Our iGEM team eagerly took on the role of mentors for a group of younger students from the National Science and Mathematics High School who participated in the IYNT (International Young Naturalist's Tournament) in Almaty, Kazakhstan from August 20th to the 27th. Their team engaged in the 11th edition of the competition, competing against over 100 participants from more than ten other nations. The IYNT (International Young Naturalist's Tournament) is a science competition open to students up to the age of 17. It challenges students with experimental problems across a wide range of fundamental natural disciplines, encompassing biology, physics, chemistry, and earth sciences. Unlike Olympiads, this competition focuses on seeking solutions to scientific issues rather than presenting immediately solvable tasks. While working on their project, the high school students approached us for laboratory materials, equipment, and expert guidance. Naturally, we were quick to offer our assistance, and we are delighted that we could support these enthusiastic young individuals who went on to earn bronze medals through the application of this knowledge and practical experience. When they arrived at our lab, we promptly addressed their project by providing them with the opportunity to design and clone expression constructs for chromoprotein production. They were able to choose between constitutive or inducible promoters and chromoproteins of various colors using standard parts from the Registry.
The iGEM Distribution played a crucial role in providing these motivated young individuals with their initial exposure to the fields of genetic engineering and synthetic biology, which significantly contributed to their success in winning medals. This serves as a compelling example of the educational opportunities that each iGEM team can offer.
Welcome to a fascinating journey! Ever wondered why your throat hurts? In this video, we'll explore the world of tiny creatures called bacteria, how they affect our health, and how to protect ourselves. Let's dive in!
What are bacteria?
Welcome to an exciting adventure in the world of antibiotics, brought to you by iGEM Bulgaria! In this colorful and imaginative comic, we'll take you on a journey to discover the incredible powers of antibiotics and why they're so important for our health. Join our friendly characters, from the fisherman who catches the bad bacteria to the builder who constructs the defenses, and the wise judge who delivers justice. As we embark on this educational voyage, we aim to make learning about antibiotics fun and easy for elementary school children. So, let's dive into the world of antibiotics.
There's version in: english, bulgarian, arabic, finnish, georgian, german, hebrew, norwegian, portugues, spanish and turkish.
English version
Bulgarian version
Arabic version
Finnish version
Georgian version
German version
Hebrew version
Norwegian version
Portuguese version
Spanish version
Turkish version
Introduction
For every biologist, the intricate workings of the human body, the seamless coordination between its various systems, and the harmonious dance of countless factors, molecules, and cells have always represented a pinnacle of natural perfection.
Last year, we crafted a game to unveil the remarkable adaptability of bacteria and underscore the vital importance of their proper treatment with antibiotics. But this year, our team has delved even deeper, into the inner mechanics of a finely tuned machine that takes on our adversaries in the form of menacing pathogens – none other than our body's immune system.
In our game, you'll meet a cast of characters from a universe of endless possibilities, including valiant macrophages, cunning dendritic cells, and a rogues' gallery of pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Helicobacter pylori and others . Amidst this epic battle, you'll wield antibiotics and our very own CADABRA cocktail.
With this game, our goal is to plunge society into the enigmatic world of science, one that conceals more mysteries and wonders than the sagas of George Lucas and the surreal canvases of Hieronymus Bosch combined. Get ready for an adventure like no other!
Rules
Each deck consists of 40 cards, and each deck is shuffled before the start of the game. Each player draws 3 cards. The second player draws an extra card known as the "Scientist."
Cards are categorized into three types:
1. Units: These cards perform actions, possess attack and health values. Units can only be played once per player's turn and must wait for one turn before engaging in battle.
2. Mechanisms: These cards boost the abilities of units and their actions. Players can play mechanisms at any time during their turn.
3. Traps: These cards counter other cards and can be played at any time during a player's turn. However, traps must be played face down and can only be activated during your opponent's turn.
In battles, when two units engage, they strike each other, dealing and taking damage equal to their Attack Points (AP). Units are free to declare an attack on any other unit on the field. If a unit loses all its Health Points (HP), it is destroyed and must be removed from the field, placed face down, and reactivated at the start of the player's turn. The player then draws a new card from the deck.
The hand size for the next turn is 10 cards.
Random effects are determined by rolling dice. When a host cell takes damage, it provides nutrients to the pathogens equal to the damage taken, which can be used to pay for certain cards. When a pathogen is destroyed, it provides 1 antigen, which can be consumed by the scientist player to pay for specific cards.
Units are divided into three classes based on stars: 1-star units have no cost, while 2 and 3-star units have a cost.
The playing field consists of host cells and board spaces for the scientist player. Both players can interact with units that are adjacent and in the same system. The field is divided into three systems, each resembling a major human system – respiratory, excretory and digestive. Players can only play cards that are applicable to the specific system they are in.
Pathogens
Scientist
