OpenPlant Blog — OpenPlant

Molecular microbiologist position at Synthace

More info and to apply We require a molecular microbiologist, ideally experienced in the genetic manipulation of a diversity of microbial species.

We’re looking for someone who will thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic atmosphere, acting on their own initiative to solve complex problems. Candidates will need a PhD or equivalent experience and a strong track record of delivering high quality, quantitative results in a commercial or academic environment.

Synthace is committed to transforming the productivity of bioengineering through automation, computation and mathematics, so a willingness to work in a highly disciplinary environment and embrace cutting edge working practices is essential. Experience with automation or coding is an advantage.

SynthSys Mammalian Postdoc (closes 20 July)

More info at SynthSysEd website A highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Research Associate is invited to join the laboratories of Dr. Abdenour Soufi and Prof. Susan Rosser at the University of Edinburgh to develop novel synthetic Biology tools for Cellular reprogramming applications. This is part of SynthSys Mammalian, which is a BBSRC/EPSRC/MRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), hosted by the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh.

We are particularly interested in the interaction between transcription factors and chromatin during the conversion of human fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) (Soufi et al; Cell 2015, Soufi et al; Cell 2012). This collaborative project will focus on engineering synthetic transcription factors and will employ a wide range of techniques including; synthetic DNA-assembly and high-throughput-cloning, engineering synthetic transcription factors such as TALEs and ZFGs, human stem cell culture and lentivirus production, Next Generation Sequencing based techniques such as ChIP-seq, recombinant protein purification, DNA-protein interaction analysis such as EMSA and DNase-footprinting.

The successful candidate requires a PhD (or soon to be awarded) in an appropriate discipline with clear evidence of independent research capabilities. Knowledge and past experience in synthetic transcription factors, cellular reprogramming, stem cells and epigenetics are highly desirable.

The post is full-time for a fixed term of 3 years.

Elsevier Data Analytics Award (closes 6 Nov 2015)

More info on the Fulbright website In this Award category, one scholarship is generously sponsored by Elsevier and offered to a UK citizen for the first year of postgraduate study requiring data analysis to advance understanding of research in any field or across fields. This could include, for example, the quantitative analysis of research inputs (eg, funding sources), outputs (eg, articles, patents), and outcomes (eg, impact on society) to uncover new research trends, emerging fields of research, or collaborations between universities and industry.

Candidates choose and apply to US university departments directly and independently.

Please read the above tabs for more information about the benefits of the Postgraduate Student Awards, eligibility and selection criteria, the application process and the awards timeline. You can also read profiles of current and past scholars, as well as a list of FAQs, to help you learn more about the Fulbright Programme.

HVCfP Proof of Concept Fund (closes 8 Sep 2015)

More info on HVCfP site HVCfP has a fund of £800,000 for proof of concept research and we have now awarded £270,473 of this fund. Funds are open to Network members who are eligible to receive BBSRC funding.

HVCfP aims to encourage novel, technology-based solutions to major industry problems whilst promoting scientific excellence. Therefore, our priority for awarding funds is for scientific excellence combined with research ideas that have clear potential for further funding or have a route to commercial translation. In addition, we encourage funding to be used to access technology providers or for collaborative work to enable rapid progression of research.

Proof of Concept Funding – round three now OPEN

Our third Proof of Concept call is now open. You should submit your application by 12 noon on Tuesday, 8th September. If you have an inquiry, please contact Caroline Calvert (caroline.calvert@york.ac.uk) by 21st August 2015. You will informed of the outcome of your application by the end of October 2015.

Proof of Concept applications consists of four separate documents:

  • PoC application form (download the Round Three form from the resources box on the left hand side of this page)
  • Case for support (5 pages maximum – a template is given at the end of the PoC application form)
  • Lead applicant CV (2 pages maximum)
  • Letter of support from lead applicant’s institution

The updated operational guidelines for proof of concept awards and the application process can be downloaded from the resources panel. Please read these guidelines before applying. Any questions regarding proof of concept funding should be directed to Caroline Calvert, caroline.calvert@york.ac.uk.

Newton Fund UK-China-Philippines-Thailand-Vietnam call for collaborative research proposals in rice research (closes 13 Aug 2015)

Full fund details can be found on the BBSRC website

Applicants are invited to submit bilateral or multilateral collaborative research proposals comprising eligible researchers from the UK, China, Thailand, the Philippines or Vietnam. All proposals will be required to have a UK Principal Investigator, in addition to a Principal Investigator from one or more of the partner countries.

