SynBYSS

The 1st International SynBYSS Conference will unite in-person a previously online-only group of speakers and audiences, with an explicit goal to invest in the young, diverse, and international future of synthetic biology. As early-career synthetic biology researchers begin their own research, there are few conferences that provide an opportunity for them to express their ideas, network effectively, or collaborate widely. Moreover, these young practitioners are an increasingly diverse group without obvious representation.

The conference will focus on what the future holds for synthetic biology as embodied by these young practitioners. The primary objective of the conference is to foster a more interactive, inclusive, sustainable, and collaborative community. Talks will be given primarily by young researchers with a few pioneer keynote speakers, mimicking the format of the online series. The conference will also include discussion panels and networking events to actively promote collaborations between researchers at different career stages, thus facilitating the generation of an effective combination of new ideas and expertise.

We envision the International SynBYSS Conference to be a biennial event, held in different areas of the world, to emphasize the importance of global participation. To ensure we reach this younger audience, funding would enable us to offset registration fees and travel costs for as many young synthetic biologists as possible.

The SynBYSS Seminar Series takes place weekly, highlighting the contributions by synthetic biology postdocs and junior faculty. Each SynBYSS session features a rising star, paired with a luminary like Jim Collins, Jay Keasling, or Frances Arnold. The series was born out of the need to provide a platform for young researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, most of the limited talk spots were given to senior faculty members, depriving young researchers of the opportunity to share their work in conferences and seminars.

The series was started in August 2021, and has allowed nearly 200 young researchers with talk opportunities. It has been enthusiastically supported by global pioneers in the community (including a Nobel laureate and 21 National Academy members), 23 US/EU government and private funders, 9 high-impact journals, and 20 editors-in-chief. The weekly, free seminar series will continue at least until 2025. An archive of past talks is available on YouTube.

The SynBio Young Speaker Series (SynBYSS) was started as a virtual weekly seminar in August 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic by Tae Seok Moon, Ph.D. to highlight contributions by synthetic biology postdocs and junior faculty. Each SynBYSS session features a rising star, paired with a luminary like Jim Collins, Jay Keasling, or Frances Arnold. The series has now evolved to include an in-person conference. Among the goals of the seminar series and conference are to highlight the contributions of and provide networking opportunities for early-career synthetic biologists.

Chair

Tae Seok Moon, J. Craig Venter Institute