Brown:iGEM proposal

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==Abstract==
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The international Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) is a high profile international biotechnology competition. An iGEM team representing Brown University would highlight the University as a liberal arts college with strong multidisciplinary faculty.  By encouraging student participation in cutting edge scientific research this endeavor would enhance Brown’s appeal, as well as enrich the undergraduate experience. To take part in the competition, we require funding to support the team with lab costs, travel expenses, and stipends.<br>
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==iGEM: Interdisciplinary student competition June-August 2006==   
==iGEM: Interdisciplinary student competition June-August 2006==   
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With University support, an interdisciplinary team composed of Brown students represent the University at the MIT-based iGEM competition. The challenge is to design and implement a genetically engineered machine and students are set to draw on Brown’s interdisciplinary
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With University support, an interdisciplinary team composed of Brown students can represent the Brown at the MIT-based iGEM competition (Genetically Engineered Machine Competition). The challenge is to design and implement a genetically engineered machine and students are set to draw on Brown’s interdisciplinary expertise in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, neuroscience and physics.<br>
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expertise in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, neuroscience and physics.<br>
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[[image:Nature cover iGEM small.jpg|left]]
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[[image:Nature cover iGEM small.jpg|right]]
==Synthetic Biology: A novel field==
==Synthetic Biology: A novel field==
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==Can standard interchangeable parts be constructed in vivo?==
==Can standard interchangeable parts be constructed in vivo?==
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The Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) is designed to test the hypothesis that ”Simple biological systems can be built from standard interchangeable parts and operated in living cells?” [Knight, 2005]. The Brown team wants to test this hypothesis by working over the summer to design and construct such a machine. The competition challenges students to implement a machine capable of performing an engineered task. Unlike other engineering challenges, the machines produced by the competitors are transcribed from DNA sequences, rather than blueprints, and the constituent parts are RNA, proteins and cells, instead of steel, nuts, and bolts. This student-led initiative has backing from some of Brown’s best researchers, bringing together faculty in this interdisciplinary field which demonstrates the essential nature of an interdisciplinary approach to hard scientific research.<br>
+
The Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) is designed to test the hypothesis that ”Simple biological systems can be built from standard interchangeable parts and operated in living cells?” [Knight, 2005]. The Brown team wants to test this hypothesis by working over the summer to design and construct such a machine. The competition challenges students to implement a machine capable of performing an engineered task. Unlike other engineering challenges, the machines produced by the competitors are transcribed from DNA sequences, rather than blueprints, and the constituent parts are RNA, proteins and cells, instead of steel, nuts, and bolts. This student-led initiative has backing from some of Brown’s best researchers, bringing together faculty and demonstrating the essential nature of an interdisciplinary approach to hard scientific research.<br>
===High-profile international competition===
===High-profile international competition===
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The following is an excerpt from a piece written by MIT senior researcher Dr. Thomas
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The following is an excerpt from a piece written by MIT senior researcher Dr. Tom
Knight on the genesis of iGEM:<br>
Knight on the genesis of iGEM:<br>
{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5
{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5
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|  
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[[Image:iGEM 2005 teams Nature Nov.jpg|right|Some teams from 2005 iGEM]]
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''"Started in 2003, MIT students created biological oscillators coupled to fluorescent reporters.  The summer of 2004 brought the first Synthetic Biology Competition. Student teams from five schools (Princeton, MIT, Caltech, UT Austin, and Boston University) and competed to build cellular state machines and counters. The teams gathered in early November to compare their results. The most graphic project was "photographic biofilm" that could capture an image.''
''"Started in 2003, MIT students created biological oscillators coupled to fluorescent reporters.  The summer of 2004 brought the first Synthetic Biology Competition. Student teams from five schools (Princeton, MIT, Caltech, UT Austin, and Boston University) and competed to build cellular state machines and counters. The teams gathered in early November to compare their results. The most graphic project was "photographic biofilm" that could capture an image.''
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''At the core of these activities is the notion of a standard biological part that is well specified and able to be paired with other parts into subassemblies and whole systems. Once the parameters of these parts are determined and standardized, simulation and design of genetic systems will become easier and more reliable."'' (1)
''At the core of these activities is the notion of a standard biological part that is well specified and able to be paired with other parts into subassemblies and whole systems. Once the parameters of these parts are determined and standardized, simulation and design of genetic systems will become easier and more reliable."'' (1)
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http://static.flickr.com/35/111488767_22f42d2889_m.jpg
 
