Refining SynSignal Research and Cooperation

On April 10^th and 11^th 2015, the SynSignal consortium came together for the second time to discuss the project’s scientific progress and future collaboration. The conference was hosted by Luis Serrano and his team from the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona, Spain. CRG is located right next to the sea within Barcelona Biomedical Research Park – a perfect spot for discussing scientific challenges within the field of synthetic biology.

The first meeting day was moderated by coordinator Horst Vogel (EPFL) and mainly addressed progress and challenges within the different work packages of the project. The consortium members presented their major achievements and initiated a profound brainstorming on fostering and refining future research and collaboration within the consortium. The second meeting day was reserved for first discussions on potential exploitable results of the project in terms of publications, patents and technology transfer issues. Jörg Scherer, Managing Director of project partner Eurice, illustrated the general IP framework in FP7 projects and moderated an exploitation workshop together with an experienced European patent and trademark attorney linking biological and medical tasks with technical approaches. The meeting was rounded off by an inspiring presentation of Scientific Advisory Board member Chris Tate from MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, on elucidating the structure and function of G protein-coupled receptors for developing future medicines.

Altogether, the meeting offered great networking opportunities and an intense discussion forum for all partners strengthening the collaboration within the consortium.