The funders aim to support innovative basic, strategic or applied research that will contribute to and underpin long-term sustainable production of rice, including an understanding that rice production sits alongside the provision of other ecosystem services. Proposals of up to three years in duration will be encouraged to address the following challenges in rice:

  • Greater resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses
  • Improved resource use efficiency (including Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Water)
  • Improved quality of rice (including nutritional enhancement and grain quality)
  • Novel research tool and technology development supporting the above areas (including systems biology, bioinformatics, screening and characterisation of germplasm for gene and trait discovery)

In addition to the challenges listed above, proposals will also be welcomed in the following areas and countries:

  • Improved photosynthetic efficiency in rice (China, Thailand, UK)
  • Environmentally sustainable rice cultivation systems (Thailand, Philippines, UK)
  • Utilisation of rice by-products (Philippines, Vietnam, UK)
  • Sustainably increasing the genetic yield potential of rice (China, UK)

The participating agencies wish to develop and strengthen transnational collaborations across the countries involved and to support collaborations which will have a real impact in this field. Applicants must successfully demonstrate the sustainability of the collaboration and the potential impact of the activities proposed.

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Junior Interdisciplinary Fellowship (Wellcome Trust/University of Cambridge - closes 22 July 2015)

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Full details are available via the University of Cambridge.

The scheme is aimed at suitably qualified post-doctoral candidates with backgrounds in the physical sciences (incl. engineering, mathematics and computer sciences) who wish to gain experience in the application of their research to solve problems in the basic biological and biomedical sciences.

The fellowships are intended to provide opportunities for award holders to gain experience in applying biological approaches, and/or apply novel theoretical or experimental techniques from the physical sciences to address biological problems. In addition, it is hoped that this scheme will foster longer-term collaborations between Principal Investigators from the physical and life sciences disciplines within the University of Cambridge.

Research projects must fall within the broad remit of the Wellcome Trust. The research must be undertaken in laboratories within the School of the Biological Sciences or the School of Clinical Medicine.

Exceptionally, applications from post-doctoral candidates with a background in the life sciences wishing to gain experience working in the physical sciences may also be considered. However, this is not the core focus of the Scheme and it is expected that the host lab has a proven track record of life/physical sciences interdisciplinary research. A non-exclusive list of such labs can be found here: http://www.physbio.group.cam.ac.uk/members.html.

EUSynBioS: growing networks in Synthetic Biology

The European Association of Students and Postdocs in Synthetic Biology (EUSynBioS) founded and chaired by Department of Plant Sciences Graduate Student Christian R. Boehm continues to attract international attention.

Half a year after its establishment, the student-led initiative embraces a membership base of several hundred students and postdoctoral researchers based in 15 European countries, is supported by an Advisory Board composed of 20 accomplished principal investigators (including Dr Jim Haseloff and Dr Nicola Patron from Cambridge), and works closely with major partner organizations across the globe towards its overall goal: shaping and fostering a community of young researchers in synthetic biology by means of providing an integrative central resource for interaction and professional development.

Co-sponsored by the Cambridge-based OpenPlant initiative, the EUSynBioS Steering Committee recently participated in the SynBioBeta London 2015 conference, where the Association was introduced to an international high-profile audience and hosted a social event in the evening. An OpenDiscussion satellite workshop chaired by Christian on the second day was well-attended by students, principal investigators, and representatives from the UK research councils BBSRC, EPSRC, and the Dstl alike. He comments on the session: “We are hopeful that bringing students, principal investigators, and representatives from funding bodies into the same room like this will lead to new opportunities for the next generation of young researchers to be better involved in shaping the future of their discipline.” To foster collaboration and exchange among students and postdoctoral researchers in the field, Christian and colleagues are working towards an international symposium for the young synthetic biology community to be hosted in Europe in the near future.

Students and postdoctoral researchers active in synthetic biology can become Members of EUSynBioS by completing a short online form at http://www.eusynbios.org.

 

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OpenPlant Fund: Perfect Pitch on a Punt, 23 Jul 16:00-19:30

PitchOnaPuntPoster-newCome and join potential OpenPlant Fund applicants from Norwich and Cambridge to hone your pitches, network and enjoy punting and a picnic by the Cam (wet weather option also available!).

30 spaces are bookable below (logged-in users only, email jcm80@cam.ac.uk if you prefer not to make an account) and the event will take place at The Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge.