==Student-led research at Brown==
==Student-led research at Brown==
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The competition gives students the chance to spend 12 weeks on ground-breaking research in Synthetic Biology. Students will convene over the summer, spending their time designing novel engineered parts, modeling biochemical reactions, and then implementing these designs in the lab. A mentoring board will meet each week in order for students to report progress and to discuss new ideas. The project will contribute to advances in current research in Synthetic Biology. Previous entries in the iGEM competition have been published by students in the journal Nature [Voigt, 2005]. The competition provides a unique opportunity for Brown students engaged in the study of science to develop their own ideas and to start basic publishing valuable research.<br>
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The competition gives students the chance to spend 12 weeks on ground-breaking research in Synthetic Biology. Students will convene over the summer, spending their time designing novel engineered parts, modeling biochemical reactions, and then implementing these designs in the lab. A mentoring board will meet each week in order for students to report progress and to discuss new ideas. The project will contribute to advances in current research in Synthetic Biology. Previous entries in the iGEM competition have been published by students in the journal Nature [Voigt, 2005]. The competition provides a unique opportunity for Brown students engaged in the study of science to develop their own ideas and to start publishing valuable research.<br>
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==Request for Funding==
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We are seeking departmental and University sponsorship to cover the following costs:<br>
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DNA Synthesis: Allows the Brown iGEM team acquire specific genetic material necessary
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for participating in the competition.<br>
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Lab Reagents: Enables the team maintain a well stocked laboratory environment in which it could conduct novel biosynthetic research.<br>
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Travel Expenses: Provides the team and faculty mentoring board with means to travel to MIT in November 2006 to participate in the iGEM jamboree.<br>
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Support Stipends: Accomplishes two goals: First, a portion of the money will be used to provide housing to undergraduates without lodging in or near Providence. Second, the remainder of the money will be allocated to ensure that team members can participate in research full time, rather than maintaining other employment. Stipend recipients will be selected by the faculty mentoring panel.<br>
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The following is an itemization of our projected costs: <br>
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{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5
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==iGEM at Brown==
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| DNA Synthesis
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| '''$ 4,000'''
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|-
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| Lab Reagents
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| '''$ 7,000'''
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|-
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| Travel expenses
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| '''$ 1,000'''
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|-
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| 8 undergraduate summer support stipends ($3500 x 8)
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| '''$ 28,000'''
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|-
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| '''Total'''
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| '''$ 40,000'''
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|}<br>
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==iGEM at Brown==
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We hope that in coming years the Brown iGEM team can continue to grow, taking on new students and continuing research in synthetic biology at Brown. Research could also continue by establishing Group Independent Study Projects (GISPs) and by continuing the Synthetic Biology Journal Club that we have started this semester.  As the leading students from a wide sampling of Brown’s science disciplines, the Brown iGEM team hopes that this genetic engineering program will become an outlet for demonstrating the high caliber of the University’s research endeavors. Through iGEM, Brown will continue to develop its image in the greater community as involving undergraduates in the forefront of cutting edge scientific research. The iGEM competition will foster a competitive image that will put Brown at the top of the list for prospective student scientists  seeking intensive research opportunities during their academic careers.<br>
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We hope that in coming years the Brown iGEM team can continue to grow, taking on new students and continuing research in synthetic biology at Brown. Research could also continue by establishing Group Independent Study Projects (GISPs) and by continuing the synthetic biology journal club during the semester.  As the leading students from a wide sampling of Brown’s science disciplines, the Brown iGEM team hopes that this genetic engineering program will become an outlet for demonstrating the high caliber of the University’s research endeavors. Through iGEM, Brown will continue to develop its image in the greater community as involving undergraduates in the forefront of cutting edge scientific research. The iGEM competition will foster competitive image that will put Brown at the top of many prospective student-scientists’ lists who are seeking intensive research opprotunities during their academic careers.<br>
 
