The SPS iGEM Team of 2015 hosted a genetic engineering workshop for students from the Faculty of Science on 5th August 2015, in the Active Learning Room and the SPS Wet Lab. The workshop aimed to equip science students with an understanding of both the techniques of synthetic biology, and its risks and rewards. Participants were given the opportunity to be immersed in both the theoretical and wet lab components of synthetic biology.

◄ Yun Ting going through the typical workflow of a genetic engineering process with the workshop participants

Students were first guided through the concepts of genetic engineering, and the available wet lab tools and techniques used. After some light refreshments, they then got a chance to try their hands at designing their very own gene vectors with a fun set of theoretical puzzles.

Participants actively engaged in trying to solve various puzzles and challenges with the assistance of the workshop faciliators

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After lunch, the participants performed Fusion PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and performed bacterial transformation in the SPS Wet Lab. They also had a look at green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressed in E. coli, as an example of one of the methods that are commonly used to quantify protein expression.

▲ Participants hard at work in the laboratory

All in all, both the workshop participants and facilitators spent an enjoyable day both learning and sharing about genetic engineering. The SPS iGEM Team of 2015 would like to thank all participants for spending their day with us! We would also like to thank Science Dean’s Office for their kind sponsorship, as well as the SPS staff and SPS community for their support.