A minibus will leave Norwich at 14:30 and depart from Cambridge at 19:30, please email Jenny on jcm80@cam.ac.uk to secure your place!

[dpProEventCalendar id="9" category="32" event="1000"]

Image credit: Punting by Jussarian on Flickr. Licensed under CC-BY-SA

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Global Food Security Cambridge Symposium — 9 July 2015

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Bookings are now open for the one-day symposium taking place at the Sainsbury Laboratory on Wednesday 8th July 2015, 9.30–4.30. The aim of the day is to learn about and be inspired by food security research taking place across the University, and explore ways in which collaboration across disciplines can bring greater impact. Speakers from all Schools in the University will be speaking on topics ranging from zoonoses to forests and food security, resource limitations on the Ugandan food system to food supply chain risks and sustainability.

The event is aimed principally at University of Cambridge researchers, and a Raven account is required to access booking details. Please if this does not apply to you but you are still interested in attending.

Log in

Programme draft [PDF]

Global Food Security Cambridge Symposium — Cambridge University Strategic Initiative in Global Food Security.

Registration and abstract submission open for Synthetic Biology UK 2015!

Featured image 1 Synthetic Biology UK 2015: Think, develop, measure, make 1—3 September 2015 Charles Darwin House, London, UK More info

Synthetic Biology is a field that has rapidly expanded. It relies on multidisciplinary approaches and delivers transdisciplinary advances that have the potential to redefine our understanding of the natural world and to significantly contribute to our society and economy.

The UK is a world leader in science and engineering, and Synthetic Biology has been identified as an important area for our continued success. Key to that success is a cohesive, vibrant and multidisciplinary community, open to collaboration, open to advances and driven to exceptional research with meaningful outcomes.

That cannot be delivered by a single research centre, single funding body or hosted by a single learned society. The SynBio UK conference aims to showcase UK Synthetic Biology research and to create a focal point for the community, embracing its diversity and fostering its growth and its engagement with society.

Under the themes of Making, Measuring, Thinking and Developing, the aim of the conference is to bring together the Synthetic Biology community in all forms in the UK to capitalise on synergies, enabling the exploration of entirely new approaches to the systematic and safe engineering of biology.

Abstract deadline: 3 July 2015 Abstract Submission is now open

Earlybird registration deadline: 3 July 2015 Registration is now open.

Oral communication slots are available at this meeting. All attendees, particularly researchers in the early stages of their career, are invited to submit a poster abstract for consideration as an oral communication.

Featured image credit: DNA by MIKI Yoshihito on Flickr, licensed under CC-BY 2.0

KTN: Synthetic Biology Special Interest Group Lead (closes 19 June 2015)

The Knowledge Transfer Network is a non-profit organisation that is funded by Innovate UK to be the UK’s innovation network across a wide range of sectors. Our main role is to bring together businesses, entrepreneurs, academics and funders to develop new products, processes and services. We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join our team to deliver the strategy and activities of the synthetic biology special interest group which was set up to help translate the world-leading research in the UK into commercial applications and to deliver the key recommendations of a strategic roadmap.

More info on the position via the KTN Jobs site

Research Associate/Fellow – Mathematical/Computational Modelling, Nottingham SBRC (closes 18 June 2015)

The aim of the post is to provide research support for the BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC) in the creation and exploitation of gas fermenting microbial chassis as it relates to the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels.  SBRC Nottingham is one of three UK centres created by the BBSRC/EPSRC in 2014 and has received £14.3M in funding for a 5 year period. We are recruiting exceptional post-doctoral researchers to join the modelling and analysis team. The team will conduct cutting edge research into novel computational and mathematical modelling and analysis approaches and development of an integrated software suite to facilitate the rapid development of microbial chassis able to produce a range of platform chemicals. We seek individuals who will focus on biochemical/synthetic biology modelling, whose responsibilities will include development of synthetic biology devices and modelling of biochemical pathways. More info from jobs.ac.uk

 

GARNet-OpenPlant CRISPR-Cas Workshop: 7-8 September, John Innes Centre, Norwich

CRISPR technology is fast emerging as the breakthrough technology for precise genome editing in a range of experimental systems. In order to highlight the current developments and future potential for using this technology in the plant sciences, GARNet and OpenPlant are collaborating to organise a CRISPR-Cas workshop in Norwich on September 7–8th 2015 - click here for more details and to register: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/plant-crispr-cas-workshop-tickets-16655369659

The first day of the workshop is targeted at those wishing to learn the basics of CRISPR-Cas genome editing technology, as well as those who are already aware of it but wish to learn more about recent developments and advances. This is a day of conventional presentations mixed with opportunities for networking with fellow researchers interested in using this technology to benefit their research.

