Digital Biology Network

Kick-off MeetingJanuary 16, 2008

CSC 333

Outline

• Welcome and introductions• What is DBN?

– Synthetic biology– iGEM program– How it is being adapted– What’s expected

• Future meetings and communications

Welcome!

What is the DBN?• Synthetic biology is a basket of technologies that

facilitate the engineering of living organisms• DNA is source code for cell-based processors• Challenges:

– Computational tools that facilitate the writing of programs

– Choice of applications to be developed– Design, programming, testing, debugging

11/23/2007

Applications dependent on synthetic capabilities

basepairs

102 107105104103 106

single genes*

genetic circuits, viruses, GEMs Engineered organisms

minimal life

iGEM Philosophy

• Engineered biology• Open standards• Library of modular parts (BioBricks™)• Low cost• Explore application space• Compete• Share• Increase complexity and reliability

Digital Biology Network

• “Professional” version of iGEM• Works in similar way – ie. grassroots

project development• Education, interfaces, brainstorming• Eye to high value applications• Compete for limited resources (human, $)• Link to other groups – communications,

software, parts libraries

Potential applications

• Commodity chemicals• Biofuels• Specialty chemicals• Biosensors• Basic functions – eg. inverters, amplifiers,

cellular localization, behaviors• Software• Hardware

Extending Alberta’s Leadership

• Expanding provincial government support and recognition for iGEM and synthetic biology

• Course creation/outreach programs• Digital Biology Network to facilitate

professional-grade standards-based biology

• Application-based, ground-up development approach