DNA IMMOBILIZATION PROTOCOL

This year, our team developed and validated a protocol for immobilizing DNA onto glass capillary tubes. Because there is no standardized workflow for this process, we optimized and documented each step to ensure reproducibility and accessibility for other teams.

The protocol involves surface silanization with APTES, aldehyde activation using glutaraldehyde, and covalent attachment of amine-modified single-stranded DNA inside the capillary. Each reaction is performed under controlled heating and washing conditions to ensure stable DNA immobilization.

By publishing this method, we aim to support future teams interested in surface-based biosensing or capillary-driven detection systems, offering a validated workflow for DNA functionalization in miniaturized devices.

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Wet Lab Protocols

BOWTIE MAKER SOFTWARE

As part of our work this season, we introduced the bowtie method of risk assessment to the iGEM community. While bowties are widely used in engineering and industrial safety, they had not yet been applied within iGEM to map hazards, threats, and barriers in synthetic biology projects. Recognizing their value, we collaborated with Lucca C. Filippo, a graduate student at the University of Alberta specializing in safety engineering and systems-based risk analysis, to adapt the framework for use in iGEM.

Building on this foundation, our team created a bowtie maker tool designed specifically for student-led biology projects. The platform provides a step-by-step interface for mapping hazards, and supports the addition of preventative, recovery, and escalation factor barriers. Export functions allow teams to directly use their diagrams in wikis, presentations, or safety forms, removing the need for time-consuming manual formatting.

By developing this resource, we hope to make structured safety analysis both approachable and impactful. Our contribution not only introduces a new framework to the competition but also lowers barriers for future teams to integrate critical risk management into their projects. We see this as an important step toward embedding a stronger culture of safety and responsibility in synthetic biology.

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Bowtie Maker Software

PRODUCT SAFETY PAMPHLETS

As part of building our test kit, we designed a safety and instruction pamphlet modeled after the style of COVID-19 rapid test guides. The aim was to make handling protocols and disposal steps simple, clear, and accessible for users who may not have extensive laboratory training. Each section covers safety warnings (as per OHS and WHMIS), handling, and disposal instructions.

To align with workplace safety requirements, we based our design on Alberta’s Occupational Health & Safety regulations and WHMIS/Hazardous Products standards, which set the benchmark for chemical labeling, hazard communication, and user protection. This included integrating hazard symbols, precautionary statements, and waste disposal instructions consistent with provincial and federal guidelines. By doing so, we ensured our kit could be deployed responsibly in Alberta while also meeting expectations for transparency and risk awareness.

Although tailored for Alberta standards, the principles behind this pamphlet are widely applicable. The combination of clear warnings, step-by-step visuals, and explicit waste handling protocols can serve as inspiration for future iGEM teams or community projects in other regions. Whether adapted to different local regulations or applied in educational outreach, the approach demonstrates how straightforward communication can make advanced biosafety practices approachable and transferable across contexts.

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Product Safety Pamphlets

RUMISEQ SOFTWARE

To support our project, we developed a bioinformatics software tool that identifies conserved regions across multiple nucleotide sequences. The program aligns sequences, shifts mutations, and highlights conserved regions, while also providing the percentage of conservation across different sequences or sequence lengths. This functionality is particularly valuable for iGEM teams, as conserved regions often point to functionally important sequences that can guide experimental design. Unlike many existing tools, which can be difficult to navigate without advanced bioinformatics training, our software was created with accessibility and user-friendliness in mind, making it approachable for teams with varying levels of expertise.

Our software was coded in Biopython and designed for modularity and reusability. Each core feature (including sequence alignment, mutation detection, conserved region analysis, and SBOL export) was developed as a standalone function. This modular structure allows future users to adapt or expand individual components for their own needs, fostering a collaborative environment where teams can build upon each other's work. By integrating SBOL export, the tool ensures compatibility with widely used bioinformatics standards, making it easy to integrate results into larger workflows. In this way, our contribution not only supports our own project but also strengthens the broader synthetic biology community.

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RumiSeq Software

PARTS

Our team also expanded the iGEM Registry by submitting parts derived from MS2 phagemids, focusing on their well-studied ability to package RNA with high specificity. RNA phages like MS2 are powerful tools for synthetic biology, but challenges such as error-prone replication and complex assembly pathways often limit their accessibility to student teams.

To make these resources easier to use, we documented and submitted essential MS2 elements, including experimentally validated packaging signals, structural features of the coat protein, and key insights into polymerase activity. We also summarized strategies for producing phage-like particles using one- and two-plasmid systems, along with approaches for purification and quantification. This combination of background research and part design provides both the genetic components and the context needed to apply them effectively.

Through these submissions, we hope to equip future iGEM teams with reliable tools for creating synthetic phage particles and validating RNA-based technologies. Our contributions are meant to lower the barrier for working with RNA phages, enhance reproducibility across projects, and inspire new applications of phagemid systems within synthetic biology.

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Parts