What is iGEM?
• international Genetically Engineered Machine
• Synthetic Biology Competition
• Started in 2004 at MIT with 5 teams
• Grown to 245 teams, over 2300 participants from around the world
Synthetic Biology at iGEM
UC Davis
Rancid olive oil detector
Heidelberg
Circularizing proteins
Bielefield
Biological fuel cell
History of the Waterloo iGEM Team
2005: First entry, joint Toronto/Waterloo team as only Canadian team
2007: First solo entry, first Silver Medal Standing
2013: First Gold Medal Standing, Regional Best Poster Award
2014: Gold Medal Standing, Best Undergraduate Modelling Award
Lab & Design
• Design and troubleshoot with the stuff of life!
• Expect to • Spend a lot of time in the (new!) lab
• Work in a team environment
pSB1A3 AmpR oriVE.coli ErmR oriVS. aureus
TT
sgRNA dCas9
xylose
XylR TT
Lab & Design – What we’re looking for
• Dedicated: 10-15 hours/week
• Quick learners
• Enthusiasm
pSB1A3 AmpR oriVE.coli ErmR oriVS. aureus
TT
sgRNA dCas9
xylose
XylR TT
Math Modelling
• Like biology, but more savvy with a keyboard than a pipette?
• Expect to • Sketch cellular networks
• Program
• Search literature for networks and numbers
Susceptible Staphylococcus
MRSA
Math Modelling – What we’re looking for
• Time Commitment • 2 – 4 hours/week
• Closer to 10 hours/week near deadlines
• Looking for • Motivation
• Enthusiasm
• Interdisciplinary Thinking Susceptible Staphylococcus
MRSA
Business
• Financial Coordinator • Financial analysis
• 3 – 5 hours/week
• Basic management experience
• Event Coordinator • Assist directors with organization
• 2 – 4 hours/week
• Logistical planning
Policy & Practices
• Closing the gap between concept and experience
• Responsible science
• Commercialization and expansion
Policy & Practices – What we’re looking for
• Time commitment • 3-8 hours/week
• Looking for • Committed
• Hardworking
• Enthusiastic
Application Process
• www.igem.uwaterloo.ca > Get Involved
• Application form • Due Thursday, January 22, 11:00 pm
• Interviews
Interested in joining our team?
• Be prepared to learn new things
• Be ready to work hard
• It’s a lot of fun