Newsletter_04-2024_EN

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Carl Zeiss Foundation Finances Establishment of Joint Facilityin Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, and MainzNew Center for Synthetic GenomicsApplying and developing new technologies for DNA synthesis to pave the wayfor producing entire artificial genomes – that is the goal of a new interdisciplinarycenter that is being established at Heidelberg University, Karlsruhe Instituteof Technology (KIT), and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU). The aimof the Center for Synthetic Genomics is to spark new developments in syntheticgenomics through basic research and technology development using methods ofartificial intelligence. The Carl Zeiss Foundation (CZS) is financing the center’sestablishment over a period of six years with a total amount of twelve millioneuros.In the long term, it should be possible to designand synthesize long DNA sequences forapplications in research, nanomaterials science,and medicine. The first spokespersonof the new center is systems biologist ProfessorMichael Knop, Deputy Director of theCenter for Molecular Biology of HeidelbergUniversity (ZMBH).While the past two decades of genomeresearch were marked by the developmentof new genome sequencing techniques, itwill become possible to modify genomesmore quickly and easily, or even to createentirely new genomes, using innovativemethods of DNA synthesis and genome assembly.This is the vision that the Carl ZeissFoundation Center for Synthetic GenomicsHeidelberg – Karlsruhe – Mainz (CZS CenterSynGen) will pursue in the coming years.The researchers from the three universitieswant to design synthetic DNA sequenceswith the aid of AI-based methods of analysisand modeling in order to make targetedmodifications in the genome of organismsand give it new functionalities. The aim isto extract from them so-called biologics,that is, biotechnologically manufacturedproducts. These are eventually to be used toproduce bio-based medicines, develop genetherapies for diseases, breed pest-resistantplants, produce biofuels, and advance researchinto new types of materials.“At the CZS Centers we consolidateexpertise across locations and disciplines.The life sciences in particular require a highdegree of interdisciplinary collaboration. Atthe CZS Center SynGen we aim to advancethe production of artificial DNA and tapthe immense potential for research, medicine,and beyond,” says Carl Zeiss FoundationManaging Director Dr. Felix Streiter,explaining the motivation for funding thef.l.t.r.: The three members of the Board of Directors Edward Lemke, Sylvia Erhardt, andcenter spokesperson Michael Knop, as well as Phil-Alan Gärtig of the Carl Zeiss Foundation(Photo: Uwe Anspach, Heidelberg University – Communications and Marketing)second CZS Center in Germany.“The Center for Synthetic Genomicspools the expertise of three of the leadingresearch institutions, which are now jointlyworking on an important future-orientedfield from basic research to technology development,“says Professor Oliver Kraft, ActingPresident of KIT. “Our aim is to achievea wide range of applications in biotechnology,for example in medicine, but also inmaterials science. We are very pleased tocontribute to this with our expertise.“Synthetic Genomics“Synthetic genomics is a young but rapidlygrowing research area worldwide, withtransfer potential for different socially relevantchallenges. In our new center we willpool the complementary expertise of thethree strong research universities at Heidelberg,Karlsruhe, and Mainz in the lifesciences, molecular systems engineering,and biomedical research. That way, we intendto coordinate all the steps in syntheticgenomics, from design and production rightup to the application of synthetic geneticmaterials and organisms,” says Center SpokespersonMichael Knop. “The new centerwill provide us with a unique opportunityto combine different areas of expertise anddisciplines in a new way. Particularly thediscourse of biology and medicine with expertsin simulation and modeling will showus new ways not only to generate syntheticgenomes, but also to better understandand use natural and artificial modificationsand epigenetic mechanisms,“ ProfessorSylvia Erhardt explains. The molecular biologistof Karlsruhe Institute of Technologyis a member of the CZS Center SynGen‘sthree-member Board of Directors alongsideProfessor Michael Knop and biophysicalchemist Professor Edward Lemke of MainzUniversity.The Carl Zeiss Foundation Center forSynthetic Genomics Heidelberg – Karlsruhe– Mainz started work in January 2024.Researchers collaborating at the three locationsrepresent different disciplines, includingbiology, biochemistry, biophysics,www.reinraum.de | www.cleanroom-online.com NEWSLETTER | Edition EN 04-2024page 24/35
