GAMES camp Synthetic Biology and iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machines)

General outline - General background on biology - Synthetic biology What is it, what can you do with it, etc Difference between it and genetic engineering Project Examples - iGEM - Activity paper plasmids? Automated Construction; standards; and abstraction!!!

Drew Endy - Defining Synthetic Biology uh7KDRzLkhttp:// uh7KDRzLk

Classic Syn Bio Projects Hello World! Jay Keasling and Artimesinin - Cheap Cure for Malaria MIT team created Wintergreen smelling E.Coli UIUC team is developing a Bacterial Decoder

Importance of Engineering Principles in Biology Automated Construction o DNA Synthesis and Sequencing (reading and writing DNA) Standards o Promoters, etc. need to have standard strengths just like screws need to be a standard size Abstraction o Memorizing base pairs of DNA (start codon = ATG) is like memorizing binary code for computer programs ( ) -- we need to work on a higher level to be effective

Synthetic Biology An Engineering technology based on biology  which complements rather than replaces standard approaches Engineering synthetic constructs will  Enable quicker and easier experiments  Enable deeper understanding of the basic mechanisms  Enable applications in nanotechnology, medicine and agriculture  Become the foundational technology of the 21st century Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication -- Leonardo da Vinci

SynBio - Key Points How is it different from Genetic Engineering? What's the point? Why is it so cool / important / helpful?

iGEM 2010 International Genetically Engineered Machines - Undergraduate Research Team

What is iGEM

More Info on iGEM

Info on UIUC iGEM

Plasmid Project!!! Terms to know: Restriction Enzyme: Ligase: Plasmid: Screen: Selection:

Plasmid Project!!! Recombinant DNA technology 1. identify gene you want to transfer to target organism. 2. use restriction enzymes to remove the gene from the host organism. 3. use the same restriction enzymes to cut a plasmid. Now both the plasmid and the genes have the same overhangs--they can fit together like puzzle pieces! 4. Paste the gene into the plasmid using Ligase 5. transform the plasmid into the target cell. 6. screening and selection.

Thanks for coming! Questions?!? Check out our Wiki pages! Illinois and Illinoishttp://2010.igem.org/Team:UIUC-Illinois-Software If you've more questions or want to look us up, or Meagan at