On the evening of April 18, the Advanced Institute of Humanities and Social Scienceshosted the fourthHumanities × Technology Thinkers’Forum. Centered on the themeSynthetic Biology and New Quality Productive Forces, the forum featured Professor Zhang Xian'en—Dean and Chair Professor of the School of Synthetic Biology at Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT),and Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)—as thekeynote speaker. The event was moderated by Professor Wan Xiaolong.
Professor Wan extended a warm welcome and sincere gratitude to Professor Zhang foraddressing the forum,and introducedhis eminent research achievements and the forum's thematic focus.
Integrating synthetic biology theory, advancements in biomanufacturing technology, and his extensive research experience, Professor Zhang delivered an insightful presentation on multiple fronts:The Technological Evolution and Applications of Synthetic Biology, Global Developments and China's Breakthroughs in Synthetic Biology, China's Strategic Practices and Developmental Challenges,andAI Empowerment and Talent Cultivation. He emphasized that the core philosophy of synthetic biology lies inKnowing bySynthesizing—constructing artificial cells to decipher the origins of life and the principles of emergent biological functions—andUtilizing by Synthesizing—iteratively advancing biotechnology to shape the future of biomanufacturing and the bioeconomy, thereby driving new quality productive forces. He highlighted that synthetic biology, by enablingmanufacturing everything while ensuring harmony with nature, revolutionizes biomanufacturing paradigms.
During the interactive Q&A session, facultymembersand students actively engaged in vibrant discussions on topics such as interdisciplinary research, quantitative synthetic biology, and synthetic biology competitions. Professor Zhang addressed inquiries with patience and encouraged students to delve deeper into synthetic biology, fostering technological translation and industrial applications.
This forum provided an in-depth exploration of synthetic biology's developmental trajectory and future prospects, seamlessly blending theoretical rigor with practical expertise. It not only elucidated the transformative impact of synthetic biology on biomanufacturing but also offered forward-looking insights to inspire further research and innovation in the field, ultimately contributing to the sustained advancement of new quality productive forces.