biotechnology, synthetic biology, and bioengineering,as well as philosophy and law,genomics, immunology, epigenetics, virology,and data science. In addition, moreinternational experts and early-career researchersare to be recruited to work at thenew center. Furthermore, a competencecenter for the synthesis of synthetic DNAis to be set up in Heidelberg, the so-calledCZS Center Synthetic DNA AcceleratorLab. Also involved in the CZS CenterSynGen are scientists from the GermanCancer Research Center and the HeidelbergInstitute for Theoretical Studies, aswell as external partners from science andbusiness.The CZS Center SynGen was officiallyopened with a festive event held at HeidelbergUniversity on March 4, 2024. In additionto the lead researchers, representativesof the Carl Zeiss Foundation and the participatinguniversities also took part.About the Carl Zeiss FoundationThe Carl Zeiss Foundation’s mission is tocreate an open environment for scientificbreakthroughs. As a partner of excellence inscience, it supports basic research as well asapplied sciences in the STEM subject areas(science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).Founded in 1889 by physicist andmathematician Ernst Abbe, the Carl ZeissFoundation is one of the oldest and largestprivate science funding institutions in Germany.Karlsruher Institut für TechnologieD 76131 KarlsruheAMD’s Lisa Su honored with the2024 imec Innovation AwardImec – a global leader in nanoelectronics and digital technology research and innovation – is proud to announce that the2024 imec Innovation Award will be presented to Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD. The award ceremony will occur duringimec’s ITF World conference in Antwerp, Belgium on May 21 and 22. It will recognize Dr. Su’s contributions to driving innovationin high-performance and adaptive computing.Since its inception in 2016, the imec Innovation Award has becomea hallmark for recognizing pioneers in the semiconductor industry.Past recipients include Dr. Gordon Moore and Bill Gates.“It’s an immense privilege to welcome Lisa Su to this distinguishedgroup of industry luminaries,” said Luc Van den hove, CEO ofimec. “Since taking the helm of AMD in 2014, Dr. Su’s technologicalacumen and visionary leadership have propelled the company to theforefront of semiconductor technology development. Under her leadership,AMD has become one of the most respected developers ofsupercomputing chips – supporting the ever-evolving requirementsof the data center and gaming industries and fueling the emergenceof (generative) AI applications. This makes Dr. Su a truly deservingrecipient of the 2024 imec Innovation Award.”Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD, will receive the 2024 Innovation Awardat imec’s ITF World conference in Antwerp, Belgium.“But equally important, Lisa Su is an outspoken advocate for therole women can play in the semiconductor industry. The fact thatshe actively encourages and empowers women to pursue engineeringdegrees and rewarding careers in the field resonates deeply withme. I therefore hope that this recognition will help inspire girls andwomen to pursue their passions in STEM,” he added.Before joining AMD, Lisa Su held various engineering and managementpositions at companies such as Texas Instruments, IBM,and Freescale Semiconductor. Notably, during her tenure as vicepresident of IBM’s Semiconductor Research and Development Center,Su made significant contributions to silicon-on-insulator semiconductormanufacturing technologies and creating more efficientmicrochips. In October 2014, she assumed the role of president andCEO of AMD after joining the company in 2012, becoming the firstfemale CEO of a major semiconductor company.Lisa Su holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from MIT. Her accoladesinclude being named ‘Executive of the Year’ by EE Times in2014 and one of the ‘World’s Greatest Leaders’ by Fortune in 2017. In2021, she became the first woman to receive the IEEE Robert NoyceMedal.“I’m honored to receive this year’s Innovation Award and be recognizedby imec for pushing the boundaries of computing. I am incrediblyproud of what we have accomplished together at AMD andeven more excited about the opportunities ahead to deliver innovationsthat can help solve the world’s most important challenges,”commented Lisa Su.The award ceremony will take place at ITF World (May 21-22,2024) in the presence of over 2,000 executives gathering at the RoyalElizabeth Hall in Antwerp, Belgium.IMEC BelgiumBL 3001 Leuvenwww.reinraum.de | www.cleanroom-online.com NEWSLETTER | Edition EN 04-2024page 25/35
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