U of L student joins iGEM delegation to present at Biological Weapons Convention
LETHBRIDGE – The University of Lethbridge’s iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) team made quite a splash at November’s annual jamboree, providing the springboard for one U of L student to participate on the world stage.
The iGEM team’s project focused on ways to make synthetic biology safe and available for everyone, says Chris Isaac (BSc’ 17), a biochemistry master’s student who has participated in iGEM since he was a Grade 11 student at Chinook High School.
“We presented these results in Boston and we drew the attention of iGEM itself, the FBI and the Dutch Institute for Public Health,” he says. “Our team was trying to develop a cell-free synthetic biology system to bring this technology to as many people as possible and make sure that it’s democratically spread out. Then we realized that this tool, as useful as it is, also opens up unforeseen biosecurity risks.”
The iGEM ambassador to Latin America approached Isaac and suggested he apply to the iGEM delegate program. He did and was chosen to be part of the iGEM Foundation’s delegation to the Meeting of States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in Geneva from Dec. 4 to 8. Isaac was one of five students in the delegation. They attended the plenary sessions and presented to delegates from around the world at a side event.