(r24) The University of Texas at Austin

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---+!! The University of Texas at Austin :: iGEM Team

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---++ What is synthetic biology? What is iGEM? 

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| <a href="http://www.nature.com/nature/comics/syntheticbiologycomic/index.html"><img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/Adventures_Comic_Cover.jpg" height='150' style="border-color: black;  border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;"></a> | "<b>Synthetic biology</b> is the design and construction of biological devices and systems for useful purposes." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;–[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_biology][Wikipedia page]] <p> For a flavor of what synthetic biology is like, check out the [[http://www.nature.com/nature/comics/syntheticbiologycomic/index.html][Adventures in Synthetic Biology]] comic. |

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| <a href="http://igem.org/About"><img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/IGEM_official_logo.png" height='150' style="border-color: black;  border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;"></a> | "The International Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) is the premiere undergraduate Synthetic Biology competition. Student teams are given a kit of biological parts at the beginning of the summer from the Registry of Standard Biological Parts. Working at their own schools over the summer, they use these parts and new parts of their own design to build biological systems and operate them in living cells." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;–[[http://igem.org/About][iGEM Foundation]] |

---++ Past UT Austin iGEM Team Projects

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|  <a href="http://2015.igem.org/Team:Austin_UTexas"><img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/2015_project.png" alt="2015_project.png" width='150' height='150' style="border-color: black;  border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" \></a> %BR%  [[http://2015.igem.org/Team:Austin_UTexas][2015 iGEM Team]] %BR% *Breaking is Bad*  |  <a href="http://2014.igem.org/Team:Austin_Texas"><img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/2014_project.png" alt="2014_project.png" width='150' height='150' style="border-color: black;  border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" \></a> %BR%  [[http://2014.igem.org/Team:Austin_Texas][2014 iGEM Team]] %BR% *GC Expansion Pack*  |  <a href="http://2013.igem.org/Team:Greensboro-Austin"><img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/2013_project.png" alt="2012_project.png" width='150' height='150' style="border-color: black;  border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" \></a> %BR%  [[http://2013.igem.org/Team:Greensboro-Austin][2013 iGEM Team]] %BR% *MAPs and Bioscrubber*  |  <a href="http://2012.igem.org/Team:Austin_Texas"><img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/2012_project.png" alt="2012_project.png" width='150' height='150' style="border-color: black;  border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" \></a> %BR%  [[http://2012.igem.org/Team:Austin_Texas][2012 iGEM Team]] %BR% *Decaffeination*  |
|  <a href="http://2006.igem.org/wiki/index.php/University_of_Texas_2006"><img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/2006_project.jpg" alt="2006_project.jpg" width='150' height='150' style="border-color: black;  border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" \></a> %BR%  [[http://2006.igem.org/wiki/index.php/University_of_Texas_2006][2006 iGEM Team]] %BR% *Edge Detector*  |  <a href="http://2006.igem.org/wiki/index.php/UT_Austin_2005"><img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/2005_project.jpg" alt="2005_project.jpg" width='150' height='150' style="border-color: black;  border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" \></a> %BR%  [[http://2006.igem.org/wiki/index.php/UT_Austin_2005][2005 iGEM Team]] %BR% *Edge Detector*  |  <a href="http://2004.igem.org/austin.cgi"><img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/2004_project.jpg" alt="2004_project.jpg" width='150' height='150' style="border-color: black;  border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;" \></a> %BR% [[http://2004.igem.org/austin.cgi][2004 iGEM Team]] %BR% *Bacterial Photography*  | |

---++ Here for images from SXSW Create 2015?

<img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/agar-plate-rainbow.png" width=220 height=110 style="border-color: black;  border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;">

[[https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8qRp16Kz5ngfld4cjdrY3NrNEhzekRNOHVVNTZHakMyeENoODBjV3BEZDJ3SF9yYkt5Wk0&authuser=0][<font size=4>Click here for the full gallery!</font><p><img src="%ATTACHURLPATH%/SXSW_Create_2015_Plate_Pictures.png" style="border-color: black; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;">]]

Can't remember what your plate number was? [[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1if69lLjFELnE8F2qgaOqE9MznuoEHftAVm8w3F0buCk/edit?usp=sharing][Here's the list.]]

---++ Interested in joining the *2016* iGEM Team?

<!-- %ICON{external}% [[http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sa/vieworgs.php?org=5308][Official UT Austin Student Organization webpage]] -->

<img src="http://2015.igem.org/wiki/images/b/b8/Austin_UTexas_and_LASATX_picture.jpeg" width='711' height='400'style="border-color: black; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px;">
%BR% _2015 iGEM team at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston during the 2015 Jamboree_


