The Microbial Engineering Symposium Cambridge 2025 is a pioneering event dedicated to the rapidly evolving field of microbial science and synthetic biology. Bringing together experts from academia, industry, startups, investment, and policy, this symposium will address key scientific, commercial, and regulatory challenges shaping the future of microbial engineering.
The event will spotlight cutting-edge innovations, from synthetic biology to therapeutic applications, agriculture, and industrial microbial solutions. Global thought leaders will share insights on how engineering microbes can transform industries, improve health, and drive sustainability.
Held at the prestigious King’s College, in Cambridge, this symposium is a unique opportunity for networking, knowledge exchange, and strategic collaboration. Attendees will include researchers, biotech entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and corporate R&D leaders, all eager to explore the latest advancements in microbial engineering and synthetic biology.
Location
Keynes Lecture Theatre, King’s College, Cambridge
King's Parade, Cambridge CB2 1ST, Reino Unido
King's Parade, Cambridge CB2 1ST, Reino Unido
Date & Time
June 27, 2025, 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Symposium agenda
8:15 AM
Registration open
9:00 AM
Opening remarks
9:15 AM
SESSION 1 | FRONTIERS IN MICROBIAL RESEARCH & SYNBIO
(Academic & Research Focus)
- Kiran Patil, MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge. Precision evolution and assembly for microbiome engineering.
- Leonardo Rios, Department of Biochemical Engineering, UCL. Integrating Engineering and Biology for Scalable and Sustainable Solutions.
- Lucy Harper, CEO Applied Microbiology International. AMI - Microbiology can solve our global challenges.
-Cinzia Klemm, RLA Lab, Imperial College London. Engineering Pathways for Sustainable Bioproduction
(Academic & Research Focus)
- Kiran Patil, MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge. Precision evolution and assembly for microbiome engineering.
- Leonardo Rios, Department of Biochemical Engineering, UCL. Integrating Engineering and Biology for Scalable and Sustainable Solutions.
- Lucy Harper, CEO Applied Microbiology International. AMI - Microbiology can solve our global challenges.
-Cinzia Klemm, RLA Lab, Imperial College London. Engineering Pathways for Sustainable Bioproduction
11:00 AM
Coffee and networking
11:30 AM
SESSION 2 | INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS & INVESTMENT IN MICROBIAL TECH
(Industry & Investment Focus)
- Rebecca Godfrey, COO ExpressionEdits. From Concept to Commercialization.
- Panel Discussion #1: SynBio Playbook: IP, Investment & Scaling Strategy. Fran Antequera (moderator), Member of the External Expert Advisory Board for Agro4Agri and Founder President of ATG SynBio Spain. Sara Holland, Partner and Patent Attorney at Potter Clarkson. Ana Bernardo-Gancedo, Senior Associate at NATO Innovation Fund. Anthony Finbow - CEO Solv Advisory. Rebecca Godfrey, COO ExpressionEdits.
(Industry & Investment Focus)
- Rebecca Godfrey, COO ExpressionEdits. From Concept to Commercialization.
- Panel Discussion #1: SynBio Playbook: IP, Investment & Scaling Strategy. Fran Antequera (moderator), Member of the External Expert Advisory Board for Agro4Agri and Founder President of ATG SynBio Spain. Sara Holland, Partner and Patent Attorney at Potter Clarkson. Ana Bernardo-Gancedo, Senior Associate at NATO Innovation Fund. Anthony Finbow - CEO Solv Advisory. Rebecca Godfrey, COO ExpressionEdits.
13:00 PM
Lunch
14:15 PM
SESSION 3 | STARTUPS & INNOVATION IN MICROBIAL ENGINEERING
(Startup & Entrepreneurship Focus)
- Alicia Russell, Pipeline Lead at Colorifix. Reinventing Colour through Microbial Dyeing
- Pedro Correa de Sampaio, Co-founder and CEO at Neobe Therapeutics. Breaking the barriers to cancer cures with engineered bacteria
- Nigel Scrutton, Co-founder and CSO at C3 Biotech. C3 Platforms that Industrialize Biology.
- Livija Deban, CSO at Prokarium. Living Cures: building a programmable therapeutic platform
(Startup & Entrepreneurship Focus)
- Alicia Russell, Pipeline Lead at Colorifix. Reinventing Colour through Microbial Dyeing
- Pedro Correa de Sampaio, Co-founder and CEO at Neobe Therapeutics. Breaking the barriers to cancer cures with engineered bacteria
- Nigel Scrutton, Co-founder and CSO at C3 Biotech. C3 Platforms that Industrialize Biology.
- Livija Deban, CSO at Prokarium. Living Cures: building a programmable therapeutic platform
16:15 PM
Coffee and networking
16:45 PM
SESSION 4 | THE FUTURE OF MICROBIAL ENGINEERING AND SYNHETIC BIOLOGY
(Cross-Sector Roundtable & Closing)
- Thomas Gorochowski, University of Bristol. What does the future of synthetic biology look like? –– a personal perspective
- Panel Discussion #2: Synthetic Biology 2030. Livija Deban (moderator), CSO at Prokarium. Perman Jorayev, Investor at Amadeus Capital Partners. John Heap, Professor and PI at the University of Nottingham. Daniel Nadal, Junior Policy Analyst at the Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (OECD). Jenny Molloy, Founder and Director of the Open Bioeconomy Lab (University of Cambridge),
(Cross-Sector Roundtable & Closing)
- Thomas Gorochowski, University of Bristol. What does the future of synthetic biology look like? –– a personal perspective
- Panel Discussion #2: Synthetic Biology 2030. Livija Deban (moderator), CSO at Prokarium. Perman Jorayev, Investor at Amadeus Capital Partners. John Heap, Professor and PI at the University of Nottingham. Daniel Nadal, Junior Policy Analyst at the Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (OECD). Jenny Molloy, Founder and Director of the Open Bioeconomy Lab (University of Cambridge),
18:15 PM
Closing and networking
