Best Education
Interprofessional Project (IPRO)
The project has undergone development over the course of five semesters, as part of an Interprofessional Project (IPRO) class. IPRO classes are a graduation requirement at Illinois Tech, aiming to bring students from diverse disciplines together to collaboratively address a common problem.
This specific IPRO, known as "Engineering Life," has introduced students to the field of synthetic biology. It has encompassed a wide range of projects, including tasks like bacteria-assisted microplastic degradation and the exploration of novel treatments for Alzheimer's Disease.
IIT iGEM Club
The IITChicago Team has additionally founded an iGEM Club at Illinois Tech. This club operates in conjunction with the IPRO course, granting students the opportunity to explore the realm of synthetic biology and engage in research at their own pace. Furthermore, it affords students the chance to partake in networking gatherings and career advancement opportunities.
The iGEM Club fosters collaboration with numerous biotechnology enterprises in both the Chicago area and globally, thereby creating additional opportunities for interactions such as seminars and internships.
High School Mentorship Program
Over the recent summer, Illinois Tech organized a mentorship initiative for high school students, encompassing various fields of biology, including synthetic biology. A total of twenty-four students in grades 9 through 12 engaged in a two-week program focused on hands-on experiments spanning areas such as synthetic biology and physiology.
They conducted experiments involving DNA isolation, cell cultures, gel electrophoresis, and other biological techniques. This program introduced high school participants to a range of biological fields including synthetic biology.
Laura Kutschinski and Alidia Mickelson speaking to high school cohort.
High School students in the lab conducting a hands-on cell culturing experiment