IGEM:The Citadel/Notebook/1 April 2010

From the Meeting on April 1st, 2010

Brainstorming Project Ideas

 * Genetic memory (look to Endy Lab, and there have been numerous iGEM projects around this concept)
 * Optimizing nitrogen-cycle bacteria for agriculture in third-world countries
 * Biofilm degradation and a solution to the problems of biofouling
 * Synchronized action using quorum sensing (look to this paper)
 * Myostatin-inhibition
 * Carbon sequestration (done by some extremophiles)
 * This site is worth starting at. And this paper might be interesting read.  Be warned though, it's not easy.
 * Malaria and sickle cell anemia. Solutions?
 * Berkeley's 2007 Bactoblood project might be a good starting point
 * Mercury bio-remediation (in marine animals)
 * A similar Australian team's project needs looking into.
 * Drug addiction relief and recovery. Buprenorphine for heroin addicts ... production (possible?), timed release, genetic measures preventing abuse
 * Tinker kill switch: A part that prevents further modification to the plasmid

Communications

 * Wiki discussion on OWW
 * Email
 * Google Docs for papers and journals (Wave?)
 * Meetings (weekly now, biweekly later in April)
 * Meeting times posted on wiki homepage and notifications sent by email
 * Meeting notes put up on the wiki

Outline for Team Structure

 * President / Team Captain (Brian)
 * Organize Meetings
 * Publicity
 * Implementing strategy
 * Student contact for the team
 * Secretary (Braye and Sullivan)
 * Information distribution and managment
 * Agenda keeping
 * Keeping everyone doing what they need to be doing
 * Treasurer (Hunter)
 * Work with Biology Dept. and Provost with funding
 * Go with Brian, Dr. Rosenblum, and Dean Groetsch to The Citadel Foundation and Provost's Office for housing/stipends
 * iGEM HQ Fees (with Advisers)
 * Flights and Hotels (with Advisers)
 * Vice President for Research / Lab Manager (John)
 * Supplies, reagents (get discounts!)
 * Help grad students and profs with orders (Jonathan knows this better than we do... it'd be nice to ease up on the profs)
 * Daily lab meetings (during the summer, that is)
 * Overall research head
 * Vice President for Public Affairs (Cyrus)
 * Publicity
 * Community Outreach
 * Wiki
 * Jamboree Presentation
 * Poster
 * Publication
 * Grad Student Advisers (would be a huge plus)
 * Scientific insight, lab technique, papers, etc
 * Help with team administration, running equipment, ordering supplies
 * No more than 2 or 3 grads

Let me *Brian D. Burnley 03:09, 9 April 2010 (EDT): know if anyone isn't satisfied with their role!

Recruitment

 * Goal = 10 undergrads, 2 grads
 * Talk with CofC, MUSC, Trident, local private high schools (Porter Gaud, Bishop England, Academic Magnate, Wando, St. Joe's)
 * Go to Chemistry and Electrical Engineering Depts.

Short term goals

 * Training session in mid-April
 * Explain team commitments and expectations to everyone
 * Grad recruitment
 * Up to four more undergrads/high schoolies