Synthetic Life
Synthetic life
How will synthetic biology – the creation of new life forms – further our understanding of the living world and humankind’s place in it? The fictional technology of science fiction is rapidly becoming reality: the internet links humanity in ways that resemble a ‘hive mind’; synthetic biology can create new life forms in the laboratory; and computers control our daily lives. These complex technologies have introduced real issues that were hitherto the dreams (and nightmares) of science fiction; issues that question the very notion of humanity and the role of technology in our evolution. The 21st century will be like no other; are we on the cusp of a scientific revolution to equal the industrial revolution, and what might be the consequences for science, art, society, and humanity? This dilemma has five major themes: systems biology, science fiction, robotics and AI, ethics and moral dilemmas and predictions of future technology.
Lead academic: Professor John Love
Anchor academic: Dr Elizabeth Dridge
Taster session
Date: 31 October
Time: 13:30 - 14:30
Location: Forum Auditorium
Description: What do you think of if you hear the words 'Synthetic Life'? Scientists working in the laboratory creating new life forms? Artificially intelligent robots taking over the world? Or perhaps you may think of your favourite science fiction film or novel, set in the distant future?
Now – what if we were to tell you that these fantasies are rapidly becoming a reality. Would you be interested, excited or apprehensive? The 21st century will be like no other; and with a potential scientific revolution equal to the industrial revolution underway, what might the consequences be for science, art, society and humanity?
This session will be led by Professor John Love from the University of Exeter, and Dr Tom Ellis from The Centre for Synthetic Biology and Innovation, Imperial College, London. Professor Love will introduce the Dilemma and the five exciting strands students may choose to investigate; Synthetic Biology, Science Fiction, Robotics and AI, Ethics and Moral Dilemmas and Future Technologies. Dr Tom Ellis will then present a ‘Taster Talk’ for one strand, the new field of Synthetic Biology. This will include input from the University of Exeter iGEM team - a team of undergraduate students - who will share their thoughts on why it is so important for students to work together in a multidisciplinary way when addressing such important topics. There will be a chance for you to ‘Quiz the Experts’ at the end of the session.
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Professor John Love
Professor John Love is an Associate Professor in Plant Molecular Biology and Industrial Biotechnology at the University of Exeter, which he joined in 2003, following research positions in America and the University of Cambridge. He is the director of the Exeter Microbial Biofuels Group and in addition to his role at the University of Exeter, Professor Love holds a BBSRC Industry Interchange Partnership with Shell Research UK.
Dr Tom Ellis
Dr Tom Ellis is a lecturer at Imperial College, London. Having obtained his Ph.D he carried on research work at Boston University with Jim Collins, one of the founders of the field of Synthetic Biology. Dr Ellis then returned to the UK to continue researching Synthetic Biology at the University of Cambridge before joining Imperial College, London in 2009. In the future Dr Ellis hopes to generate a synthetic strain of yeast.
