BioBricks FOUNDATION

Standards for Open Sharing in Synthetic Biology

MTA Workshop, Centre for Law and Genetics, University of Tasmania, Australia

Linda Kahl, Ph.D., J.D. Senior Counsel and Director, Ownership, Sharing & Innovation

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Synthetic Biology is…

…the design and engineering of biologically based parts, novel devices and systems as well as the redesign of existing, natural biological systems.

2012 UK Synthetic Biology Roadmap

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A class at MIT in 2003 …

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International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) Competition

iGEM 2006 – University of Edinburgh Arsenic biosensor

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Creating biological solutions to world problems

Sydney New South Wales

History of Sharing in Synthetic Biology

2003 A class at MIT …

2003 2006 2009 2012

2013 2010 2003 2008

2015

2016

2009 BioBrick® Public Agreement (BPA) version 1.0 released for public comment

2012 iGEM Foundation established as public charity. SynBioBeta established to foster synthetic biology industry (210 companies)

2015 BBF and OpenPlant initiate collaboration for open materials transfer

2003 Amyris founded, first synthetic biology company

2008 Ginkgo Bioworks founded, first organism company

2010 U.S. NSF funds first biological design-build facility

2013 SB6 State-of-the-Art survey shows MTAs negatively impact synthetic biology

2016 OpenMTA released for public review & comment

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2006 BioBricks Foundation established as public charity

Design goals for the OpenMTA

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ACCESS. Materials available under the OpenMTA are free of any royalty or fees, other than appropriate and nominal fees for preparation and distribution.

ATTRIBUTION. Providers may request attribution and reporting for materials distributed under the OpenMTA.

REUSE. Materials available under the OpenMTA may be modified or used to create new substances.

REDISTRIBUTION. The OpenMTA does not restrict any party from selling or giving away the materials, either as received or as part of a collection or derivative work.

NONDISCRIMINATION. The OpenMTA supports the transfer of material between researchers at all types of institutions, including those at academic, industry, government, and community laboratories.

Terms of Transfer UBMTA (1995)

Simple (1999)

Science Commons (2005-9)

OpenMTA (2016)

Academia or non-profit only Yes No ? No

Use for research and teaching Yes Yes Yes Yes

Use for commercial purposes No No ? Yes

Distribution of materials or derivatives No No No Yes

Fees for preparation and distribution Yes Yes Yes Yes

Fees for royalties No No ? No

Compliance with laws and regulations Yes Yes Yes Yes

No warranty (e.g. third party rights) Yes Yes Yes Yes

Recipient assumes liability Yes Yes Yes Yes

Recipient indemnifies Provider No No ? No

Attribution Yes Yes Yes Yes

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Terms for Transfer of Materials

Structure of the OpenMTA

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wetware

software

Master Agreement

Implementing Letter Providing Scientist:

Providing Institution: (Optional)

Recipient Scientist:

Recipient Institution: (Optional)

The OpenMTA will …

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ü  Eliminate or reduce transaction costs associated with access, use, modification, and redistribution of materials;

ü  Provide an avenue for researchers and their institutions to

be credited for materials and data made openly available;

ü  Support collaboration among researchers across institutional and international boundaries

ü  Facilitate translation of biotechnologies into commercial products and services that benefit all people and the planet;

ü  Promote access to materials for researchers in less privileged institutions and world regions.

Champion the OpenMTA at your institution

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wetware

software

OpenMTA.org

Linda@biobricks.org

Thank you!