I am a 3rd year Biotechnology student at the University of Life Sciences in Timisoara, Romania 🎓
I like reading 📚 and I find nature quite interesting. I think it is fascinating how everything works in our body, plants and our environment, and it is very important that we keep nature safe and clean, because we are also a part of it!
In addition, I really enjoy doing lab work, especially seeing the little mircoorganisms through a microscope and how each and everyone of the species look and function! 🦠🧪
I am also very eager to learn new things about molecular and synthetic Biology 🧬
Step 1. First, describe a biological engineering application or tool you want to develop and why. I am passionate about reading, as well as Biology, so I came up with an idea that could mix both and be sustainable and enjoyable for us bookworms.
My idea that I would like to put into practice is a reading light powered by bioluminescent algae, combined with microbial fuel cells for supplemental energy. Instead of relying solely on electricity, the lamp is partially powered by living systems, creating a sustainable, educational, and interactive device.
Part 1: Benchling & In-silico Gel Art Here is a simulation with the Restriction Enzyme Digestion on Benchling.com: Part 3: DNA Design Challenge 3.1. Choose your protein. I chose the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) because it naturally glows green when exposed to UV light. This revolutionized cell biology by allowing scientists to see proteins inside living cells and it won the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. This protein has been isolated from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria and forms a beta-barrel structure (like a protective can). Inside the barrel is the chromophore — the light-producing part.
Opentrons Artwork Post-Lab Questions I found a published paper which describes how researchers leveraged the Opentrons OT-2 automated liquid handler to develop an automated, high-throughput proxy viscometer. The robot was programmed to dispense liquids of various viscosities and collect data for machine-learning models to predict viscosity, demonstrating a practical application of the OT-2 in fluid characterization workflows — requiring minimal human intervention while significantly increasing throughput. If I would go for my first project idea, which is the Bacterial Microplastic Sensor, there would be the following automation tools that I could apply: Automated Fluorescence Detection System The goal is to automatically quantify GFP output in response to PET degradation products. I can automate the timed fluorescence measurement (every 10 min), background subtraction, data logging (CSV), real-time plotting and threshold alert. Automated Incubation + Sampling There can be a shaking plattform automation, with 3D tube rack and/or temperature control with heat pad, temperature sensor and automated regulation. A pseudocode example can be:
Part A. Conceptual Questions Why do humans eat beef but do not become a cow, eat fish but do not become fish?
When you eat beef or fish, your body does not keep the meat intact and turn it into “cow tissue” or “fish tissue.” Instead, your digestive system breaks everything down into basic molecules, like proteins into amino acids, fats into fatty acids + glycerol, carbohydrates into simple sugars and DNA into nucleotides.
Subsections of Homework
Week 1 HW: Principles and Practices
Step 1. First, describe a biological engineering application or tool you want to develop and why.
I am passionate about reading, as well as Biology, so I came up with an idea that could mix both and be sustainable and enjoyable for us bookworms.
My idea that I would like to put into practice is a reading light powered by bioluminescent algae, combined with microbial fuel cells for supplemental energy. Instead of relying solely on electricity, the lamp is partially powered by living systems, creating a sustainable, educational, and interactive device.
Bioluminescent algae (e.g., Pyrocystis lunula or engineered E. coli) produces gentle, continuous light. Algae glow when they metabolize nutrients, providing a natural light source. This can lead to sustainable outcomes, such as reducing electricity consumption, using renewable biological processes and biodegradable components that minimalize waste.
My additional goals are to enhance the aesthetic experience of reading and to explore practical, safe uses of bioluminescence beyond the laboratory.🦠🌱
This image is AI generated
Step 2. Next, describe one or more governance/policy goals related to ensuring that this application or tool contributes to an “ethical” future, like ensuring non-malfeasance (preventing harm). Break big goals down into two or more specific sub-goals.
My first big goal is that this lamp should, of course, not harm any humans, animals or the environment
Sub-goal 1A: Containment of living organisms
The use of non-pathogenic, lab-safe algae or bacteria.
Ensuring that the lamp is a closed system to prevent accidental release into homes or the environment.
