SBA 1 Inaugural International synthetic biology and biosecurity conference in Africa

Abstract

SBA SynBio Africa in Uganda is proposing to host the SBA.1 Inaugural International synthetic biology and biosecurity conference in A frica on October 14-16, 2021 to host a maximum of 200 participants. Synthetic biology is the design and construction of new biologic al parts, devices, and systems, and the re-design of existing, natural biological systems for useful purposes. In Africa, synthetic biology has great potential to contribute to national development agenda by anchoring a sustainable bioeconomy. Synthetic biology ha s a great potential to help develop medicine, reduce pollution, and increase crop production to reduce hunger. However, there is lit tle information or no information on research, capacity development, bioinformatics and data science, innovation hub, policy and reg ulation of synthetic biology in Africa. Scientists, policy makers, researchers and others in Africa are working in silos doing consu ltative meetings to find out if they can develop a set of unified policy guidelines that can help across the continent. This worksho p is the first step in bringingstakeholders working in synthetic biology together. The key areas of Synthetic Biology that will be c overed in this conference are: 1) Materials and biomaterial science, 2) biosafety and biosecurity, 3) Agricultural innovations, 4) B ioinformatics and Data Science, 5) Biosensor and diagnostic, 6) Renewable energy and biofuels. The workshop will provide opportuniti es for stakeholders to interact and discuss policy and legalframeworks required in adopting synthetic biology innovations in Africa, while building a shared public understanding on the opportunities and benefits of the technology through effective communications.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Sep 08, 2021
Source ID
N629092112059

Entities

People

  • Geoffrey Otim

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy

Tags

Readers

  • International Relations, focusing on Korea-Africa and North Korea-South Korea relations, and Nigeria-Latin American Relations.
  • Political Science/ International Relations/ European Studies
  • Research Science/Academic Research

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
  • Biotechnology