BIO announces programming information for gene editing and synthetic biology at 2018 World Congress

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) today announced programming information for gene editing and synthetic biology at the 2018 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology. Programming around these topics will kick off on Tuesday, July 17, with a plenary panel of experts to discuss how gene editing tools like CRISPR are revolutionizing the production of everyday products. Programming will continue with breakout sessions throughout the week, featuring executives from biotechnology companies, consumer goods producers and the government to explore the various applications for gene editing and synthetic biology in the field of industrial biotechnology.

The 2018 World Congress will be held July 16-19, 2018 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

"From biobased consumer goods to renewable chemicals and fuels, gene editing and synthetic biology are innovations that hold tremendous promise in the field of industrial biotechnology," said Brent Erickson, Executive Vice President, Industrial and Environmental at BIO. "The plenary program and breakout sessions will feature experts from across the industry to discuss how gene editing and synthetic biology will advance the biobased economy and what challenges may lie ahead."

The plenary panel will feature welcoming remarks from Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO. Additional details include:

CRISPR and Gene Editing Tools to Advance Industrial Biotechnology
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
11:30 am - 1 pm

Moderator: Roger Wyse, PhD, Managing Partner, Spruce Capital Partners
Speakers:

• Neal Gutterson, PhD, Chief Technology Officer, Corteva Agriscience (agriculture division of DowDuPont)
• Stephan Herrera, Vice President, Strategy and Public Affairs, Evolva
• John Melo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Amyris, Inc.
• Sylvia Rowe, President, SR Strategy, LLC

Breakout sessions in the gene editing and synthetic biology track include:

The Intersection of Biology, Robotics, And Deep (Machine) Learning
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm

Moderator: James Barber, President, Barber Advisors LLC
Speakers:

• Jason Kelly, Founder and CEO, Ginkgo Bioworks
• Alexandre Zanghellini, Co-Founder and CEO, Arzeda, Inc.
• Jim Lalonde, Senior Vice President, R&D, Codexis

Biofoundries and Industrial Production
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
2:45 pm - 4 pm

Moderator: Michael Koepke, Head of Synthetic Biology, LanzaTech
Speakers:

• Emily Leproust, CEO, Twist Bioscience
• Jay Fitzgerald, Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy
• Michael Fero, CEO, TeselaGen

Biotechnology: Enabling the Biobased Economy
Thursday, July 19, 2018
8:30 am - 9:45 am

Moderator: Kevin Jarrell, CEO, Modular Genetics
Speakers:

• Neil Parry, R&D Program Director, Unilever
• Alex Dehgan, CEO, Conservation X Labs

The Innovators Dilemma: The Convergence of Renewable Chemicals and Synthetic Biology
Thursday, July 19, 2018
10:15 am - 11:30 am

Moderator: Joel Stone, President, ConVergInce Advisors LLC
Speakers:

• Eric Steen, CEO, Lygos
• Gihan Hewage, Research Associate, Lux Research Inc.
• Bryan Tracy, CEO, White Dog Labs

All programs at the World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology are open to attendance by members of the media. Complimentary media registration is available to editors and reporters working full time in print, broadcast or web publications with valid press credentials.