Bioengineering for Social Good

Our world and the unexplored worlds around us are bathed in nano-scale systems (living cells) that convert their molecular surroundings into useful energy stores, building blocks, information storage, sensors, and secreted drones that detect, manipulate, control and harvest. As bioengineers, we work to understand and influence these nano systems to achieve human needs. Synthetic biology, computational biology, systems biology, genomics, protein engineering — these are the topics, tools and skills of our newest bioengineers. Which human needs are important and how ought we build the next clutch of bioengineers? Hundreds of teams worldwide are part of the IGEM effort to do just that — building the next wave of bioengineers trained to ethically build for the good of humanity.

David Bernick is a bioengineer, mentor and adjunct professor at UC Santa Cruz. His projects strive to solve issues of global significance where engineering of a bio system can yield an important benefit to resource-constrained communities. He and his students have done projects in biofuel production from almond waste, calorie-free sugar production to combat diabetes (sugar slugs), neutraceutical production in edible microbes (Bugs without borders), contraceptives that can be grown at home (Poppy) and thermostable vaccine formulations to combat Newcastle disease in chickens (Vitrum).

The event is open to any and all, including minors, and entrance is free. We request that attendees support our generous host, Forager, by purchasing refreshments.