About Us
We are an iGEM team based in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing together young scientists from International Community School of Bangkok (ICS), International School of Bangkok (ISB), and KIS International School. United by curiosity and collaboration, we combine our diverse skills to tackle global health challenges.
Our mission is to innovate in the field of synthetic biology while promoting STEM education and scientific literacy in our community. We believe science should be inclusive, engaging, and impactful.
Our Project
Staphylococcus aureus — including the dangerous MRSA strains — has become increasingly resistant to conventional antibiotics, creating a critical public health threat. Our project focuses on a bioinformatics-driven strategy to identify and disrupt genes responsible for the pathogen’s cell wall integrity without harming beneficial microbiota.
Using genomic analysis, metabolic pathway mapping, and computational modeling, we pinpoint molecular targets unique to S. aureus. This precise targeting approach could pave the way for next-generation antimicrobials that slow resistance development and protect healthy bacterial communities.
Beyond the lab, our team engages in educational outreach to spread awareness about antimicrobial resistance and synthetic biology’s potential to address it.
Why We Chose This Project
With the rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens like MRSA, there is a pressing need for precision-based tools to study and disrupt bacterial viability. Our project leverages the specificity of CRISPR-Cas9 to target two essential genes in Staphylococcus aureus: mraY, involved in cell wall synthesis, and dnaG, a primase critical for DNA replication.
Instead of traditional transformation, we aim to amplify the targeted regions using PCR after CRISPR treatment and confirm gene disruption via gel electrophoresis. This streamlined, DNA-level approach allows us to demonstrate knockout feasibility in vitro while maintaining a BSL-1 safe protocol.
Follow Our Journey
Join us as we explore science, innovate for the future, and share our discoveries with the world. Follow our updates and be part of our mission.
Learn About the Project Meet the team