IGEM:The Citadel/Notebook/1 April 2010

From the Meeting on April 1st, 2010

Brainstorming Project Ideas

• Genetic memory (look to Endy Lab, and there have been numerous iGEM projects around this concept)
• Optimizing nitrogen-cycle bacteria for agriculture in third-world countries
• Biofilm degradation and a solution to the problems of biofouling
• Synchronized action using quorum sensing (look to this paper)
• Myostatin-inhibition
• Carbon sequestration (done by some extremophiles)
  • This site is worth starting at. And this paper might be interesting read. Be warned though, it's not easy.
• Malaria and sickle cell anemia. Solutions?
  • Berkeley's 2007 Bactoblood project might be a good starting point
• Mercury bio-remediation (in marine animals)
  • A similar Australian team's project needs looking into.
• Drug addiction relief and recovery. Buprenorphine for heroin addicts ... production (possible?), timed release, genetic measures preventing abuse
• Tinker kill switch: A part that prevents further modification to the plasmid

Meeting Notes

Communications

• Wiki discussion on OWW
• Email
• Google Docs for papers and journals (Wave?)
• Meetings (weekly now, biweekly later in April)
  • Meeting times posted on wiki homepage and notifications sent by email
  • Meeting notes put up on the wiki

Outline for Team Structure

• President / Team Captain (Brian)
  • Organize Meetings
  • Publicity
  • Implementing strategy
  • Student contact for the team
• Secretary (Braye and Sullivan)
  • Information distribution and managment
  • Agenda keeping
  • Keeping everyone doing what they need to be doing
• Treasurer (Hunter)
  • Work with Biology Dept. and Provost with funding
  • Go with Brian, Dr. Rosenblum, and Dean Groetsch to The Citadel Foundation and Provost's Office for housing/stipends
  • iGEM HQ Fees (with Advisers)
  • Flights and Hotels (with Advisers)
• Vice President for Research / Lab Manager (John)
  • Supplies, reagents (get discounts!)
  • Help grad students and profs with orders (Jonathan knows this better than we do... it'd be nice to ease up on the profs)
  • Daily lab meetings (during the summer, that is)
  • Overall research head
• Vice President for Public Affairs (Cyrus)
  • Publicity
  • Community Outreach
  • Wiki
  • Jamboree Presentation
  • Poster
  • Publication
• Grad Student Advisers (would be a huge plus)
  • Scientific insight, lab technique, papers, etc
  • Help with team administration, running equipment, ordering supplies
  • No more than 2 or 3 grads

Let me *Brian D. Burnley 03:09, 9 April 2010 (EDT): know if anyone isn't satisfied with their role!

Recruitment

• Goal = 10 undergrads, 2 grads
• Talk with CofC, MUSC, Trident, local private high schools (Porter Gaud, Bishop England, Academic Magnate, Wando, St. Joe's)
• Go to Chemistry and Electrical Engineering Depts.

Short term goals

• Training session in mid-April
• Explain team commitments and expectations to everyone
• Grad recruitment
• Up to four more undergrads/high schoolies