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In late 2022, the ANU SynBio Initiative was established. This Initiative assembled a nascent network of researchers across the ANU interested in synthetic biology – an emerging field revolving around the convergence of biology and engineering, and the potential for applications in a wide range of domains include food, energy, biomanufacturing, and climate change mitigation. Understanding these possibilities, and their challenges, requires a thoroughly interdisciplinary approach, and across the ANU there is growing expertise across the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities to collectively explore these developments. 

For the first time since the Initiative was established, ANU researchers were brought together on November 27 for the full-day ANU Engineering Biology Symposium. This was an opportunity to hear about the diverse and exciting research happening across the ANU related to synthetic biology – research was presented from across the natural sciences (Research School of Biology School of Computing, the Research School of Chemistry, and the John Curtin School of Medical Research) and the social sciences and humanities (Research School of Social Sciences, the National Security College and School of Regulation and Global Governance, and, of course, the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science).  

We heard about research on cell membranes and biomaterials and artificial intelligence, along with public attitudes to synthetic biology applications and collaborations to explore the emerging bioeconomy. We also heard from the ANUs first iGEM team, who had recently returned – with a Silver medal! – from the competition held in Paris. The iGEM (international genetically engineered machine) competition is an opportunity for students to work on a synthetic biology project throughout the year, and there are hopes to form another iGEM team next year.  

There are multiple exciting initiatives at CPAS on synthetic biology and related fields, several of which engage involving partnerships and collaborations with other ANU researchers. Professor Joan Leach provided an overview of this ongoing work, including involvement in the ARC Training Centre for Future Crops Development (alongside colleagues from the Research School of Biology), recent publications on topics ranging from the ethical dimensions of iBlastoids and public engagement on gene drives, and popular culture projects ranging from science pop-up books to film screenings and panel discussions about genetic engineering as part of the Science.Art.Film series at the National Film and Sound Archive (both of these projects are led by Dr. Anna-Sophie Jurgens). Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Dan Santos also presented on his research in this space, including work on biohacking and community science labs as part of his dissertation, current work on openness in stem cell research, and future work on Australia’s bioeconomy, parts of which will be conducted in partnership with Dr Dirk van der Kley at the National Security College.  

Going forward, there are hopes to build on these connections and consolidate the research on synthetic biology happening at the ANU through more formal and enduring initiatives – so watch this space! 

Written by Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Dan Santos.