UNIGEMS

"Synthetic Biology Resources for Universities: Research, development and implementation of resources for teaching synthetic biology"

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Synthetic biology is an emergent interdisciplinary field that brings chemists, geneticists and microbiologists together with designers of electronic circuits, researchers of digital signal transmission and complex system interactions. It applies engineering principles such as the standardisation of parts and their organisation into complex circuits to recombinant DNA techniques. Its goal is to create organisms with desirable characteristics. Synthetic biology is also a valuable research tool used to elucidate the function of biological systems and inform their modification. UNIGEMS aims to select and create a compatible and extensible set of curated synthetic biology resources, develop them into low-cost packages of equipment and materials to assist in synthetic biology training and deliver practical courses for university students. The materials will form an entry point to expansion, modification and generation of synthetic systems, open to students’ and lecturers’ ’ ideas. UNIGEMS’ core set of curated resources will advance the understanding of synthetic biology techniques, its limitations and advantages, the ethical consequences of its use and its impact on society. It will promote wider engagement in synthetic biology in universities across Europe. The project combines: 1) Laboratory research in a cutting-edge field, developing and testing synthetic biology parts and modules; 2) Product development in preparing low-cost, laboratory-ready kits; 3) Preparing, overseeing, conducting and analysing an inquiry-based practical synthetic biology course for undergraduate students. The UNIGEMS project will allow the Fellow to gain expertise both in new research fields (bacterial genomics and physiology and engineering principles) and new science education experiences (product development, preparing and providing educational content for undergraduates). All of these experiences will enable him to set up his own gorup in Poland after completion of the project.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU team developed resources for the undergraduate teaching of synthetic biology. Project developments also included novel DNA sequences and a simplified protocol for bacterial transformation, both made publicly available.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Synthetic biology refers to a set of fields involving the genetic design of new organisms according to desired characteristics. Teaching of the subject in university courses may benefit from a set of new materials.

The EU-funded http://practicalsyntheticbiology.net/resources/ (UNIGEMS) project undertook to develop such materials, comprising novel or improved DNA sequences and protocols for their use in undergraduate courses. The project's second goal was to support researcher career development, via the Seventh Framework Programme's (FP7) Marie Curie Action fellowships.

Team members selected the sequences and protocols for use in the specified courses, demonstrating the key approaches of the subject. Three teaching resources were developed, illustrating microbiological laboratory practice, DNA assembly methods and regulation of gene activity. The resources were designed for students with limited subject knowledge, though the availability of appropriate equipment and qualified teachers was assumed. Testing of the genetic components took place during three undergraduate workshops designed by the project.

The researchers also developed a simplified protocol for bacterial transformation, which was incorporated into an experimental kit available from the National Centre for Biotechnology Education (NCBE) at the University of Reading, United Kingdom. The protocol was demonstrated in workshops hosting diverse audiences. The project made DNA sequences available via its website, and have also deposited them in plasmid repositories.

Running for two years to April 2014, UNIGEMS benefited the teaching of synthetic biology at the University of Reading. Furthermore, project researchers gained experience in product development.