1
|
Gill H, Ahsan M, Khalil Y, Feng V, Pearce J, Sharma T, Radwan M, Boucinha A, Kærn M. The BioExperience Research and Entrepreneurship Challenge: An iGEM-inspired applied research program for BIOSTEM talent and skills development. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1046723. [DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1046723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-secondary education is falling behind in delivering the talent and skills development needed to support the growth of biology-based economies and the demands of professional and research-based graduate degree programs. Here, we describe an applied research program, the BioExperience Research and Entrepreneurship Challenge, launched in May 2020 to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate experiential learning programs at the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The program provided undergraduates with meaningful talent and skills development opportunities by implementing a student-centred, project-based learning approach inspired by the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition. We present evidence from participant exit surveys suggesting that the program delivers a high-quality learning environment and improves learning outcomes compared to traditional work-integrated learning. Notably, 84% of respondents reported an excellent or exceptional learning experience and significant or profound improvements in skills, such as leadership (72% of respondents), problem-solving (42% of respondents) and research preparedness (52%) that are difficult to develop in conventional academic programs. Remarkably, 60% of respondents report that the job-readiness training provided by the program is better or much better than traditional work-integrated learning. Our study demonstrates that a cost-effective and scalable alternative to the iGEM competition can improve talent and skills development in BIOSTEM fields.
Collapse
|
2
|
Gervásio J, Sampaio Y, Muniz P, Yamada C, Felicori LF. BioSin UFMG Club: Engaging a multilevel and multidisciplinary community in synthetic biology. BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION : A BIMONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 50:249-253. [PMID: 35150200 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Learning synthetic biology is often seen as a far distant possibility, restricted to those who have the privilege of an academic career. We propose a student-centered discussion group around synthetic biology, aimed at people from high school onwards with different backgrounds to interact and learn about synthetic biology. We developed a 14-week long program with three modules: "Leveling," "Introducing," and "Discussion." By completing the first two modules, the members should be more comfortable with biological names, structures, concepts, and techniques. The modules developed are available in Portuguese, Spanish, and English via the Open Lab Idea Real website (https://ideareal.org/clube-de-biologia-sintetica/) and can be used to implement the Club either in place or virtually around the world. We put it to practice at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) creating the Club named BioSin. There are programs such as the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition focused on disseminating synthetic biology. Although iGEM is one fantastic way of learning about synthetic biology, there is a high cost. Because of that, a study and discussion Club is a tool to spread knowledge and engage with the study area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Gervásio
- IdeaReal Open Laboratory, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Yala Sampaio
- IdeaReal Open Laboratory, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo Muniz
- IdeaReal Open Laboratory, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Camila Yamada
- IdeaReal Open Laboratory, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Liza F Felicori
- IdeaReal Open Laboratory, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pereira JM, Vieira M, Santos SM. Step-by-step design of proteins for small molecule interaction: A review on recent milestones. Protein Sci 2021; 30:1502-1520. [PMID: 33934427 PMCID: PMC8284594 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Protein design is the field of synthetic biology that aims at developing de novo custom-made proteins and peptides for specific applications. Despite exploring an ambitious goal, recent computational advances in both hardware and software technologies have paved the way to high-throughput screening and detailed design of novel folds and improved functionalities. Modern advances in the field of protein design for small molecule targeting are described in this review, organized in a step-by-step fashion: from the conception of a new or upgraded active binding site, to scaffold design, sequence optimization, and experimental expression of the custom protein. In each step, contemporary examples are described, and state-of-the-art software is briefly explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José M. Pereira
- CICECO & Departamento de QuímicaUniversidade de AveiroAveiroPortugal
| | - Maria Vieira
- CICECO & Departamento de QuímicaUniversidade de AveiroAveiroPortugal
| | - Sérgio M. Santos
- CICECO & Departamento de QuímicaUniversidade de AveiroAveiroPortugal
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dy AJ, Aurand ER, Friedman DC. YouTube resources for synthetic biology education. Synth Biol (Oxf) 2020; 4:ysz022. [PMID: 32995544 PMCID: PMC7445784 DOI: 10.1093/synbio/ysz022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Online video resources have increasingly become a common way to effectively share scientific research ideas and engage viewers at many levels of interest or expertise. While synthetic biology is a comparatively young field, it has accumulated online videos across a spectrum of content and technical depth. Such video content can be used to introduce viewers to synthetic biology, supplement college course content, teach new lab skills and entertain. Here, we compile online videos concerning synthetic biology into public YouTube playlists tailored for six different, though potentially overlapping, audiences: those wanting an introduction to synthetic biology, those wanting to get quick overviews of specific topics within synthetic biology, those wanting teaching or public lectures, those wanting more technical research lectures, those wanting to learn lab protocols and those interested in the International Genetically Engineered Machine competition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Dy
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Emily R Aurand
- Engineering Biology Research Consortium, 5885 Hollis Street, 4th Floor, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| | - Douglas C Friedman
- Engineering Biology Research Consortium, 5885 Hollis Street, 4th Floor, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nadra AD, Rodríguez PE, Grunberg R, Olalde LG, Sánchez IE. Developing synthetic biology in Argentina: the Latin American TECNOx community as an alternative way for growth of the field. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2020; 40:357-364. [PMID: 32075446 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2020.1712322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic biology emerged in the USA and Europe twenty years ago and quickly developed innovative research and technology as a result of continued funding. Synthetic biology is also growing in many developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America, where it could have a large economic impact by helping its use of genetic biodiversity in order to boost existing industries. Starting in 2011, Argentine synthetic biology developed along an idiosyncratic path. In 2011-2012, the main focus was not exclusively research but also on community building through teaching and participation in iGEM, following the template of the early "MIT school" of synthetic biology. In 2013-2015, activities diversified and included society-centered projects, social science studies on synthetic biology and bioart. Standard research outputs such as articles and industrial applications helped consolidate several academic working groups. Since 2016, the lack of a critical mass of researchers and a funding crisis were partially compensated by establishing links with Latin American synthetic biologists and with other socially oriented open technology collectives. The TECNOx community is a central node in this growing research and technology network. The first four annual TECNOx meetings brought together synthetic biologists with other open science and engineering platforms and explored the relationship of Latin American technologies with entrepreneurship, open hardware, ethics and human rights. In sum, the socioeconomic context encouraged Latin American synthetic biology to develop in a meandering and diversifying manner. This revealed alternative ways for growth of the field that may be relevant to other developing countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro D Nadra
- Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo E Rodríguez
- Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Investigaciones "Gino Germani", Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Raik Grunberg
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Laura G Olalde
- Protein Physiology Laboratory, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ignacio E Sánchez
- Protein Physiology Laboratory, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hallinan JS, Wipat A, Kitney R, Woods S, Taylor K, Goñi‐Moreno A. Future‐proofing synthetic biology: educating the next generation. ENGINEERING BIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1049/enb.2019.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anil Wipat
- School of ComputingNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Richard Kitney
- Department of BioengineeringImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Simon Woods
- Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences (PEALS) Research CentreNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Ken Taylor
- Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences (PEALS) Research CentreNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | | |
Collapse
|