Building Humanity's Future in Space: Why Synthetic Biology Matters with Yassin Chfik
How do we sustain human life on the Moon, Mars, and beyond? The answer isn't just better rockets, it’s smarter biology.
Welcome to the inaugural session of the EUSynBioS Space Festival: Building Humanity's Future in Space: Why Synthetic Biology Matters. If you've ever wondered how genetic engineering functions outside of Earth's atmosphere, or how the next generation of researchers is actively building the off-world bioeconomy, this is your entry point.
To kick off Week 1 - Orbit Launch: Fundamentals & the New Space Economy, we are turning the microphone over to the architect of this very festival, Yassin Somoue Chafik.
In this opening keynote, Yassin will map out the absolute basics of space synthetic biology. Drawing from his extensive leadership across the global iGEM ecosystem and his work at EUSynBioS, Yassin will translate foundational bioengineering concepts into actionable frameworks for off-world exploration. He will break down how the next generation of scientists can use genetic engineering to solve the harshest constraints of deep space, from life support to plant synthetic biology.
What you’ll learn:
Space SynBio 101: The core principles of adapting Earth-born biology for microgravity and extreme environments.
Plants & Pathways: A look into how plant synthetic biology and metabolic engineering will feed and support astronauts on long-duration missions.
The Next-Gen Frontier: How student-led innovations and global communities like iGEM are outpacing traditional frameworks to build the modern space economy.
Whether you are a biology student curious about astronomy, an aerospace engineer looking at life sciences, or a deep-tech enthusiast, secure your spot on the launchpad.
🎤 About the speaker
Yassin Somoue Chafik - Space Mayor, iGEM Foundation & Outreach Coordinator, EUSynBioS
Yassin Somoue Chafik is a rising leader at the intersection of biotechnology, community governance, and deep-tech innovation. Currently studying Biological Sciences at the Universidad de Salamanca, Yassin serves as the Space Mayor for the iGEM Foundation, where he champions global student-led orbital research. His extensive track record within the synbio ecosystem includes roles as an iGEM European Ambassador, a member of the iGEM Engineering and Plant Synthetic Biology committees, and a strategic founder.
As an Outreach Coordinator for the European Synthetic Biology Society (EUSynBioS) and the lead organiser behind this Space Festival, Yassin is uniquely dedicated to building the community networks, biosecurity frameworks, and scientific pipelines that will power humanity's future among the stars.