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Wet Lab is not hiring for the 2026 cycle, interested candidates are encouraged to apply to a different subteam to gain experience.
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The Wet Lab subteam spearheads the hands-on research, development, and genetic engineering to build synthetic biological systems that address real-world challenges. After project ideation, we review literature for engineering strategies and opportunities, design plasmids in silico, perform molecular biology experiments, and characterize the function of our genetically engineered machines. We work closely with the Dry Lab subteam to test hardware integration and use computational biology to improve our synthetic constructs. Together, we run experiments to prove our system works as intended in our target application, ensuring every step from design to validation is scientifically rigorous.
Here are some of general categories of activities of the work you could get to do as part of Wet Lab:
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Molecular cloning is the foundation of any synthetic biology project. Each year, the Wet Lab subteam begins by designing synthetic constructs in silico using software like SnapGene and Genious Prime. Constructs are made up of biological parts such as those found on the iGEM Registry, which when put together give our targeted organism the genetic instructions for some kind of enhanced functionality. This could be anywhere from producing a recombinant protein, expressing a metabolic pathway to produce a new chemical, or enhancing an organism’s natural capabilities. To go from the computer to the bench, we employ molecular biology techniques like Golden Gate Assembly and Gibson Assembly to put together parts with plasmid vectors into a construct. After, we transform these into E. coli to produce more of them and purify them for downstream applications.
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A key component of each iGEM team’s project in any competition year is their contribution of biological parts to the iGEM Registry of Standard Biological Parts. Thus, we have to make sure that not only our parts, expressed by our synthetic constructs, are well understood, but that we can also communicate it through experimental results and design logic.
Once the host organism has been successfully transformed with our construct, we perform experiments to obtain our product and characterize the way its behaviour and range of functionality through routine molecular biology techniques (SDS-PAGE, western blot, protein purification, etc.) and homemade functional assays representative of its target application. The results here give us the feedback and opportunity to refine our constructs, and ultimately our parts.
Have a look at our ThTdT page from last year.
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Before we even step foot in the lab, we build a strong knowledge base for the synthetic biology component of our project with thorough research. This includes literature review, looking through past iGEM teams’ progress, or reaching out to experts for input and collaboration. This vital early work informs us of what biological parts we can use to make our construct and what we need to develop ourselves, what molecular cloning strategy is most efficient, what experiments can help us characterize our parts, what range of values is of importance, and much more.
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Last year we built a DNA synthesis platform, nuCloud, that utilizes an enhanced variant of an enzyme called terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), a special polymerase which catalyzes the creation of DNA molecules without the need for a template (i.e., a molecular primer to start the reaction). Our team engineered thermostable TdT to synthesize user-defined sequences on a solid-phase interface, where the primer is chemically immobilized to a glass slide; this allowed for improved synthesis efficiency and cut down on reagent use. For proof of concept we cloned the enzyme in E. coli and **validated nucleotide addition capability though assays, visualizing results through polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). At the end of the season, we were able to demonstrate a successful synthesis reaction on solid-phase!
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Not at all! We aim to create opportunities for those passionate about synthetic biology by offering training combined with a unique research experience that supports students in securing co-ops and other professional roles. Candidates will be evaluated holistically and fairly; while technical experience can leverage your application, we also look for traits beyond the lab. As undergraduate students ourselves we understand that lot of transferable research skills, like critical thinking, problem-solving and communication, can be built through courses and life experiences!
2025.06.01 Pre-culture for making electrocompetent CB2A cells