Team:Carnegie Mellon/Achievements

From 2014.igem.org

We accomplished many things this summer...

• We successfully formed and registered the team.
  • 3 engineers, 2 biologists, 1 business and 1 industrial design
  • 2 sophomores, 1 junior, and 4 seniors
  • 6 females and 1 male
  Obtained a SURG grant
  We collaborated extensively on modeling with Pitt iGEM
  Made a CMU iGEM Twitter
  iGEM Meetup (September 6)
  
  Biology and Engineering
  We submitted 35 parts to the Registry. We also documented a new photosensitizer, estrogenic sensor and a robust T7 RNA Polymerase reporter system
  Participated in the iGEM Interlab Study
  We improved characterization of blue, green, yellow, orange and red fluorescent proteins in two bacterial strains.
  We also improved characterization of a T7 RNA Polymerase Reporter System by designing, cloning and testing an intein based biosensor for detecting estrogenic activity.
  We also worked on improving KillerRed through codon optimization and a monomeric form, and Constructed an improved LED photobleaching device
  We also worked on microfluidics chamber design, production and implementation
  We met with Dr. Vanbriesen (July 2) and Dr. Gregory (July 17)
  
  Synthetic Biology Outreach
  Reached 531 students, ages 10-18, total of 243 hours and 32 teachers
  Kits for DNA Extraction and Creature Feature
  Designed synthetic biology kits for lending to middle school teachers
  Tested the kits with students
  CMU Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day (April 24)
  Environmental Charter School Outreach (June 11)
  SAMS (July 3)
  Sciencepalooza (July 31)
  Science Scavenger Hunt (July 18)
  Pittsburgh Public School Professional Development (August 20)
  
  Awareness
  TechBio and SysBio presentation with Pitt iGEM (July 11)
  SRI presentation at CMU (July 11)
  Science Scavenger Hunt (July 18)