==Cross campus faculty support==
==Cross campus faculty support==
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There are currently 12 undergraduates interested in taking part in the competition.  The final number of funded places on the team will be 8 undergraduates.  A synthetic biology journal club has been started in order to start the preliminary research into ideas for the competition.  The 8 funded students will be chosen by the faculty advisory board from students applications and participation in the journal club.   
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There are currently 13 undergraduates interested in taking part in the competition.  The final number of funded places on the team will be 8 undergraduates but we welcome students with their own funding and graduate students already involved in research during the summer.  A synthetic biology journal club has been started in order to begin preliminary research into ideas for the competition.  The 8 funded students will be chosen by the faculty advisory board from applications by students and from their participation in the journal club.   
{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5
{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5
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| Marc Tatar *
 
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| Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
 
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|-
 
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| Gary Wessel *
 
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| Professor of Biology
 
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| Alex Brodsky *
| Alex Brodsky *
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| Karen Marie Haberstroh
| Karen Marie Haberstroh
| Assistant Professor of Engineering
| Assistant Professor of Engineering
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|-
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|Robert Hurt
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|Professor of Engineering
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| Sorin Istrail
| Sorin Istrail
| Professor of Computer Science
| Professor of Computer Science
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| Tayha Palmore  
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|Vesna Mitrovic
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|Assistant Professor of Physics
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|-
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|Jeffrey Morgan
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|Associate Professor of Medical Science
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| Brian Moulton
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| Assistant Professor of Chemistry
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|Nicola Neretti
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|Assistant Professor of Physics
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| Tayhas Palmore  
| Associate Professor of Engineering  
| Associate Professor of Engineering  
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| David Rand
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| Professor of Biology
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| Art Salomon
| Art Salomon
| Assistant Professor of Biology/Proteomics/Biochemistry  
| Assistant Professor of Biology/Proteomics/Biochemistry  
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| J.William Suggs
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| Professor of Biochemistry
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| David Targan
| David Targan
| Dean for Science Programs  
| Dean for Science Programs  
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|Marc Tatar
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|Associate Professor Biology
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| Marjorie Thompson
| Marjorie Thompson
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|Herman Vandenburgh
|Herman Vandenburgh
|Professor of Pathobiology  
|Professor of Pathobiology  
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|Tom Webster
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|Associate Professor, Engineering and Orthopaedics
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| Gary Wessel *
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| Professor of Biology
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==Students currently interested in forming an iGEM team==
==Students currently interested in forming an iGEM team==
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John Cumbers - Graduate Student Computational Biology <br>
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'''Graduate Students''' <br>
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Annie Gao<br>
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John Cumbers - Computational Biology <br>
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Peter Goldstein - Undergraduate Student Computational Biology<br>
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Sheldon Provost - Electrical Engineering <br>
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Smita Gupta<br>
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Nicholas Halden<br>
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'''Undergraduate Students''' <br>
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Elena Helman - Undergraduate Student Computational Biology<br>
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Annie Gao - Biology <br>
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Julia Heneghan<br>
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Peter Goldstein - Computational Biology <br>
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Brendan Hickey - Undergraduate Student Computational Biology<br>
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Nicholas Halden - Computational Biology <br>
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Victoria Lattanzi- Undergraduate Student Biochemistry and French Studies<br>
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Elena Helman - Computational Biology <br>
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Jamie Lemon - Undergraduate Student Biology<br>
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Julia Heneghan- Anthropology-Linguistics and Human Biology <br>
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Kara Neergaard<br>
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Brendan Hickey - Computational Biology <br>
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Peter Rosenthal<br>
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Victoria Lattanzi - Biochemistry and French Studies <br>
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Megan Schmidt - Undergraduate Student Human Biology<br>
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Jamie Lemon - Biology <br>
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Julie Spector - Undergraduate Student Neuroscience<br>
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Kara Neergaard - Cellular Biology <br>
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Elaine Tran<br>
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Megan Schmidt - Human Biology <br>  
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Julie Spector - Neuroscience and Religious Studies <br>
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Elaine Tran - Commerce, Organizations & Entrepreneurship (COE) <br>
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Angela Wong - Undergraduate Student Biochemistry <br>
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==Summary==
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The international Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) is a high profile international biotechnology competition.  An iGEM team representing Brown University would highlight the University as a liberal arts college with a strong multidisciplinary faculty.  By encouraging student participation in cutting edge scientific research this endeavor would enhance Brown’s appeal, as well as enrich the undergraduate and graduate experience. To take part in the competition, we require funding to support the team with lab costs, travel expenses, and stipends to support students over the summer.<br>
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Latest revision as of 01:40, 6 November 2006

