SynBio4ALLWebinar Series

How can we make whole plasmid sequencing accessible for resource limited labs?

Dr. James Lloyd returns to the SynBio4ALL Africa Monthly Webinar to discuss his team's new preprint on rapid and affordable plasmid sequencing using a MinION and off-the-shelf reagents — so labs can check the whole plasmid, not only the insert.

The Journey to an Academic Scholarship: How to Apply and Succeed?

Rosemond | Erikan | Allen

A conversation with three Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumni on preparing strong scholarship applications, learning from their journeys, and understanding how young Africans can approach academic scholarship opportunities.

Celebrating SynBio4ALL Attaining NGO Status | Sandra Matinyi

A special celebration webinar marking SynBio4ALL's official attainment of NGO status. Sandra Matinyi joins us to commemorate this milestone and discuss the significance of this achievement for the synthetic biology community in Africa.

SynBio4ALL Webinar | Dr. Callie Chappell

Dr. Callie Chappell from Stanford University joins SynBio4ALL to discuss her research in synthetic biology and its applications relevant to the African context.

SynBio4ALL Webinar | Prof. Jenn Brophy

Prof. Jenn Brophy from Stanford University joins SynBio4ALL to discuss her research in plant synthetic biology, including engineering plant genetic circuits and their applications.

SynBio4ALL Africa Monthly Webinar with Prof Detlef Weigel & Dr. Patience Chatukuta

SynBio4ALL Africa Initiative presents an online webinar joining us by Prof. Weigel & Dr. Patience. They will be sharing the generation and discovery of genetic diversity from model plants to African subsistence crops.

SynBio4ALL Webinar | Feilun Wu

In this session, Feilun describes the current applications of AI in Synthetic Biology research. Ensynble Inc., together with various start-up teams are transforming the experimental science with open protocol through novel tools like WetGenie, an assistant for reproducible experimental research.

SynBio4ALL Webinar | James Lloyd

James shares an overview of plant genetic circuitry and its potential in further synthetic biology applications using plant as a model. The team is also exploring a new in-house method for molecular cloning to overcome various logistical barriers. The discussion on is extendable to African community, especially in the context of plant synthetic biology courses.

SynBio4ALL Africa Monthly Webinar with Professor Cătălin Voiniciuc

SynBio4ALL Africa Initiative presents an online webinar joining us by Prof. Cătălin Voiniciuc. Prof. Voiniciuc will share his ongoing research in Plant Synthetic Biology focusing on engineering plant cell walls and its polysaccharide composition to boost plant's resilience in harsh environmental conditions.

From Lab to Life: Bridging Science and Everyday Innovation

In this dynamic session, Sebastian Cocioba, a trailblazer in open science and DIY biology, demonstrated how synthetic biology can be made accessible to anyone, anywhere, regardless of the availability of advanced lab equipment. He shared inspiring examples of real-world applications where simple tools and bold ideas are driving impact in health, food systems, and environmental solutions.

Graduate School Application to the US

In this session, Malik and Mile provide an introduction to planning and applying for graduate school in the U.S., starting with an overview of what pursuing a PhD entails. They share both general guidance and personal insights on preparing a strong application. The session also includes an in-depth discussion addressing various questions from the audience.

Synthetic Biology and the Bioeconomy

John shares an overview of how Synthetic Biology is transforming our world through a disruptive bioeconomy advancement. John walks us through various biotechnological products and platforms that are immersing into our everyday life.

Microbial SynBio for Health

Prof. Moon shared the journey of his groundbreaking work in microbial synthetic biology, offering valuable insights into how the field has progressed over the years based on his extensive experience. He has also been deeply involved with the African community, actively supporting students and graduates from the continent through multiple initiatives.

Democratizing Synthetic Biology

Alex shared the story behind the formation of Gogec, emphasizing its mission to make synthetic biology more accessible to all. He also outlined his vision for how Gogec's strategies are fostering advancements and encouraging collaboration within the synthetic biology community.

iGEM and Global SynBio Education

In this session, Yorgo discussed the influential role iGEM has played in advancing innovation, collaboration, and education within the field of synthetic biology. He highlighted how iGEM's global competitions, community engagement, and educational initiatives have shaped and expanded the synthetic biology landscape.

Bioprospecting and Biobusiness

Max guided us through two insightful workshops on Bioprospecting and Biobusiness. Together, we explored how to uncover the untapped potential of regional biodiversity and envision its transformation into innovative products. The discussion emphasized practical pathways for establishing biotechnology ventures tailored to the African context.

Building Synthetic Cells

Kate presented an overview of transformative technology centered on constructing cells using a bottom-up approach. This foundational innovation holds potential for diverse applications, including the development of new therapeutics and on-demand manufacturing in space environments. The session concluded with a discussion on how such technologies could be adapted and implemented to benefit communities across Africa.

Carbon Capture Innovations

Michael provided a brief overview of how LanzaTech is redefining carbon capture technology through the lens of synthetic biology. This was followed by a discussion on how such innovations could be applied on a global scale, with a particular focus on their relevance and potential impact within African communities.

Launch Event: SynBio4ALL Beginner Course

Setting the stage for our educational initiatives. Marilene Pavan, the Synthetic Biology Strategy Manager at LanzaTech, and Morgan Richards, the Product and Tokenomics Lead at ValleyDAO, led the session with an engaging introduction to the significance and potential of synthetic biology. Drawing from their expertise, they explored why the field is both valuable and exciting.