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Introduction to Synthetic Biology

SAT Score Range

•

5 sessions

•

+7

This series ended on July 13, 2025. All 1:1 and group chats related to this series are disabled 7 days after the last session.

About

Whether you want to join for fun, or to prepare for events like iGEM, this course is a beginner level intro to syn bio! In this course, we'll talk about different lab protocols, procedures, and technologies in relation to syn bio and discuss uses in the real world. We'll cover a new topic every week, and I hope that you'll walk away a whole lot more knowledgeable about synthetic biology!

Tutored by

Carolyn C 🇹🇼

Certified in 6 topics

View Profile

Hi! I'm a high school junior in Taiwan, and I'm here to help with anything biology-related, chemistry-adjacent, or within the scope of Algebra 1. For biology specifically, I can teach up to the AP level—whether it's DNA replication, synthetic biology, or Hardy-Weinberg shenanigans, I've got you! When I'm not busy being an academic victim, I like cooking (attemptedly), playing Red Dead Redemption or Resident Evil 8, playing guitar, and spending time with my besties.

Schedule

✋ ATTENDANCE POLICY

Feel free to drop in whenever--each class is a bit like a standalone. You just need to know the basics of bio, nothing more, nothing less! If you have registered for the session and need to skip a session, please let me know in advance! I'll send you the content we covered.

SESSION 1

8

Jun

SESSION 1

Other Topics

Other Topics

Sun 12:30 AM - 1:30 AM UTCJun 8, 12:30 AM - 1:30 AM UTC

This session will be a general overview of what genetic engineering and biotech is! We will be covering important syn bio protocols, including PCR, cloning, gene design, gel electrophoresis, and more. While the sessions in this Introduction to Synthetic Biology series are meant to be standalones, I highly recommend attending this session to solidify some key principles and essential terminology. A Kahoot/Quizlet will be provided at the end of this session!
SESSION 2

15

Jun

SESSION 2

Other Topics

Other Topics

Sun 12:30 AM - 1:30 AM UTCJun 15, 12:30 AM - 1:30 AM UTC

We'll cover what CRISPR is and how it's currently being used in healthcare/science! We'll discuss ethical issues, past cases, benefits, and consequences of using CRISPR in gene editing. There will be a Kahoot/Quizlet at the end of the session!
SESSION 3

22

Jun

SESSION 3

Other Topics

Other Topics

Sun 12:30 AM - 1:30 AM UTCJun 22, 12:30 AM - 1:30 AM UTC

In this session, we will discuss the role of bacteria and viruses in syn bio. We'll talk about plasmids, assembly, transformation, and general ways in which bacteria/viruses can be used in the lab. We'll also cover why bacteria are an ideal organism used in syn bio, as well the ethical and biosafety aspects of using pathogenic materials.
SESSION 4

29

Jun

SESSION 4

Other Topics

Other Topics

Sun 12:30 AM - 1:30 AM UTCJun 29, 12:30 AM - 1:30 AM UTC

Gene editing in plants and animals! In this session, we'll discuss how syn bio is used to produce genetically modified organisms (GMO) and how they're used on an industrial level for efficient crop production or animal cloning for conservation. We'll talk about the significant drawbacks and benefits for implementing GMOs in agricultural practices and de-extinction. For my fellow iGEMers, I'll also cover significant real-world animal/plant problems today that can be targeted using syn bio! Hopefully, some of you might draw some inspiration for a new iGEM project. I'll also put up a Kahoot/Quizlet at the end of the session for extra review.
SESSION 5

13

Jul

SESSION 5

Other Topics

Other Topics

Sun 12:30 AM - 1:30 AM UTCJul 13, 12:30 AM - 1:30 AM UTC

In this session, we'll talk about careers and majors in syn bio! This is a growing field with much significance in the ever-changing real world-- and organization like iGEM are dedicated to tackling these issues with syn bio approaches. We'll cover what professions a degree in syn bio could get you into and do a deep dive into each of those careers!

Public Discussion

Please log in to see discussion on this series.

Jun 8 - Jul 13

6 weeks

60 mins

/ session

SCHEDULE

Sundays

12:30AM