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Contents

iGEM: Interdisciplinary student competition June-August 2006

With University support, an interdisciplinary team composed of Brown students can represent the Brown at the MIT-based iGEM competition (Genetically Engineered Machine Competition). The challenge is to design and implement a genetically engineered machine and students are set to draw on Brown’s interdisciplinary expertise in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, neuroscience and physics.

Nature cover iGEM small.jpg

Synthetic Biology: A novel field

In the last decade, a revolution in genomics has shown us the power of the human genome. Through understanding, it can be harnessed to find, and combat harmful mutations that cause the human molecular machinery to breakdown [HapMap, 2005]. Synthetic Biology is a new interdisciplinary field that allows us to not only decipher how DNA holds and translates information, but to use this understanding to produce novel biological machines to start to repair this damage, increase product yields [Keasling, 2003] or deliver cancer drugs to targeted cells in the body [Anderson et al, 2005]. To this end, the field calls upon the knowledge and accomplishments of related disciplines. The November 24th 2005 issue of Nature magazine highlighted the growing field of Synthetic Biology emphasizing the value of the combined intellectual resources of the hard sciences. It is widely acknowledged that research in this field will be at the forefront of science in the coming decade.

Can standard interchangeable parts be constructed in vivo?

The Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) is designed to test the hypothesis that ”Simple biological systems can be built from standard interchangeable parts and operated in living cells?” [Knight, 2005]. The Brown team wants to test this hypothesis by working over the summer to design and construct such a machine. The competition challenges students to implement a machine capable of performing an engineered task. Unlike other engineering challenges, the machines produced by the competitors are transcribed from DNA sequences, rather than blueprints, and the constituent parts are RNA, proteins and cells, instead of steel, nuts, and bolts. This student-led initiative has backing from some of Brown’s best researchers, bringing together faculty and demonstrating the essential nature of an interdisciplinary approach to hard scientific research.

High-profile international competition

The following is an excerpt from a piece written by MIT senior researcher Dr. Tom Knight on the genesis of iGEM:

Some teams from 2005 iGEM

"Started in 2003, MIT students created biological oscillators coupled to fluorescent reporters. The summer of 2004 brought the first Synthetic Biology Competition. Student teams from five schools (Princeton, MIT, Caltech, UT Austin, and Boston University) and competed to build cellular state machines and counters. The teams gathered in early November to compare their results. The most graphic project was "photographic biofilm" that could capture an image.

In the summer of 2005, student teams from thirteen schools (Berkeley, Caltech, Cambridge UK, Davidson, ETH Zurich, Harvard, MIT, Oklahoma, Penn State, Princeton, Toronto, UCSF, and UT Austin) participated in the 2005 International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition. Later, during the first weekend of November, over 150 of these students, instructors, and PIs came together to share and celebrate their work.

The iGEM 2005 student projects displayed the designs of chemotaxis regulation systems, cell-cell genetic communications systems, cellular/biological wires, thermometers, biological sketch pads (drawing systems), cellular relay races, a digital counter, and many more.

At the core of these activities is the notion of a standard biological part that is well specified and able to be paired with other parts into subassemblies and whole systems. Once the parameters of these parts are determined and standardized, simulation and design of genetic systems will become easier and more reliable." (1)

Student-led research at Brown

The competition gives students the chance to spend 12 weeks on ground-breaking research in Synthetic Biology. Students will convene over the summer, spending their time designing novel engineered parts, modeling biochemical reactions, and then implementing these designs in the lab. A mentoring board will meet each week in order for students to report progress and to discuss new ideas. The project will contribute to advances in current research in Synthetic Biology. Previous entries in the iGEM competition have been published by students in the journal Nature [Voigt, 2005]. The competition provides a unique opportunity for Brown students engaged in the study of science to develop their own ideas and to start publishing valuable research.

