Duke iGEM: Synthetic Biology for Human Health and Society (2026-2027)

Background

Synthetic biology has made major strides in controlling cellular behavior through engineered genetic circuits, yet many foundational and applied challenges remain unresolved. Addressing these challenges requires careful integration of experimental design, quantitative modeling and ethical reflection. Each year, the team identifies a focused problem suited to synthetic biology and develops a project that can help solve parts of the problem. 

Over the last year, the team focused on biofilm formation on mechanical ventilators, a key contributor to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), one of the most common hospital-acquired infections. To address this challenge, the Duke iGEM team developed RESPIRA, a living therapeutic that uses engineered bacteria to detect and break down biofilms directly on endotracheal tubes. RESPIRA received a Gold Medal at the 2025 iGEM International Jamboree and serves as a conceptual foundation for future project exploration by the 2026–2027 team. 

Project Description

The Duke iGEM team advances synthetic biology by engaging students in the full design-build-test-learn cycle. For 2026-2027, the team will build on its prior experience to develop new experimental and computational synthetic biology work while expanding its human practices and ethics engagements. 

The project is structured around four integrated tracks: 

Wet Lab 
Team members will engineer Escherichia coli as a safe, non-pathogenic microbial chassis and leverage M13 filamentous phage as a non-lytic genetic delivery and sensing platform. Using modular cloning techniques, they will design and test synthetic biology systems that: 

• Develop and characterize genetically encoded biosensors to detect metabolic states, molecular signals or interactions within microbial communities
• Use phage-based payload delivery to modulate cellular behavior
• Evaluate enzyme activity, metabolic responses and circuit performance using quantitative assays
• Test system behavior in experimentally controlled environments that mimic relevant real-world conditions 

Dry Lab (Modeling and Software) 
Students will develop mathematical and computational models to describe the behavior of engineered biological systems and their interactions with surrounding microbial communities and environmental conditions. These models will capture key processes such as growth dynamics, signal exchange, resource utilization and transient genetic or metabolic interventions. Model development and analysis will be used to generate testable hypotheses, identify critical parameters and guide experimental design. 

In parallel, the team will build and maintain simulation tools and open-source software to support these modeling efforts. These platforms will enable systematic exploration of design spaces, comparison of alternative system architectures and integration of experimental data. Students will apply machine learning and data-driven methods to analyze complex datasets, infer model parameters, and improve predictive performance. These efforts will support the team’s broader research goals while providing reusable computational tools for future work. 

Integrated Human Practices and Ethics 
The team will collaborate with clinicians, ethicists, engineers and microbiologists to examine issues related to biosafety, translation, consent and biocontainment. Structured interviews with 20-30 stakeholders will provide perspectives on practical constraints, risks and use contexts. These insights will inform experimental design choices and modeling assumptions in the wet lab and dry lab. In turn, technical results will shape continued ethical analysis and outreach, creating an iterative feedback loop between research and reflection. 

In parallel, the team will conduct community outreach and educational initiatives aimed at improving public understanding of synthetic biology. These efforts may include workshops, recorded modules and collaborative events designed to communicate scientific concepts, research motivations and ethical considerations to diverse audiences. Together, these activities will help situate the team’s technical work within a broader societal context and support responsible research and innovation. 

Integration and Communication 
Weekly all-hands meetings will bring together wet lab, dry lab and human practices subteams to integrate data, synthesize insights and prepare deliverables for the 2026 iGEM International Jamboree, Duke symposia and manuscript submissions. 

This interdisciplinary environment replicates a true bioengineering research ecosystem — bridging science, modeling, ethics and public engagement.

Anticipated Outputs

• Continued design, testing and refinement of engineered gene circuits
• Development and maintenance of a synthetic biology simulation platform
• Standardized DNA parts submitted to the global iGEM Registry
• iGEM Wiki, poster and oral presentations for the 2026 International Jamboree
• Research and ethics manuscripts and public outreach materials
• Regional collaborations through the triangle-based triGEM symposium
• Educational workshops connecting biotechnology, public health and ethics 

Student Opportunities

The team will include 2 graduate students and 15 undergraduates. No prior research experience is required — students will receive training through peer mentoring and lab manager support. 

Students will gain experience in: 

• Molecular cloning, protein expression and biofilm degradation assays
• Computational modeling and open-source software development
• Applying ethical frameworks to emerging biotechnologies
• Conducting stakeholder interviews with clinicians and experts
• Science communication through writing, presentations and the iGEM platform
• Collaborative research across engineering, computation and ethics 

The team especially welcomes students from biomedical engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, statistics, ethics, public policy and global health.

Timing

Summer 2026 – Summer 2027

Summer 2026 (optional): 

• Launch intensive wet-lab and modeling work
• Refine gene circuits and run expanded biofilm degradation assays
• Conduct clinician and ethicist interviews to guide ethical considerations 

Fall 2026: 

• Finalize subteams and project aims
• Conduct advanced modeling and second-generation circuit designs
• Prepare poster, video and wiki for the 2026 iGEM Jamboree in November
• Host the annual triGEM symposium 

Spring 2027: 

• Analyze integrated results and prepare manuscripts
• Present findings at Duke and regional symposia
• Develop translational next steps for RESPIRA 

Summer 2027 (optional): 

• Continue modeling, experiments and manuscript preparation 

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 (2025-2026).