Synthetic biology can make medicine more accessible
A team of undergraduates from the University of Rochester has created new methods for synthesis of plant derived molecules using 3D printing.
The team presented this project to a panel of judges last autumn at the Giant Jamboree in Paris, France hosted by the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Foundation. The competition is centered on using synthetic biology to address significant problems in fields such as human health, agriculture, manufacturing, and the environment, and over 400 teams from around the world compete each year.
Why this matters:
The team’s project addressed the issue of high cost and inaccessibility of essential medicines. Our unique solution: Optimizing the synthesis of large molecules and ultimately achieving greater yield and lower production cost.
This can decrease the cost of synthetic plant-originating medical products, making them more affordable to a wider audience. With the success of the project at the Jamboree, this highlights the potential of microbe printing for future medical compounds to improve our community’s access to health.
In Paris, the UR team’s project used engineered microbes, bacteria and yeast, working together to print in-demand plant-derived molecules, all while trapped in separate gels to prevent escape. The team presented their homemade 3D bioprinter with an altered dual channel function and ability to print gels, made originally from a plastic printer.
During the Jamboree, members talked about their work on the different components of the project including running models, getting the printer to run, interviewing industry experts and leading educational workshops.
This year, the team won a gold medal and was nominated for the best hardware and best bio-manufacturing awards at the Jamboree, making Team Rochester the third-most-awarded undergraduate iGEM team in the US.
Throughout the experience, the team was exposed to the synthetic biology industry and learned about the implications and impacts of their project in addition to networking with different startup companies. Talking to other teams around the world gave the team insight on the local issues that different regions face.
With the advancement of science, solutions that might seem far-fetched could be attainable in the future. Working on this project taught the team the importance of ethical and policy considerations, how to overcome setbacks with experiments and how to communicate science to audiences from various backgrounds.
Catherine Xie is a University of Rochester student Class of 2025.