Collaboration Commences
After getting to know one another participants, went straight to work.
First on the itinerary was an overview of undergraduate project examples in synthetic biology research. The group viewed a number of project examples that had participated in the annual iGEM competition.
“Confronting the variety of topics explored and the range of quality in iGEM projects was surprising” noted biologist Chris Jones (below). “It was also surprising how nascent many of the iGEM wiki pages are.” 
Looking at synthetic biology project examples in medicine, energy, environment, and technology gave faculty participants ideas of the types of research they could work on with their undergraduates.
Using iGEM’s “registry of standard parts,” page everyone was assigned to work with their partner and find DNA parts that could be assembled in the correct order so that if the DNA was inserted into bacteria, the cells would fluoresce and float (like a lava lamp).
The group then enjoyed a lunch together where they could discuss the morning’s events and enjoy the company of fellow participants.
In the afternoon, pairs collaboratively explored iGEM areas that interested them most. Each pair presented their favorite iGEM example to the rest of the group and highlighted what they found captivating. Partners were also asked to identify what made the presented project “synthetic biology.”
Near the end of the first day, Jodi Schwarz (right), a biologist from Vassar found herself “busily planning ways to incorporate synthetic biology into (her school’s) existing courses.
Other participants found themselves having a lot of fun practicing PCR techniques that are used to amplify pieces of DNA. Many biologists introduced biological methods, such as pipetting and PCR to their mathematician or computer science partners. Working together, pairs have started learning the advantages and limitations of each specialty and how collaboratively they can help each other view research projects with a broadened perspective.
The teams appear to be working well together with limited frustrations and are finding little difficulty collaborating despite significant differences in their specialties. Tomorrow, pairs will be separated so that they can freely discuss any challenges that they faced in their efforts to conduct interdisciplinary research.
Left caption: Drs. Paul Overvoorde and Libby Schoop from Macalester College work together.
