About us
About the first Slovenian high school iGEM team
We are a high school research group composed of 8 biology and chemistry enthusiasts. As we attend 7 different secondary educational institutions across all Slovenia we are a very diverse team. We are all honoured to be the first Slovenian high school team to take part in the iGEM HS competition and face the challenges the synthetic biology poses.
''Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much''
- Helen Keller -
We joined our knowledge and experience under the supervision of the National
Institute of Chemistry Slovenia and the Chair of Biochemistry of the Faculty of
Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the University Ljubljana, who also selected
the team members among 32 applicants. For the application procedure we had to
write a personal statement about our passion for this area of research, attend an
interview and work out a thorough project design challenge.
As we are still only high school students with very little experience in synthetic
biology we could not start working on our project straight away (even though we
wanted to). Instead, we had to sit a few lessons first.
Throughout these we extended our knowledge on our field of work by learning the
basics of biotechnology, synthetic biology, lab safety and by practicing basic lab
protocols.
We carried out their wet-lab research at the Faculty of Chemistry
and Chemical Technology while the biotechnologists preformed their research at the
National Institute of Chemistry. At the same tame we held all-group meetings to
share our results and experience and work on our project thoroughly.
Team members
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Jernej ŠavliJurij Vega Grammar School IdrijaWhy are you interested in synthetic biology? My interest in synthetic biology is based on the variety of different applications it has and the
mechanisms it exploits to achieve these innovations. It uses the fundamental nature`s principles in order to
improve the quality of our lives or to help us preserve the environment.
What was your favorite part of the project?My favourite part of the project was when we were testing protein expression and for the first time
gained proof our genes in fact work.
Responsibilities: lab work |
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Zala SekneGymnasium KranjWhy are you interested in synthetic biology? I am interested in synthetic biology because of the promising improvements and facilitation of daily life situations. In synthetic biology there is still so much unknown and undiscovered and I wish to narrow that gap. The favorite part of our project was learning about genetic modification and when the first electrophoresis was done. It fascinates me that we can basically modify them in almost any way imaginable, change and cut DNA sequences. I found great passion, happiness and inspiration in chemistry and biology and synthetic biology partially combines both of the above mentioned sciences. But the crucial and the key thing is that besides all the research we do, we widen our knowledge and our horizons, search for new, alternative, better and more effective solutions for the problems, which pest the society nowadays.
What was your favorite part of the project? The favorite part of our project was learning about genetic modification and when the first
electrophoresis was done. It fascinates me that we can basically modify them in almost any way
imaginable, change and cut DNA sequences. I found great passion, happiness and inspiration in chemistry
and biology and synthetic biology partially combines both of the above mentioned sciences. But the crucial
and the key thing is that besides all the research we do, we widen our knowledge and our horizons, search
for new, alternative, better and more effective solutions for the problems, which pest the society nowadays.
Responsibilities:lab work, fundraising campaign organisation, project clip, collaboration |
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Anže VozeljGymnasium TrbovljeWhy are you interested in synthetic biology? Synthetic biology really offers countless opportunities for creating new, important
solutions.There was dramatic development of synthetic biology in last few years and therefore I can
not imagine how much can synthetic biology still give to us to improve our lives in the next years. It
is quite amazing how we can, by using synthetic biologic methods, create extensive biologic
systems.
What was your favorite part of the project? Our work was focused on genetic modification of
bacteria. I spent most of time in laboratory working with microorganisms. I enjoyed working with
bacteria, which are really very unpredictable. You simply can’t imagine how many factors have to be
satisfied for successful results. That is really the “mistery” of science work and it makes it attractive.
Responsibilities: lab work, searching for sponsors, tracking synthetic biology protocols, reaching out to public |
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Ana MilovanovićFirst Grammar School CeljeWhy are you interested in synthetic biology? Synthetic biology brings basic science to a whole new - applicative level. It's a field of science that,
one one hand, opens up a new perspective on the world, and on the other, serves as a source for solutions to
global problems of the modern world. The thing that sparks my interest the most with synthetic biology is, that it ranges in all aspects
of life; from health to environment.
