The 1st International SynBYSS Conference will unite in-person a previously online-only group of speakers and audiences, with an explicit goal to invest in the young, diverse, and international future of synthetic biology. As early-career synthetic biology researchers begin their own research, there are few conferences that provide an opportunity for them to express their ideas, network effectively, or collaborate widely. Moreover, these young practitioners are an increasingly diverse group without obvious representation.

The conference will focus on what the future holds for synthetic biology as embodied by these young practitioners. The primary objective of the conference is to foster a more interactive, inclusive, sustainable, and collaborative community. Talks will be given primarily by young researchers with a few pioneer keynote speakers, mimicking the format of the online series. The conference will also include discussion panels and networking events to actively promote collaborations between researchers at different career stages, thus facilitating an effective combination of new ideas and expertise.