iGEM at Brown

We hope that in coming years the Brown iGEM team can continue to grow, taking on new students and continuing research in synthetic biology at Brown. Research could also continue by establishing Group Independent Study Projects (GISPs) and by continuing the Synthetic Biology Journal Club that we have started this semester. As the leading students from a wide sampling of Brown’s science disciplines, the Brown iGEM team hopes that this genetic engineering program will become an outlet for demonstrating the high caliber of the University’s research endeavors. Through iGEM, Brown will continue to develop its image in the greater community as involving undergraduates in the forefront of cutting edge scientific research. The iGEM competition will foster a competitive image that will put Brown at the top of the list for prospective student scientists seeking intensive research opportunities during their academic careers.


Cross campus faculty support

There are currently 13 undergraduates interested in taking part in the competition. The final number of funded places on the team will be 8 undergraduates but we welcome students with their own funding and graduate students already involved in research during the summer. A synthetic biology journal club has been started in order to begin preliminary research into ideas for the competition. The 8 funded students will be chosen by the faculty advisory board from applications by students and from their participation in the journal club.


Alex Brodsky * Assistant Professor in MCB, Ship Street
Karen Marie Haberstroh Assistant Professor of Engineering
Robert Hurt Professor of Engineering
Sorin Istrail Professor of Computer Science
Vesna Mitrovic Assistant Professor of Physics
Jeffrey Morgan Associate Professor of Medical Science
Brian Moulton Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Nicola Neretti Assistant Professor of Physics
Tayhas Palmore Associate Professor of Engineering
David Rand Professor of Biology
Art Salomon Assistant Professor of Biology/Proteomics/Biochemistry
J.William Suggs Professor of Biochemistry
David Targan Dean for Science Programs
Marc Tatar Associate Professor Biology
Marjorie Thompson Associate Dean of Biological Sciences
Nancy Thompson Associate Dean for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Jim Valles Professor of Physics
Herman Vandenburgh Professor of Pathobiology
Tom Webster Associate Professor, Engineering and Orthopaedics
Gary Wessel * Professor of Biology

* - indicates offer of wet lab facilities

Students currently interested in forming an iGEM team

Graduate Students
John Cumbers - Computational Biology
Sheldon Provost - Electrical Engineering

Undergraduate Students
Annie Gao - Biology
Peter Goldstein - Computational Biology
Nicholas Halden - Computational Biology
Elena Helman - Computational Biology
Julia Heneghan- Anthropology-Linguistics and Human Biology
Brendan Hickey - Computational Biology
Victoria Lattanzi - Biochemistry and French Studies
Jamie Lemon - Biology
Kara Neergaard - Cellular Biology
Megan Schmidt - Human Biology
Julie Spector - Neuroscience and Religious Studies
Elaine Tran - Commerce, Organizations & Entrepreneurship (COE)
Angela Wong - Undergraduate Student Biochemistry

Summary

The international Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) is a high profile international biotechnology competition. An iGEM team representing Brown University would highlight the University as a liberal arts college with a strong multidisciplinary faculty. By encouraging student participation in cutting edge scientific research this endeavor would enhance Brown’s appeal, as well as enrich the undergraduate and graduate experience. To take part in the competition, we require funding to support the team with lab costs, travel expenses, and stipends to support students over the summer.



==References==
(1) Tom Knight 2005, iGEM: International Genetically Engineered Machine competition.
http://icampus.mit.edu/projects/iGem.shtml
(2) Chris Voigt 2005, Synthetic biology: Engineering Escherichia coli to see light, Nature 438, 441-442 (24 November 2005)
(3) The International HapMap Consortium. A haplotype map of the human genome.
Nature 437, 1299-1320. 2005.
(4) Jay D Keasling, Engineering a mevalonate pathway in Escherichia coli for production of terpenoids, Nature Biotechnology 21, 796 - 802 (2003)
(5) Anderson, J. C., Clarke, E. J., Arkin, A. P., & Voigt, C. A. (2005) Environmentally Controlled Invasion of Cancer Cells by Engineered Bacteria, Journal of Molecular Biology, in press.

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