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Welcome to the May 2023 issue of the Engineering Biology (formerly Synthetic Biology) Interdisciplinary Research Centre Newsletter - a round-up of news, events and notices from across the initiative.
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This month EngBio IRC established two sub-committees
EngBio Postdoc and Postgrads Committees.
Read More
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EngBio IRC ECRs Slack Channel
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In addition to the EngBio Postdocs/Postgrads Meet & Greet monthly meetings, we encourage you to join our new Slack Channel to share news, events and network among fellow postdocs, postgrads, PhDs and researchers. Any problems joining, please email coordinator@engbio.cam.ac.uk and we will send a link.
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EngBio Forum
Thank You
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Thank you to everyone who attended our Forum in-person and virtually on 4 May and making it a great success. The date for the Autumn/Winter Forum will be announced soon.
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First chip-synthesized DNA delivered to Cambridge
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The DNA was delivered to Dr Jenny Molloy, Co-chair of the EngBio IRC.The successful testing of the DNA in the lab validates Evonetix’s patented thermally controlled semiconductor technology and supports the development of the desktop DNA synthesis platform.
Read more
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ENGBIO POSTDOCS MEET & GREET
3rd Monday of Each Month, 12-1pm
Postdoc Centres at Mill Lane & Eddington
Join our monthly lunches to meet postdocs from across the University interested in biology, engineering, design, computer science, bioethics and more. Open to postdocs, students and research staff from across the University and affiliated institutes (MRC-LMB, Babraham Institute, Wellcome Sanger Institute).
June Meeting: Monday 19 June 12pm-1pm, Postdoc Centre Basement, 16 Mill Lane.
With short talk from Devmalya Sarkar - ‘App’reciating User Needs: early-stage user involvement in need identification for user-entric health apps
RSVP Here on Meetup
Future Dates
17 July, Mill Lane, Postdoc Centre
We also need speaker volunteers for future meetings, so if you’re able to give a 5-10min, overview of your research or a particular tool or technique that you use, please email Vicky at vr314@cam.ac.uk
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CAFE SYNTHETIQUE
1st Monday of the Month
Panton Arms, Cambridge
We will be back on Monday 5th June, 6-8pm with Dr Kirsty MacLellan-Gibson from Babraham Institute.
Title: Volume Electron Microscopy: What is it and how can it help me?
Sign Up HERE
Future Dates for your Diary: 3 July
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BIOMAKER MEETUP
3rd Wednesday of Each Month, 7:30-9pm
Cambridge Makespace, 16 Mill Lane
Monthly in-person, informal meetup at the Cambridge Makespace for anyone wanting to repair, design or build lab equipment. Bring your own project to work on (anything involving lab hardware is welcome), take the opportunity to work through Biomaker training with others or join one of the Beneficial Bio community projects.
21 June - See here for Info
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Online & In-Person Events & News from Around the Web
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Cambridge Creative Encounters
Close 16 June
Have you ever wondered how you can translate complex topics into a universal language, engage with new audiences and get a fresh perspective on your work? Are you looking for a creative adventure to boost your research? Search no more as Cambridge Creative Encounters is inviting applications from researchers who would like to transform their research into series of new creative projects. The deadline for applications is 5pm, 16th of June 2023. Further links to the project guidance documents, along with details on all categories, are given below and on the Cambridge Creative Encounters website.
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Supporting researchers to work equitable with Low and Middle Income Countries - July Workshops
As part of the School of Biological Sciences’ commitment to supporting and promoting responsible research, events that are being delivered in partnership with the UK Collaborative on Development Research:
Research symposium: Equitable Partnerships to study disease in Low and Middle Income Countries - Monday 3rd July, 1 – 5pm, Robinson College, in person
The symposium will have a broad biological/biomedical focus, spanning human, animal and plant diseases that are both communicable and non-communicable
Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/AThpRYRM8R
Training workshop: Benefits, challenges and best practices for equitable partnership research with Low and Middle Income Countries Tuesday 11th July, 9:30 – 12:30, Trinity Hall, in person Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/vK7YVcqEzr
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How to share your research with non-specialist audiences: Tuesday 20th June, 1pm-2pm.
Does the thought of speaking to a journalist send shivers up your spine? Are you worried that they’ll ‘dumb down’ your research? In this practical online talk for Early Career Researchers, Sarah Collins from the University of Cambridge central communications team will discuss why communications should be part of the research process, how to present your research in a clear and concise way, why engaging with the media can be beneficial for your research, how to handle tricky questions, and why ‘dumbing down’ is a phrase that needs to get in the bin.
Register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-share-your-research-with-non-specialist-audiences-tickets-629239591557 Event location: Online
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Cambridge Enterprise Events
We run a number of events and programmes throughout the year for University members and external organisations. Our activities also bring together the University community with industry, investors, collaborators and partners.
Our programmes and events include knowledge sharing, training, showcases and networking opportunities covering a range of topics relating to impact and commercialisation. More Info Here.
Highlights includes The Chris Abell Postdoc Business Plan Competition - Are you a Cambridge postdoc working on innovative research? Do you have a great business idea? this can help you realise its full potential – and you could be in the running to win £20k investment. Close 16 July.
