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Asian Dialogue on Synthetic Biology| SynCell Asia Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony

Published time 2024-04-03 20:12Click 37times

From April 2 to 3, the 2024 ASBA Workshop, SynCell Asia, co-hosted by the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIAT) and the Asian Synthetic Biology Association (ASBA), was held at the Guangming Life Science Park in Shenzhen. As a significant academic event, the workshop aimed to facilitate the exchange on the latest advancements in synthetic cells, discuss cutting-edge scientific issues, technological innovations, and collaborations within the field of synthetic cells. It also served as a preparatory and mobilizing event for the Global Summit on Synthetic Cells scheduled to be held in Shenzhen from October 23 to 25. The conference attracted representatives and experts from approximately 25 research institutions across six countries including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and China. Through conference presentations and round-table discussions, all participants had an in-depth exchange of views on the latest discoveries and concepts in synthetic cell research. The convening of this workshop signaled that the synthetic cell research in Asia was entering a new stage of deepened cooperation and rapid advancement.


The event was attended by Liu Chenli, Deputy Director of SIAT, Matthew CHANG, President of the Singapore Synthetic Biology Association and Professor at the National University of Singapore, Byung-Kwan CHO, Vice President of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Akihiko KONDO, Vice President of Kobe University, Daisuke KIGA, founding president of the Japanese Society for Synthetic Cells and Professor at Waseda University, Norikazu ICHIHASHI, Professor at the University of Tokyo and current president of the Japanese Society for Synthetic Cells, Duangthip TRISRIVIRAT and Pattarawan INTASIAN, PhD candidates from the School of Biomolecular Science and Engineering in Thailand, and Ahmad Bazli RAMZI, PhD candidate from the National University of Malaysia, among others. Experts and scholars of synthetic cells from top domestic universities and research institutes, including Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Harbin Institute of Technology, and the Institute of Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, were also invited to the event.


First, Deputy Director Liu Chenli, along with the executive committee of the Asian Synthetic Biology Association, welcomed the experts attending the event and delivered a speech titled "SynCell Asia Initiative," calling for deepened cooperation among Asian countries in the field of synthetic cells. Later, experts and scholars from various countries shared their latest research findings and insights in the field of synthetic cells. International experts conducted detailed discussions on the design, synthesis, and characterization techniques of synthetic cells and showcased supportive technology applications and other relevant research outcomes. Based on the latest scientific developments and challenges faced by synthetic cells, the workshop also explored new models for interdisciplinary and cross-regional cooperation.


Significantly, under the witness of all participants from six Asian countries, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed around the theme of "Synthetic Cell Research," with an aim to strengthen scientific cooperation within the region, establish a long-term mechanism for collaboration and communication platform to promote knowledge sharing, technology exchanges, and talent cultivation. The signing of the MoU marked a new milestone in cooperation of synthetic biology across Asia.


Deputy Director Liu Chenli stated that the signing of the MoU not only provided a stable framework for all countries to support the long-term development of synthetic cell studies, but also opened up new ways for solving interdisciplinary research challenges. It heralded more cooperation projects and exchange activities among Asian countries. Additionally, the cooperation platform will attract more international research institutions and enterprises to participate in synthetic biology research in Asia, tackle challenges in the field of synthetic cells, develop universal technologies, establish international standards, and strive for significant breakthroughs in single-cell life synthesis, thereby promoting technological innovation in fields such as agriculture, food, energy, and environment.


The cooperation among Asian countries in the field of synthetic cells is ushering in unprecedented development opportunities. With the MoU, an innovative framework of international cooperation, Asian countries will focus on cooperation in synthetic cell research. Following the foundation of cooperation laid at the 2023 Asian Synthetic Biology Workshop on the Synthesis and Facilities of Single-Cell Life, the 2024 Synthetic Cell Asia Workshop, as part of the "SynCell Asia Workshop", continues to promote Asias role in the globally focused research topic of synthetic cells and inject new momentum into global scientific and technological cooperation. In the future, the SynCell Asia Workshop will continue to focus on related topics of synthetic cells and hold themed seminars with different themes across Asian countries to further promote regional exchanges and cooperation.


 

Photo: All participants pose for a photo


 

 

  Photo: Signing of the MoU