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 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.

Speakers & Schedule

Registration

Registration is now open. Please register early to confirm your spot.

Register Now

Registration Fees:

• Student / trainee / postdoc: $350
• Faculty / nonprofit / government / independent researcher: $450
• Industry: $800

SynBYSS Fellows Awards may be available to a limited number of participants. Please see the Travel Support section below for more information.

In registering for the International SynBYSS Conference, participants agree to the participant expectations, code of conduct, and terms, which covers presentation of unpublished results, confidentiality, non-discrimination, the code of conduct, and refund policy.

Abstract submissions

Abstract submission is separate from registration. Submissions from all attendees are welcome! We encourage you to submit your latest, ongoing work as a mechanism to engage in community dialogue.

There will be awards for the best poster presentations at the conference.

Submit Abstract

Important dates

• Extended deadline for Abstract submissions for poster presentations: October 25, 2024
• Notification of talk selection: October 25, 2024
• Notification of poster selection: November 1, 2024
• Extended deadline for Registration: November 24, 2024
• Conference: December 9-12, 2024

Registration may still be possible after November 8, 2024 but will incur additional costs.

Additional information

Meals

Light snacks, coffee, water, and other assorted non-alcoholic beverages as well as lunch will be provided each day of the conference.

Travel support

We encourage you to make your travel plans early to take advantage of low rates as we approach the holiday season. We plan to offer a limited number of SynBYSS Fellows Awards that include conference fee waivers and/or travel support. Awards will only be available to those speaking or presenting a poster at the conference. Submit your request with the form below.

Travel Support Request

Travel visas

We are not providing travel visas, but can provide a letter of invitation if needed. Please email synbyss@jcvi.org to request one.

Health and safety

We are committed to hosting a safe event. We will be closely watching CDC recommendations in addition to all relevant local and state guidelines leading up to the meeting and make any changes necessary for health and safety.

Dress code

The SynBYSS team values diversity and individual expression. We encourage participants to come as they are and how they wish to present themselves to the world.

Childcare Options

There are many childcare options convenient to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa where the conference is being held. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of some in the area.

Monday, December 9

Day 1
8:45-9	Welcome: Tae Seok Moon and David Truong Light breakfast available before start
9-10:30	Keynote Session Moderator: Gozde Demirer Greg Stephanopoulos Adam Arkin Keynote conversation
10:30-11	Break
11-12:30	Speaker Pannel: Metabolic Engineering 1 Moderator: Garrett Roell Mattheos Koffas Jinjin Diao Leonardo Rios Jun Park Jaya Joshi Q&A: pannel discussion
12:30-2	Lunch: Meet the legend session
2-3:30	Editor Panel: Dealing with rejection and self-promotion + Q&A David Truong (moderator), Emma Yee, Greg Stephanopoulos, Mattheos Koffas, and Tae Seok Moon
3:30-4	Break
4-5:30	Speaker Pannel: Engineering Polymers Moderator: Xiaojun Tian Sara Molinari Erin Garza Andrea Garza Elizondo Nils Averesch Filip Boskovic Q&A: pannel discussion
5:30-7	Poster session + rapid-fire talks, moderated by Tae Seok Moon Hosted reception

Tuesday, December 10

Day 2
9-10:30	Keynote Session Moderator: Natalie Farny Jonathan Dordick Markita Landry Keynote conversation
10:30-11	Break
11-12:30	Speaker Pannel: Engineering Health Moderator: Clement T. Y. Chan Matthew DeLisa David Truong Cheemeng Tan Kaitlin Dailey Justin English Q&A: pannel discussion
12:30-2	Lunch: Meet the legend session
2-3:30	Funder Panel Session: Tips on getting funded and finding funding opportunities + Q&A Tae Seok Moon (moderator), Jermont Chen, Nigel Mouncy, Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro, Matthew DeLisa, and Cholpisit (Ice) Kiattisewee
3:30-4	Break
4-5:30	Speaker Pannel: Genome Engineering and Beyond Moderator: Leopold N. Green Nozomu Yachie Gozde Demirer Louise F.H. Funke Reza Zadegan Jorge Marchand Q&A: pannel discussion
5:30-7	Poster session + rapid-fire talks, moderated by Tae Seok Moon Hosted reception

Wednesday, December 11

Day 3
9-10:30	Keynote Session Moderator: Joshua Atkinson Wenjun Zhang Lingchong You Keynote conversation
10:30-11	Break
11-12:30	Speaker Pannel: Non-model and Synthetic Organisms/Microbiota Arise Moderator: Erin Garza Nigel Mouncey Natalie Farny Ilenne Del Valle Kessra Guillermo Nevot Kei Fujiwara Q&A: pannel discussion
12:30-2	Lunch: Meet the legend session
2-3:30	SynBio Vision and Roadmap Session 3 (Q&A by the moderator and audience) Tae Seok Moon (moderator), Ron Weiss, Emily Aurand, Kevin Solomon, Leopold Green, Seung Hwan (Allen) Lee, Duhan Toparlak
3:30-4	Break
4-5:30	Speaker Pannel: Genetic sensors and circuits Moderator: Cheemeng Tan Xiaojun Tian Clement T. Y. Chan Javier Santos Moreno Thomas Eng Ting An Lee Q&A: pannel discussion
5:30-6	Break
6-8	Award ceremony with dinner

Thursday, December 12

Day 4
9-10:30	Keynote Session Moderator: Sara Molinari Tilmann Weber Ben Luisi Keynote conversation
10:30-11	Break
11-12:30	Speaker Pannel: Metabolic Engineering 2 Moderator: Jinjin Diao Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro Birgitta E. Ebert  Antonio Del Rio Flores Dongsoo Yang Sahara Bhanot Q&A: pannel discussion
12:30-2	Lunch: Meet the legend session
2-3:30	Group discussions on implementing conference session visions Moderator: Emily Aurand
3:30-4	Break
4-5:30	Speaker Pannel: Physics and Math Meet Biology Moderator: Cholpisit (Ice) Kiattisewee Carlotta Ronda Joshua Atkinson Sebastian Castillo-Hair Alexander Darlington Ania-Ariadna Baetica Q&A: pannel discussion
5:30-5:45	Farewell: Tae Seok Moon & committee members

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

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.