Registration opens for EUSynBioS Symposium 2016: Engineering Biology for a Better Future

EUSynBioS Symposium 2016: Engineering Biology for a Better Future

9 April, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom

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We are witnessing an exciting time in the history of synthetic biology. Wide recognition of the field's tranformative potential over the past decade has inspired the emergence of a remarkable number of young synthetic biology initiatives and communities around the globe. By what principles, standards, and interactions can they best realise their potential in making the world a better place?

It is to approach this question that we will bring together an enthusiastic international group of young synthetic biologists (embracing undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdocs) for 1.5 days packed with stimulating talks, group discussions, bioindustry interaction, speed networking, and biohacking. Our overall goal is nothing less than to develop a vision for the young synthetic biology community.

Please check the event website for a more detailed schedule (regularly updated as speakers are confirmed).

EU Workshop on Access and Benefit Sharing under Nagoya Protocol

More info and registration here

Context

The EU is a Party to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation. The EU ABS Regulation, which transposes into the EU legal order the compliance pillar of the Protocol, became applicable as of 12 October 2014. The principal obligations of the Regulation – i.e. Article 4 on due diligence, Article 7 on monitoring user compliance and Article 9 on checks on user compliance – will become applicable as of 12 October 2015. In this context it is important that those who utilise genetic resources (i.e. conduct research and development on the genetic and/or biological composition of genetic resources, including through the application of biotechnology) are aware of the obligations arising from the Regulation, and that they can take the necessary measures to ensure their activities are compliant.

Workshop presentation

The workshop aims at providing the participants with knowledge about their obligations under the EU ABS Regulation and what they practically imply for their everyday work. In the first part of the workshop, the new legal framework will be explained, providing insight into the main provisions of the EU ABS Regulation. In the second part of the workshop, participants will have a chance to put the knowledge gained into practice through interactive case studies, based on real-life examples and realistic scenarios. The workshop should allow participants to better understand their obligations under the EU law, and to establish which steps they need to follow and which practical measures they should take when dealing with genetic resources originating from Parties to the Nagoya Protocol.

Target group

The workshop is targeted at senior academics and experienced researchers conducting research and development on genetic resources who have an interest in gaining an essential understanding of the new legal framework in the EU, in view of the ABS Regulation becoming fully operational later this year.

Scientists with an expertise in the ABS regulation are not targeted by this basic training workshop