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iGEM – Student-led Synthetic Biology

Goals

We’re a student-led group participating in the iGEM synthetic biology competition, held annually in October. Our inaugural project involves using genetic engineering to increase the usability of organoids, 3D cells cultures that have great potential for revolutionizing in-vitro modeling. If successful, we’ll foundationally advance biology research, making way for new cures and therapies. Learn more by visiting our U of A SynBio Society page.

Issues Involved or Addressed

In this year’s iGEM project, we’re tackling these questions:

  • How can we improve in-vitro modeling systems?
  • How can we make organoids more usable and scalable?
  • How can we use genetically engineered bacteria to create a responsive and self-modulating system that facilitates organoid growth?
  • How can we use machine learning to model organoid growth and determine success?

Methods and Tech

iGEM projects are truly multidisciplinary, and require collaboration between artists, biologists, computer scientists, and communicators. iGEM projects can be summarized in this way: 

A diagram of a generic iGEM project, including steps of wet lab work, computational modeling of results, iteration until successful, community outreach, and project documentation on a wiki page.

Specifically, our wet lab research will consist of genetic engineering, DNA cloning, bioprinting, and the development of organoids. Wet lab success will be measured by the construction AI models to measure organoid growth.

Academic Majors of Interest

Though open to all majors, we think students of these majors may be particularly well-suited for iGEM:

  • Biology related majors (Biology, Applied Biotechnology, Biochemistry, MCB, NSCS…)
  • Computational majors (CS, AI, ECE, Software Engineering, Information + Data Science)
  • PR majors (Communications, Journalism, Education)

Preferred Interests and Preparation

We want students interested or experienced in any of the following disciplines:

  • Wet-lab research involving genetic engineering
  • Dry lab work consisting of computational modeling of work
  • Human practices involving science communication and community outreach
  • Web development to communicate everything we’ve done as a team

Application Process

To apply for iGEM, please complete this Google form. 

This team accepts students at the start of each semester.

This team recruits students for both credit and Federal Work Study (as available).

Student Team Leads

Jack Douglass

Hendrick Read

Maxwell Chou

Leo Edgin

Team Advisor

Kasi Kiehlbaugh, PhD