Team:Tec-Monterrey/hpractice

Antifreeze game coming soon!

We first gave a series of informational sessions in several high-schools of our city. Synthetic biology was presented as a very versatile tool which could help anyone create new solutions for existing problems. iGEM was discussed as very important part of biotechnology, the relevance of a global competition, where students from all around the world applied their knowledge in a effort to improve the status quo of millions of people.

As a first approach we showed them the way the parts registry works. How they can browse through it in order to find their use, application and discover new ones.

Workshop #1 (August 4th, 2012)

What is the material and equipment of a Lab and how to use it? The objective of this workshop was to introduce the team, our projects, give a very complete definition of Synthetic Biology, a description of the iGem competition and introduction to some basic protocols and equipment used in the Lab. We agreed in this first session students should become familiar with the facilities, equipment and laboratory instruments and for their introduction to practical protocols they learned to prepare growth medium (LB) and use a micropipette. There were a lot of questions and interest from the students who were more than happy to learn how to participate in the workshop.

Workshop #2 (August 21st, 2012): Bacterial DNA: Purification of Plasmid DNA (Miniprep)

This workshop had as a goal to share with the students one of the most basic and used protocols in the development of a Synthetic Biology project, the purification of plasmid DNA. In order to do this, we gave a clear explanation of the principles of bacterial DNA, the differences between genomic and plasmid DNA with the basis of their extraction and purification. They integrated teams and purified plasmid DNA (pUC19) from Top10F E.coli.

Workshop #3 (September 13th, 2012): Karyotype and Chromosomes

Since the students were becoming familiar with DNA, plasmids and chromosomes; we designed a workshop for them to observe and develop a karyotype protocol. It started with a brief description of chromosomes and their function (the majority of them were already familiar with the terms) and afterwards, they integrated teams to develop a staining and observation on microscopes of chromosomes from plant material.

Workshop #4 (September 18th, 2012): Restriction Enzymes and Electrophoresis

The objective of this workshop was for students to understand and practice the concepts of plasmids and restriction enzymes as well to develop a digestion and electrophoresis gel protocol. We gave a description of how electrophoresis and restriction enzymes work, we encouraged them to ask questions if needed. Afterwards, they practiced the concepts by making their own digestion, preparing the agarose gels and charging the samples. Finally, they observed their results and analyzed them. They observed the difference between a supercoiled DNA and a linearized DNA.

Workshop #5 (September 20th,2012): Applications of Restriction Enzymes and Electrophoresis

We decided to give a more fun twist to the last workshop by making the students analyze the many applications of electrophoresis. The workshop started by a brief explanation of some of the applications, then we promoted a discussion with the students for them to propose how and where they think electrophoresis and restriction enzymes were used. Afterwards, the students developed a protocol using a Forensic BIO-RAD kit to identify the supposed criminal of a crime scene. After that, we decided to make a conclusive discussion and encouraged students to analyze what they learned in all the workshops. We were very pleased to know that everyone showed interest and wanted to continue learning more about iGem and Synthetic Biology.

Human Practices

Synthetic Biology might be considered an unknown term for a significant part of the population even for young adults or college students enrolled in non-biological sciences courses. Our human practices focused on sharing and explaining the definition and applications of synthetic biology, making it a simple concept for the individuals involved to analyze and formulate their own ideas. An important experience of our human practices motivated a portion of society to examine and question themselves how synthetic biology takes part of their daily lives in products, scientific investigations they watch on TV, etc. It also revolved around making it easy to understand by simple explanations of our projects development and reaching out to the majority of people we could. To do all of this, our human practices included workshops for high school students, educational videogames of our projects and finally, an introductory presentation and discussion of synthetic biology for adults such as parents.

Synthetic Biology Presentation for Parents

Sharing the interest of Synthetic Biology with young students is very important but also interacting with society. In that manner, we decided to give explanatory presentations about iGem, our project and Synthetic Biology to parents who were visiting the University. The presentation included a very clear explanation of DNA, genes, Synthetic Biology and it’s applications as well as an introductory description to iGem Competition. We managed to give 3 presentations, two of them for parents only and the last one for prospect students of Engineering in Biotechnology and their parents. We were very happy to know they were impressed about the applications, the development of our project and motivated their sons and daughters to participate in iGem in their college years.

Videogames

We also decided to make two videogames in order to explain our project and to promote synthetic biology among the internet community.

“Allergen Beast Adventures” is an adventure platformer in which Allergen Beast (our green mascot symbolizing Pichia Pastoris) travels through a series of levels fighting each of allergy. Meanwhile, in “Antifreeze Brotein: Ecoli´s Redemption” the player takes the role of our blue E.Coli mascot as he travels from the cytoplasm to outer space destroying ice crystals.

Both games are not only meant to be fun or aesthetically pleasing, but also educational. By exploiting the visual potential of the human brain, we decided to stimulate memory retention and emotional engagement with specially crafted games. They intend to transmit a positive message, how synthetic biology works a tool to solve problems. The mix between fun and learning was planned from the beginning; the main concepts of synthetic biology were placed in the games’ storyline as a fundamental part of the structure. This allows the player to ignore any social taboos towards biotechnology and simply enjoy the game. The basic rules for gameplay come from terms and events happening at a molecular level. For example, Allergen Beast must consume YPD in order to restore life points; this game mechanic makes an analogy towards the medium that yeast organisms consume as they grow.

But why videogames?

Instead of choosing a more passive communication medium, we decided to establish more interactive dialogue with our audience. Videogames are used as a tool for learning since most of their design comes from Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development. This theory describes a mental place where a person’s intellectually ability, of what he or she can do with and without help, is constantly challenged. Videogames give certain instructions and guidelines for the user to follow in order to proceed, once this knowledge is acquired the player may proceed to higher levels and continue to refine his or her skills.

Moreover, our culture has become mainly visual resulting in a high demand for aesthetically pleasing designs. The difference between this approach and the ones done face to face with students is the area of impact. Going to visit high school students and sharing ideas with them makes a profound impact in young people’s lives. However by expanding synthetic biology with the world, in a fun innovative way, we hope to reach a global audience, we hope to share our passion and dedication with everyone.

With more senses being touched, it is easier to leave a clear message in people. This way we hope to use the internet as a mayor communication platform, where users from around the world can learn about biotechnology while they have fun.