Hacking DNA with Synthetic Biology

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Date/Time
Date(s) - Monday, September 25, 2017
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Location
Biotech Without Borders

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A 12-hour class in 4 weeknight sessions: September 25-28th – 6-9PM


What if building a new life form was as easy as Lego bricks? Synthetic biology aims to simplify genetic engineering by creating libraries of DNA ‘parts’ that can be hooked together to form biological circuits. This has the added benefit of making it accessible to everyone, not just scientists. During this hands-on class you will delve into the iGEM library of standardized DNA parts, linking them together and loading your DNA program into a bacterial cell to build and test a biosensor circuit.


It’s helpful to have basic lab skills taught in our introductory class (or equivalent). Minimum age is 13, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent.


Instructor


Dr. Ellen Jorgensen is president of Biotech Without Borders, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting science literacy and hands-on access to biotechnology.  In 2009 she cofounded Genspace, named one of the World’s Top 10 Innovative Companies in Education by Fast Company. Her efforts to promote low-cost bio-innovation are featured in Nature, Science, Discover, Wired, Make, BBC News, Dan Rather, PBS News, Discovery Channel, and The NY Times.  She has a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, spent many years in the biotechnology industry, and is faculty at Cooper Union. Her TED talks (Biohacking: You Can Do It Too and What You Need To Know About CRISPR) have received over 2M views. Fast Company named her one of their Most Creative Leaders in Business

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