July at a Glance - McMaster SynBio🧬🌏

Author

McMaster SynBio
July 01, 2025

Follow our Instagram! @mcmastersynbio

www.instagram.com/mcmastersynbio

Monthly Roundup

Hey McMaster! Here’s what we’ve been up to this month. ⚙️🌏

Catch up on everything that’s been happening with McMaster SynBio! Each month, we bring you a curated summary of team updates, event highlights, research progress, outreach efforts, and important announcements. Stay informed, stay connected, and see how we’re building the future of synthetic biology.

What is on the Agenda?

  • McMaster SynBio’s Annual High School Internship

  • Upcoming synthetic biology competition at McMaster

  • Project Updates

About Us!

McMaster’s very own Synthetic Biology Club 🌿💫

McMaster SynBio is a student-led team that continues to push the boundaries of synthetic biology. By competing in the annual International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) competition, we aim to tackle global challenges through the application of cutting-edge biological solutions. Our undergraduate team was established in 2017, and since then we have racked up 3 silver medals🥈 and 2 bronze medals🥉 while representing McMaster University. 

Our latest project: ChloroNova 

At iGEM 2024, our team presented our project, ChloroNova, which proposes the use of genetically engineered microalgae to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while producing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). This project addresses the alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance while offering a solution to sustainable energy practices. 

McMaster SynBio’s Annual High School Internship 

SynBio High School Internship 2025 is Underway!

Our annual 4-week internship is back—welcoming a group of bright, motivated high school students ready to dive into the world of synthetic biology.

Selected from a competitive pool, interns will soon begin shadowing McMaster SynBio team members, exploring the intersection of biology, engineering, and innovation. They’re participating in mentorship sessions, skill-building workshops, and collaborative challenges to tackle real-world problems using SynBio tools.

The month wraps up with the SynBio Symposium, where interns present their final projects to peers, mentors, and scientists—gaining hands-on experience in research, communication, and scientific creativity.

Whether aiming for biotech, medicine, or just exploring what science has to offer, this internship sparks curiosity and builds confidence beyond the classroom.

iGEMulate

Ready to iGEMulate? 🧠⚙️🌱

Recipients of this newsletter are the first to know about our upcoming event, iGEMulate!

Inspired by the global iGEM competition, iGEMulate is McMaster SynBio’s very own mini-challenge—bringing the thrill of synthetic biology straight to campus.

Students will team up to tackle real-world problems—think climate change, cancer, agriculture, and AI in STEM—using innovative SynBio strategies. This isn't just theory: it's creativity, collaboration, and cutting-edge science in action.

Projects will be judged by a powerhouse panel including McMaster’s internationally recognized iGEM team, visiting iGEMers, industry pros, and expert faculty. Participants will walk away with feedback, experience, and a major boost in their STEM toolkit.

Whether you're curious about synthetic biology or hungry for a challenge, iGEMulate is your chance to think big, build smart, and pitch bold solutions.

In case you missed it

Dry Lab Dispatch: Building the Blueprint of Biology👀🌿⚙️

This past month, our dry lab team has been hard at work supporting wet lab efforts through design, modelling, and visualization.

The design subteam has drafted multiple plasmid constructs with varying components—each set to undergo computational testing before moving to the bench. They've also developed 3D visualizations of key proteins involved in our organism’s autotrophic pathway, helping bridge complex biology with accessible insights.

On the modelling side, the team is building a kinetic model of the pathway and a metabolic model to optimize reaction rates, identify competing or inhibitory genes, and explore knockouts. Jonah is leading efforts to model and visualize efflux pump mechanisms to regulate ergosterol concentrations—paving the way for smarter biological control.⚙️

These computational insights will be essential for validating wet lab results and driving informed experimental design as the project moves forward.

Let’s show some recognition to our incredible team!

Member Spotlight 👀🫶

Meet Mike Cho! Mike is a fourth-year Math and Bio student, and this year, he is SynBio’s Associate Vice President!

Mike has really been standing out these past few weeks! Even from his home back in Alberta, Mike still manages to attend every little meeting, even the morning ones, despite the time difference. Mike has been making a real impact in supporting all of his teams; from science communication, to beyond track, to finance teams, to all of our side projects, Mike has been showing his dedication to the team, and we all really appreciate him. 

Support McMaster SynBio 💙🧬

Help us bring our synthetic biology vision to life! Your support goes directly toward research materials, competition costs, and outreach efforts—including student-led programs like our high school internship and iGEMulate.

Every contribution makes a difference.
[Donate here → GoFundMe Link]

Thank you for supporting the next generation of innovators!