Welcome to part one of a new series of preview articles leading up to the SynBioBeta London 2016 Conference.

Over the next few weeks, SynBioBeta will publish exclusive interviews to preview some of the speakers attending the industry leading synthetic biology conference. Be sure to stay tuned for in-depth articles with some of the brilliant minds behind these exciting companies!This week, enjoy a sneak-peek of some of the headliners of Session 3: Genetic Tools of the Trade. This unique session will include leading experts at the cutting-edge (pun intended!) of genetic tool development and services. Some of these innovative and industry-shaping companies include BGene Genetics, LabGenius, Lucigen, and many others.

LabGenius

The diverse field of synthetic biology allows for invention and innovation in myriad ways. LabGenius is a London-based gene synthesis company that claims to manufacture the world’s most advanced synthetic DNA libraries. At SynBioBeta London 2016, Founder and CEO of LabGenius, Dr. James Field, plans to unveil the latest advances in the company’s synthesis capabilities. They will also reveal how researchers from across the globe are leveraging the company’s scanning and combinatorial libraries to engineer novel biological products and systems faster and more efficiently than ever before.

Lucigen

Lucigen delivers solutions to current problems in DNA cloning, sequencing, amplification, and protein expression by providing reliable products and services to life science researchers. Lucigen focuses on quality and customer service to make laboratory efforts productive and successful. Dr. Eric Steinmetz, a Senior Scientist at Lucigen, will discuss how Lucigen utilizes the unique linear vector platform, pJAZZ, to create unparalleled capabilities for the assembly and expression of complex genetic circuitry. Dr. Steinmetz will discuss a variety of applications including expression of multigene pathways, light-regulated gene circuits, and multicopy gene arrays.

BrisSynBio

BrisSynBio has developed a toolkit of de novo peptides that peptides can be used as building blocks for the rapid construction of new protein structures and supramolecular assemblies. Dr. Dek Woolfson will discuss the utility of this approach to make: semi-synthetic gene activation and repression systems in bacteria; de novo nanoscale protein pores and novel peptide-based nanocages. Potential applications of the toolkit and structures include: directing and controlling protein-protein interactions in vitro and in vivo; as conduits and sensors that span synthetic and natural membranes; and the development of new vaccines.

Synpromics

If you are interested in custom made gene regulation, look no further than UK-based Synpromics, the research and development company that is enhancing biological drug production through custom build gene expression and regulation. Recent years has seen a resurgence in cell and gene therapy with new approaches resulting in some amazing success stories. In order for genetic-based therapies to work it is absolutely critical that the therapeutic gene is regulated in a controlled and efficient manner. Dr. Michael Roberts, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Synpromics, has developed a technology that leverages information from the genome using synthetic biology principles to create promoters that are capable of overcoming current limitations in the sector.

BGene Genetics

BGene Genetics is a French genetic engineering company that specializes in customized genomic engineering solutions for laboratories using microorganisms for bioproduction. As a leader in the synthetic biology bioproduction space, BGene technology can benefit all bioproduction sectors requiring the development of specialized microorganisms. What sets BGene apart is an ability to produce scarless and markerless genetic modifications. Dr. Alexia Chandor-Proust will be at London 2016 to discuss how BGene is able to produce scarless and prompt genetic modifications in any genotype of E. coli.

Circularis

Circularis believes that fine control of gene expression in eukaryotes represents a new frontier for improving plant and animal traits. An understanding of complex eukaryotic promoters, the sequences that control gene expression, will be a necessary tool to achieve this goal. Combining this understanding with gene editing technologies will allow us to control the traits of these organisms at an unprecedented level. Dr. Paul Feldstein, Founder and CEO, will be discussing exactly how the Circularis technology discovers, analyzes, and evolves promoters in volumes over 100x the nearest competitor, which allows Circularis to control all information flow within a cell.

FGen

FGen creates technologies for the high throughput phenotypic analysis of cellular libraries that enable the discovery and optimization of biological activities. Dr. Andreas Meyer, CEO and co-founder of FGen, a bio-engineering and high throughput screening company will be in attendance speaking about how FGen combines screening technologies with biological engineering tools, such as Synthetic Biology, metabolic engineering, or retrobiochemical pathway design, in order to optimize biocatalysts for their application in production processes or to identify drug targets and develop novel biologics.Stay tuned over the next few weeks for in-depth articles with some of the brilliant minds behind these exciting companies!