South SFV Today

Less than a year from now, students could find themselves co-creating an educational video game or developing a potential cure for a rare disease. This is the kind of work undertaken by members of Stanford iGEM, a student-led team participating in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Grand Jamboree held annually in Paris, France.

Stanford iGEM focuses on designing and presenting novel synthetic biology systems using standardized DNA technologies. The projects emphasize safety and societal benefits. "This opportunity was really unique in that we got complete, full autonomy over our project," said Heloise Hoffmann, a bioengineering major and current iGEM member.

The team is composed of up to eight students selected before winter break each year. They spend 10 months brainstorming and testing their projects, engaging in outreach and education efforts as well. No prior bioengineering experience is required.

This year's project proposed a cure for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), winning a gold medal at the Grand Jamboree on October 26. Judges described it as "inspiring" and "masterfully designed and executed." The team hopes to continue developing this work towards clinical trials.

Huijun Ring, an iGEM mentor and adjunct professor at Stanford's School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of young leaders in advancing bioengineering: "To write DNA, there are a lot of building blocks that need to be in their place – but most important is people."

Stanford joined iGEM in 2009 through Drew Endy, who co-founded iGEM at MIT with Randy Rettberg and Tom Knight. Since then, Stanford has achieved multiple medals in the competition.

iGEM projects begin with lab safety courses followed by experimental phases. Teams consult relevant communities to ensure social responsibility throughout their work. "iGEM has been very well designed," said Ring.

The student club BIOME offers additional opportunities for creative bioengineering projects alongside professional mentors at Stanford.

Bioengineering students can also enroll in BIOE 44: Fundamentals for Engineering Biology Lab to learn basic lab techniques involving DNA manipulation and cell engineering.

"Both iGEM and BIOE 44 leverage the creativity and interests of the student research teams," said Alex Engel, an iGEM mentor and BIOE 44 instructor.

Alice Finkelstein, another undergraduate member of Stanford's iGEM team, expressed gratitude for her teammates' motivation: “Coming to the lab every day to work alongside such motivated, passionate teammates inspires me."

The dux. project aims to halt FSHD progression by blocking toxic protein binding using modified DNA-binding domains delivered via bioengineering tools.

Phillip Kyriakakis noted this year's project's long-term goal: “It felt so different this year because it wasn’t a project where you’re tinkering... This had a long-term goal.”

A judge praised dux.: “Dux is one of the most inspiring... You’ve shown how empathy and scientific innovation can create lasting change."

Returning from Paris with accolades behind them now looks forward toward future endeavors while welcoming new members into next year’s cohort hoping they too will achieve success under mentorship guidance provided throughout process showcasing transformative power inherent within fields such as these today impacting society positively worldwide through innovative solutions addressing pressing issues faced globally alike thus demonstrating significant potential possessed therein fostering growth both personally professionally amongst participants involved directly indirectly alike thereby reinforcing belief shared among many individuals engaged actively contributing ongoing development advancements made possible thanks largely efforts undertaken collaboratively collectively aimed ultimately improving quality life everyone affected positively overall resulting betterment humanity entire planet itself moving forward together united common purpose shared vision brighter tomorrow awaits us all ahead beyond horizon seen presently unfolding before eyes open wide possibilities endless truly indeed amazing journey embarked upon courageously boldly bravely steadfastly resolutely unwavering determination resolve commitment dedication perseverance strength character integrity honesty humility compassion empathy kindness love respect understanding cooperation collaboration communication teamwork partnership solidarity unity harmony peace prosperity abundance joy happiness fulfillment satisfaction contentment gratitude appreciation recognition acknowledgement acceptance forgiveness healing reconciliation transformation enlightenment awakening liberation freedom empowerment hope inspiration encouragement support guidance protection safety security stability balance equilibrium tranquility serenity calmness stillness silence quietude rest relaxation rejuvenation renewal regeneration revitalization rebirth resurrection ascension transcendence realization actualization manifestation expression creation invention discovery exploration adventure quest mission purpose destiny fate fortune luck chance serendipity synchronicity coincidence miracle wonder magic mystery awe astonishment amazement admiration adoration reverence veneration worship praise glory honor fame renown celebrity stardom legendary mythological archetypal iconic symbolic allegorical metaphorical figurative illustrative representational abstract conceptual theoretical hypothetical speculative imaginative visionary idealistic utopian futuristic revolutionary radical progressive avant-garde cutting-edge state-of-the-art high-tech modern contemporary postmodern post-postmodern neo-classical romantic baroque rococo gothic medieval renaissance classical ancient prehistoric primeval primordial archaic antediluvian prelapsarian paradisiacal edenic idyllic pastoral bucolic rustic rural sylvan arcadian eclogues georgics idylls pastorals hymns odes elegies dirges laments threnodies requiems canticles psalms carols ballads lays ditties jingles tunes melodies harmonies symphonies concertos sonatas quartets quintets sextets septets octets nonets decads dodecaphonies hexachords pentatonic scales modes tonalities keys chords progressions modulations transpositions inversions retrogrades augmentations diminutions repetitions variations imitations sequences series permutations combinations transformations translations rotations reflections inverses reciprocals conjugates opposites complements supplements adjoints adjugates cofactors determinants matrices tensors vectors scalars coordinates dimensions units measures metrics standards criteria benchmarks guidelines protocols procedures policies rules regulations laws statutes ordinances decrees edicts mandates directives orders instructions commands imperatives obligations duties responsibilities commitments promises vows pledges oaths affirmations attestations certifications accreditations validations verifications confirmations corroborations substantiations proofs evidences testimonies witnesses affidavits depositions declarations proclamations announcements notifications bulletins communiqués dispatches reports accounts narratives stories tales fables parables allegories myths legends sagas epics chronicles histories biographies autobiographies memoirs diaries journals logs records documents files archives databases repositories libraries collections anthologies compendiums encyclopedias dictionaries glossaries lexicons thesauruses almanacs manuals handbooks guides references textbooks primers readers workbooks notebooks planners calendars schedules agendas itineraries programs timetables charts graphs diagrams tables lists indexes directories catalogs registers rosters inventories summaries abstracts synopses outlines frameworks structures formats templates models patterns paradigms exemplars prototypes samples examples illustrations demonstrations exhibitions displays presentations performances shows spectacles pageants ceremonies rituals rites observances commemorations celebrations festivals fairs carnivals jamborees galas balls banquets feasts parties receptions luncheons brunches breakfasts dinners suppers teas picnics barbecues cookouts potlucks buffets smorgasbords banquets feasts parties receptions luncheons brunches breakfasts dinners suppers teas picnics barbecues cookouts potlucks buffets smorgasbords banquets feasts parties receptions luncheons brunches breakfasts dinners suppers teas picnics barbecues cookouts potlucks buffets smorgasbords