June 2025

June 9
Logged by Claire Park
▼
👥 Members Present

08:45 ~ 12:45: Jackson, David

08:45 ~ 15:15: Claire, Asger, JingJing, Zahara, William, Joanna, Jayden Leung

14:15 ~ 15:15: Evelyn, Lifu, Jayden Liu

🔬 Activities
  • Mr. Edwards introduced iGEM medal criteria, discussed special prize categories and submission village
  • All members registered for iGEM Slack; David created internal communication group
  • Joanna collected team questions for Wednesday 2 PM iGEM ambassador meeting
  • Full team conducted transformation experiment with competent cells and ampicillin resistance plasmid
  • Prepared PowerPoint and educational materials on micropipette usage and lab safety for Year 9 lesson
  • Dry lab explored MATLAB and GitLab for modelling and wiki development
  • Teams researched protease immobilization methods and types for Cp19k breakdown
✓ Completed
  • Successfully carried out transformation protocol and plated cells
  • Completed Slack onboarding for all members
  • Finalized Year 9 educational presentation materials
→ Next Steps
  • Assess transformation results (June 10/11) and calculate efficiency
  • Deliver Year 9 lesson (June 10, Period 3: 11:15-12:15)
  • Continue MATLAB/GitLab orientation
June 10
Logged by Zahara Greener
▼
👥 Members Present

08:45 ~ 12:15: Jayden Leung

08:45 ~ 15:15: Asger, JingJing, Zahara, William, Joanna, Lifu, Jackson, David

🔬 Activities
Dry Lab
  • Mr. Edwards recommended CP-19k production modelling software
  • Members explored proteins and modelling software
  • Worked on building wiki
Wet Lab
  • Checked competent bacteria efficiency
  • Measured bacteria transformations
  • Designed plasmid circuit
  • Rehearsed presentation
✓ Completed
  • Asger, Claire, David, Zahara delivered Year 9 presentation on micropipettes, lab safety, and iGEM overview
→ Next Steps
  • Design GFP test circuit
  • Select wells from distribution kit
June 11
Logged by Claire Park
▼
👥 Members Present

11:15 ~ 12:45: Jackson, David, Claire, Asger

09:45 ~ 15:15: Zahara, William, Joanna, Jayden Leung, Jayden Liu, Lifu, Evelyn

🔬 Activities
Wet Lab
  • Asger and Jayden attempted GFP circuit on sbolcanvas.org (unsuccessful - contacted iGEM technicians)
  • Asger built GFP circuit on Benchling using iGEM distribution kit sequence
  • Claire, Yixuan, Zahara discussed experimental procedure outline
  • Jayden Leung, Jayden Liu, Asger researched proteases for BiCp19k hydrolysis (522 bp, ~174 amino acids)
  • Claire researched BiCp19k AlphaFold models on UniProt
Dry Lab
  • Lifu, David, William, Jackson developed wiki Teams section with member profiles
  • Joanna, Evelyn, JingJing created wiki animations (ships, fish, sharks)
  • Refined team logo and drafted wiki layouts
  • Started Contact section
✓ Completed
  • Finished team member profiles (2/3 sub-tasks)
  • Zoom meetings with iGEM ambassadors and ship captain
  • Asger completed GFP circuit on Benchling
→ Next Steps
  • Continue attribution section and lab logs
  • Research protease active site structures
June 12
Logged by Claire Park
▼
👥 Members Present

08:15 ~ 15:15: Claire, Yixuan, Zahara, Asger, David, William, JingJing, Joanna, Lifu, Jayden Leung

🔬 Activities
Wet Lab

Golden Gate Assembly:

  • Mr. Edwards presented golden gate assembly introduction
  • Component distribution: Promoter (Asger), RBS (Claire), Plasmid (Zahara), Terminator (Jayden Leung), GFP (Yixuan)
  • Asger, Zahara, Jayden Leung completed DNA transformation, incubated overnight
  • Claire and Yixuan began transformation (heat shock and shaking stages)
  • Asger identified two additional proteases
  • Zahara identified proteases using FTmap
  • All parts stored in school freezer
Dry Lab
  • Joanna created cartoon images
  • Lifu, David, William implemented animations using Sora
  • Set up wiki subcategories per iGEM guides
  • William learning MATLAB
  • Joanna emailed about Year 6 teaching

Asger began Suzhou trip PowerPoint; Mr. Edwards organized trip logistics

✓ Completed
  • Finished 'Team Members' wiki section
→ Next Steps
  • Examine transformation efficiency, inoculate broth, mini-prep
  • Upload lab logs to wiki
June 13
Logged by Claire Park
▼
👥 Members Present

08:15 ~ 15:15: Claire, Yixuan, Asger, David, William, JingJing, Joanna, Jayden Leung

🔬 Wet Lab Activities

Transformation Results - Only controls worked:

DNAResultControl
RBS (23O)✗✗
Plasmid (7G)✗✗
Promoter (15O)✗✓
Terminator (19E)✗✓
GFP (23G)✗✓

Analysis: Methods verified (controls successful). Problem likely with resuspension or distribution kit.

