Best Place To BuildThis team manipulates genes to create LIFE from SCRATCH!? | BP2B: Student Edition! Ep.02
CHAPTERS
Why synthetic biology matters: making medicines on Mars
The episode opens with a bold example of synthetic biology’s promise: producing essential drugs in extreme or remote environments like a future Mars colony. The idea sets the tone for iGEM’s focus on solving real-world problems with engineered biology.
- •Space biomanufacturing as a solution to expensive space logistics
- •Goal of producing medicines locally in Martian-like conditions
- •Example mentioned: paracetamol production using algae
- •Synthetic biology framed as practical, not just theoretical science
Meet Team iGEM IIT Madras and the iGEM competition
Vidhi introduces Team iGEM, IIT Madras, and asks what iGEM actually is. The team explains iGEM as an international synthetic biology competition where students design projects to address real problems.
- •iGEM = International Genetically Engineered Machine
- •Annual global competition (noted as happening in Paris)
- •Teams are undergrad/postgrad and problem-solve with synthetic biology
- •IIT Madras highlighted as one of few Indian institutes with an iGEM team
Synthetic biology explained with a real-world example (insulin)
The conversation clarifies synthetic biology as engineering-driven genetic engineering: treating cells like systems that can be programmed. Insulin production in engineered bacteria is used to make the concept concrete and correct common misconceptions.
- •Synthetic biology applies an engineer’s mindset to genetic engineering
- •Bacteria can be engineered with genes/circuits to produce desired outputs
- •Insulin example: gene inserted into E. coli to manufacture insulin
- •Important clarification: bacteria produce insulin in lab; insulin is extracted and processed (not injected bacteria)
How iGEM projects are chosen: freedom, research, and stakeholders
The team describes how iGEM doesn’t assign a fixed prompt; instead, students define the problem and solution each year. They rely on literature review and stakeholder conversations to identify worthwhile challenges.
- •iGEM provides broad freedom in selecting problem statements
- •Annual cycle: new project each year
- •Process includes literature research and stakeholder outreach
- •Aim is to find meaningful, solvable problems using synthetic biology
Orientation and recruitment: who can join and what skills matter
Karthik explains the purpose and design of their orientation—bringing newcomers up to speed and attracting future team members. Emphasis is placed on enthusiasm and interdisciplinarity rather than prior biology expertise.
- •Orientation introduces synthetic biology and ongoing iGEM work
- •Target audience includes freshers and early-year undergrads
- •No requirement for strong biology background; enthusiasm is key
- •Interdisciplinary roles encouraged across departments
Interdisciplinary roles beyond biotech: dry lab, WebOps, media, and HP
The team outlines how iGEM work spans wet lab experiments, computational modeling, software, wiki/web development, media, and human practices. This breadth enables students with diverse skills to contribute meaningfully.
- •Dry lab/modeling and software contributions are central
- •WebOps builds the iGEM wiki as a major deliverable
- •Media and communication roles support outreach and storytelling
- •Human practices (HP) and outreach integrated into the team’s mission
Inside the lab space: facilities, mentoring, and the recruitment pipeline
After the orientation, Vidhi visits the biotech lab where iGEM members work and discusses next steps. The team explains applications come later, and that multiple labs and faculty mentors support their experimental work.
- •Orientation turnout noted as strong (58+ attendees)
- •Applications are planned after groundwork and project direction solidify
- •Primary lab used for key work (e.g., cell culture) plus additional labs
- •Faculty and PhD students guide protocols and training
The 2025 project: gene regulation using epigenetics and CRISPR-dCas
Karthik introduces the current project focus: controlling gene expression to increase production of proteins and valuable compounds. The approach uses epigenetic methylation targeted by a CRISPR-dCas system to modulate expression without changing the DNA sequence directly.
- •Central concept: DNA → RNA → protein, and boosting protein output
- •Gene regulation as a path to higher enzyme/metabolite production
- •Epigenetics described as adding methylation marks rather than editing sequence
- •Proposed system: CRISPR-dCas targeting + methylation-related component (DMT) to mark sites
Why methylation changes expression: transcription factors and production scaling
The episode explains how methylation can influence DNA structure and binding behavior, affecting transcription and downstream protein levels. The team connects this mechanism to biomanufacturing use cases—scaling enzymes and metabolites for therapeutics and industry.
- •Methylation as a regulatory marker that can affect transcription factor binding
- •Higher transcription can lead to more RNA and more protein
- •Applications: mass-producing enzymes, metabolites, and therapeutic compounds
- •Goal is an extensible system: engineer + overexpress pathways for higher yield
Hands-on molecular biology: bacterial transformation step-by-step
Wet lab member Skanda walks through bacterial transformation—introducing circular DNA (plasmids) into bacteria. He tours core lab equipment and explains the workflow from sterile handling to heat shock, recovery, plating, and colony formation.
- •Transformation defined: introducing plasmid DNA into bacteria
- •Laminar airflow hood for sterile handling (filters/UV)
- •Competency induction with salts and cold conditions; heat shock (ice → 42°C → ice)
- •Recovery in LB broth, incubation, plating on agar, overnight growth into colonies
What lab work really looks like: timing constraints and iteration
Skanda notes the practical realities of wet lab work: strict time points, late hours, and repeated procedures. The segment emphasizes that engineering biology involves careful process control, not just “inserting genes.”
- •Experiments require precise timing and repeated monitoring
- •Bacteria undergo stress during transformation and need recovery steps
- •Overnight incubations and scheduled transfers drive “odd hours” work
- •Wet lab work is routine-intensive but foundational to genetic engineering
How the team is structured and funded: wet lab, dry lab, WebOps, sponsorship
Aldes explains the team’s functional structure: experimental, computational, and communication arms working in parallel. Funding is largely secured through corporate sponsorship, which supports lab work and competition fees.
- •Team divisions: wet lab, computational/dry lab, WebOps
- •Modeling helps simulate systems before/alongside experiments
- •~30 members total, with approximate distribution across subteams
- •Funding model: corporate sponsorship; title sponsor mentioned: AstraZeneca
Careers and future frontiers: organ-on-a-chip, AI-driven biology, and ethics
The closing discussion explores what iGEM leads to: research, consulting, software, and interdisciplinary fields like organ-on-a-chip. The team highlights AI/computation as the next major accelerator and ends with a candid discussion of biosafety, dual-use risks, and responsible publication.
- •Common pathways: biotech research, consulting, software development
- •Interdisciplinary future: organ-on-a-chip blending mech eng + molecular biology
- •Next frontier framed as AI/computation reducing experimental burden via simulation
- •Ethics: containment and biosafety, dual-use/bioterror concerns, and choosing not to publish risky work
