Loading...

Synthetic Biology and Genetic Engineering for Human Health and Society: Duke iGEM (2021-2022)

The Duke iGEM team was founded to stimulate and nurture students’ passions in science and engineering with a focus on synthetic biology and biotechnology exploration.

Each year, students compete in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, whicih encourages students to explore synthetic biology in hands-on, collaborative research experiences. Students participate in all aspects of the engineering cycle and consider the human and ethical practices of their research. In preparation for the international iGEM Jamboree, students analyze current scientific literature, present orally and in written communications, and work in an interdisciplinary team of scientists, philosophers and policy experts to assess the impact of their research.

In 2021-2022, team members developed a drug screening platform for gioblastoma, the most common, treatment-resistant, terminal form of brain cancer.  Their model uses brain organoids (miniature, simplified 3-D replicas of brains grown from stem cells) and synthetic biology tools to develop a non-invasive genetic reporter system that measures drug impacts in a multicellular model. Ultimately this system will allow for the development of new drugs and the optimization of existing therapies for gioblastoma.

Learn more about this project team by viewing the team's video

Timing

Summer 2021 – Summer 2022

Team Outputs

Team website

Promotional video

Genetically engineered machine

“Biobricks” for open access use

This Team in the News

Senior Spotlight: Reflections from the Class of 2023

See related teams, Synthetic Biology and Genetic Engineering for Human Health and Society (2022-2023) and Synthetic Biology and Genetic Engineering for Human Health and Society: Duke iGEM (2020-2021).

 

Image: iGEM logo, courtesy of iGEM Foundation and Justin Knight

Team Leaders

  • Cameron Kim, Pratt School of Engineering: Biomedical Engineering
  • Zhaohui Wang, Pratt School of Engineering: Biomedical Engineering

Graduate Team Members

  • Hannah Devens, Biology - PHD

Undergraduate Team Members

  • Caroline Anderson, Biology (BS)
  • Andres Bermudez, Biomedical Engineering (BSE)
  • Emily Caplan, Philosophy (AB); Computer Science (AB2)
  • Tim Ho, Biomedical Engineering (BSE); Computer Science (AB2)
  • Jihyeon Je, Biomedical Engineering (BSE); Electrical & Cmputr Egr (BSE2)
  • Ashley Jones, Biology (BS)
  • Sara Liszeski, Computer Science (BS)
  • Andy Qiao, Biomedical Engineering (BSE)
  • David Ramirez Rujano, Biomedical Engineering (BSE); Electrical & Cmputr Egr (BSE2)
  • Nicolas Rey, Biology (BS)
  • Jessica Shah, Biomedical Engineering (BSE)
  • Konrad Slaman, Biomedical Engineering (BSE); Computer Science (AB2)
  • Kate Straneva, Computer Science (BS); Biology (AB2)
  • Casey Syal, Computer Science (BS); Biology (BS2)
  • Isabella Wang, Biomedical Engineering (BSE); Computer Science (AB2)
  • Shaun Wu, Biomedical Engineering (BSE)
  • Sabina Yampolsky, Biomedical Engineering (BSE)
  • Happy Yao, Biology (BS)