QGEM Queen’s Genetically Engineered Machine Team QGEM: Queen’s Genetically Engineered Machine Team Information Session: Jan 21 st 2009

QGEM Queen’s Genetically Engineered Machine Team What is Synthetic Biology? It is a newly emerged field of biology that aims at designing and building new biological systems It applies design principles used in electronic and software engineering to biology.

QGEM Queen’s Genetically Engineered Machine Team What is iGEM? Stands for international Genetically Engineered Machine Competition. It is the premier undergraduate educational program in Synthetic Biology and the largest Synthetic Biology conference in the world!

QGEM Queen’s Genetically Engineered Machine Team iGEM History MIT IAP 2003 MIT IAP 2004 – 5 schools iGEM 2005 – 13 schools iGEM 2006 – 37 schools iGEM 2007 – 54 schools – 19 countries iGEM 2008 – 84 schools

QGEM Queen’s Genetically Engineered Machine Team What is iGEM? The goal of the competition is to design and test a simple biological system built from a collection of standardized DNA parts called BioBricks and operate it in living cells.

QGEM Queen’s Genetically Engineered Machine Team Or, in other words... Making cells do cool things!

QGEM Queen’s Genetically Engineered Machine Team...but how?? First, identify an objective. Use parts in the Registry of Standard Biological Parts or construct new parts. Assemble “parts” into “devices”, “devices” into “systems” Put the biological systems into a cell, such as E.coli

QGEM Queen’s Genetically Engineered Machine Team Why iGEM??? “What I cannot create, I do not understand” – Richard Feynman - learn how life really functions - promotes innovation-driven science - facilitates multidisciplinary collaborations - educational interaction on a global scale

Opportunities to work singly, or in pairs within faculty lab on iGEM collaboration Faculty Advisory Board Dr. Peter Greer – Pathology Dr. Waheed Sangrar – Cancer Center Dr. Andrew Craig – Biochemistry Dr. Virginia Walker – Biology Dr. David LeBrun – Pathology Dr. Nancy Martin – Microbiology Dr. Selim Akl – Computing Dr. Ronald Neufeld – Chemical Engineering

iGEM Timeline Student Applications January 22 nd – January 31 st Student Interviews February 2 nd – February 6 th Decisions February 12 th – 16 th Weekly/Bi-Weekly Team Meetings Begin End of February End of School Year – Wet Lab Work Begins September 2009 – Project Finalization November 2009 – Jamboree at MIT

Hiring Requirements: - Interest in Synthetic Biology - Communication, Problem Solving, and Teamwork Skills Assets: -Project management skills - Prior laboratory/research experience

...How to Apply Deadline: January 31 st Include: -Cover letter - Resume - Statement of past research experience (max ½ page) to:

Looking Forward to Working With YOU!