Workshop Template This is a template presentation which can be adapted for your own school workshop. Try to customise it as much as possible, depending on what age group you’ll be teaching. Make it as exciting as possible by using as many pictures/videos as possible and by bringing props (they love cuddly microbes!).

TEMPLATE Synthetic Biology School Workshop The name of your iGEM team TEMPLATE TEMPLATE TEMPLATE TEMPLATE TEMPLATE TEMPLATE

TEMPLATE What is synthetic biology? The design and construction of new biological parts, devices and systems. The re-design of existing, natural biological systems for useful purposes. We aim to use the same tools, techniques and principles as engineers. Give your own explanation/explain that there’s no definitive explanation for what synthetic biology really means.

TEMPLATE Imagine a day when you don’t have to… Think of some of your own ideas as to how synthetic biology could impact on your daily routine. This could be as simple as brushing your teeth, eating breakfast or filling up your car!

The SynBio Toolkit: Restriction Enzymes Used by bacteria to guard against viruses Recognise and cut a specific sequence Bacteria protect own genome from cutting by methylating genomic DNA

TEMPLATE Biobricks Biobrick Standard Assembly uses 4 restriction enzyme sites to combine any 2 pieces of DNA. E =EcoRI X = XbaI S=SpeI P=PstI

TEMPLATE Synthetic Biology in action Think of a new application to biology and explain how it’s making a difference in our world.

TEMPLATE The iGEM Competition The International Genetically Engineered Machine competition is for undergraduates. Over the summer, each team works on their own synthetic biology project. The iGEM Jamboree is held at M.I.T. in the Autumn, when awards for the best projects are given.

TEMPLATE A few of our favourite projects so far… Try to go for some of the more lighthearted projects and don’t bombard them with too much technical information!

TEMPLATE Our iGEM project Make sure you explain it so that any school student will get a basic idea of what you’re trying to do. You may find this a bit tricky, but it’s really important that scientists learn to communicate their ideas in an effective way to non-specialists

TEMPLATE Activity One: New Applications Brainstorm some new applications for synthetic biology!

TEMPLATE Regulation of synthetic biology Discuss why regulation of synthetic biology is so important.

TEMPLATE Activity 2: Regulating Synbio ‘Everyone should have access to the methods used in synthetic biology, regardless of their background and training’ What do you think?

TEMPLATE The media and synthetic biology Does the media affect the public’s perception of synthetic biology? How? Why is public engagement so important?

TEMPLATE Find some newspaper headlines/articles that talk about synthetic biology. What language do they use and what images come to mind when you read them?

TEMPLATE Activity 3: Marketing your own synthetic biology product Think of a name and act out a TV advert for your product. How would you ensure the public that it is safe to use? What would be the advantages of using a synthetic biology product over a more traditional alternative?

TEMPLATE Thanks for your time! Any questions