Strategic Process Biotechnology2020+ in Berlin

The [http://www.bmbf.de/en/ German Federal Ministry of Education and Research] invited all German iGEM teams to the [http://www.biotechnologie2020plus.de/ 4th Strategic Process Biotechnology 2020+] which took place in Berlin at the 27th of July. Every year representatives from academia, industry and politics are invited to discuss the future of biotechnology. The reason for this event is to procure and to extend the collaboration between research organizations and universities to gain the vision to develop the next generation of biotechnological processes as well as initiate their realization. This year all German iGEM teams got the chance to present their projects via a poster session and discuss their ideas with the attendants.

So we send two members of our team to represent our project to Berlin. At the congress we got in touch with all the other German iGEM teams. We had an intensive exchange with the other teams and discussed their projects. In addition we addressed arranging the Synbioday this year so we asked the teams to cooperate with us to plan a big campaign of all German iGEM teams. At least we motivated five other iGEM teams to organize this special day.

The information platform biotechnologie.de which is sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research arranged a [http://www.biotechnologie.de/BIO/Navigation/DE/Aktuelles/biotechnologie-tv,did=164896.html?listBlId=85084& video] about the congress. This video explains what the congress is about and how important it is to have an exchange between the different researchers. At this congress the idea of the principle of a MFC as a future innovation is mentioned. This shows how actual our project is and that this idea of an MFC will have a future application.

The Strategic Process Biotechnology2020+ conference was a good chance to get in touch with the other iGEM teams, promote our project and of course to talk with experts from academia, industry and politics. At this event we get in touch with Dr. Falk Harnisch an expert in bioelectrotechnology and bioelectric catalysis so he was the perfect address to ask questions and get feedback about our project. Later we organized a Skype interview and invited him to our institution.

BIO.NRW PhD Student Convention in Düsseldorf

The iGEM Team Bielefeld was honored with an invitation to the [http://www.bio.nrw.de/ 4th BIO.NRW (PhD) Student Convention] at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esprit_Arena/ Esprit Arena] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Düsseldorf/ Düsseldorf]. The two-day event starting on July the 12th was arranged in the VIP-Lounge of this modern Stadium, home of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortuna_Düsseldorf/ Fortuna Düsseldorf´s] soccer team. Aimed at life science (PhD) students, the congress presents an exquisite chance to meet representatives of industry and academia, get information for a successful career entry as well as to improve soft skills in workshops.

The iGEM Team Bielefeld had an opportunity to present the iGEM competition and its own project as an excellent example of outreaching scientific interest and commitment exceeding the regular academic studies.

The presentation of the team was placed on a prominent spot of the first day´s evening program and was enjoyed by more than a hundred participants. We gave an overview of our project, explained the principle of standardized DNA parts and talked about the motivation behind participating in a competition like iGEM. We put a special emphasis on raising a general interest in initiatives like iGEM. Bielefeld University and Team Bonn are the only iGEM teams in the federal state of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Rhine-Westphalia/ North Rhine Westphalia], one of the most populated regions in Europe and a host of the convention.

The three key-presentations held by renowned guests on the first evening highlighted different aspects of the modern biotechnology. A former Qiagen specialist accented the importance of initiative: successful examples, along with some pros and cons of a career in a young start-up company were brought to our attention. After the official part a lively informal discussion about future development of the biotechnology industry was continued. The supporting program featured a stadium tour, dinner and a relaxed evening on the grandstand. We had an opportunity to obtain a highly positive opinion about our project from specialists and doctoral students. We were encouraged to pursue our goal of creating an alternative source of electricity and reconfirmed in the actuality of the chosen theme.

On the second day numerous workshops focusing on our soft skills were scheduled. Having in mind the importance of a clear and elucidating presentation- both of our project and of iGEM ideas - we have chosen to conduct communication and presentation workshops. These workshops, moderated by professional coaches, were highly informative and well-structured.

We have taken a lot of positive impressions and ideas originated during these conversations. A few held a particularly special meaning to our project; including one that used a 3D-Printer to print our cell in plastic. We received a huge support from one of the participants, starting from tips how a fuel cell can be modeled up to details concerning the material selection.

The convention was a success for us as a team, as we were able to draw attention to iGEM, our project, and to raise the awareness about synthetic biology based on the parts registry. Participation in this event was also very motivating and informative for us.

All images are used with a kind permission of BIO.NRW.

Congress "60 years of DNA" in Berlin

The Max-Delbrück-Center for molecular medicine (MDC) in Berlin-Buch hosted a congress to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the DNA-discovery by Watson and Crick. We were invited to present the field of synthetic biology and the iGEM competition to all visitors. The congress was directed towards the interested public, especially towards students and teachers.
The program held several scientific presentations around DNA, open discussions were carried out and workshops brought attendants closer to fields like synthetic biology, gene diagnostics and personalized medicine. Addressed subjects were among other things the impact of the DNA discovery, the present methods of modifying it, or the future chances of genetically improved medical treatment.
We presented posters about synthetic biology, iGEM in general and gave an in-depth look at our project to those interested. Overall, our stand and the information we tried to pass were perceived very positively and many students or teachers were quite fascinated. We got a lot of positive feedback regarding our MFC-project and some undergraduates were highly interested in iGEM itself.