Introduction to Synthetic Biology - Biohacking 101!

Synthetic Biology - described by some as "genetic engineering on steroids" - aims to turn biology into a true engineering discipline, by providing standardized parts that can be assembled effortlessly into novel genetic circuits and biochemical synthesis pathways. It stands to revolutionize our lives in the same way electronics and computers did in the 20th century.

This class will provide an introduction to the terminology, logic, and syntax of synthetic biology. This is how we can build molecular machines as sensors and manufacturers. The lecture part of the class is followed by some hands-on experience in basic molecular biology techniques. You too can pipette!

Last year, Counter Culture Lab's Real Vegan Cheese project won the top award for Best Community Labs Project at the big international iGEM synthetic biology competition. The 2015 iGEM season is starting up, and we will be forming a team and brainstorming wacky ideas soon. Come join the fun!

Alex Neckelmann is a former iGEM participant and worked in the Synthetic Biology group at the Joint Genome Institute. He is co-founder of BioLoop, one of the first synthetic biology startups that are part of the IndieBio biotech accelerator program.

"What I cannot create, I do not understand"

-- Richard Feynmann