High School Student Shadowing

We had the opportunity to make a meaningful impact when a high school student reached out to us for advice on starting an iGEM team and succeeding in the high school division. We welcomed her into our lab to shadow our team, allowing her to sit in on our wet lab debrief meetings, observe our experiments, and attend dry lab and wiki work sessions. Although safety precautions limited her participation in our wet lab experiments, we organized hands-on activities, such as a micropipetting practice, to help her learn essential lab skills.

Alice, a student from Fort Hamilton High School, shared her inspiring experience: “I started to set my feet in the STEM field in my sophomore year, where I took my first science AP course. It changed my values a lot and motivated me to become a researcher/engineer in the scientific world. My time with the iGEM team was really great, even though it was not very long. I learned so much I had never encountered before, and the team was friendly and willing to teach me. This experience changed my perspective on teamwork; I began to see that collaboration can be valuable. As school started this year, I’ve become more open to working with others and trusting my teammates. Most importantly, this experience made me declare my interest in biology and my future goal of becoming a chemical-biological engineer.”

Inspired by her time with us, Alice plans to start her own iGEM team in the high school division, reflecting the lasting impact of our mentorship.

Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program Collaborations

07/22/2024 Presentation
The Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (C-STEP) is a State Education Department initiative aimed at students pursuing careers in law, mathematics, science, technology, and health-related fields. Participants in this program engage in a summer on-campus experience focused on academic enrichment and earning credits before their freshman year.

Recently, the Stony Brook iGEM team had the opportunity to connect with 25 students of the 2024 cohort to share our project objectives, current research, and insights into iGEM and synthetic biology. We discussed ways to get involved in campus research and offered tips for succeeding in a STEM major during their first semester. Additionally, we conducted a lab tour and encouraged students to ask questions.

The presentation was a resounding success, with students actively participating and expressing interest in joining our team in the future. We were thrilled to see their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn more, highlighting the impact of our outreach efforts on inspiring the next generation of scientists!

CSTEP Lab Tour Presentation

C-STEP Match Program Presentation

Following our successful initial presentation, the positive feedback from the students highlighted their enthusiasm for our work and we are thrilled to be invited to speak at the C-STEP Match Program. During our upcoming presentation, we will focus on how students can enhance their involvement in STEM research and secure internships or job opportunities. We plan to share our personal research experiences, industry insights, and details about the various offerings within our department, such as scholarships and research opportunities. We are eager to continue inspiring and supporting these motivated students on their STEM journey!

Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities

Summer Symposium

We participated in the 2024 URECA Symposium, an annual undergraduate conference at Stony Brook University organized by the URECA program, where we presented our project alongside over 100 other undergraduate researchers. Our presentation reached more than 75 students and 25 researchers and faculty members, including the Stony Brook University Provost and other influential administrators and stakeholders. At the symposium, we showcased our research to a diverse audience of scholars, faculty, and researchers, receiving valuable feedback from individuals across various fields such as physics, engineering, biochemistry, environmental science, and mathematics. We displayed two separate posters—one focusing on the dry lab aspects and the other on the wet lab components. During the showcase, we discussed the significance and results of our project and we also highlighted our experience as an iGEM team and the implications of our biosensor, illustrating the impact of our work within the broader research community.

URECA Dry Lab Poster URECA Wet Lab Poster

Jamburrito (Mini Jamboree)

Our iGEM team had the incredible opportunity to host a mini-jamboree, connecting with 13 talented teams from around the world, each showcasing their innovative synthetic biology research projects. During this collaborative meet-up, with over 40 attendees, including students and researchers, participants presented their research, received valuable feedback from industry experts, and exchanged ideas with fellow iGEM teams. We were honored to have Dr. Simon d’Oelsnitz, a Stony Brook alum and former iGEM team member now at Harvard Medical School, as our keynote speaker. Additionally, researchers from Stony Brook, including Dr. John Peter Gergen, Dr. Gabor Balazsi, Dr. Kathryn Gunn, Dr. Joshua Rest, Dr. Stuti Sharma, and Melanie Cragan, provided feedback across various areas of expertise, such as biochemistry, biomedical engineering, and ecology.

