ATTRIBUTIONS

We would like to thank all of the people who have helped make this project possible. For the past four years, undergraduates at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) have participated in iGEM and that would be impossible without significant support. This year, the team is composed of students studying Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Bioelectronics, Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental (MCD) Biology, and Chemical Engineering. This wide array of disciplines is crucial for the creative process behind using synthetic biology to advance solutions to problems. Modern engineering demands collaboration between individuals and pushes them to think critically and work efficiently. Through synthetic biology, the 2017 UCSC iGEM team is creating effective solutions and developing models for future success.

UCSC iGEM 2017

Conducted project brainstorming, researched medicine production of essential medicines and supplements in cyanobacteria, researched causes for inadequate access to essential medicines and supplements, conducted modeling, conducted funding, designed parts and necessary primers, conducted wet lab experiments and analysis, built the team wiki page, and conducted outreach events to educate and raise awareness about synthetic biology and the issue of inadequate access to essential medicines and supplements.

Advisors

Dr. David Bernick, Assistant Adjunct Professor, University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Biomolecular Engineering

Guided our team and offered valuable insight and advice through each stage of the project. He also helped the team manage funding, finances, and logistical tasks.

Logan Mulroney, PhD Candidate, University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Biomolecular Engineering

Guided us and provided valuable advice on gene design and wet lab experiments.

Research Support

Elliot Roth, Founder and CEO at Spira

Spoke with us about his experience working with Spirulina and provided insight into working with the genetics of Spirulina.

Dr. Susan S. Golden, Professor at Howard Hughs Medical Institute, Director at the Center for Circadian Biology, Chancellor’s Associates Chair (III) in Molecular Biology, Distinguished Professor at University of California, San Diego

Provided us with pAM1573.

Dr. Donald Bryant, Ernest C. Pollard Professor in Biotechnology, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Pennsylvania State University

Provided us with Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 and advice regarding the best plates to grow cyanobacteria.

Dr. J. Christopher Anderson, Associate Professor, Bioengineering at the University of California, Berkeley

Pioneered Acetaminophen production in E. coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and is working with UCSC iGEM to extend the IP to photosynthetic organisms.

UCSC iGEM 2016

Members of the UCSC iGEM 2016 team provided us with valuable advice on project planning and execution.

Dr. Rohinton T. Kamakaka & Members of the Kamakaka Lab, Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz

Provided our team with lab materials, access to UV gel dock (check name), access to Thermo ScientificTM NanoDropTM 2000/2000c (check), and providing valuable suggestions and guidance on troubleshooting experiments.

Dr. Anne M. Ruffing, Senior Member of the Technical Staff, Bioenergy and Defense Technologies Department, Sandia National Labs

Spoke with us about her experience working with cyanobacteria, specifically Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. Dr. Ruffing advised about optimizing growth conditions of our S. elongatus cultures.

Dr. Chris Vollmers & Members of the Vollmers Lab, Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz

Donated pipet tips and gloves and provided suggestions for troubleshooting issues with gel extraction.

Dr. Chad Saltikov & Members of the Saltikov Lab, Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz

Donated DPN1.

Haussler Lab, Genomics Institute , University of California, Santa Cruz

Donated gloves, gel extraction kits, and provided us with temporary lab space.

Dr. Olof Einarsdottir, Professor, Physical & Biological Sciences—Chemistry & Biochemistry Department

Provided us with advice on modeling.

Dr. Grant Hartzog & Members of the Hartzog Lab, Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz

Donated monobasic potassium phosphate.

Heather Tyra, Integrated DNA Technologies, Product Support Specialist for the IDT Synthetic Biology Group

Assisted our team in ordering the parts needed for the riboswitch component of our project.

UC Berkeley DNA Sequencing Facility

Sequenced our samples of pAM2991, pAM1573, ssuE, 4ABH, bluB, and nhoA.

Dr. John MacMillan, Professor, University of California, Santa Cruz, Physical & Biological Sciences—Chemistry & Biochemistry Department

Provided us training, time and lab space to use HPLC in testing for acetaminophen and vitamin B₁₂.

Dr. Marc T. Faccioti, Associate Professor, University of California, Davis, Biomedical Engineering Department

Advised us on iGEM team logistics based on his past experience mentoring the UC Davis iGEM team.

Dr. Somen Nandi, University of California, Davis, Department of Chemical Engineering

Advised us on implementing our project. Discussed cost-benefit analysis in bioreactor design related to implementation in remote areas.

Dr. Maria L. Marco, Associate Professor, University of California, Davis, Food Science and Technology

Gave us a tour of the Marco Lab at UC Davis and advised us on the genetics of Lactobacillus plantarum.

Lab support

Russ Evans & Baskin Engineering Lab Support (BELS) Staff

Provided technical support and handled incoming shipments for the Biomolecular Engineering Teaching Lab.

Dr. Hugh E. Olsen, Lab Manager at UCSC Biomolecular Engineering Teaching Labs; Project Scientist, Biomolecular Engineering; Lecturer, Biomolecular Engineering

Provided assistance with autoclave-training, general laboratory safety training, obtaining materials and maintaining equipment in the Biomolecular Engineering (BME) Teaching Lab.

Dr. Scott Lokey and Dr. Walter Bray, Chemical Screening Center

Provided us with the necessary training and access to the Perkin-Elmer EnVision instrument for InterLab study measurements at the Chemical Screening Center, University of California, Santa Cruz

Brandy Baird, Staff Research Associate II at UCSC Biology Teaching Labs

Assisted with obtaining necessary reagents and lab materials needed to make the growth media and to conduct experiments.

Wiki support

Austin York

As a member of the 2016 UCSC iGEM team and as a main contributor to his team's wiki, Austin provided us with initial guidance and advice, emphasizing the importance of getting started on the wiki early on!

Matt Coats

Matt, a recent graduate from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, is highly experienced with computer science and web development. Matt provided expert advice and helpful explanations, especially with respect to better understanding CSS and JavaScript. Matt is not only genuinely appreciated for his help along the way, but is also a beloved friend.

Human Practices support

Dr. Wil Johnson, Medical Physician, Founder, President, Director of Global Medical Training (GMT)

Corresponded with us about the potential importance of our project and connected us with multiple international physicians in the program.

Dr. Lubin, Healthcare Practitioner, Haiti/Dominican Republic

Corresponded with us about the needs of potential recipients of our project in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Omar Antonio Murillio Abarca, Medical Director, GMT Nicaragua

Corresponded with us about the needs of potential recipients of our project in Nicaragua.

Dr. Jacquelin Zublaga, Medical Director, GMT Peru

Corresponded with us about the needs of potential recipients of our project in Peru.

Dr. Samuel Rivera, AP Environmental Sciences Teacher, Leland High School

Gave our team the opportunity to present about the Marshall Islands, our project, and policies and ethics surrounding genetic engineering to Juniors and Seniors in his high school AP Environmental class at Leland High School.

Patrick Luu & Hung Do, Lasalle Community Center Summer Camp Coordinators

Gave our team the opportunity to teach students between grades two through eight about genetics and the basics of genetic engineering.