What was your favorite part of the project?Maybe it sounds cliché, but what I was truly charmed by, in science and research, is that you
never know what is going to happen with your experiment if you change a parameter and what the
output is going to be. Bacteria are living creatures that act completely different from, for instance,
anorganic compounds, which are very predictable. It's the intricacy of living organisms that makes
research truly interesting and exciting!
Responsibilities: lab work, graphical design, wiki design, project clip, poster, tracking protocols |
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Domen KulovecNovo mesto Grammar SchoolWhy are you interested in synthetic biology? Ever since I was a small child I’ve been intrigued by the nature around me. That’s why I was more than happy when I was told that I'll be part of this story. This was great opportunity for me to work in more than well equipped, gain new knowledges, experiences and friendships. I didn't know that synthetic biology can be so interesting and appealing.
Responsibilities: lab work, wiki manager, searching for sponsors, reaching out to public, social media, web page, fundraising campaign promotorWhat was your favorite part of the project? My favorite part of the project was meeting new people and facing chalanges on daily level. |
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Mariša CvitaničBežigrad Grammar SchoolWhy are you interested in synthetic biology? Synthetic biology absolutely fascinates me because there is so much that could be done
using its methods! I think the whole field of synthetic biology is unbelievably promising: from
applications in medicine, pharmacy, to industry and even fuel production. Every time I think of what
else could be created my imagination blooms with ideas and this is what really makes me feel
inspired and motivates me.
What was your favorite part of the project?I would say the best part of our project was the fact that we were given the opportunity to
work under the surveillance of such amazing mentors. I enjoyed every single day in the lab
community for I am an inquirer and there was always something new to learn.
Responsibilities: lab work, photography, wiki design, reaching out to public, collaboration with other teams, planning, social media, fundraising campaign, project clip |
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Aleš ZupančičNovo mesto Grammar SchoolWhy are you interested in synthetic biology? If I had been asked about synthetic biology at the beginning of my high school career, I would have
probably tried to overcome the »words failed me« moment and do absolutely everything to hide the
fact that I don't have a single clue about it. Through years, I have come across this new, modern, and
vital science that showed me that rather than learn about biological concepts on their own trying to
apply them to a bunch of random unrealistic problems; it came like an unexpected solution that can
be directly applied to "real life" problems and situations.
What was your favorite part of the project?Working in laboratory, I have soon realized that the key for successful research is combining various
sciences and knowledge of scientists from several areas of expertise to create a
multidisciplinary research. Although our project is primary focused on synthetic biology, it
combines elements from chemistry, ecology, and chemical engineering. Only when combined
together, they can form a project that can offer a possible solution to one of the future
world's most important problems.
Responsibilities: planning, lab work |
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Nina JeralaDiocesan Classical GymnasiumWhy are you interested in synthetic biology? Because by taking parts of many different natural biological systems and standardising them, we can
make complicated processes relatively simple and efficient in solving many of the world's problems,
such as disease, pollution, and energetics.
Furthermore, it is a novel approach to learning about and understanding the natural world around
us, and what is cooler than that?
Responsibilities: lab work, planning, collaboration, reaching out to public, project clipWhat was your favorite part of the project? For me the absolute favorite part is the rush after looking at your results and realizing they were finally succesful and that the biological systems you designed are working like you want them to. There is nothing else like it. |
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Dr. Ilja Gasan Osojnik ČrnivecNational Institute of Chemistry SloveniaMentor |
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Dr. Marina KlemenčičFaculty of Chemistry and Chemical TechnologyMentor |
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Prof. Dr. Marko DolinarFaculty of Chemistry and Chemical TechnologyAdvisor |
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Prof. Dr. Albin PintarNational Institute of Chemistry SloveniaAdvisor |