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The Promotion of Bio-Engineering in our Community
The St. Mark's School of Texas iGEM Team has been actively promoting the field of biotechnology. This year, the team released many tutorial videos for the basic protocols to help newer teams learn the basics of biotechnology. In addition, the team has also been working with agencies such as Brendan Court, a four-week, tuition-free enrichment program for middle school boys. The team has educated the boys in the Brendan Court program the harmful effects of lung cancer and how bio-engineering can help solve this problem by making detectors that can help detect the early-stages of this disease. The team also showed the boys the biology lab while also showing them basic science demonstrations in hopes of motivating the the boys in pursuing bio-engineering in the future. The St. Mark's iGEM team is also actively seeking to encourage more members of the school community to join the team by creating many social media pages to promote the team's cause.
CONSTRUCTION PHASEWEEK OF APRIL 7
General Meeting: Captain speech on the leadership policy, Evaluation of Committees by Captain/Faculty Sponsors
Fundamental Research: Continue research
Applied Research: 3A Assembly
Outreach: Finalize Brochure
Web Development: Continue work on the wiki
Captain seeks new recruits for next year's iGEM Team; reveals ultimate vision of the Project to the Upper School; sends the Biotechnology Initiative brochure to underclassmen
WEEK OF APRIL 14
General Meeting: Committee Meetings
Fundamental Research: Finalize research on genes for the detection of VOC biomarkers
Applied Research: Work with the Fundamental Research Team on finding the DNA sequences, reinforce laboratory skills, calculate potential budget for future years
Outreach: Posters around campus, print out 200 copies of the brochure and distribute to interested science instructors, begin development of a more formal packet of info for the administration
Web Development: Assist Outreach, finalize at least half of the wiki
CANCELED UNTIL CONSTRUCT DEVELOPMENT IS COMPLETE: Plan for a UTSW visit April 18
WEEK OF APRIL 21
General Meeting: Brief presentation by Web Development on Thursday
Fundamental Research: Begin creating construct in Gene Designer if necessary, look for options for the purchase of these sequences from biotech companies, check iGEM Registry for existing BioBricks
Applied Research: Finalize budget, continue refining laboratory skills, assist the Fundamental Research Team
Outreach: Finalize packet for the admininstration, print 10 color copies
Web Development: Finalize wiki with detailed content & designs, brief presentation to the Team on how to add/modify content
WEEK OF APRIL 28
General Meeting: Presentation on established construct by the Fundamental Research Team
Fundamental Research: Order sequences, collaborate with the Applied Research Team to address possible issues during the actual creation of the construct
Applied Research: Collaborate with the Fundamental Research Team to identify room for error
Outreach: Design iGEM wearable gear (t-shirt, sweatshirt, and/or hat) and list cost in a document
Web Development: Address iGEM requirements, including Human Practices
WEEK OF MAY 5: AP EXAMINATIONS
General Meeting: Meeting Cancelled
Fundamental Research:
Applied Research:
Outreach:
Web Development:
WEEK OF MAY 12: AP EXAMINATIONS
General Meeting:
Fundamental Research:
Applied Research:
Outreach:
Web Development:
WEEK OF MAY 19
General Meeting:
Fundamental Research:
Applied Research:
Outreach:
Web Development:
WEEK OF MAY 26
General Meeting: Evaluate progress
Fundamental Research:
Applied Research: Prepare lab space and order necessary materials and do orientation for summer wet lab work and research.
Outreach:
Web Development:
MAY 30: REGULAR REGISTRATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL JAMBOREE CLOSES, JAMOREE ATTENDANCE FEES DUE
WEEK OF JUNE 2
General Meeting: Evaluate progress
Fundamental Research:
Applied Research: Do another 3A Assembly and analyze possibility of Gibson Assembly. Work with Fundamental Research to help identify genes.
Outreach:
Web Development:
JUNE 8: TRACK SELECTION DUE, PROJECT ABSTRACTS DUE, TEAM ROSTERS DUE
WEEK OF JUNE 9
General Meeting: Evaluate progress
Fundamental Research:
Applied Research: Finish and analyze 3A Assembly and begin assembly of actual part. Work out bugs in assembly and prepare to finish it.
Outreach:
Web Development:
WEEK OF JUNE 16
General Meeting: Evaluate progress
Fundamental Research:
Applied Research: Finish part assembly and prepare the shipment of the part to iGEM HQ.
Outreach:
Web Development:
JUNE 20: WIKI FREEZE AT 11:59PM BOSTOM TIME (SEE: WIKI REQUIREMENTS AND SAFETY QUESTIONS)
WEEK OF JUNE 23
Practice presentation, polish poster, submit part to iGEM
JUNE 28: JAMBOREE!
