Global Forum for Engineering Biology

The EBRC Global Forum for Engineering Biology is an initiative dedicated to fostering collaboration, information exchange, and the development of national strategies for synthetic and engineering biology. The Global Forum aims to be an ongoing platform for dialogue and action, bringing together experts, policymakers, and leaders to advance the global bioeconomy. As part of this initiative, EBRC convenes international summits, develops resources, and supports international efforts aimed at addressing key global challenges such as standards, security, and sustainability.

ABOUT

The EBRC Global Forum for Engineering Biology is designed to strengthen global cooperation across synthetic and engineering biology. Its mission is to build an international network of leaders who work together to address pressing challenges in the field and leverage opportunities to drive innovation and sustainable growth in the bioeconomy.

The Global Forum provides both a physical and virtual space for:

  • International Summits: Regular gatherings where global leaders share national strategies, discuss trends, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
  • Ongoing Information Exchange: A continuous dialogue through virtual engagements and other events to promote shared knowledge and best practices across topics including biosecurity, standards, and education.
  • Knowledge Hub: A centralized platform offering access to national strategies and collaborative outputs, as well as EBRC-led efforts to develop reports, guidelines, and frameworks to support global advancements in engineering biology.

By connecting national synthetic biology programs, the Global Forum aims to support the development of cohesive, forward-thinking policies that advance engineering biology at both the domestic and international levels.

UPCOMING EVENTS

EBRC has hosted a series of international summits bringing together leaders from across the globe to make progress towards engineering biology’s key challenges. These events serve as a unique platform for sharing national strategies, discussing global trends, and identifying collaborative opportunities. Each Global Forum event provides an informal, not-for-attribution environment where participants can openly exchange insights, address challenges, and explore future directions for the bioeconomy. With participation from policymakers, industry experts, and researchers, the Global Forum events are designed to foster meaningful dialogue and drive innovation on a global scale.

  • EBRC Global Forum 3.0 (2025)

    EBRC’s third Global Forum, to be held in March 2025 at the J. Craig Venter Institute in La Jolla, California.

    More →

PAST EVENTS

  • EBRC Global Forum 2.0 (2023)

    The second EBRC Global Forum for Engineering Biology (EBRC Global Forum 2.0) took place in Singapore on February 20-21, 2023, in partnership with the Singapore Consortium for Synthetic Biology (SINERGY).

    More →

  • Global Forum 1.0 (2019)

    The inaugural EBRC Global Forum for Engineering Biology (EBRC Global Forum 1.0) was held on September 9-10, 2019, in Santa Cruz, California.

    More →

RESOURCES

Coming soon!

NEWS

Coming soon!

New Addition to the EBRC staff

We welcome Dr. Clem Fortman to the EBRC staff at the Director for National Security Engagements!

Congratulations to Kristala Jones-Prather

Congratulations to Kristala Jones-Prather for her election to the 2018 class of AAAS Fellows, Section on Engineering

Karmella Haynes has started a new position as an Associate Professor

Karmella Haynes has started a new position as an Associate Professor in the Georgia Tech/ Emory University W. H. Coulter Biomedical Engineering Department

Designing Spatially Distributed Gene Regulatory Networks To Elicit Contrasting Patterns

Authors: Mika Tei, Melinda Liu Perkins, Justin Hsia, Murat Arcak, and Adam Paul Arkin. ACS Synthetic Biology

PNNL has developed a new, publicly available, tool

PNNL has developed a new, publicly available, tool for understanding the current state of the U.S. biodefense enterprise. The Biodefense Policy Landscape Analysis Tool (B-PLAT, v2.0) →.

Oxford University Press has issued a call for papers

Oxford University Press has issued a call for papers for a Special Issue on Synthetic Biology Education.

Abstract submission for the 2019 Synthetic Biology

Abstract submission for the 2019 Synthetic Biology: Engineering, Evolution, & Design (SEED) Conference (New York City, NY) closes March 1, 2019.

