Duke iGEM: Synthetic Biology for Human Health and Society (2025-2026)

Background

Rapid advances in synthetic and systems biology, metabolic and enzyme engineering, and nanotechnology are having profound impacts on biotechnology and related engineering fields. Once confined to specialized labs, these fields are now accessible to students worldwide, with high school and university programs offering authentic, collaborative research experiences in synthetic biology.

The Duke International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team was founded to stimulate and nurture students’ passions in science and engineering with a focus on synthetic biology and biotechnology exploration, in order to prepare them as future leaders, innovators and researchers in these emerging fields. Students participate in all aspects of the engineering cycle, including designing, building and testing a research project that will advance health outcomes using novel synthetic biology tools. iGEM also compels student researchers to analyze the human and ethical practices of their research.

Project Description

Building on the work of previous teams, this project team will utilize ICARUS (Intelligent Chimeric Antigen Receptor Up-regulation System) to pioneer a new advance called ATLAS (Antigen-Triggered Loop Activation System). To address a major gap in microbiome engineering, the team will focus on tools for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome.

The project team will include a wet-lab team, a dry-lab team and a human practices team. The wet-lab team will compare the genetic and engineering potential of two probiotic yeasts, Saccharomyces boulardii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, testing multiple strains and measuring data such as dissolved oxygen and protein fluorescence. The dry-lab team will develop automation algorithms to support high-throughput growth and data collection for all probiotic strains, enabling comprehensive comparisons of genetic backgrounds and expression profiles in therapeutic design. The human practices team will consult with gastrointestinal disease experts, microbiome engineering leaders and pharmaceutical companies to discuss how living therapeutics can be responsibly deployed.

Anticipated Outputs

Genetically engineered machine built by students; open-access “Biobricks” (standardized, modular DNA sequences); Wiki website; presentations; academic manuscript

Student Opportunities

Ideally, this project team will include 2 graduate students and 15 undergraduate students. Interested students will likely be from the fields of biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, computer science, statistics, law, public policy, philosophy and ethics. A graduate student will be selected to serve as a project manager.

Through their engagement with the Duke iGEM team, students will explore the multi-faceted discipline of synthetic biology. Members will learn theories and practice techniques in molecular biology, such as DNA assembly, bacterial transformation, cell culture and high-throughput screening. Students will critique primary literature in synthetic biology, public policy and research ethics. Students will maintain proper research conduct and follow the ideals of the iGEM community, including open access to data and DNA designs. In implementing the design-build-test-learn cycle, students will build a “genetically engineering machine” that actuates a defined function and measure outputs to meet goals and test hypotheses.

Select students will travel to Paris, France in November 2025 to present their findings at the iGEM International Jamboree.

This project includes an optional summer component in which students will work 10-20 hours per week from June 2 to August 8.

Timing

Summer 2025 – Spring 2026

• Summer 2025 (optional): Perform experiments; build laboratory automation scripts; analyze results; interview stakeholders in human practices of synthetic biology; consult FDA regarding regulations
• Fall 2025: Continue performing experiments; prepare iGEM wiki; share results; attend iGEM International Jamboree
• Spring 2026: Onboard new members; debrief findings from Jamboree; prepare manuscript for submission; perform literature review

Crediting

Academic credit available for fall and spring semesters; summer funding available

See earlier related team, Duke iGEM: Synthetic Biology for Human Health and Society (2024-2025).

 

_{Image: iGEM team in Paris in Fall 2023, courtesy of Cameron Kim}