Team:Saarland/Test

Name:
Philip Hartz, B.Sc.

Studies:

Master of Science in Human-and Molecular Biology
(Saarland University)

Bachelor of Science in Biology with focus on human
and molecular biology (Saarland University)

Origin:

Motivation:
As Commander I´m faced with the honourable and difficult task to lead or alliance in the fight against
cancer. Due to my military and scientific training, I´m used to combine both strategic and problem
oriented ways of thinking and thus especially predestined to find a way even in hopeless situations or if
there is a trap! During the runtime of this mission I want to put my leadership skills to the test,
improve where possible and help our team by my unique abilities to gain a glorious victory over the
deadly threat. Raise the shields and prepare for lightspeed!

Name:
Maximilian Ehrhardt, B.Sc.

Studies:

Master of Science in Human-and Molecular Biology
(Saarland University)

Bachelor of Science in Biology with focus on human
and molecular biology (Saarland University)

Origin:

Motivation:
I was always fascinated by the power, especially the power of manipulation. In synthetic
biology you only have to manipulate one enzyme, one molecule or one base pair; you must
turn one little wheel to change the whole consensus, the whole mind, the whole structure of
the organism and finally the whole universe. In our project I will demonstrate the power of

manipulation by the expression of a hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS)  which only has two small

amino acid exchanges in comparison to all other HASes but therefore produces  high molecular 

weight hyaluronic acid. Furthermore I hope that I can improve my skills of bending an organism
according to my sake, - but personally I do not think that Bacillus megaterium has anything to
oppose me-. The last part of my motivation to participate in iGEM is that I wish to get in
contact with other creatures of this surprisingly manifold universe and to have a lot of fun.