Cafe Synthetique: Engineering biology for real-world applications

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• Dr Charlie Gilbert (Dept. of Pathology), Dr. Duygu Dikicioglu (Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology)
• Monday 19 November 2018, 18:00-20:00
• Panton Arms 43 Panton Street CB2 1HL, Cambridge.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Alexandra Ting.

This month’s Cafe Synthetique is curated by the Cambridge University Synthetic Biology Society (SynBioSoc https://cusbs.soc.srcf.net/). Join us for talks that will introduce synthetic biology and its project-based applications. It will also be a great opportunity to meet new members of the Cambridge undergraduate synthetic biology community!

ENGINEERING LIVING MATERIALS WITH SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY Dr. Charlie Gilbert (Department of Pathology)

Abstract: Natural biological materials exhibit remarkable properties: self-assembly from simple raw materials, autonomous control of morphology, diverse physical and chemical properties, self-repair and the ability to sense-and-respond to environmental stimuli. In their natural form, the utility of these materials for applications in human industry and society is limited. But, could it be possible to genetically program living cells to create entirely new and useful grown materials? In this talk I’ll discuss emerging synthetic biology approaches to create “engineered living materials”.

ENGINEERING MICROBIOMES FOR IMPROVING WINE FERMENTATION PROCESSES Dr. Duygu Dikicioglu (Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology)

Abstract: Many fermentation and bioremediation processes depend on the synergistic interactions between different microbial species living together in a community. In some cases these species rely on each other’s presence for survival. In other cases, although each species can survive on its own, living in a community has clear selective advantages for all participating species in both the natural environment and in traditional biotechnological processes. A detailed understanding of these interactions would enable us to better exploit their capabilities. An interesting example of such a community exists on grapes and it facilitates the succession of alcoholic and malolactic fermentations during wine making. Both the ethanol and sensory characteristics of wine depend on how this community of multiple species behaves. This talk will discuss some of the day-to-day problems faced by wine makers, and how we can use systems biotechnology and metabolic modelling to address these issues, and suggest possible solutions.

Café Synthetique is the monthly meetup for the Cambridge synthetic biology community with informal talks, discussion and pub snacks. It is kindly sponsored by Cambridge Consultants.

This talk is part of the Engineering Biology Interdisciplinary Research Centre series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• Engineering Biology Interdisciplinary Research Centre
• Panton Arms 43 Panton Street CB2 1HL, Cambridge

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