Difference between revisions of "Team:Michigan Software/Description"
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<h1> Project Description </h1> | <h1> Project Description </h1> | ||
<h2>The Problem</h2> | <h2>The Problem</h2> | ||
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At is core, synthetic biology is the practice of genetically engineering novel organisms to perform a particular function. However, <a href="https://peerj.com/articles/148">recent review studies</a> estimate only 10-25% of published scientific results are reproducible. A <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Michigan_Software/Project#Description">2014 survey</a> conducted by the University of Michigan Biological Software Team confirmed that the repeatability problem exists in synthetic biology, with <em>every scientist surveyed reporting prior struggles with replicating protocols.</em> The majority of these scientists indicate <em>unclear language and missing steps</em> are the greatest contributors to the irreproducibility of synthetic biology protocols. ProtoCat is designed to address both of these issues by making it easier for scientists to share troubleshooting techniques and submit edits to existing protocols. </p> | At is core, synthetic biology is the practice of genetically engineering novel organisms to perform a particular function. However, <a href="https://peerj.com/articles/148">recent review studies</a> estimate only 10-25% of published scientific results are reproducible. A <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Michigan_Software/Project#Description">2014 survey</a> conducted by the University of Michigan Biological Software Team confirmed that the repeatability problem exists in synthetic biology, with <em>every scientist surveyed reporting prior struggles with replicating protocols.</em> The majority of these scientists indicate <em>unclear language and missing steps</em> are the greatest contributors to the irreproducibility of synthetic biology protocols. ProtoCat is designed to address both of these issues by making it easier for scientists to share troubleshooting techniques and submit edits to existing protocols. </p> | ||
<h2>The Solution</h2> | <h2>The Solution</h2> | ||
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− | Every respondent indicated that they would use a database to browse and download protocols, with over 85% indicating that they would upload and maintain their own protocols if such a site existed. ProtoCat is a free database of crowd sourced protocols designed to make existing protocols more repeatable and enable more accurate computational models of biological systems. We believe this can most efficiently be accomplished with a commitment to open source protocols and a broader more active community of digital troubleshooters. ProtoCat works to establish such a community by giving anyone with an internet connection or smartphone access to a repository of synthetic biology protocols collected from all over the world. Additionally, ProtoCat encourages the development of higher quality, more repeatable protocols by allowing users to document trails, rate, review, and edit existing methods, and easily locate related protocols. </p> | + | Every respondent indicated that they would use a database to browse and download protocols, <em>with over 85% indicating that they would upload and maintain their own protocols if such a site existed</em>. ProtoCat is a free database of crowd sourced protocols designed to make existing protocols more repeatable and enable more accurate computational models of biological systems. We believe this can most efficiently be accomplished with a commitment to open source protocols and a broader more active community of digital troubleshooters. ProtoCat works to establish such a community by giving anyone with an internet connection or smartphone access to a repository of synthetic biology protocols collected from all over the world. Additionally, ProtoCat encourages the development of higher quality, more repeatable protocols by allowing users to document trails, rate, review, and edit existing methods, and easily locate related protocols. </p> |
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<h5>What should this page contain?</h5> | <h5>What should this page contain?</h5> | ||
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Revision as of 20:54, 10 September 2015
Project Description
The Problem
At is core, synthetic biology is the practice of genetically engineering novel organisms to perform a particular function. However, recent review studies estimate only 10-25% of published scientific results are reproducible. A 2014 survey conducted by the University of Michigan Biological Software Team confirmed that the repeatability problem exists in synthetic biology, with every scientist surveyed reporting prior struggles with replicating protocols. The majority of these scientists indicate unclear language and missing steps are the greatest contributors to the irreproducibility of synthetic biology protocols. ProtoCat is designed to address both of these issues by making it easier for scientists to share troubleshooting techniques and submit edits to existing protocols.
The Solution
Every respondent indicated that they would use a database to browse and download protocols, with over 85% indicating that they would upload and maintain their own protocols if such a site existed. ProtoCat is a free database of crowd sourced protocols designed to make existing protocols more repeatable and enable more accurate computational models of biological systems. We believe this can most efficiently be accomplished with a commitment to open source protocols and a broader more active community of digital troubleshooters. ProtoCat works to establish such a community by giving anyone with an internet connection or smartphone access to a repository of synthetic biology protocols collected from all over the world. Additionally, ProtoCat encourages the development of higher quality, more repeatable protocols by allowing users to document trails, rate, review, and edit existing methods, and easily locate related protocols.
What should this page contain?
- A clear and concise description of your project.
- A detailed explanation of why your team chose to work on this particular project.
- References and sources to document your research.
- Use illustrations and other visual resources to explain your project.
Judges like to read your wiki and know exactly what you have achieved. This is how you should think about these sections; from the point of view of the judge evaluating you at the end of the year.