XXIB

XXIB is an international nonprofit organization that coordinates research and policy development in the fields of xenobiology, synthetic biology, and information biology. It aims to foster collaboration across laboratories, standardize data formats, and promote ethical research practices.

Founded in 2010 by scientists from Europe, Asia, and North America, XXIB began as a loose network and received a formal charter in 2012. It now includes member research institutions, national affiliates, and associate observers from government agencies and industry.

Governance is provided by a Governing Council elected by member organizations, a Secretariat handling daily operations, and standing committees on data standards, ethics, and training. Funding comes from member dues, grants, and project-supported contributions.

Key activities include coordinating multicenter studies, organizing annual symposia, and developing interoperable data standards such as the XXIB Data Interchange Standard (XXIB-DIS) and the Ethical and Regulatory Framework for Xenobiology (ERFX). The organization also maintains a peer-reviewed repository of protocols and best practices.

XXIB emphasizes open science and transparency while respecting participant safety and containment concerns. It has faced debate over dual-use research and governance in rapidly evolving biotechnologies, prompting ongoing revision of its ethics guidelines.

As a hub for international collaboration, XXIB maintains an official website and publishes annual reports summarizing research highlights, standardization efforts, and governance updates.