Genehackers Research Symposium
In the spring of 2023, the UChicago Genehackers embarked on an effort to
highlight the exciting undergraduate research that takes place on our
campus. In the first annual Genehackers Research Symposium,
undergraduate researchers from divisions as diverse as particle physics,
tissue engineering, chemical biology, and geological sciences presented
to their peers in a constructive yet rigorous event. The well-attended
symposium allowed for undergraduates who have not yet committed to
research labs to hear about what was available, while those who were
actively involved in labs across campus could gain new perspectives and
generate ideas for future work!
Bringing Science to Underserved Communities
In the winter of 2023, the UChicago Genehackers partnered with the Bret Harte Magnet Cluster school on the southside of Chicago to bring synthetic biology demonstrations into the neighborhoods around our campus. Engaging with elementary school students, representatives from our team taught lessons about miscibility and solubility before leading an interactive demonstration where students experimented with water, oil, corn starch, food dye, and soap before building their own mini lava lamp with products they can find around the house. Engaging with middle school students, representatives from our team taught lessons about DNA and chromosomes. Working together, students learned to extract DNA from strawberries and to understand what its function within the organism.
Educational Fundraiser for American Thyroid Association
In Spring 2023, we held a fundraiser for the American Thyroid Association and raised over 500 dollars in profit. We put up informational posters about thyroid statistics and the role of levothyroxine in treating hypothyroidism. When we brought this topic to the members of the public, we focused on the role that thyroid disease and its treatment have in so many lives. It was encouraging and enlightening to hear people’s personal experiences with thyroid conditions and their support for the success of our project.
Health Equity Symposium
We attended the Global Biomedical Health Equity Symposium on October 1,
2023, which featured 7 iGEM teams from around the world, including the
host UMich. Our presentation focused on the ability of enzymatic
synthesis to improve accessibility for the highly-prescribed
hypothyroidism drug levothyroxine. Hypothyroidism affects up to 5% of
the population and is a chronic illness that can be treated e ffectively
with a daily levothyroxine dose. However, the cost of levothyroxine is
prohibitive in some developing countries, while in others limited
levothyroxine supply means that few receive treatment. Additionally,
levothyroxine is a narrow therapeutic index drug, meaning that small
dose deviations can lead to adverse effects. In developed countries,
companies use a complex and expensive purifying process to remove
bioactive impurities generated during synthesis. Using the GLOW method,
implementing our biocatalytic method in place of heavy chemical
synthesis can improve levothyroxine quality and price accessibility.
Transaminases are very substrate-selective and stereospecific, meaning
that companies will not have to throw out the 50% of the product that is
the wrong enantiomer and that levothyroxine will be produced with fewer
impurities. This can ensure that more people have access to high-quality
levothyroxine at a lower price.
Check out our presentation here:
Mentoring session with SMS iGEM team
During the summer, Genehacker's Dry Lab Lead, Tracy Chen, hosted an in-person meeting with a high school iGEM team from Shenzhen Middle School. Tracy showcased the workflow of our GLOW project, while the SMS iGEM team shared insights into their CaPtuRe airborne pathogen detection initiative. Furthermore, Tracy shared her experience in bioengineering research at UChicago, responded to questions about college applications, and offered guidance on engaging in research during college.