Speakers have been selected who work with a variety of plant species and will demonstrate the broad potential of CRISPR-Cas as a transformational technology in the plant sciences. Speakers include Holger Puchta (KIT, Germany), Bing Yang (Iowa State University, USA) and Vladimir Nekrasov (The Sainsbury Laboratory, UK). A full program will be available shortly.

An open access review describing this technology has been recently published by the event's organisers (link opens PDF): http://www.kamounlab.dreamhosters.com/pdfs/COB_2014.pdf

The second day of the workshop on September 8th will be a 'hands on' in-silico session that will be limited to 22 attendees. This portion of the workshop will be led by Dr Nicola Patron who is Head of Synthetic Biology at The Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich, and will provide participants with the opportunity to learn how to identify and pick genomic targets, build modular CRISPR constructs and screen edited plants.

Preference for this event on the 8th September will be given to early-career researchers who can clearly illustrate how this event would benefit their research. People interested in attending the second day of the workshop should contact Ruth Bastow explaining how they might use this technology in their research.

For further discussions and networking opportunities a Conference Dinner will take place after the first day of the workshop and is available to all attendees, whether or not they are participating in the second day of the event.

For those requiring accommodation, a block booking of rooms has been made at Broadview Lodge. To book a room either call 01603 591930 or email broadviewlodge@uea.ac.uk. Please quote 'GARNet Ref: Kx36312' when making your booking.

For any further questions about the workshop please contact Ruth or Nicola Patron.

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IndieBio SF - now $250k per startup

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The Indie Bio San Fransisco incubaotr programme is now accpeting applications for a September 2015 start.

Apply now >>>

From the SynBio Beta blog:

IndieBio, SOSventures dedicated biotech accelerator, upped the ante for new startups today by announcing it will put $250k into each new company that comes through its program. The seed stage incubator which will be ready for the new class in September, currently has two labs in San Francisco, 4000 sq ft in Dogpatch and 6000 sq ft on Jessie Street near the Mission.

The $250k comes with $200k in cash and $50k in program and support, and each batch, or group of companies completes the four month program which comes with mentorship, lab space and a weekly series of talks.

Read more...

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EUSynBioS: growing networks in Synthetic Biology

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The European Association of Students and Postdocs in Synthetic Biology (EUSynBioS) founded and chaired by Department of Plant Sciences Graduate Student Christian R. Boehm continues to attract international attention.

Half a year after its establishment, the student-led initiative embraces a membership base of several hundred students and postdoctoral researchers based in 15 European countries, is supported by an Advisory Board composed of 20 accomplished principal investigators (including Dr Jim Haseloff and Dr Nicola Patron from Cambridge), and works closely with major partner organizations across the globe towards its overall goal: shaping and fostering a community of young researchers in synthetic biology by means of providing an integrative central resource for interaction and professional development.

Co-sponsored by the Cambridge-based OpenPlant initiative, the EUSynBioS Steering Committee recently participated in the SynBioBeta London 2015 conference, where the Association was introduced to an international high-profile audience and hosted a social event in the evening. An OpenDiscussion satellite workshop chaired by Christian on the second day was well-attended by students, principal investigators, and representatives from the UK research councils BBSRC, EPSRC, and the Dstl alike. He comments on the session: “We are hopeful that bringing students, principal investigators, and representatives from funding bodies into the same room like this will lead to new opportunities for the next generation of young researchers to be better involved in shaping the future of their discipline.” To foster collaboration and exchange among students and postdoctoral researchers in the field, Christian and colleagues are working towards an international symposium for the young synthetic biology community to be hosted in Europe in the near future.

Students and postdoctoral researchers active in synthetic biology can become Members of EUSynBioS by completing a short online form at http://www.eusynbios.org.

 

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Refreshed Version of the UK Synthetic Biology Roadmap: workshop on 16 June

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The Synthetic Biology SIG team and The Knowledge Transfer Network are organizing a consultation workshop in Birmingham on June 16th to refresh the UK Synthetic Biology Roadmap, which is nearly three years old. The work is being led by Lionel Clarke, Co-chair of the UK Synthetic Biology Leadership Council. The outputs of the workshop will be presented to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills later this autumn.

Read more on the SynBioBeta blog