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Networks to Collaborate with in Cambridge - 24 May 12pm-1pm online
Link for registration: https://training.cam.ac.uk/opda/event/4718085
Cambridge has a range of networks, initiatives, and centres to promote interdisciplinary working and connect researchers across the University. This event will give postdocs a chance to find out about these networks and the opportunities they offer – from meeting new people and establishing collaborations, to developing and funding your own interdisciplinary projects.This session will feature representatives from the following networks:
- Precision Health Initiative
- Cambridge Public Health
- Cambridge Africa
- Cambridge Infectious Diseases
- Cambridge Language Sciences
- Global Food Security
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Physics of Living Matter Symposium (PLM17) - 28 & 29 September 2023 Cambridge.
As in previous years the conference will take place at Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Cambridge.
Registrations for PLM 17 - 2023 are now open. The programme includes a fantastic line-up of expert speakers from across the globe. You can find the registration link and other important information on our website: http://www.plm-symposium.org
Early bird registration ends on the 1 August. If you would like to be considered for a short oral presentation, the deadline for abstract submission is 30 June.
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AESIS Societal Impact Webinar Series
April - June
The Network for Advancing and Evaluating the Societal Impact of Science (AESIS Network) is an international, open community for various types of professionals working on stimulating and demonstrating the impact of science on economy, culture and well-being. The network consists of individual and institutional members, and thus connects different stakeholders. The members all work in a variety of organisations from all over the world, where they are involved in the evaluation of impact, research strategy and policy making, funding and other impact support.
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Understanding Biology in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
30 June
This conference aims to start a conversation around the role of AI in scientific understanding, and whether breakthroughs in the intersection of AI and biology are pushing us to revise our notion of scientific understanding.
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What is Connect: Health Tech – Live! and who is it for?
14 June
Connect: Health Tech – Live! will harness the success of our thriving online community. It is a one-day conference aimed at those working or interested in the interdisciplinary health tech field, from research facilitation and translation to entrepreneurship and investment.
At this event you can explore the world of health tech collaborations, understand why it’s the future for enabling innovations and addressing our most pressing healthcare challenges. Built around distinct themes, the day will provide an environment for you to learn, share and be inspired both professionally and personally.
Don’t miss out! Find out more and reserve your ticket here: https://CHTLive.eventbrite.com
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Milner Therapeutics Symposium - 5 July
Registration is now open for the Milner Therapeutics Symposium! The Symposium will take place on Wednesday 5th July, and the physical venue is West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge. This event is an opportunity for scientists from academia and industry to discuss the latest academic and pre-clinical research, and how it could be applied in the pharma and biotech industry to develop new treatments.
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6th Cambridge International Conference on Machine Learning and AI in (Bio)Chemical Engineering
Dept. of CEB 6-7 July 2023 |
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| The conference will be held in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. Abstract admissions open now. Machine Learning and AI in Bio(Chemical) Engineering Conference series is co-organised by research groups of the Universities of Cambridge, Leeds, Glasgow, Southampton, and University College London. This series of conferences grew from two collaborative research projects on robotics and automation in chemical development. The conference will feature lectures from global champions of research in ML/AI in chemistry/(bio)chemical engineering |
Read more
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The Postdoc Academy
Various writing workshops, masterclasses and events throughout the year
Researcher development encompasses all the learning and development that you experience during your time in Cambridge.It provides you with the skills you need right now for your current work, as well as for your future, whatever that might look like. You can find upcoming training, events, resources for researchers from a range of providers across the University on our Postdoc Calendar
Learn more >>
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Public Engagement Training 'Engaged Researcher' - Now offering Online and In-Person Sessions!
The ‘Engaged Researcher’ training covers all areas of public engagement with research by combining expert led practical workshops and taught sessions. No Public Engagement story is the same and this is reflected in the diversity of the training programme offered. To register and to see full list of trainings please go to UTBS
Learn more >>
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British Science Festival, 7-10 September 2023 Exeter.
Award Lectureships for Early Career Academics (close 23 January)
These Award Lectures aim to promote open and informed discussion of science and related disciplines. The selected lecturers receive an all-expenses paid trip to the festival where they will present their lecture, as well as public speaking coaching and a £250 honorarium. Awards are available in seven different areas: Social sciences; Engineering, technology and industry; Environmental sciences; Agricultural, biological and medical sciences; Physical sciences and mathematics; Digital innovation; Science and the arts. More information: https://www.britishscienceassociation.org/award-lectures
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GASB German Conference on Synthetic Biology
18-20 September, Germany
The conference this year, GASB7, will be co-organized with Designer Biology and the European Federation of Biotechnology in Freiburg. Silvia Vignolini and Alison Smith from Cambridge will be speaking at this event.
The promotional code is COMMUNITY23 and provides a 10 Euro discount.
More Info Here
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Other events please see our website page 'Events'
Falling Walls Lab is coming to Cambridge – 21st June 2023
Cambridge Cardiovascular Seminar 'Antibodies meet the atheroma plaque: perspectives and puzzles' - 8 June
Falling Walls Lab is coming to Cambridge – 21st June 2023 CamBioHack Hackathon
Synthetic Biology Australasia Conference, Australia 15-17 November
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If you have an opportunity to advertise to the Cambridge EngBio community, please contact the IRC Coordinator at coordinator@engbio.cam.ac.uk.
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