The Kavli Futures Symposia

At the inaugural Kavli Futures Symposium, 17 researchers from institutions worldwide forecast a revolution in synthetic biology. The final report has now been issued. Read Report.

With research backgrounds ranging from materials engineering to molecular biophysics, 17 researchers gathered in Ilulissat, Greenland to discuss the promise, risks and future of redesigning biological systems components that do not naturally exist.

The Kavli Foundation sponsors a series of high quality scientific symposia on topics of emerging importance in the fields of astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience. These unique conferences focus on the trends, challenges and opportunities for future research. Relatively small in size, they feature an informal format with a strong emphasis on discussion. The topics, sites and programs of each symposium are identified by the Kavli Institutes. By emphasizing a forward-looking perspective, the Kavli Futures Symposia provide a forum for discussion of the key issues facing future developments and directions in specific fields, and thereby help to define and guide the development of the research in these fields.

Only Kavli Institutes may propose a symposium. The management of the symposia, including the appointment of the program committee, invitation of participants, and execution of the symposia are the responsibility of the Kavli Institutes. Participation, however, is not limited to members of Kavli Institutes and includes a wide range of leading scientists worldwide. Interest in a symposium should be directed to the managing Institutes.

At the conclusion of each Kavli Futures Symposium, a description of the key discussions, findings and recommendations are published and made available over the websites of the Kavli Institutes and The Kavli Foundation. The first symposium was co-hosted by the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience at Delft University of Technology and the Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science and held in Greenland in June 2007.

 

FEATURE ARTICLE: North to the Future: The First Kavli Futures Symposium