Research Support for iGEM Program at the University of Virginia

该项目的目标是利用国际基因工程机器(IGEM)竞赛，这是一项生物科学和合成生物学相结合的全球本科生研究活动，作为招募和留住STEM不同学生的工具，并通过参与弗吉尼亚大学iGEM团队为他们提供有意义的研究经验。参加iGEM竞赛使本科生能够并扩大了对弗吉尼亚大学合成生物学研究的参与，增加了妇女和在STEM中代表性不足的个人的机会。该项目通过提供跨学科交流和解决问题的机会，从不同的理工科学生群体中培养出一支跨学科的STEM劳动力队伍。该项目还通过向学生介绍合成生物学领域的学生主导的创业并为其创造机会来支持生物经济。弗吉尼亚大学的iGEM团队在参与合成生物学领域的学生项目方面有着长期而成功的经验。目前的项目涉及将合成生物学用于各种药物、试剂和其他有机化合物的商业生产。这种商业化生产的一个主要障碍是缺乏一种通用、可靠和有效的方法来增加分子在细胞内特定生化途径中的流动。这个问题在这个项目中以白藜芦醇的生物合成为实验模型来解决。具体地说，数学建模结合现有的分子结构知识正被用于设计细菌内的小型人工隔间，作为白藜芦醇生物合成的铸造厂。一旦设计完成，通过合成基因的调控表达，这些隔室就可以在细胞中组装，并测试其有效性、可靠性和多功能性。该项目将基础研究打造成一项基础性技术，以扩大合成生物学的应用，特别是在生物制造领域。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The goals of this project are to use the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, a global undergraduate research activity at the interface of biological sciences and synthetic biology, as a tool to recruit and retain diverse students in STEM and give them meaningful research experiences through participation in the University of Virginia iGEM team. Participation in the iGEM competition enables and broadens undergraduate participation in synthetic biology research at the University of Virginia, enhancing access for women and individuals under-represented in STEM. The project develops an inter-disciplinary STEM workforce from a diverse cohort of science and engineering students by providing an opportunity for cross-discipline communication and problem solving. The project also supports the bio-economy by introducing students to and creating an opportunity for student-driven entrepreneurship within the field of synthetic biology. The University of Virginia iGEM team has a long and successful of engaging students projects in the field of synthetic biology. The current project concerns the use of synthetic biology for the commercial production of various pharmaceuticals, reagents, and other organic compounds. A major impediment in such commercial productions is the lack of a versatile, reliable, and efficient method to increase the flow of molecules through specific biochemical pathways within a cell. This problem is addressed in this project with the use of the biosynthesis of resveratrol as an experimental model. Specifically, mathematical modeling combined with existing knowledge of molecular structures is being used to design small artificial compartments within bacteria that serve as a foundry for resveratrol biosynthesis. Once designed, the compartments are assembled in cells, through the regulated expression of synthetic genes, and tested for efficiency, reliability, and versatility. The project builds basic research into a foundational technology to expand the applications of synthetic biology, especially in the area of bio-manufacturing.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.