Include fail-safes so organisms cannot survive outside the lamp (e.g., nutrient-dependent survival).
Sub-goal 1B: Safe user interaction
Developing clear usage guidelines, labeling, and instructions.
Prevent accidental ingestion, skin reactions, or allergic responses.
Educate users on proper disposal of nutrients and lamp components.
My second big goal is that the lamp should not negatively impact ecosystems or contribute to waste.
Sub-goal 2A: Biodegradable materials
The use of compostable biomaterials for the lamp casing and cartridges.
Reducing reliance on plastics or non-renewable resources.
Sub-goal 2B: Minimal ecological footprint
Design the lamp to consume minimal electricity and nutrients.
Ensure any waste products from the lamp (e.g., spent algae or nutrient capsules) are safe and compostable.
Step 3. Next, describe at least three different potential governance “actions” by considering the four aspects below (Purpose, Design, Assumptions, Risks of Failure & “Success”)
Governance Action 1: Implement a Biosafety Certification Program
Purpose: Ensure that all SymbioLight lamps meet strict biosafety standards to prevent accidental release of organisms or harm to users.
Design: Require all lamps to be tested in labs for non-pathogenicity and containment integrity.
Assumptions: Users may handle the lamp incorrectly or dispose of it improperly.
Risks or Failure: Contaminated or unsafe lamps reaching consumers.
Success: Safe adoption of living lamps in households.
Governance Action 2: The use of Biodegradable, Low-Impact Materials Policy
Purpose: Ensure the lamp’s components do not harm the environment when discarded, aligning with sustainability goals.
Design: Mandate mycelium, algae-based plastics, or bacterial cellulose for lamp casing and nutrient cartridges. Plus, require testing for complete compostability and low environmental toxicity.
Assumptions: Users will dispose of lamps in composting or bio-waste systems.
Risks or Failure: Non-compostable waste entering landfills or water systems.
Success: Increased public trust in synthetic biology products.
Governance Action 3: Mandatory User Education & Ethical Guidance
Purpose: Promote safe, responsible, and informed use of SymbioLight, and foster public understanding of living systems.
Design: Include educational manuals and labels explaining the biology, safety protocols, and proper disposal.
Assumptions: Users may be unfamiliar with living systems and mishandle them without guidance.
Risks or Failure: Misuse or neglect of living organisms leading to lamp failure or ecological impact.
Success: Informed users who safely interact with living lamps.
Step 4. Next, score (from 1-3 with, 1 as the best, or n/a) each of your governance actions against your rubric of policy goals.
Does the option:
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Enhance Biosecurity
• By preventing incidents
3
3
3
• By helping respond
2
2
2
Foster Lab Safety
• By preventing incident
2
3
2
• By helping respond
2
2
2
Protect the environment
• By preventing incidents
2
3
2
• By helping respond
1
1
2
Other considerations
• Minimizing costs and burdens to stakeholders
2
2
2
• Feasibility?
2
3
2
• Not impede research
2
2
2
• Promote constructive applications
3
2
2
Step 5. Last, drawing upon this scoring, describe which governance option, or combination of options, you would prioritize, and why. Outline any trade-offs you considered as well as assumptions and uncertainties.
After considering the three proposed governance actions—(1) biosafety certification, (2) sustainable materials policy, and (3) user education requirements—I would prioritize a combination of Option 1 and 3, with Option 2 as a secondary but important long-term goal.
The most critical ethical responsibility of SymbioLight is to ensure non-malfeasance—that the product cannot cause harm to people or the environment. Because the lamp involves living organisms, even if they are benign, the greatest potential risk lies in accidental release of engineered algae or bacteria, contamination of local ecosystems as well as unintended health effects in homes. Without strong biosafety guarantees, the entire concept could become unethical regardless of how sustainable or educational it is.
The rason why I would prioritize Option 3 as well, is because even a perfectly engineered product can cause problems if misused. Therefore, governance must include the human element. SymbioLight users need to understand how to care for living organisms, how to dispose of materials properly and the limits of what the lamp can safely do.
