Plants are remarkable organisms that we use for a variety of products, from materials, medicines and cleaning products, to food and fuel. But we can also use plants as biofactories to make some interesting and much needed new products. In this session, Professor George Lomonossoff from the John Innes Centre will tell us about his work using plants to produce virus-like particles - tiny non-infectious nanospheres - which can be used as effective vaccines, and potentially for a variety of other purposes. PhD student Roger Castells-Graells will also bring along a variety of models to explain how these nanostructures form, and you will be able to build your own virus-like Christmas bauble for the Christmas tree!

There will be an opportunity to discuss and explore with George and Roger what other purposes we can find for these nanostructures.

This Norwich Biomakers Meetup will take place in the Tap Room at St Andrews Brewhouse, starting at 7pm.

Norwich Biomakers brings together an interdisciplinary network interested in the cross-over of biology with design, technology, engineering, electronics, software, art and much more. The network is a place to learn from each other about the latest technologies and science advances, share ideas and skills and over time shape some project plans. Whether biology provides the question, the solution or the inspiration, as an interdisciplinary group we can explore together to generate new ideas, find solutions and most importantly, have fun!

Rescheduled: This meeting was originally due to be on the 15th May, however it has unfortunately had to be changed to the 22nd May. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Café Synthetique is the monthly meetup for the Cambridge synthetic biology community with informal talks, discussion and pub snacks.

This months' theme will focus on Biomimicry and engineering, which is the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems; biomimicry in architecture and manufacturing is the practice of designing buildings and products that simulate or co-opt processes that occur in nature. 

We have two excellent speakers whose work focuses on the use of Biomimicry and engineering.  

Free bar snacks and good conversation provided!

Talks and speakers

"Learning from photonic nanostructures in plants: how disorder can be a feature"
Tobias Wenzel,
Winton Scholar at the Cavendish Laboratory

'Talk title TBC'

Sanjiv Sambandan

Lecturer in the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge

• Monday 24 April 2017, 18:00-20:00
• Panton Arms 43 Panton Street CB2 1HL, Cambridge.

Café Synthetique is the monthly meetup for the Cambridge synthetic biology community with informal talks, discussion and pub snacks.

Free bar snacks and good conversation provided!

Talks and speakers TBC