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
• 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
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