IGEM

BIO-510 / 12 credits

Teacher: McCabe Brian Donal

Language: English

Withdrawal: It is not allowed to withdraw from this subject after the registration deadline.

Remark: Only a limited number of students will be selected based on their application file (max. 12). Participants of iGEM team will register on IS-Academia in BA6/MA3

Summary

An interdisciplinary EPFL student team will design and build genetic circuits with novel functionalities. Students learn to develop a project and carry it out to completion in a concrete manner. Their creativity and critical thinking are highly encouraged.

Content

The first part of the course consists of a broad introduction to genetic engineering, synthetic biology, computational biology, and related fields. During this time, students will brainstorm potential projects, from which one will be selected. The team will then model and ultimately build the proposed genetically engineered machine in the wet-lab portion of the project during the summer. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the course, students with a wide variety of backgrounds will constitute the team and therefore facilitate information and knowledge exchange amongst team members.
A purely bioinformatic iGEM track is also available, generating the possibility to have a second, smaller team work solely on computational and bioinformatic aspects of genetic engineering either as a stand-alone team or in conjunction with the applied project.

 

Important remark: Only a limited number of spots will be available each year and we expect a highly competitive process for selecting team participants.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Discuss the definition of synthetic biology and how this discipline enables the engineering of biological systems
  • Develop a project/idea and generate a roadmap on how to execute this project
  • Conduct independent experiments in a research lab
  • Organize themselves to finish a research project
  • Present and defend a research project in front of a panel of international judges
  • Operate in a multidisciplinary group having acquired both leadership and team spirit-oriented skills
  • Assess / Evaluate the progress and outcome of a research project and to contribute to this project in creative fashion
  • Discuss the societal implications of synthetic biology, clarifying its pros and cons

Transversal skills

  • Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
  • Set objectives and design an action plan to reach those objectives.
  • Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
  • Give feedback (critique) in an appropriate fashion.
  • Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
  • Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
  • Make an oral presentation.
  • Write a scientific or technical report.

Assessment methods

Written report and oral presentation.

In the programs

  • Semester: Fall
  • Number of places: 12
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: IGEM
  • Courses: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Project: 6 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Number of places: 12
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: IGEM
  • Courses: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Project: 6 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

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