The 2014 UT Austin iGEM team featured a mix of new and returning team members. While we had two returning undergraduates, Kate and Jordan, the rest of the team was new. Two of our new students, Ella and Nathan, had never even worked in a molecular biology lab before. The team used our caffeinated coli project in March 2014 to get everyone acquainted with the basic techniques the team would use throughout the coming year.
All five undergraduates worked steadily during the summer on our two main projects and the interlab study, learning a number of techniques and generating some very nice data. During the fall, the team has been wrapping up experiments and finishing up the data assessment, while also making our presentation and team wiki.
-Dennis Mishler, advisor.
Members
Undergraduates
Alejandro "Alex" Gutierrez - I am a third-year undergraduate neurobiology major, and a new member of the iGEM team. Before joining iGEM, I did research in creating metal nanoparticles to use as catalysts. Besides doing research, I also enjoy cooking, reading, and sleeping.
Jordan Monk - A senior cell & molecular biology major returning from last year's iGEM team. He's probably in the lab as you're reading this.
Catherine "Kate" Mortensen -
Nathan Shin - I'm a third year microbiology major at the greatest university in the entire world. Besides my immense love for all things iGEM, I also enjoy sleeping, playing tennis, and binge watching Netflix. And I also enjoy long walks on the beach.
Ella
Ella Watkins - I am third year at the University of Texas, and striving to earn my Bachelors of Science in Biology. This summer has been such a whirlwind of amazing learning and hands on experience. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate on the iGEM team. I remember my first successful PCR as if it was only 3 months ago… oh wait, it was. Look at that beauty, full of bright bands:
First success!
Advisors
Dennis Mishler, PhD - Same
Professor Jeff Barrick - For
Michael Hammerling - Us?
Attributions
Unless otherwise noted, all projects, lab work, and materials were created by the five team members listed above with assistance and oversight from Professor Barrick and Dr. Mishler. Mike Hammerling provided critical input with regards to working with ncAA and the plasmids containing the tRNA sythetase/tRNA pairs.
In addition to the iGEM 2014 team members, the following individuals participated in the SXSW Create event. Their assistance included gathering samples, performing experiments and training new iGEM team members, evaluating data sets, and presenting at SXSW (a multi-day all-day event).
Razan Alnahhas (2013 iGEM team member, graduated class of 2014)
The team would especially like to thank Razan for taking the time to train the new team members who had never previously worked with bacteria.
Mike Hammerling
Ashley Kessel
The team would also like to thank lab members of the Barrick lab for helpful comments, advice, and suggestions throughout the summer. In particular, they would like to mention Sean Leonard who showed them how to run an SDS protein gel and gave advice on how to handle the ncAA 4-azidophenylalanine (AzF).
FUNDING: List Beacon? CSSB? ICMB? BIOCHEM? others?
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