Lastly, Option 2 is also important, but not first because sustainability is a core motivation for SymbioLight, but it does not address immediate safety risks. Using biodegradable materials is ethically desirable, yet a lamp made from non-ideal materials is still less harmful than a lamp that releases unsafe organisms.
Week 2 HW: DNA read, write and edit
Part 1: Benchling & In-silico Gel Art
Here is a simulation with the Restriction Enzyme Digestion on Benchling.com:
Part 3: DNA Design Challenge
3.1. Choose your protein.
I chose the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) because it naturally glows green when exposed to UV light. This revolutionized cell biology by allowing scientists to see proteins inside living cells and it won the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
This protein has been isolated from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria and forms a beta-barrel structure (like a protective can). Inside the barrel is the chromophore — the light-producing part.
The GFP visible in Aequorea victoria. Source: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/how-glow-dark-jellyfish-inspired-scientific-revolution
sp|P42212|GFP_AEQVI Green fluorescent protein OS=Aequorea victoria OX=6100 GN=GFP PE=1 SV=1
MSKGEELFTGVVPILVELDGDVNGHKFSVSGEGEGDATYGKLTLKFICTTGKLPVPWPTLVTTFSYGVQCFSRYPDHMKQHDFFKSAMPEGYVQERTIFFKDDGNYKTRAEVKFEGDTLVNRIELKGIDFKEDGNILGHKLEYNYNSHNVYIMADKQKNGIKVNFKIRHNIEDGSVQLADHYQQNTPIGDGPVLLPDNHYLSTQSALSKDPNEKRDHMVLLEFVTAAGITHGMDELYK
3.2. Reverse Translate: Protein (amino acid) sequence to DNA (nucleotide) sequence.
3.4 Technologies for producing the Green Fluorescent Protein.
To produce the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), a gene encoding GFP will be necessary. This gene contains a promoter, coding sequence and terminator.
A: Cell-Dependent Method.
The GFP gene is inserted into a plasmid with a bacterial promoter. The bacteria (E.coli) transcribes and translates the gene and the protein accumulates in the cytoplasm. It can be purified using chromatography. This method is cheap and fast.
Another cell-dependent method would be when the plasmid with GFP is introduced via transfection in yeast or mammalian cells. Through this method, cells express GFP for microscopy studies or protein assays. Therefore, it is useful if GFP needs to fold properly in eukaryotic environments.
graph LR;
DNA-->mRNA-->Protein-->Fluorescence
B: Cell-Free Method.
The cell-free method is the use of cell-free protein synthesis systems, which contain ribosomes, tRNAs, amino acids, nucleotides, ATP, GTP, and transcription/translation enzymes. Then, the DNA template will be added for GFP to the mixture. The protein is produced without living cells, often within a few hours. This method is rapid, avoids toxic effects of protein expression, easy to add modifications.
3.5. [Optional] How does it work in nature/biological systems?
A single gene can produce multiple different proteins at the transcriptional level mainly through mechanisms that modify the RNA transcript before it becomes translated. This greatly expands protein diversity without increasing gene number. The key mechanisms are Alternative Splicing, Alternative Promoters, Alternative Polyadenylation and RNA Editing. The most crucial method is alternative splicing. During transcription, a gene is copied into pre-mRNA containing exons and introns. Before translation, introns are removed and exons are joined. In alternative splicing, different combinations of exons are included or excluded. Types of alternative splicing are exon skipping, alternative 5′ splice site, alternative 3′ splice site, intron retention and mutually exclusive exons.
➜ The gene TP53 provides instructions for making a protein called tumor protein p53 (or p53).
➜ This protein acts as a tumor suppressor, which means that it regulates cell division by keeping cells from growing and dividing (proliferating) too fast or in an uncontrolled way.
➜ It is often called the guardian of the genome because it prevents cells with damaged DNA from becoming cancerous.
➜ Thus, the TP53 gene is arguably the most important gene in cancer biology.
The p53 protein is located in the nucleus of cells throughout the body, where it binds directly to DNA. When the DNA in a cell becomes damaged by agents such as toxic chemicals, radiation, or UV rays from sunlight, this protein plays a critical role in determining whether the DNA will be repaired or the damaged cell will self-destruct. If the DNA can be repaired, p53 activates other genes to fix the damage. If the DNA cannot be repaired, this protein prevents the cell from dividing and signals it to undergo self-destruction. By stopping cells with mutated or damaged DNA from dividing, p53 helps prevent the development of tumors.
TP53: A central mediator of stress responses. Source: https://p53.fr/images/image_info/TP53_Knowledge/TP53_Pathtway_2.png
(ii) For sequencing, I would choose the Illumina Sequencing (Sequencing by Synthesis).
Generation
It is second generation because it sequences millions of DNA fragments at the same time (massively parallel sequencing), requires PCR amplification first (cluster generation on a flow cell) and it produces short reads (usually 75-300 base pairs).
Input & Preparation
The biological input would be the human genomic DNA, like blood tissues or cultured cells, or molecular input like double stranded DNA fragments. How to prepare the input: DNA extraction ➜ Fragmentation ➜ End Repair and A-Tailing ➜ Adapter Ligation ➜ PCR Amplification ➜ Library Quantification
How it reads the DNA
Illumina uses the fluorescent reversible terminator nucleotides. One labeled nucleotide (A, T, C, G) is incorporated, the terminator prevents further extension, the laser excites fluorophore and the camera detects the emitted color. This is how the base is identified and each color responds to one base.
Output
Illumina produces raw data files (BCL files) converted into FastQ files. This contains sequence reads and quality scores.
5.2 DNA Write
(i) If I could synthesize a gene, I would choose synthesizing nitrogen-fixation genes for crops.
Why are nitrogen fixating crops so powerful?
➜ Right now, only legumes (like beans and peas) form symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as Rhizobium
➜ Major crops (wheat, rice, maize) rely heavily on synthetic fertilizer
➜ Fertilizer production uses the Haber–Bosch process, which is extremely energy-intensive
➜ If cereal crops could fix nitrogen, there would be massive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, lower farming crops, less nitrate pollution in rivers and improved soil health.
➜ Unfortunately, nitrogen fixation is a complex process because nitrogen requires ~15–20 genes (nifHDK and accessory genes), tight regulatory control and metal cofactors (Mo-Fe clusters).
➜ Key genes include nifH, nifD, and nifK.
(ii) I would use the Oxford Nanopore method (Longs-read sequencing)
1. Essential steps:
High-molecular-weight DNA extraction
Adapter attachment
DNA passes through nanopore protein
Electrical signal changes detected
Base calling via AI algorithms
It is essential for very long reads, it can sequence an entire nif cluster in one read and it detects structural variations easily.
2. Limitations:
The Oxford Nanopore method has raw accuracy, more insertion/deletion errors and it requires strong computational analysis.
5.3 DNA Edit
(i) If I could edit a gene, I would edit disease vectors (Gene Drives), specifically Mosquito Malaria Control.
Why did I choose this editing?
The main species targeted is the mosquito Anopheles gambiae. This species spreads malaria by transmitting the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria is a very problematic disease because it kills hundreds of thousands of people per year- mostly children.
By editing Anopheles gambiae with gene drives, the mosquito can be sterile and it would prevent transmitting the malaria parasite. I would edit a fertility gene (often doublesex) and attach a CRISPR-based gene drive. This will lead to the breeding of modified mosquitoes, the gene drive would copy itself into the partner chromosome and nearly all of the offsprings inherit it. But as good as this sounds, there are obstacles, such as arising new mutaions that break the CRISPR target site, preserve fertility and outcome the drive.
CRISPR technologies for the control and study of malaria. Source: https://media.springernature.com/lw685/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1186%2Fs13071-025-06905-w/MediaObjects/13071_2025_6905_Fig1_HTML.png
(ii) I would use CRISPR-Cas9 combined with a gene drive cassette as the technology to edit the gene.
How CRISPR edits DNA and the essential steps
CRISPR–Cas9 editing works in 3 core steps: Target recognition, DNA cleavage and Repair pathway determines outcome. For a gene drive, the inserted cassete includes a Cas9 gene, sgRNA gene and homology arms. After cutting the wild-type allele, the cell uses the gene drive allele as the repair template, the drive copies itself and the organism becomes homozygous. The essential steps are:
1. Target gene selection
Choosing a gene critical for female fertility or parasite transmission
2. Guide RNA design
Using bioinformatics tools to identify unique 20-nt target sequence, minimize off-target matches and avoid polymorphic regions
3. Construct Gene Drive Cassete
The components include Cas9 coding sequence, germline-specific promoter, sgRNA expression cassette and homology arms (~1 kb each side)
4. Embryo Microinjection
Inputs delivered into early embryos
5. Screening
6. Contained Population Testing
Input & Preparation
Input: Cas9 enzyme (or Cas9 expression plasmid), sgRNA sequence, donor DNA template with homology arms, promoter sequences, selectable marker, mosquito embryos, microinjection equipment and PCR primers for validation.
I found a published paper which describes how researchers leveraged the Opentrons OT-2 automated liquid handler to develop an automated, high-throughput proxy viscometer. The robot was programmed to dispense liquids of various viscosities and collect data for machine-learning models to predict viscosity, demonstrating a practical application of the OT-2 in fluid characterization workflows — requiring minimal human intervention while significantly increasing throughput.
If I would go for my first project idea, which is the Bacterial Microplastic Sensor, there would be the following automation tools that I could apply:
Automated Fluorescence Detection System
The goal is to automatically quantify GFP output in response to PET degradation products. I can automate the timed fluorescence measurement (every 10 min), background subtraction, data logging (CSV), real-time plotting and threshold alert.
Automated Incubation + Sampling
There can be a shaking plattform automation, with 3D tube rack and/or temperature control with heat pad, temperature sensor and automated regulation. A pseudocode example can be:
if temperature < 37:
heater_on()
else:
heater_off()
AI-Based Fluorescence Quantification
Instead of raw intensity, there can be the use of computer vision or a train model to classify fluorescence levels.
Ginkgo Nebula Integration Plan
The usage of Gingko Nebula could be very helpful with DNA design automation (Promoter optimization, RBS strength prediction, codon optimization, circuit simulation) or experimental tracking (automated protocol versioning, construct iteration tracking, strain documentation).
Week 4 HW: Protein Design Part I
Part A. Conceptual Questions
Why do humans eat beef but do not become a cow, eat fish but do not become fish?
When you eat beef or fish, your body does not keep the meat intact and turn it into “cow tissue” or “fish tissue.” Instead, your digestive system breaks everything down into basic molecules, like proteins into amino acids, fats into fatty acids + glycerol, carbohydrates into simple sugars and DNA into nucleotides.
Why are there only 20 natural amino acids?
Life could have used more (and sometimes does), but 20 appears to be a near-optimal balance. But why is that so? The Genetic Code has limits. Proteins are built using codons — 3-letter sequences in DNA/RNA. ➜ 4 bases (A, U/T, C, G), 3 positions per codon, 4³ = 64 possible codons. But 3 are stop signals and many codons are redundant (multiple codons for the same amino acids). Therefore, The code settled on 20 standard amino acids early in evolution and became highly conserved. Changing the code would break nearly all exiting proteins and would be catastrophically disruptive!
Can you make other non-natural amino acids? Design some new amino acids.
Synthetic biology and medicinal chemistry routinely create non-natural amino acids, and some are even genetically encoded in engineered organisms. Some are chemically synthesized and incorporated during peptide synthesis, while others are genetically encoded using engineered tRNA/synthetase systems.
One amino acid would be Alkyne-Lysine (Bioorthogonal Handle). The lysine’s side chain is modified to include a terminal alkyne. Alkynes allow click chemistry (azide–alkyne cycloaddition), site-specific labeling and fluorescent tagging. This amino acid could be used in protein imagin, drug conjugationg and synthetic protein networks.
Where did amino acids come from before enzymes that make them, and before life started?
Amino acids are within all living things on Earth, being the building blocks of proteins. Proteins are essential for many processes within living organisms, including catalysing reactions (enzymes), replicating genetic material (ribosomes), transporting molecules (transport proteins) and providing a structure to cells and organisms (e.g. collagen). Therefore, amino acids would have been needed in significant amounts within the region where life began on Earth. The Miller–Urey Experiment (1953) showed, that organic molecules can spontaneously form under plausible early-Earth conditions. Chemists simulated early Earth’s atmosphere and within days, the flask contained amino acids like Glycine, Alanine and Aspartate. Without enzymes or cells, just chemistry. That means, enzymes didn´t invent amino acids. Instead, Geochemistry made amino acids, those amino acids accumulated, some began forming short peptides, eventually, self-replicating systems emerged and only later did enzyme-based metabolism evolve.
If you make an α-helix using D-amino acids, what handedness (right or left) would you expect?
If you build an α-helix entirely from D-amino acids, it will form a left-handed helix. The reason why is that natural proteins use L-amino acids. In Biology, almost all amino acids are L and standard α-helices in proteins are right-handed. D-amino acids are mirror images of L-amino acids. So if you build A peptide from L residues ➜ right-handed α-helix and the exact mirror molecule (all D residues) must adopt the mirror conformation. Therefore, the entire structure inverts and the mirror image of a right-handed helix is a left-handed helix.
Can you discover additional helices in proteins?
Yes, and in fact, there already has been discovered additional helices beyond the standard α-helix. But whether new helices can exist is a deeper structural question. Other helices are: 3₁₀ Helix and π-Helix. There can be more, but it is very constrained.
Why are most molecular helices right-handed?
Most molecular helices in biology are right-handed because life uses L-amino acids, and L stereochemistry makes the right-handed α-helix energetically favored.
Why do β-sheets tend to aggregate?
β-sheets aggregate because their backbone hydrogen bonding is unsatisfied at the edges, and the easiest way to satisfy it is by binding to another β-sheet.
8.1 What is the driving force for β-sheet aggregation?
The driving force for β-sheet aggregation is driven by a combination of backbone hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and water-mediated entropy effects, with cooperativity making it autocatalytic.
Why do many amyloid diseases form β-sheets?
Amyloid diseases form β-sheets because β-sheets have exposed hydrogen-bonding edges at misfolded regions, β-strands are geometrically compatible with stacking and fibril formation, hydrophobic and polar side chains stabilize sheet stacking, cross-β fibrils represent a low-energy, highly stable state and misfolding exposes β-prone sequences that nucleate aggregation.
9.1 Can you use amyloid β-sheets as materials?
Yes, amyloid β-sheets are not just pathological; their structural properties make them ideal building blocks for engineered materials. Some amyloid-based materials are:
Hidrogels ➜ Short amyloidogenic peptides form cross-β networks in water and creates soft, viscoelastic gels that can be used in tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery systems and 3D cell culture matrices.
Nanofibers and Films ➜ Amyloid fibrils can be aligned to make strong, thin fibers and they can be embedded in composites for e.g. biocompatible electronics
Functionalized Materials ➜ Side chains can be chemically modified to bind metals, fluorophores, or enzymes and enables catalytic amyloid materials, light-responsive materials, and sensing platforms
Part B: Protein Analysis and Visualization
I selected the human hemoglobin because it is a crucial and very well-known protein that transports oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
The structure of hemoglobin. Source: https://chemistwizards.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/hemoglobin-structure-1024x687.webp
🩸This is the frequency of amino acids from Google Colab:
🩸On UniProt´s Blast tool, it showed that there are 113 protein sequence homologs.
🩸Hemoglobin belongs to the globin superfamily, which is a large group of proteins that bind heme and transport or store oxygen. Some common features of globins are globin fold, heme-binding pocket and conserved residues. Also, within the globin superfamily, hemoglobin has a subfamily ➜ Alpha-globin and Beta-globin.
🩸The structure from RCSB was released in 1998-04-29. The resolution is 1.80 Å
🩸There is a molecule in the structure. A ligand called “PROTOPORPHYRIN IX CONTAINING FE”
