Conference/Ph.D.-course: Genomes and the Synthesis of Life: Technological, Philosophical and Cultural aspects

June 17th, 2010

The Danish Research School in Philosophy, History of Ideas and History of Science (PHIS) and the Center for the Philosophy of Nature and Science Studies (CPNSS) at Copenhagen University invite to a two-day conference on 7th and 8th October at the Niels Bohr Institute, Copenhagen.
This conference describes current scientific progress in genomics and the synthesis of life, and then examines these advances from a philosophical and cultural point of view. Genomics, proteomics, and synthetic biology are advancing at an ever-accelerating pace. Data, technology, and promises issue forth from these efforts. How are bottom-up (reductionist-analytic) and top-down (holistic-synthetic) methodologies used in this research? What role do mathematical models (e.g., nonlinear dynamics, agent-based models, and network theory) play in contemporary biotechnological efforts? Does physics influence biology? How might we change the way that we look upon ourselves, our capacities, and our potentials, if we were able to synthesize life, or fully interpret the genome, or both?
The conference brings together top researchers in the biological sciences and in the philosophy of science, to explore these questions. The first day focuses on philosophical and cultural matters (“philosophy & culture”), the second day on technological progress (“biology”). There is a roundtable discussion at the end of each day.
There is a registration fee of 300 DKK (including lunch) and only a limited number of seats. Register with your name, address and contact info through phis@ruc.dk. Participation will count as a Ph.D.-course for Ph.D.-students.

Speakers: Mark A. Bedau (Reed College; European School of Molecular Medicine; University of Southern Denmark); John Dupré (University of Exeter); Peter Godfrey-Smith (Harvard University); Gerd Müller (University of Vienna); Steen Rasmussen (University of Southern Denmark); Rasmus Grønfeldt Winther (University of California, Santa Cruz; University of Copenhagen).

Event information: October 7-8, 2010. Niels Bohr Institute, Auditorium A. Blegdamsvej 17, 2100 Copenhagen. Find the poster for the conference here.

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