The project's goal was to use biology or biotechnology concepts to study and create a solution to a problem in the world. The possibilities were not limited, allowing for anything from water purification to vertical farming, and more. Our group decided to look at a way to decrease plastic pollution in the ocean. Below are the steps we had to complete for this project. Stage 1: Identify Research and identify at least six challenges or limitations to solving a current health, food, energy, waste or water issue. This is done individually.
As a group decide on your top choice and then two backup challenges. Turn in one proposal per group on the 16th
Stage 2: Research As a group research possible biotechnology products/solutions for chosen problem. Then each person will take a specific solution per problem and research it more in depth:
Stage 3: Imagine Choose one biotechnology product/solution from their pool of possible products and develop a detailed description of the problem, your approach, and the product. Find a virtual mentor to give you feedback
Stage 4: Plan Develop tests to prove efficacy (“proof of concept”). If can create it conduct these tests
Stage 5: Create Build your product or give detailed description of how to build it
Stage 6: Test and Evaluate Finish it all up with complete descriptions and plans for development or the actual product. Be prepared for peer critiques on May 31st
Stage 7: Improve and finalize Final revision of biotechnology product, including characterization, tests for efficacy and safety. Preparation of presentation (slides or video and poster)
Final presentations will be during finals
Topics Covered:
Disposable plastics- plastic products that are manufactured for single use relates to our project-despicable plastic make up most of the waste in our landfills and oceans
Decomposition-the state or process of decay and rotting relates to our project- petroleum plastic products don't decay fast
polymer-a chemical structure containing a chain of monomers. relates to our project- polymers are broken down my the bacteria in our project
monomer-a molecule; building block of polymer relates to our project-bacteria produce monomers which is the ideal structure for plastic decomposition
Sphingomonas- a bacteria that breaks down polymers relates to our project- most import part of our concept
poly aspartic acid-a polymerized biodegradable amino acid the molecule that Sphingomonas naturally break down
This was a very long project. It consisted of many long and intricate steps. However, it was very fun being able to guide the project ourselves and make it what we want. My group got along really well and one of our peaks was that we were able to work seamlessly and efficiently with each other. However, because we got along so well, one of our pits was that we became distracted very easily. Another peak was having great communication with one another, while another pit was not utilizing our time in the best possible way at moments. In this project, I learned a lot about my world problem and ways that we can help alleviate it. I think my group members and myself came out of this project with a lot more knowledge.