Synthetic biology
Researchers and engineers in biology and other disciplines such as chemistry, biophysics and computer science are increasingly working together to build artificial biological systems for use in research, technology and biomedical applications. This is synthetic biology.
At the Department of Biosciences, a unique topic is offered over two semesters, where students from different disciplines come together to hatch and carry out synthetic biological projects. The course starts in February and ends in November with participation in the international competition iGEM (international Genetically Engineered Machines) in Boston.
Collaboration provides gold
The team can consist of students with different backgrounds, and during the spring and summer the student will learn to work across the subjects. It is an advantage with great academic breadth in the student team, and all students are welcome to apply.
The competition differs from other competitions in that the teams have to help each other to win the gold medal. This contributes to collaboration across institutions, national borders and subject areas.
Competition in synthetic biology
iGEM is an international competition in synthetic biology, held annually in Boston, USA. The University of Oslo has participated with an interdisciplinary student team every year since 2014. Professor Dirk Linke has led the student team every year. The institute has also set aside funds for a dedicated instructor, Athanasios Saragliadis, who will help students with biological programming in the laboratory. The students also receive assistance from Kirsten B. Haraldsen from the Science Library.
Last year's iGEM team from the University of Oslo made a big slam during the competition in Boston. The team won the gold medal for their contribution, as well as victory in the category "Best Diagnostic Project". This is the best result for a student team from the University of Oslo ever.
Why invest so much for so few students
Every year, only a small group of 6-10 students join the iGEM course. The Department of Biosciences nevertheless chooses to use a lot of resources on this. It started as part of a commitment to interdisciplinary teamwork and innovation, internationalization and ethical vigilance in research.
- Since iGEM has been so successful, we choose to continue our commitment and look at this as a hatchery for creativity and innovation, says the Head of Department Rein Aasland.
This is incredibly educational for both students and teachers, and we know that many of the students who have participated take their experiences with them in both the studies and since in their career. Several of the iGEM teams have taken the ideas further and establish start-up companies to develop it further in the direction of commercialization. iGEM is also a great example of creating a culture for openness and sharing of knowledge and ideas.