To maximize the feedback opportunities, we organized teams into three breakout rooms based on their projects: RNA technologies and regulation, environmental issues, and biosensors and endocrine-disrupting compounds. We had 12 teams present their projects: Ionis, McGill, Oneonta, Ioannina, Northeastern, Lund, UMichigan, KCIS Xiugang Taipei, DTU Denmark, Latvia, Tec deMonterrey, and Empire NYC. The UMass team reached out to us on Instagram as a first-year team because they were interested in learning more about the kinds of projects an iGEM team has, so we had them going to different breakout rooms to see the variety of projects! They told us this experience demystified a lot about project development for them, and we are happy to be a part of their team’s beginnings! Following our Jamburrito, we received enthusiastic responses from both students and researchers, who expressed amazement at the insightful discussions the event brought on.

Jamburrito Presentation

Week of Welcome Event - Intro to Synthetic Biology Research

We partnered with the Student Engagement and Activities office as well as the New Student and Transition Programs at Stony Brook University to host an event for the incoming freshman class of 2028 during the Week of Welcome, which occurs the week before classes begin to introduce new students to various organizations on campus. On August 25th, 2024, we presented our research goals and implications, discussing the exciting field of synthetic biology and the iGEM initiative. We also provided information about the application process for joining the Stony Brook iGEM 2025 team, helping to engage and inspire the next generation of researchers.

In order to engage the students, we organized wet lab and dry lab activities. We prepared petri dishes with jello to mimic agar and provided toothpicks as inoculation sticks. The students were able to “streak” their “bacteria plates” and learn about this common lab practice. They were very curious about how this translates to working in the lab, so we emphasized how to avoid breaking through the “agar” and rotating their plates in a quadrant method! For dry lab, the students were able to visualize protein folding in AlphaFold. We showed and had them search and access protein files in a database, download a PDB file, and upload it to AlphaFold to see the 3D structure.

WOW Presentation

Biomedical Engineering Lecture Presentation

On September 11th, we gave a presentation to approximately 100 freshmen in the Biomedical Engineering Program during BME 100: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, a required class for BME majors at Stony Brook University. This presentation focused on our 2024 project as well as on iGEM itself, covering its mission, team structure, and the application process. Presenting to this group was particularly relevant, as one of the BME specializations is “cellular and molecular engineering,” which encompasses genetic engineering and bioinformatics. After the presentation, several students approached us to learn more about our specific project and reached out via email to inquire about the application process. We emphasized that joining iGEM could provide a valuable first research experience for freshmen and potentially influence their future careers in the biotechnology industry

Lecture Presentation

7/1 Mets Blood Drive

We collaborated with the New York Blood Center at the Stony Brook Hospital for the July blood drive. We handed out brochures about our project and we mobilized people to donate blood with the incentive of free Mets shirts in collaboration with the Student Blood Drive Committee. The New York Blood Center staff successfully collected 33 units of blood, demonstrating our community's commitment to helping those in need while commemorating the lives lost on that fateful day.

9/11 Blood Drive

Lymphomas are among the conditions covered due to exposure to the dangerous conditions following the 9/11 tragedy (“Covered Conditions - WTC Health Program). Stony Brook University is particularly impacted by this event, with 21 alumni having lost their lives that day, some of whom were in the Undergraduate Biology department. In commemoration of this significant tragedy, we collaborated with the Student Blood Drive Committee to host the annual 9/11 Blood Drive. This year, 314 students and faculty members took time out of their day to walk through the Student Union ballroom doors and donate blood. The projected goal was 275 units, and the New York Blood Center staff successfully collected 277 units, demonstrating our community's commitment to helping those in need while commemorating the lives lost on that fateful day.

Throughout the event, we set up a table with brochures and had a team member available to answer questions about iGEM and our project’s connection to lymphoma. We provided information on how students can get involved and make a meaningful difference for cancer patients. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the impact of research in the field and inspire participants to consider their role in advancing cancer treatments whether through blood donation or a more active role.

Covered Conditions - WTC Health Program. (2023, December 20). www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/conditions.html

Bioengineering Conference

Our iGEM research team recently launched a four-day bioengineering conference designed for high school students and college freshmen, aimed at growing interest in synthetic biology and providing valuable research insights.

DAY 1 (09/14/2024) - Introduction

The conference kicked off with an introduction to synthetic biology and its impact on daily life, presented by the iGEM team. Following this, the Director of Undergraduate biology, Dr. Gergen, led a panel discussion on the fundamentals of research, moderated by members of the iGEM team. Team members shared their experiences with high school research, ending in a lively Q&A session where participants engaged with the speakers and explored various topics in more depth.