---+++ Expectations for Members of the Team
   1 *Previous experience*
      * It is expected that new iGEM team members will have previous research experience in a field such as: biology, molecular biology, chemistry, engineering, computer science, programming, phsyics, math, etc....  Many members have participated in the Freshmen Research Initiative (FRI) here at UT or previously worked in a research lab on campus.  Previous research experience is not an absolute requirement for highly motivated students.
      * *We encourage non-biologists to apply*. Many of the most successful and interesting iGEM projects of all time have had contributions from computer scientists, physicists, mathematicians, game programmers, graphic designers, visual artists... This year we are particularly interested in recruiting students with programming and artistic backgrounds.
   1 *Spring: Weekly Discussion Meetings on Synthetic Biology*
      * In the past, new students were required to participate in the synthetic biology seminar course taught by Professor Barrick and Clinical Professor Dennis Mishler.  However, this course will not be offered in 2016.  Instead, you will attend weekly meetings examining the field of synthetic biology: discussing important papers, presenting past winning iGEM projects, and working as part of a group to propose an iGEM-style project that the team might work on during the summer.   You will also be expected to learn the lab techniques required to conduct synthetic biology.  You will be given protocols and assistance to accomplish this during the spring semester.
      * The weekly meetings will be a mix of our 2014 course:  [[http://www.synbiocyc.org/wiki/index.php/Spring_2014_Synthetic_Biology][2014 Synthetic Biology Course]] and our spring FRI course.
      * Weekly meeting times will be scheduled at the end of 2015 and confirmed in January 2016.
      * On some weeks you will lead the discussion and present, on other weeks you will be expected to participate in lab work or discussions.
      * Participating in these meetings 
      * Attendance at these meetings is %RED%required%ENDCOLOR% to gain the necessary background for participating in the iGEM team.
   1 *Spring: Begin Research and SXSW Create*
      * Main objective is to learn techniques and perform exploratory projects under the supervision of current team members.
      * In 2014 and 2015 the UT iGEM team participated in SXSW with a research project.  We hope to participate in 2016.  All member are expected to use this as a learning experience.
      * Write research proposals and apply for summer funding/fellowships. Several [[http://cns.utexas.edu/honors/scholarships-fellowships/current-student-scholarships/research-fellowships][research fellowships]] will provide a *research stipend* for full-time work during the summer. All iGEM team members will be required to apply for funding, under the guidance of Professors Barrick and Mishler.
      * Brainstorm and find funding sources for iGEM summer work and travel to the competition. Research is not cheap, and neither are scientific conferences. Members of the iGEM team will search for local sponsors and other organizations that might help cover the costs of doing undergraduate research.  Students will be encouraged to be pro-active in searching for funds on campus or from biotech companies.
   1 *Summer: Main Work on iGEM Project*
      * Non-freshmen are expected to contribute 20+ hours of work per week for most of the summer on the iGEM project.  This can be arranged with Professor Mishler, as some students may have a summer stipend and can work more hours while other students may have a part time job or classes.
      * In the past many of the most successful students have conducted research for 40+ hours per week during the summer.
      * Most students take a 1 week break either before or while working with us over the summer.
      * It is STRONGLY recommended that students take an additional week off at the end of their summer research experience, before the start of their fall semester.  This can be in addition to any break you take while working with us during the summer.  
      * Students will be largely independent with access to UT researchers, who can provide feedback, insight and suggestions to assist your research.
      * Students will have regular small meetings with Professor Mishler and weekly team meetings with additional UT researchers.
      * If sufficient time is spent writing a proposal and working on a specific project, signing up for *research credit* for the spring, summer, or fall is possible.
      * Team members will have specific responsibilities to finish to prepare us for the fall competition, such as website construction, making figures, or powerpoint presentations.
      * As our big presentation at the Jamboree will be in October this year, much of the preparation will need to be finished by the end of August.
   1 *Fall: Prepare for and attend iGEM World Jamboree, October 27th-31st*
      * Includes creating a multimedia website and presentation describing the project.
      * Finish the iGEM-related research.
      * Selected students who have made the greatest contributions to the iGEM project will attend the competition and present the team's project. (Number depends on sponsorship of team and available resources. We have had some success with students receiving travel grants.)
      * iGEM projects may lead to work that is published in scientific journals with team members as co-authors.  This is a stated goal for both Professors Barrick and Mishler.  For an example of a past UT Austin iGEM project, check out this _ACS Synthetic Biology_ article: [[http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/sb4000146][Decaffeination and measurement of caffeine content by addicted <i>Escherichia coli</i> with a refactored <i>N</i>-demethylation operon from <i>Pseudomonas putida</i> CBB5]].

---+++ How to Apply

   * Send a resume (or CV) and a short (1-page) statement about why you are interested in synthetic biology and a possible research project.
   * Your resume/CV should include your GPA, your expected semester&year of graduation, and what science-related courses you are taking in fall 2015 and plan to take in Spring 2016.
   * As part of that 1 page statement, please refer to one of your previous research experiences and how that experience will make you a great iGEM teammate. Include at least one idea you have for a possible project or use for synthetic biology to improve society. (it doesn't necessarily have to be realistic for an iGEM project). Mail your application as a PDF to [[mailto:dennis.mishler@utexas.edu][dennis.mishler@utexas.edu]] .  You will receive an e-mail confirmation once we have begun looking at your application.
   * *DEADLINE*:  Applications are due by %RED%November 2nd, 2015%ENDCOLOR% to receive full consideration.
   *  Depending on the number and quality of applicants, we expect to be able to accommodate up to 5 new non-freshmen students.
Barrick Lab > UTiGEMTeam
Contributors to this topic
JeffreyBarrick, DennisMishler, CameronRoots
Topic revision: r24 - 2015-10-14 - 13:52:15 - Main.DennisMishler