SynBERC:Training group/2007 site visit

Schedule

	Tuesday 2/20	Wednesday 2/21		Thursday 2/22		Friday 2/23		Saturday 2/24	Sunday 2/25
a.m		PIs: prep for review	students arrive	NSF Review	Student session	PIs: Answer questions		Session II	Alcatraz and time for small groups to meet (optional)
						Panel: Implications & Applications of Synth Biology
lunch		group lunch		group lunch		group lunch		group lunch	depart
p.m.		PIs: prep for review	SLC meets with students	NSF Review	Student session	Session I		Session III
				Poster session and student SWOT
dinner		group dinner: goals for retreat/onsite		working dinner		Dinner talk and discussion with Roy Curtiss - abstract here		Dinner on own
evening	PIs arrive	PI planning time	SLC planning time	PIs: prepare answers	Student informal gathering

Weds, Feb 21, afternoon: Discussion on SynBERC itself

We need to give student feedback to NSF regarding SynBERC. This feedback falls into 4 categories listed below.

Strengths

• What is SynBERC good at?

Weaknesses

• What issues does SynBERC need to work on?

Opportunities

• Where could SynBERC make an impact?

Threats

• What problems can you foresee for SynBERC?

Thurs, Feb 22, morning: Discussion on standards

Given that we are all getting together, it would likely be useful to discuss standards in synthetic biology. See previous discussions on standardization.

We need discussion leaders for each of the thrusts below.

Parts

• Where should part-part junctions be located?
  • Promoter boundaries are not fixed currently

Devices

• Under what operating conditions should devices be characterized?
• What are the common signal carriers for
  • transcripion-based devices
  • translation-based devices
  • post-translational devices
• What are good reporters for characterization?

Chassis

• What strains of E. coli should we use?
• What strains of yeast?
• What would an ideal chassis look like?

Human practice

• Are there any additional ethical/safety standards specific to synthetic biology to which we should be adhering?

Hotel

Important! Book your room by Friday, February 9 to ensure availability and receive the group discount rate of $140.

Woodfin Suites
5800 Shellmound
Emeryville, CA 94608
888-433-9042 or 510-601-5880
Group name: SynBERC
Group rate: $140/night, plus tax
Check-in time: 3:00 pm
Check-out time: 12:00 noon
Cancellation policy: 24 hours
Description: Spacious 1 and 2 bedroom suites with kitchens, separate living and dining areas, and high speed internet access. Amenities include free parking, pool and spa facilities, a fitness center, and free shuttle service.

The hotel will provide free shuttle service to and from the Berkeley West Biocenter at 717 Potter Street. The front desk can arrange a shuttle for you, as needed.

Booking and Paying for Airfare

The center will reimburse only SynBERC-funded out-of-area travelers. Students working in related labs are welcome to attend, although we cannot reimburse them for travel costs.

It's most expeditious to book and pay for your flights directly, then submit your air, hotel, and other receipts to UCB:

Gail Phillips
QB3 Institute
237A Hildebrand, #3220
Berkeley, CA 94720-3220
510-643-9853, or Gail Phillips

Alternatively, UC Berkeley can pay for the airfare directly if you book your flight through our travel agent:

Carlson Wagonlit Travel 800-728-4918
See also: http://travel.berkeley.edu/cat_navigant.asp

Important: Carlson Wagonlit must email a copy of the proposed itinerary to Kevin Costa to receive approval before the flight can be booked.

Airport

Our closest airport is Oakland Airport, although SFO isn't very far away. (Boston-area folks: JetBlue Flight 477 flies out of Boston at 745p and arrives at OAK at 1130p. Getting back is a little trickier and more expensive.)

• Austin 11:58, 7 February 2007 (EST): Update: The price for JetBlue 477 is right now $204 and the plane is almost full.
  

• Mukunda 12:45, 9 February 2007 (EST): Further Update: For Boston students, flying from Oakland to Boston via O'Hare and leaving Wednesday morning on United is now cheaper and, I would guess, more conveniently timed than JetBlue is now.
  

Ground transportation and Directions

Oakland airport shuttles include Luxor (510-562-7222, $15.00/person), Bay Porter Express (415-467-1800), and many others.

If you plan to rent a car, here are some directions from the airport to the Woodfin and from the Woodfin to the Berkeley West Biocenter.

Parking

Shuttle service between the hotel, the Berkeley West Biocenter (Wed-Fri) and UCB campus (Fri-Sat) will be provided. For those who wish to drive, parking at the Berkeley West Biocenter is free of charge. Parking on the UCB campus (Fri-Sat) requires a permit. Please let Kate Spohr know if you will need a permit.