About the Course

For the first time in history, mankind can alter the blueprint of life. However, with such great power comes great responsibilities and a need for thorough ethical considerations before acting. This course will teach you about synthetic biology, a growing subfield of bio-technology which brings together the tools of genetic manipulation with engineering principles, as well as the ethical implications progress in the field entails.

During the weeks, accomplished global youth leaders and young researchers representing the international initiative, SynthEthics will come along and guide the participants in the maze of new-era biotechnology. Synthetic biology is one of those fields where it is best to get things right the first time because it might be the only chance we get.

Acquired Skills

Syllabus

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• Soft skills: critical thinking, problem-framing and solving, analytical reasoning, adaptable intelligence, effective communication, collaboration

• Hard skills: research process, ethical decision-making, information literacy, organization of arguments

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Week 1: Introduction to Synthetic Biology

Central Topics

Week 2: Medicine and Gene-editing Technologies

Week 3: Agricultural Biotechnology and Ecology

Week 4: Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience

Week 5: Q and A session with iGEM Team representatives

Week 6: Presentation of Group Projects, End of Course