Team:Goettingen/Human Practice/Public and Media

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Public and Media

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View the German article about the iGEM Team Göttingen 2012 published by the daily newspaper "Göttinger Tageblatt" here or read the translated version below:

Improved flagella shall boost bacteria
05102012 6:03 pm

Twelve students of the Master´s program “Biochemistry and Microbiology” of the University Göttingen took on a big task. This autumn, they plan to assert themselves with the results of their own research project at the European „international Genetically Engineered Machine Competition“ (iGEM) in Amsterdam.
Jan Erik Schliep, who became acquainted with iGEM already during his Bachelor studies at the Technical University Munich, quickly found allies amongst his fellow students when planning to participate in the competition. The competition, hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) since 2003, awards a prize to persuasive student research projects in the field of synthetic biology. "This involves the application of biological knowledge strongly inspired by engineering", declares Schliep. Standardized biological components, partially modularly assembled, are specifically used in an entirely new context. Before the experimental work could start the usual steps, that are performed if a scientific project is set up, had to be run through. In the professors Heinz Neumann and Jörg Stülke proponents from the scientific field were found easily. The university supports the first iGEM Team of Göttingen with equipment laboratory workspaces. For the financing of consumables sponsors could be gained.

Flagella enable “Swimming”
Once all structures were established, six further students joined the team so that three subprojects could be processed. On the one hand the isolation of strains of the intestinal bacterium E. coli that can move preferably fast is intended. The already mentioned “Swimming” is enabled by the so-called flagella. At laboratory strains the flagella are often degenerated due to the profuse food availability of the nutrient media. “One of our groups develops a selection system for the fast strains”, explains team member Jan Kampf. A second group is supposed to modify one of the so-called chemoreceptors. With these plainest sensory organs E. coli can detect particular nutritive substances such as dextrose and single protein building blocks to move subsequently towards the location of higher substance concentration. These receptors are aimed to be altered in a way that they can specifically perceive other substances. In this project they are supposed to “learn” to trace substances that are released in the human body during inflammations. “If we succeed, these strains could be further advanced so that they accumulate for instance during chronic intestinal inflammations”, states Schliep. Thus, inflammations of the intestine could be displayed without eteroscopy. The third group develops das selections system for E. coli strains with altered chemoreceptors. Ideally we receive bacteria in the end that can, due to their improved flagella, move very fast towards the substance of desire.

Twelve team members
Since March the twelve team mebers work in the laboratory, each about one or two days per week. Once a week the results are discussed and the tasks for the following week defined, suppoted by Professor Neumann. “During summer holidays the amount of work will arise considerably”, comments Schliep. Besides the three subproject teams there are also people in authority for certain overlapping duties. These include purchasing as well as the documentation and putting online of the results on the iGEM website. The website can be edited till the end of September, then the jury commence operations. “Of those who may present their projects at the European Jamboree on 2^nd October in Amsterdam, about 30 to 40 percent will go to the international finals in Boston a month later”, declares Kampf. The iGEM team of Göttingen has then left five months in the laboratory.

By Heike Jordan

Conference Berlin

On the 28th of June, 2012 the third annual congress of the strategy process took place in Berlin, Café Moskau. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research started the initiative in the year 2010 to promote the next generation of biotechnological processes. The strategy congress was initiated to give experts from different fields the possibility to exchange ideas for new methods or applications concerning Biotechnology. Be it in medicine, the industry or in environmental sectors everybody is searching for new ideas that offer environmentally friendly, more efficient and lower-cost processes and biotechnology has an unknown potential that could eventually answer open questions. During the congress still existing problems and new ideas were discussed in workshops and presented at the end of the day. Nearly 200 researchers from the industry, science and politics gathered for the congress and among them undergraduate students from all over Germany. Why did the students participate and what did they have in common? All of them were members of one of the eleven German iGEM teams.

Thus the “Biotechnology 2020+” did not only serve as an exchange and communication platform for German researchers but also as the first meeting of the German iGEM teams. Each team was represented by at least three team members and presented a poster describing their project. The remaining time was used quite efficient: new ideas supporting Synthetic Biology were gathered, common problems were discussed and most importantly ties were established between the teams, in order to enable future cooperation. One of the main questions of the discussion was: “How can we bring Synthetic Biology closer to the general society?” This question occupied all of them for it is always important to consider how a project could have an impact on people´s life or the environment. Within the framework of their meeting they agreed to conduct a collective “Synthetic Biology Day” on the 25th of August in order to inform the public about Synthetic Biology and help to dispel existing doubts.

Synthetic Biology Day

Information-Day for Synthetic Biology - In Göttingen and throughout Germany
On the upcoming Saturday, the 25^th August 2012, a nationwide information and participation day for Synthetic Biology and the international student competition iGEM will take place. For that day, every iGEM Team of Germany participating 2012 has organized a different event, such as information stands in the city center, public quizzes, posters and news releases.

Our motivation: We believe that Synthetic Biology will gain more and more importance for our modern society. Already today, many products we use regularly are produced in ways that are related to Synthetic Biology. Therefore, we think that everyone should know about the potential of this new scientific field. To spread the word, the local iGEM Team of the Georg-August-University is going to host a stand downtown in Göttingen, with lots of information material.

Nevertheless, every new technology bears new risks. We think, that this is also very important to inform and talk about. Consequently, we prepared a survey to figure out the worries and thoughts of our fellow citizens. The results of this study will be presented and analyzed by experts of different fields during a penal discussion on the 07^th September 2012 (16:00, ZHG Uni Göttingen, Platz-der-Göttinger-Sieben). Everyone is welcome!

Our goal is to create more transparency, stimulate the exchange of information between scientists and the rest of the society, and hence sensitize both groups for each others wishes and worries. We believe that this will be the key to a more effective science, which will walk alongside with the society.