i-CRISPR Workshop 2026: Cell-Free Synthesis & Testing of CRISPR & Specialty Enzymes

Synthetic biology and CRISPR technology are transforming industrial and biomedical biotechnology R&D&I. This 2-day workshop is dedicated to introducing fundamental concepts of synthetic biotechnology, CRISPR technology and hands-on training on developing synthetic biology and CRISPR tools for fundamental and translational applications.

Concept and applications of synthetic biology and CRISPR-Cas technology

Learn the fundamentals and applications of synthetic biology and CRISPR-Cas technology. We will go through CRISPR-Cas system selection and experimental design training for rapid cloning and cell-free synthesis of CRISPR-Cas proteins.

CRISPR-dCas13 sgRNA design and synthesis

Learn how to design, evaluate and synthesize CRISPR single guide (sgRNA) using molecular cloning. We will go through interactive design and analysis of guide sequence and cloning of target-specific sgRNA.

Rapid CRISPR testing and enzyme prototyping using cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS)

Learn more about the use of bacterial-based cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system in rapid enzyme screening approaches. We will go through the concepts of CFPS-based CRISPR applications and hands-on session for fluorescence/colorimetric bioassay.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Bazli Ramzi received his Bachelor and PhD degrees from University of Malaya (Malaysia) and Korea University (South Korea), respectively, with major in Biotechnology. He assumed post-doctoral fellow position and currently, works as a research fellow at the Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia. He is actively working with national and international institutions for promoting microbial synthetic biology research through various R&D platforms including as plenary and invited speaker at 12th Malaysia International Genetics Congress 2017 (MiGC12), Symposium on Promoting Institutional Oversight to Address Biosecurity Threats from Emerging Technologies 2019 and AFOB-MC International Symposium (AFOBMCIS) 2021.
His research group pursued towards integrating the multidisciplinary fields of Biological Engineering, Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology as biotechnological tools for translational research in Malaysia. With the aim of promoting industrial and CRISPR biotechnology, Dr. Bazli group specialize in chassis optimization, bioproduction (Specialty and fine chemicals), biotherapeutics (Engineered live biotherapeutics) and CRISPR technology (CRISPR-Cas9 and Cas13) using in-house Bioengineering and iCRISPR modules. Using omics-guided approaches, his group seeks to develop innovative solutions for addressing environmental and industrial problems including plastic waste pollution (Plastic bioconversion and biomonomer production) and oil palm basal stem rot disease (Ganoderma functional and biopesticide studies). Dr. Ahmad Bazli can be contacted via email; bazliramzi@ukm.edu.my.

24th September 2026 (Thursday)

Time	Activity
8.30 am	Registration
9.00 am	Welcome and Introduction
9.10 am	Synthetic biotechnology talk session 1 Introduction to synthetic biology and metabolic engineering Use of CRISPR technology for metabolic pathway engineering CRISPR-dCas mediated gene activation and RNA knockdown for pathway engineering in model and industrial microbes (Escherichia coli, PHA- producing strains etc.)
10.30 am	Coffee break
11.00 am	Hands-on session 1: Plasmid design for recombinant protein (dCas13a) expression
12.30 pm	Lunch break
2.00 pm	Demonstration session 1: Rapid analysis of protein production using E. coli cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system - GFP production
5.00 pm	End of session/Tea break
5.30 pm	End of Day 1

25th September 2026 (Friday)

Time	Activity
8.30 am	Introduction - View results of RNA knockdown in engineered E. coli
9.00 am	Synthetic biotechnology talk session 2 Introduction to PURE (Protein synthesis Using Recombinant Elements) system and Synthetic Cells R&D&I Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system for rapid enzyme prototyping
10.00 am	Hands-on session 2: In silico analysis of dCas13a guide RNA
10.30 am	Morning break
10.45 am	Hands-on session 3: Pick and design your own guide RNA for precise RNA knockdown
12.15 pm	Lunch break
2.30 pm	Demonstration session 2: CFPS-based testing for CRISPR-dCas13 functional activity
4.o0 pm	Summary, discussions and wrap-up
4.15 pm	Closing speech and certificate presentation by INBIOSIS Director
5.30 pm	End of session/Tea break
5.30 pm	End of Day 2

Type	Rate
Individual	RM950
Group of 3 or iSynBioCT participant	RM850

Institut Biologi Sistem

Institut Biologi Sistem

Institute of Systems Biology