George Twaddle Program Chair for Biotechnology Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana – South Bend The Ultimate Inquiry Lessons from the Genetically Engineered Machine Competition
How to get students interested in STEM careers?
Gibson Assembly Song Team Cambridge iGEM Competition 2010
Synthetic Biology New area of biological research Combines science and engineering Design and construction of artificial biological functions and systems
Genetic Code is UNIVERSAL -Discovery of “ restrction enzymes” allows us to cut and build recombinant DNA and to express new genetic combinations..
The New Generation of “Micro” Computers?
Began in January of 2003 Independent Activities Period (IAP) at MIT (The students designed biological systems to make cells blink). A BIT O’ iGEM HISTORY 5 teams in teams in teams in teams in teams in teams in teams in 2010
2011.igem.org The International Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) is the premiere undergraduate Synthetic Biology competition. Student teams are given a kit of biological parts at the beginning of the summer from the Registry of Standard Biological Parts. Working at their own schools over the summer, they use these parts and new parts of their own design to build biological systems and operate them in living cells. This project design and competition format is an exceptionally motivating and effective teaching method.International Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) Registry of Standard Biological Parts
What’s an “iGEM?” Kit of biological parts at the beginning of the summer. Build biological systems out of the parts or new parts that they create and operate them in living cells Come to a “Jamboree” at the end to show-off and see who is most innovative. An undergraduate synthetic biology annual competition
Tom Knight “BioBrick” inventor Ginko BioWorks Randy Rettberg iGEM Competition “Open WetWare” Drew Endy BioBricks Foundation iGEM MIT Paternity
THE “BIOBRICK” A standard for interchangeable parts. For building complex biological systems in cells Standards achieved through unique “prefix” and “suffix” restriction sites.
A3 Assembly of BioBricks to Form a “Device”
Student created wiki part page
Elements of the Competition Team wiki and Team Parts Pages Poster presentation Platform presentation
Track Award Winners: Best Food or Energy Project: BCCS-Bristol Best Environment Project: Peking Best Health or Medicine Project: Washington & Freiburg Bioware (Tie) Best Information Processing Project: ETHZ Basel & Tokyo Tech (Tie) Best Manufacturing Project: MIT Best New Application Area: Slovenia Best Foundation Advance: Paris Liliane Bettencourt Best Software Tool: USTC Software Special Prizes Winners: Best BioBrick Part, Natural: Minnesota (BBa_K311004) Best New BioBrick Part or Device, Engineered: Slovenia (BBa_K323135) Best Human Practices Advance: Imperial College London Safety Commendation: SDU Denmark & VT-ENSIMAG Biosecurity (Tie) Best Experimental Measurement: Duke Best Model: Edinburgh Best Wiki: Cambridge & Imperial College London (Tie) Best Poster: KIT-Kyoto Best Presentation: TUDelft iGEMers Prize: Cambridge, Imperial, MIT, EPF Lausanne, & Slovenia Medals and Awards Gold Silver Bronze
Inquiry-Based Learning “A student-centered / teacher-guided instructional approach that Engages students in investigating Real World Questions that they choose within a broad thematic framework. Students acquire and analyze information, develop and support propositions, provide solutions, and design technology that demonstrate their thinking and make their learning visible.” Northeastern Illinois University Dept. of Eduction
What’s your Problem? Food? Energy? Environment? Health and Medicine? Industrial & Biomanufacturing? Software? Process Advance?
TeamProjectDescription AberdeenAyeSwitchGenetic toggle BCCS-BristolagrEcoliSoil Fertility Sensor BrownLight Pattern Control of Cell Circuits CaltechBioplastic printer from soybeans and E. coli EFP-LusanneAsaiaGM bacteria antimalarial ETHZ-BaselE. LemmingRemote contolled E. coli GronigenHydrobiophilmSynthetic hydrophobic surface HarvardiGardenPlant Engineering Toolkit HokkaidoU_JapanDr. E.coliProtein microinjector IvyTech-SouthBendTo Swim or Not to Swim P. Aeruginosa biosensor LethbridgeBioremediation of tailing ponds MexicoVery Cool E. coliProduce antifreeze,15C Missouri_MinersElectric E. coliE.Coli Fuel Cell NewcastleBacillaFillaBacteria concrete crack filler UT-TokyoE. Coli Solves Sudoku
Team Groningen, Netherlands 2009
Team British Columbia, Canada 2009
EPFL Luasanne, Switzerland 2010
University of Slovenia 2010
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Bronze Medal Team
Educat ion Communit y Indus try Loca l Gov State Gov. Feder al Gov. Foundation s Med ia BioFuture: Partnerships in Biotechnology Partnerships in the Future SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE STANDARDS FOR ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS IN INDIANA Created by: Alisa Wright, Baxter Pharmaceutical Solutions Gary Bormett, Dow AgroSciences LCC Jose Hanquier, Robert MacKay, Roberta Talmage, Eli Lilly and Company Wade Lange, Indiana Health Industry Forum Andy Cothrel, Roche Diagnostics Corp. June 30, 2003 Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science In BIOTECHNOLOGY Bloomington Lafayette Lawrence South Bend Terra Haute
iGEM High School Division 2010 Greenfield Central High School Warren Central High School “The DNA Architects of South Bend – Mishawaka (Marian, Penn and Riley High Schools
Illustration credits Line of students: Gibson Assembly Song: Synthetic biology figures: “Biology” Campbell and Reece. Pearson, Benjamin- Cummings Publishers (2010) Bacteria: Ministry of Public Works, Canada iGEM team photos, wiki screen shots, etc igem.org