Day 1 Presentation

DAY 2 (09/21/2024) - Intro to Dry Lab

On the second day, we focused on dry lab techniques. The session began with an introduction to dry lab methodologies, including MATLAB and ordinary differential equations (ODEs), presented by our Dry Lab Leader. This was followed by a panel discussion that allowed attendees to gain insights into practical applications and research experiences. We wrapped up the day with a Q&A session, providing an opportunity for students to clarify any concepts and ask further questions.

Day 2 Presentation

DAY 3 (09/28/2024) - Wet Lab Crash Course

The third day provided a crash course in wet lab techniques, starting with an introductory session led by our Wet Lab team. Participants engaged with a panel discussion featuring our Wet Lab Leader. The day concluded with another Q&A session, allowing attendees to delve deeper into the techniques discussed and gain a better understanding of laboratory practices.

Day 3 Presentation

DAY 4 (10/05/2024) - Our Project: Micronaut

On the final day, we will present our project in depth which students will be able to have a good grasp on based on the introduction to dry lab and wet lab from previous days. This will be followed by a Q&A session where participants can inquire about our findings and methodologies. The conference will wrap up with certificates awarded to all 25+ attendees as well as a showcase of different projects that will be featured in Paris from fellow iGEM teams.

Throughout this conference, we aim to inspire the next generation of scientists, providing them with a solid foundation in bioengineering research.

National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Collaborations

NMDP Unite Event

Our iGEM team recently collaborated with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) at their Unite event in Brooklyn, which attracted over 300 attendees. This event provided us with an opportunity to educate the public about NMDP’s mission of promoting blood marrow donation and raising awareness about blood cancers. We distributed flyers about our 2024 project, engaged in conversations with attendees about blood cancer research, and connected with physicians affiliated with NMDP. Additionally, we facilitated the addition of individuals from our campus community to the NMDP blood marrow registry during various events, all while educating them about our project. This collaboration not only helped to raise awareness about critical health issues but also strengthened our commitment to community outreach and engagement.

CommUniversity Day

CommUniversity Day aims to showcase the different facts of the campus community through “Neighborhoods” about music, medicine, studio arts, engineering, and more. This free and public event amasses hundreds of individuals - students, families, faculty, and more!

We hosted a table at the event where we showcased our wet lab and dry lab posters. Over 150 students and community members came to our table and were able to learn about B-cell lymphoma and the need for a faster diagnosis system.

Blood Cancer Awareness Month

Our iGEM team collaborated with the Stony Brook University Campus Residences Resident Assistants to host an event in recognition of Blood Cancer Awareness Month. This event was held in partnership with the Stony Brook Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the National Marrow Donor Program, and the Student Blood Drive Committee. During the event, we distributed brochures about our project and explained the connections between synthetic biology and cancer diagnoses. Additionally, we conducted “street interviews” to gain insight into the public’s understanding of synthetic biology and B-cell lymphoma. We had over 104 participants. This collaboration not only raised awareness about blood cancers but also fostered important discussions about the role of research in addressing these critical health issues.

Stony Brook Young Investigators Review (YIR) Journal Article

The Stony Brook Young Investigators Review is a scholarly journal for undergraduate researchers to showcase their work, create a forum for students, and make science more accessible. The journal highlights research from both faculty and undergraduates.

We are currently working on writing a paper to be showcased in their journal for this school year. Our paper will highlight our work with building a miRNA-based detection system and miRNA heat shock into bacteria.

https://sbyireview.com/

SBU iGEM x KCIS Xiugang Taipei Postcard Translations Collab

Our team collaborated with the KCIS Xiugang Taipei iGEM team on translating their postcards into other languages including Arabic, French, Korean, and Urdu. The purpose of this initiative is to ensure that the postcard is inclusive and accessible to multiple regions of the world.

SBU iGEM x McMaster iGEM Sticker Book Collab

In an exciting collaboration with McMaster iGEM, we designed a synthetic biology sticker for our parts collection award, aimed at engaging young children in the world of synthetic biology. This fun sticker was sent to McMaster to be featured in their upcoming sticker book project. By combining our efforts, we hope to inspire curiosity and creativity in the next generation of scientists, making complex concepts more accessible and fun through engaging visuals.

Synthetic Biology Procedure Video

Our team created instructional videos on key procedures in our project. We hope that documenting our procedures in high quality video format with detailed commentary will allow for future teams and even people outside of iGEM to to follow these procedures with ease.

Plasmid Miniprep Procedure:

Bacterial Culture Inoculation Procedure: