Engineering Superfoods and the End to Epidemics

TOP 5 REASONS TO ATTEND THE 2011 SIEBEL SCHOLARS CONFERENCE

Engineering Superfoods and the End to Epidemics

TOP 5 REASONS TO ATTEND THE 2011 SIEBEL SCHOLARS CONFERENCE

1. Located at Private, Top  Research Facility
2. Fascinating Scientific & Industry Leaders
3. Siebel Scholar Presentations & Connections
4. Tangible Outcomes
5. Evening Events & Entertainment

Synthetic biology—the creation of tools and platforms to forward engineer new life forms—is poised to enable entrepreneurs to start biotech companies in the same short time it takes to create a new website or mobile application today.  These new organisms have the potential to bolster global food supplies and develop revolutionary innovations in healthcare, such as vaccines, affordable drugs, and cancer-detection.  But at what cost?

Join us from October 14-16 to discuss the benefits and debate the risks related to the economic, ethical, and safety implications of synthetic biology.  The 2011 Siebel Scholars conference promises to be one of the most compelling conferences yet.

Located at Private, Top Research Facility

Instead of the usual university location, this year’s conference is hosted by Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Farm Research Campus.  Learn about their latest advances in biotechnology and tour the $500 million state-of-the-art research facility, ordinarily closed to the general public.  Tours are filling quickly, so be sure to take advantage of this unique experience.

Opened in 2006, the Janelia Farm Research Campus occupies 689 wooded acres along the Potomac River and is home to 250 resident staff, who perform breakthrough biotechnology research below a 180,000 square foot landscaped green roof.  Visit the Siebel Scholars community website to learn more about the facility from Siebel Scholars who visited last year.  Then, come see the innovative Janelia Farm Research Campus firsthand.

Fascinating Scientific & Industry Leaders

This year’s conference speakers include cutting-edge scientific, industry, ethics, and policy experts from across the globe, who will convene to explore the process, applications, benefits, and risks of synthetic biology.

Some of the thought-leaders joining us this year include:

• Craig Venter, who was one of the first to sequence the human genome and, in 2010, created the first cell with a synthetic genome
• Jay Keasling, who is working to eliminate malaria from developing countries through a synthetically engineered, low cost anti-malarial drug
• Vandana Shiva, a Time Magazine “Environmental Hero” and one of Asia Week’s Top Five Most Powerful Communicators in Asia
• Ed Penhoet, the former Co-founder, President, and CEO of Chiron Corporation (acquired by Novartis) and member of the President’s Council of Advisors for Science and Technology
• Alta Charo, the Warren P. Knowles Professor of Law and Bioethics at the University of Wisconsin and recent senior policy advisor on emerging technology issues at the FDA

Visit the Siebel Scholars website to meet all our speakers and register to engage with them in person this October.

Siebel Scholar Presentations & Connections

On Saturday afternoon, Siebel Scholars working in synthetic biology will present their research to spark discussions with the audience.  Join us to learn how they are contributing to the advancement of this burgeoning field.

Attendees in a variety of industries will also have the opportunity to connect with their peers via lunch discussions and networking sessions – let us know  if you’re interested in leading a conversation about your industry or research during lunch or otherwise, or have an idea you’d like to introduce.

Tangible Outcomes

Conference attendees and speakers will divide into breakout sessions on the final day of the conference to discuss and synthesize opportunities in synthetic biology.  If you would like to help organize breakout sessions and design tangible outcomes post-conference, please contact  Raghu Ganti or Megan Palmer.

Evening Events and Entertainment

As always, we have some exciting evening venues and entertainment lined up, so join us to celebrate with Siebel Scholars and speakers alike.  The conference weekend kicks-off on Friday evening, with a welcome reception at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, home to thousands of aircraft and space exploration artifacts from throughout history, including the Enola Gay, the SR-71 Blackbird, and the space shuttle Enterprise.

Saturday evening will feature dinner and music at the House of Sweden, home to the Swedish and Icelandic Embassies.  While taking in the gorgeous Potomac River views and stunning contemporary Scandinavian architecture, guests will be entertained by the Grammy Award-winning Isley Brothers.

What is Synthetic Biology?

Synthetic biology is the development of standard tools and processes to “forward engineer” organisms with novel or enhanced characteristics. To learn more about this nascent field-at the intersection of several scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, and engineering – please view the following resources:

• On the Verge of Creating Synthetic Life – Craig Venter
• A Life of Its Own: Where Will Synthetic Biology Lead Us? – The New Yorker
• The Diffusion of Synthetic Biology: A Challenge to Biosafety – Markus Schmidt

The Siebel Scholars community website contains a larger set of synthetic biology resources. Have reading recommendations? Post them to our site with the “2011 conference” tag and join the discussions already in progress.

Agenda & Logistics

The conference agenda and logistics can be found on the Siebel Scholars community website.

Since the Siebel Scholars Foundation covers most conference costs, attendees only have to pay a special discounted rate of $89 per night to stay at the Aloft Dulles Airport North, a 15 minute free shuttle ride to and from the airport and the Janelia Farm Research Campus.

Register today to take advantage of low round trip airfares to the Washington, D.C. area, which are under $200 from Boston, under $250 from New York, under $300 from Chicago, under $400 from LA, and under $500 from San Francisco.

For Guests & Families

Enjoy the evening events with your significant other, and/or bring the kids for a getaway near the nation’s capital.

• Group child care rates and programs may be arranged with enough demand – contact us if you are interested
• Hotel amenities and facilities at the Aloft Dulles Airport North include: indoor pool; 24 hour gym; lounge area with pool table, games, fireplace, and bar; camp Aloft for kids; pet program; and business center
• The Aloft Dulles Airport North offers complimentary shuttle service to nearby attractions, such as the Ashburn Ice House skating facility (3 miles), Sully Plantation (8 miles), Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum (8 miles), Lyndora Park (less than 1 mile), and several spas
• Washington, D.C. is less than 30 miles from the hotel and is easily accessible by taxi or rental car

Further information can be found on the Siebel Scholars conference registration portal and the Siebel Scholars community website.  Please contact the Siebel Scholars Foundation with any questions or suggestions.  We look forward to seeing you in a few weeks!