==<font color="#FF6600"><center>2007 Virginia Genetically Engineered Machine (VGEM) Team</center></font>==
==<font color="#FF6600"><center>2007 Virginia Genetically Engineered Machine Team</center></font>==
Welcome to the VGEM Team's OpenWetWare wiki! The VGEM Team is an undergraduate research group interested in synthetic biology and biological engineering, and will compete in MIT's 2007 international Genetically Engineered Machines competition [http://www.igem2007.com (iGEM)] in November. Check on [http://parts.mit.edu/igem07/index.php/Virginia our official iGEM wiki] for our final project description and [http://people.virginia.edu/%7Erpk3e/VGEM/ our external website] for more information about the team. - George<br />
Welcome to the 2007 VGEM Team's OpenWetWare wiki. This wiki contains the internal workings of our team, including our online lab notebook, project designs and other useful information. The VGEM Team is an undergraduate research group interested in synthetic biology and biological engineering, and will compete in MIT's 2007 international Genetically Engineered Machines competition [http://www.igem2007.com (iGEM)] in November. Check on [http://parts.mit.edu/igem07/index.php/Virginia our official iGEM wiki] for our final project description and [http://seas.virginia.edu/VGEM our external website] for more information about the team.<br />
Welcome to the 2007 VGEM Team's OpenWetWare wiki. This wiki contains the internal workings of our team, including our online lab notebook, project designs and other useful information. The VGEM Team is an undergraduate research group interested in synthetic biology and biological engineering, and will compete in MIT's 2007 international Genetically Engineered Machines competition (iGEM) in November. Check on our official iGEM wiki for our final project description and our external website for more information about the team.
Acknowledgements
The VGEM Team was made possible by the generous support from the following groups at the University of Virginia:
Our research focuses on using photobiological interfaces for input and output of engineered biosystems. We are interested in using biophotonics for molecular system control (input and monitoring) and for basic quantum biology discovery. Viewing the cell as a computer, the genome as its OS and biobricks as individual software applications, it's only natural to seek out appropriate monitoring and input technologies. We view electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light) not only as an excellent monitoring tool (e.g., traditional fluorescence proteins) but also as an appropriate input device similar to a computer's keyboard and mouse.
Our group is an interdisciplinary conglomeration that includes researchers from The School of Engineering and Applied Science, The College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Medicine.
Engineering is a great profession. There is the satisfaction of watching a figment of the imagination emerge through the aid of science to a plan on paper. Then it moves to realisation in stone or metal or energy. Then it brings homes to men or women. Then it elevates the standard of living and adds to the comforts of life. This is the engineer's high privilege.
