Bilateral exchange in synthetic biology: experiences, challenges, and opportunities for training and research
Abstract
Synthetic biology and the emerging field of biomanufacturing provide new research concepts that should be incorporated into the training of the next generation of scientists. Key elements of synthetic biology are the standardization, modularization, and characterization of biological parts. Defined parts can be assembled into functional transcription units to pathways of multiple units, chromosomes, and/or whole genomes. Here, we highlight the importance of global exchange and state-of-the-art training in the Global South to empower research and reduce the gap between countries. Based on initial seed funding, we established a multidisciplinary bilateral exchange program between Germany and Colombia, including lecture series, experimental workshops, and bilateral exchanges in training and research. The elements are adaptable and our hands-on courses can be carried out with limited resources while covering aspects of synthetic biology. Importantly, this initiative will allow early-career researchers to build an international network, opening up opportunities in research collaboration and paving the way for greater equity.
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BibTeX
@article{olmos2026bilateral,
title = {{Bilateral exchange in synthetic biology: experiences, challenges, and opportunities for training and research}},
author = {María del Carmen Sánchez Olmos and Martha Lorena Medina and Adán Andrés Ramírez Rojas and Nohora Angélica Millán Aldana and Paula Manuela Siaucho Unriza and Nicolas Oscar Londoño Sanchez and Valentina Flórez Téllez and Victor Hugo Rua Lopez and Patricia del Portillo and Maryam Chaib De Mares and María Francisca Villegas-Torres and Daniel Schindler and María Mercedes Zambrano},
journal = {Synthetic Biology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/synbio/ysag012},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/synbio/ysag012},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Bilateral exchange in synthetic biology: experiences, challenges, and opportunities for training and research
AU - María del Carmen Sánchez Olmos
AU - Martha Lorena Medina
AU - Adán Andrés Ramírez Rojas
AU - Nohora Angélica Millán Aldana
AU - Paula Manuela Siaucho Unriza
AU - Nicolas Oscar Londoño Sanchez
AU - Valentina Flórez Téllez
AU - Victor Hugo Rua Lopez
AU - Patricia del Portillo
AU - Maryam Chaib De Mares
AU - María Francisca Villegas-Torres
AU - Daniel Schindler
AU - María Mercedes Zambrano
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/24
JO - Synthetic Biology
DO - 10.1093/synbio/ysag012
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/synbio/ysag012
AB - Synthetic biology and the emerging field of biomanufacturing provide new research concepts that should be incorporated into the training of the next generation of scientists. Key elements of synthetic biology are the standardization, modularization, and characterization of biological parts. Defined parts can be assembled into functional transcription units to pathways of multiple units, chromosomes, and/or whole genomes. Here, we highlight the importance of global exchange and state-of-the-art training in the Global South to empower research and reduce the gap between countries. Based on initial seed funding, we established a multidisciplinary bilateral exchange program between Germany and Colombia, including lecture series, experimental workshops, and bilateral exchanges in training and research. The elements are adaptable and our hands-on courses can be carried out with limited resources while covering aspects of synthetic biology. Importantly, this initiative will allow early-career researchers to build an international network, opening up opportunities in research collaboration and paving the way for greater equity.
SN - 2397-7000
ER -