Simple cells can now be built from scratch. Biotic exists to make that capability dependable, and to keep it open to everyone. We invite you to work with us to ensure that all people and the planet benefit from world-changing biotechnologies soon enough to matter.
10 September 2026
Registration
315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Where to stay
Kimpton Hotel Monaco · one block from the venue
We have held a block of rooms for you.
433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Welcome
For the first time, a simple cell can be built from defined chemical components and made to grow, divide, and be selected across generations. The open question is no longer whether synthetic cells are possible. It is: what will it take to make the engineering of cellular systems routine, and who holds the foundations of this platform.
Biotic is a public-benefit research organisation established to build foundations of global, democratized synthetic cell engineering in the open.
On Bloomsday, we work with researchers who will build the next generation of bioengineering, the ethicists who will guide it, and the policymakers who will govern it, in one room.
Foundational research
Work on technologies the whole field depends on, unlocking possibilities no single laboratory can reach alone.
Transparency and rigour
Methods, data and materials are published and shared, so that results can be checked, repeated and built upon.
Benefit held in common
Capability that reaches all people and the planet, rather than accruing to whoever reaches it first.
Programme
- Ullyot Hall ground floor
- Entrance ground floor
- Galleries ground floor
- Overlook Lounge second floor
- Adams second floor
- Garden Rooms second floor
- 08:15
onwardsRegistration and breakfast
Badges at the desk inside the Chestnut Street entrance.
Entrance ground floor - 09:15–09:30
Opening remarks
The purpose of the meeting and the shape of the day.
Ullyot Hall ground floor - 09:30–10:15
Arranging the atoms that matter
Genome construction, cytoplasm, ribosomes, membranes and laboratory hardware. Set out the capabilities the field must establish, the dependencies between them, and the resources each would require. Discussion follows.
Ullyot Hall ground floor - 10:15–10:30
Coffee
Ullyot Hall ground floor - 10:30–11:15
Arranging the bits that matter
Modelling, simulation, software and design tooling for engineered cells, together with data standards and shared computational infrastructure. Presentation followed by discussion.
Ullyot Hall ground floor - 11:15–12:00
Setting the rules for bits and atoms
Safety, security, intellectual property and governance. The institutional rules needed to make the system useful and responsibly shared. Discussion follows.
Ullyot Hall ground floor - 12:00–12:45
Lunch
Served on the second floor.
Overlook Lounge second floorAdams 1 & 2 second floorGarden Rooms second floor - 12:45–13:45
Safety and security
Biosecurity, dual-use risk and preparedness for engineered cellular systems. The questions the field will need to answer as synthetic-cell construction becomes more capable.
Ullyot Hall ground floor - 13:45–14:45
Ethics and community
Should we build cells? How? We will explore how the ways we organize scientific collaboration shape the cells we build and how they are ultimately used. Topics include multilateral projects, consortia, fellowships and shared facilities; common terminology and measurement standards; participation across career stages and institutions; and navigating diverse bioethical perspectives across jurisdictions.
Ullyot Hall ground floor - 14:45–15:00
Break
Ullyot Hall ground floor - 15:00–17:30
Biotic and the CellOS project
- The Biotic Future · Drew Endy
- Why Synthetic Cells Matter · Kate Adamala
- A Global Community · The Biotic Fellows
- The Next Generation of Scientists, supported by Biotic
- Why Biotic? · David Cole, President of the Science History Institute, in conversation with the four Biotic founders (Adamala, Endy, Jedryszek, and Raggio)
Ullyot Hall ground floor - 17:30
Reception
On the second floor, with the museum galleries open alongside it.
Overlook Lounge second floorGalleries ground floor
The venue
315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. The programme runs in Ullyot Hall on the ground floor; lunch and the reception are upstairs.
Floor plans: Science History Institute.
Bloomsday
2026
Thursday 10 September · 09:15 to 18:00
Science History Institute
315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia