From 2007.igem.org

This is a talk being given by members of the team to the Edinburgh Linux Users Group.

The talk on 5th July 2007 will begin at 19:30 at the Edinburgh Training and Conference Centre

Topics

Topics that will be covered during this talk include:

• What is Synthetic Biology?
• What can be achieved with Synthetic Biology?
• Why it is interesting to engineers
• How Synthetic Biology deals with Intellectual Property
• Explore what legal tools could be used when dealing with Intellectual Property

Announcement

Hi,

The next EdLUG meeting is on Thur 5th July at 7:30pm sharp at Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue, sponsored by Valley Technology Ltd

Alistair Marshall will be presenting his talk:

"Synthetic Biology"

Alistair says:

Whilst this may not initially sound like this has much to do with Linux

and open source code, there are many similarities.

Genetic engineering is now at the stage where we can manipulate

individual bits of DNA, so instead of programming with 1&0s we are

programming with 'base pairs' or A, C, G and Ts. The possibilities of

this are seemingly unlimited. imagine planting a seed and coming back a

year later to see your dream house made out of a tree with excellent

insulation, heating and utilities already in place or making a bacteria

that will sit on your skin and produce sun screen when impacted with UV

light.

This emerging science has is in a unique position of learning from the

computer open source revolution. The ability to program individual bits

of DNA is only a few years old and so new standards have to be made and

refined, new 'devices' are being produced and published in a public

registry. This licensing decisions being made now and in the next few

years will have major effects on the science in future.

I am an engineering student at the university and am taking part in the

IGem (International Genetically Engineered Machines) competition over

the summer.

Alistair Marshall

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Special thanks to Alastair Broom of Valley Tech Ltd for arranging this,

As usual some of us will meet at the Auld Hoose for food first. If you do go there please leave in time to reach the venue.

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Afterwards we'll repair to Mai Thai bar/restaurant. Special thanks to Joe Barnett for arranging this.

www.mai-thai.co.uk

-- Yours Faye