19. March 2010 by admin.

Frederick County’s Biotech Community, The BioBeers.

Friday from 4:30 til 7 at ImQuest  BioSciences on 7340 Executive Way Frederick, MD 21704-9405.

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19. March 2010 by admin.

So there is certainly signs of momentum building.

This just in from Dr. Tom Burkett, our main mentor contact and head of the biotechnology department at CCBC-Catonsville.

“I’ve got a 1 credit course set up for the summer. It’s BIOL 281-Cooperative Education -Biology. There’s a note describing the course as for the iGEM competition. The course should be open for registration next week. I’m also close to finalizing the funding for the entry fee-again I should know by early next week. If possible I want to get everything registered before spring break. I talked with the iGEM people a bit today and they had no problems with DYI-Bio participation as long as they are registered at an accredited institution.

Towson is in, and drumming up support. I think there may be more interest and participation once we have the infrastructure all set up. ”

—

Patrick also sent word of further Towson interest from Elizabeth Goode, as well as Jim Saunders, who runs the molecular bio, biochemistry and bioinformatics program at towson, and he seemed cautiously enthused in his response:

“…I told Tom that I would be glad to help out as well, although the nature of the project might require that we seek specific expertise in targeted area.  Both Tom and I are in a position to offer research credit for students engaging in the competition, however, we are hopeful that we might be able to find funding sources for student stipends if we engage in this activity in the future.  Please let me know what the next step would be.”

We have also had contact from Prof. Lindahl and Asst. Prof. Erill from UMBC, who are still gauging the level of interest and involvement yet seem enthused.

HCCC is out as an institutional support, however Engineering Professor, Scott Foerster still remains interested in mentoring if he can.

The timing seems to be perfect for the implantation of these seeds. Two days after announcing our exploratory meeting, I was told of an organizational meeting of the DC DIY-Bio enthusiasts. This was followed by contacting security expert Piers Millet of iGEM, who put me in contact with Agent You at the FBI in DC… He just happened to be holding a webcast devoted to these issues with Jason from DIY-Bio Boston, the next day in Washington.

I also held a video interview with reporter Michelle Williams of National Journal who is doing a piece on synbio and look forward to seeing the results of her report when it’s finished.

I was also contacted by organizers of Boston, NYC, and LA: DIY-Bio groups and  they also have intentions to enter iGEM possibly with similar strategies of inter-institutional support. Due to this level of interest, I have heard rumor of iGEM creating a DIY community category.

We’ll see.

Optimistically,

-Ryan

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