Challenges in Undergraduate Synthetic Biology Training: Insights from a Canadian iGEM Student Perspective

Abstract

The last two decades have seen vigorous activity in synthetic biology research and ever-increasing applications of synthetic biology technologies. However, pedagogical research on synthetic biology is scarce, especially when compared to some scientific and engineering disciplines. Within Canada, there are only three universities that formally teach synthetic biology programs; two of which are at the undergraduate level. Many Canadian undergraduate students are instead introduced to synthetic biology through participation in the annual International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition where they work in design teams to conceive of and execute a synthetic biology project that they present at an international jamboree. We surveyed the Canadian landscape of synthetic biology education through the experience of students from the Canadian iGEM teams of 2019. Using a thematic codebook analysis, we gathered insights to generate recommendations that could empower future iGEM team operations and inform educators about best practices in teaching undergraduate synthetic biology.

The BioExperience Research and Entrepreneurship Challenge: An iGEM-inspired applied research program for BIOSTEM talent and skills development

“…The freedom to self-manage is a central element of iGEM and is associated with essential intrapersonal and interpersonal skills (Farny, 2018). We also sought to design a program structure that addresses challenges experienced by students participating in the iGEM competition (Diep et al, 2021), including students choosing unrealistic and overly ambitious projects, participant dissatisfaction with mandatory tasks deemed irrelevant, and the breakdown of social cohesion within teams.…”

“…The competition has facilitated the emergence of Synthetic/Engineering Biology as an applied science discipline and has contributed to numerous biotechnology start-up companies (Wright, 2020). It also helps students develop skills and abilities that bioeconomy employers have identified as lacking in recent graduates (Diep et al, 2021). However, the iGEM competition has a relatively narrow focus and must be complemented by talent and skills programs that can deliver similar learning opportunities more broadly across the bioeconomy.…”

BioSin UFMG Club: Engaging a multilevel and multidisciplinary community in synthetic biology

“…It is also uncentralized and encourages a collaborative environment. Members of the Club are active learners, as they are responsible for the meeting, giving them more autonomy around their learning experience 9,11 . Therefore, the members have the freedom to engage with topics that otherwise would be unreachable.…”

“…This exciting field had rapid growth in the last two decades, and so did the number of university classes and attendees, 3 albeit some courses do not follow a textbook on synthetic biology and rely much more on published papers. [4][5][6][7][8] Another way students can engage with synthetic biology is through competitions such as iGEM 9 or TECNOx. 10 However, courses and disciplines of synthetic biology are not standard in Universities.…”

“…Members of the Club are active learners, as they are responsible for the meeting, giving them more autonomy around their learning experience. 9,11 Therefore, the members have the freedom to engage with topics that otherwise would be unreachable. Moreover, even when they are within reach, it is in a more strict environment, which does not have room for wandering.…”