U.S. FDA Proposed Rule

The U.S. FDA has issued a proposed rule on amending the definition of “biological product”. Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by February 25, 2019. Federal Register.

What is Synthetic/Engineering Biology?

Synthetic biology aims to make biology easier to engineer. Synthetic biology is the convergence of advances in chemistry, biology, computer science, and engineering that enables us to go from idea to product faster, cheaper, and with greater precision than ever before. It can be thought of as a biology-based “toolkit” that uses abstraction, standardization, and automated construction to change how we build biological systems and expand the range of possible products. A community of experts across many disciplines has come together to create these new foundations for many industries, including medicine, energy and the environment.

Apply for Student & Postdoc Association Membership

Apply for EBRC Individual Membership

Malice Analysis Workshop, Minneapolis

REGISTER HERE

Biology is easier than ever to engineer. This reality requires researchers to take proactive steps to consider the security implications of their work. The Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC) is holding an interactive workshop to help you identify potentially malicious applications of your work, mitigation options, and what to do if you identify something and don’t know how to proceed. This four-hour, technically-focused workshop will include plenary presentations and discussion and small group analysis of participant projects. Refreshments will be served culminating with lunch as part of the final debrief. Participants that complete all aspects of the workshop will receive a certificate of completion which can be noted on your CV.

This workshop is supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under Grant Award Number, 2017‐ST‐108‐FRG002.

Malice Analysis Workshop, Austin

The rapid advances in bioengineering capabilities have raised concerns with the security community, lawmakers, and the general public. To help ensure biotechnology practitioners consider the security implications of their work, the Engineering Biology Research Consortium is holding an interactive workshop to help you identify potentially malicious applications of your project, mitigation options, and what to do if you identify something and don’t know how to proceed. This technically focused workshop will run for four hours and will included small group projects. Refreshments will be served culminating with lunch as part of the final debrief. Participants that complete the workshop will receive a certificate of completion which can be noted on your CV.

This workshop is supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under Grant Award Number, 2017‐ST‐108‐FRG002.

EBRC Fall 2019 Retreat

EBRC’s first council retreat is by invitation only.

VENUE & REGISTRATION

UC Irvine

CalIT2 Building

4100 E Peltason Dr,, Irvine, CA 92617

REGISTER

HOST HOTEL

Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa

900 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, California 92660

(please do not contact hotel directly regarding confirmations or room arrangements):

MEETING OVERVIEW

You must register to attend the EBRC Fall 2019 Council Retreat.

The agenda will be distributed and posted online here when ready. Please use the timeline below for planning purposes.

Thurs, Nov 14, 2019: Registration and breakfast at 8:00 AM. First session starts at 9:00 AM

Fri, Nov 15, 2019: Retreat ends at 4:00 PM

Travel support will be extended to Academic Council Members consistent with EBRC’s travel policy. Support consists of direct paid air travel, accommodations, and meals during the retreat. For questions or deviations, please contact EBRC.

We are happy to book hotel accommodations for our Industry and Government participants. They will be requested to provide a form of payment for hotel accommodations at check-in. (EBRC rate: $189/night plus taxes/fees.)

IMPORTANT DATES: 

Oct 14, 2019 – Last day to request hotel accommodations.

Oct 14, 2019 – Last day for Academic Council Members to request air transportation.

Oct 21, 2019 – Last day to register (for those not requesting accommodations).

TRAVEL INFORMATION

The John Wayne Airport (SNA) is approximately 5 miles from the host hotel. The hotel does not have an airport shuttle. Lyft/Uber is the best option for transportation from the airport to the hotel.

 

EBRC Technical Roadmapping Working Group Meeting

EBRC Technical Roadmapping Workshop

 

 

EBRC Technical Roadmapping Workshop

EBRC Technical Roadmapping Workshop

 

 

EBRC 2018 Fall Retreat

EBRC’s fifth semi-annual retreat will take place September 13 – 14, 2018 at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.

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