Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: BioSecurity: How synthetic biology is changing the way we look at biology and biological threats

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Abstract:
Synthetic biology is ushering in a new era of biology that is no longer contained within the walls of laboratories in universities and private companies. This movement is known as do-it-yourself bio (DIYbio) and has been compared with models familiar in the cybertech tech world such as commons-based peer production and open source innovation.

BioSecurity: How synthetic biology is changing the way we look at biology and biological threats

Washington, DC | Posted on March 11th, 2010

DIYbio (diybio.org/) is an organization dedicated to making biology an accessible pursuit for citizen scientists, amateur biologists, and DIY biological engineers who value openness and safety. The do-it-yourself movement is rapidly expanding around the world as evident by the map above (diybio.org/local/) depicting local groups involved in the movement.

A growing network of do-it-yourself biologists has attracted the attention of both innovators, looking to mobilize a network of creative minds, and security experts, worrying about the proliferation of new capacities to create biological organisms.

On March 11th we will be discussing issues surrounding synthetic biology, DIYbio and how it relates to biosecurity. Joining us for that discussion will be:

Jason Bobe, co-founder of DIYbio. Jason helped found the movement and his project bioweathermap.org teaches people to understand the ebb and flow of microorganisms present in the environment.

Edward You, a special agent with the FBI Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, Countermeasures Unit, Bioterrorism Team.

You must register to attend the event.
Visit www.synbioproject.org/about/contact/rsvp/ to RSVP.
*** Webcast LIVE at www.synbioproject.org*** No RSVP required to view the webcast

What:
BioSecurity: How synthetic biology is changing the way we look at biology and biological threats

When:
Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:30 - 4:30 PM (refreshments available at 3:00 PM)

Who:
• Jason Bobe, Director of Community, Personal Genome Project, Harvard Medical School
• Edward H. You, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, Countermeasures Unit, Bioterrorism Team
• David Rejeski, Director, Synthetic Biology Project

Where:
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 5th Floor Conference Room - Directions

Media planning to cover the event should contact Todd Kuiken at (202) 691-4398 or at

To learn more about the Synthetic Biology Project, visit www.synbioproject.org.

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About Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Established by an act of Congress in 1968, the Wilson Center is our nation's official living memorial to President Woodrow Wilson. As both a distinguished scholar—the only American President with a Ph.D.—and a national leader, Wilson felt strongly that the scholar and the policymaker were "engaged in a common enterprise."

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Media
Todd Kuiken
(202) 691-4398 or at

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