THE BIO LAB PROJECT.....

[The Cell]

The Cell Habitat's Synthetic Biology (synbio) Laboratory Project aims to help build a completely equipped Genetics Biology Laboratory, that will be available to facilitate worthwhile pursuit of Citizen Scientists, amateur Biologists, and DIY Biological Engineers (aka Bio-Hackers) who value openness and safety. This is an opportunity for amateurs to use a professionally equipped Lab for their projects, and not only to help increase their knowledge and skills, but to help build a community of experts, who are unique to doing biology outside of traditional professional settings.

Typ. Working Lab Set-up

Here is an explanation of what Synthetic Biology is

The Cell Habitat Bio-Lab's Molecular Engineering Research Center has two major research objectives:

* To develop statistical and other computational approaches which will detect syntactic and semantic patterns in DNA, RNA, and protein sequences.

* To use statistical/computational approaches to identify structure, function, and regulation in these molecules. This identification has led to the formulation and testing of major hypotheses in the areas of molecular evolution, gene regulation, developmental genetics, and protein structure-function relationships.

In meeting these objectives, the Bio-Lab will attempt to develop new computer-assisted analytical approaches that address basic problems in molecular biology such as those noted above.

The Lab's support program provides DNA, RNA, and protein sequence databases and analysis tools on-line to a large local area community and to the larger research community via various anonymous FTP and gopher servers. The Bio-Lab will provide a distribution service of non-commercial software and support information for all developers, free of charge, to the scientific community as part of a larger dissemination program. In addition, the Bio-Lab will provided support for a number of interdisciplinary meetings, classes, and seminars focused on desimanation of information and the challenges arising in molecular biology research.

The Center's training program trains molecular biologists in statistics and computer methods, and educates engineers, biomathematicians and computer scientists in the contemporary computational problems in molecular biology. Research opportunities combining these disciplines are offered yearly to three or four postdoctoral fellows, and periodically to visiting scientists. The Center provides direct graduate training and on-line computer support to local laboratories. Currently, there are collaborative research projects underway with scientists at several universities both outside and within the greater Boston (MA) area.


Here is the proposed Floor Plan

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[The Cell]

The Bio Lab Project at the Cell Habitat aims to move science into the hands of hobbyists. It is starting by holding sessions where amateurs extract DNA, and attempt genetic fingerprinting using common household items and the kitchen sink.

The DIY Biohacking movement is getting much of its steam from synthetic biology, a field of science that seeks to make working with cells and genes more like building circuits by creating standardized biological parts. The dream, already playing out in the annual International Genetically Engineered Machine competition at MIT, is that biology novices could browse a catalog of ready-made biological parts and use them to create customized organisms. Technological advances have made it quite simple to insert genes into bacteria to give them the ability to, for example, detect arsenic or produce vitamins." (http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2008/09/15/accessible_science/?)


Using laboratory-grade equipment and the wealth of scientific knowledge available on-line, we hobbyists are trying to create new life forms through genetic engineering — a field long dominated by Ph.D.s toiling in university and corporate laboratories.

I have learned about genetic engineering by reading scientific papers and getting tips from on-line forums. Most DNA protein samples are readily available from biological supply companies, we will built our own lab, and get specialized laboratory equipment, including a gel electrophoresis chamber, or DNA analyzer, a low-end off-the-shelf model if necessary.


Academic Integrity

Adherence to the code of honesty, as is expected. It is your responsibility to be familiar with activities considered to constitute academic dishonesty that may compromise your own intellectual and moral development. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, misuse of materials, misrepresentation, and facilitation of academic dishonesty. Behavior of this nature undermines the Lab's mission and belief that honesty and integrity are paramount to a liberally educated person. Any deviation from the Lab's code of honesty, including plagiarism, or cheating, will result in disciplinary procedures.



Laboratory Objectives

1. To facilitate Gentic studies using plant and animal DNA.

2. To utilize DNA as a model organism to understand the nature of heredity and how genes are passed from one generation to the next.

3. To become familiar with the principles of population genetics.

4. To understand how karyotypes are determined from organic cells and their importance in cytogenetic analysis.

5. To carry out a DNA fingerprinting exercise and to understand its importance in forensic analysis.

6. To study the principles of genetic map construction and linkage.

7. To learn how to fractionate cells and purify DNA for use in recombinant DNA protocols.

8. To study the nucleosome structures.

9. To carry out experiments involving the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to understand the wide variety of applications for which this technique can be utilized.

10. To gain experience using restriction enzymes and agarose gel electrophoresis.




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