday July 20 breakout session will present “A Global Perspective on Synthetic Biology” from international speakers:

·         Sibylle Gaisser, Fraunhofer Institute Systems and Innovation Research;

·         Richard Kitney, Imperial College London; and

·         Hubert Bernauer, BioRegion Freiburg/Bio Valley.

The deadline for early-bird registration at a discounted rate for the conference is May 8, 2009. Attendees may register online at http://www.bio.org/worldcongress/Attendees/Registration.asp.

Advance registration is now available for media. All programs at the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing are open to attendance by members of the media. Registration for the World Congress is complimentary for credentialed members of the news media. Reporters and editors working full-time for print, broadcast, and online news organizations may register onsite with valid media credentials. All freelancers, college and online publications are strongly encouraged to register in advance. For more information, please visit http://www.bio.org/worldcongress/Media/Registration.asp.

The annual World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing is the original and only conference dedicated solely to industrial biotechnology and the most recent advancements in the field. Now in its sixth year, the conference will move to its largest venue to date, the Palais des congrès de Montréal (the Montreal Convention Centre). The conference web site is www.bio.org/worldcongress.

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO-LES Business Development Basics Course
May 15–17, 2009
Atlanta, GA  

BIO-LES Advanced Business Development Course
May 15–17, 2009
Atlanta, GA 

BIO Executive Presentation Workshop
May 17, 2009
Atlanta, GA

BIO Human Resources Conference
May 17-19, 2009
Atlanta, GA

2009 BIO International Convention
May 18-21, 2009
Atlanta, Ga.

BioEquity Europe
June 9-10, 2009
Munich, Germany

World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing
July 19-22, 2009
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

 

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

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