Troubleshooting Variables:

SampleWater (µL)Time (min)Temp (°C)
K13 (Yixuan)5537
M21 (Claire)51525
A4 (Jayden)10537
I19 (Asger)101525
Dry Lab
  • JingJing and Joanna: Wiki animations, SnapGene logo, promotion poster, video planning
  • William: MATLAB tutorials
  • David: Social media accounts creation
✓ Completed
  • Suzhou presentation finished
  • Email setup: WCIS.Barnacure.iGEM@wellingtoncollege.cn
June 16
Logged by David
▼
👥 Members Present

08:15 ~ 15:15: David, Asger, Yixuan, Zahara, Lifu, William

🔬 Activities
Wet Lab
  • Varied suspension parameters: time, temperature, plasmid concentration
  • One transformation successful - breakthrough achieved!
  • Yixuan contacted STU iGEM team and PhD student for protocol advice
  • Mr. Edwards retried transformation and Golden Gate Assembly
Dry Lab
  • William continued MATLAB tutorials
  • David began wiki file imports
✓ Completed
  • Colonies grew after longer incubation
  • Switched framework to React
  • Identified enzymes based on temperature/pH
→ Next Steps
  • Troubleshoot distribution kit part lifting
  • Determine optimal enzymes
June 17
Logged by David and Zahara
▼
👥 Members Present

08:15 ~ 15:15: David, Asger, Yixuan, Zahara, Lifu, William

🔬 Activities
Dry Lab
  • William designed biofouling public questionnaire
  • David and Lifu upgraded lab log, completed project description
  • Converted TypeScript to HTML/CSS/JavaScript for GitLab
Wet Lab
  • Yixuan and Asger transformed plasmids using two methods
  • Developed wet lab workflow
✓ Completed
  • Asger finalized protease order list
  • Suzhou presentation finalized
→ Next Steps
  • Understand protein isolation protocol
  • Prepare biochemistry pathway presentation
  • Research protease testing
  • Focus on gold award requirements
June 23
Logged by Jayden Leung
▼
👥 Members Present

09:00 ~ 16:00: Yixuan, Asger, Zahara, Jayden Liu, Jayden Leung, Joanna, JingJing, William, David, Jackson, Evelyn

🔬 Activities
  • Mr. Edwards presented on modelling genetic circuits
  • JingJing researching circuit modelling
Dry Lab
  • Jackson, Evelyn, JingJing refined video script
  • William modeling CP-19k production in MATLAB
  • Joanna created website animations
Wet Lab
  • Practiced miniprep protocol (pET28A)
  • Stored plasmids at -20°C
  • Conducted electrophoresis trial
  • Learned SnapGene gel simulation
✓ Completed
  • Miniprep and electrophoresis trials
  • Finalized video script
→ Next Steps
  • Transform CP-19k tomorrow
  • Film promotional video
June 24
Logged by Jayden Leung
▼
👥 Members Present

09:00 ~ 16:00: Yixuan, Asger, Zahara, Jayden Leung, Joanna, JingJing, William, David, Lifu, Evelyn

🔬 Activities
Dry Lab
  • Made cardboard props and animations
  • Started filming promotional video
  • David and Lifu continued wiki
  • William researching MATLAB modeling
Wet Lab
  • Previous electrophoresis failed (low DNA concentration)
  • Successfully transformed CP-19k plasmids
✓ Completed
  • Filmed/edited first 30 seconds of video
  • Completed CP-19k transformation and plating
→ Next Steps
  • Continue filming
  • Inoculate transformed bacteria
June 25
Logged by Jayden Leung
▼
👥 Members Present

09:00 ~ 16:00: Yixuan, Asger, Zahara, Jayden Leung, Jayden Liu, Joanna, JingJing, William, David, Lifu, Evelyn, Jackson

🔬 Activities
Dry Lab
  • Video work: animations, music, editing
  • Asger and David acted; others filmed
  • William continued modeling research
  • Jackson began public opinion survey
Wet Lab
  • Observed significant bacterial growth
  • Inoculated bacteria in LB medium
  • SDS-PAGE trial (egg whites, fish, BSA)
  • Lisa and Chloe visited: requested professional interviews and social media expansion
✓ Completed
  • Completed SDS-PAGE trial
→ Next Steps
  • Make glycerol stock
  • STU trip survey
  • Bradford assay trial
June 26
Logged by Jayden Leung
▼
👥 Members Present

09:00 ~ 16:00: Yixuan, Asger, Zahara, Jayden Leung, Jayden Liu, Joanna, JingJing, William, David, Lifu, Evelyn, Jackson

🔬 Activities
Dry Lab
  • Evelyn: video editing (transitions, audio)
  • Interactive website interface development
  • Social media expansion; WeChat post created
  • Mr. Edwards filmed drone waving video
Wet Lab
  • LB medium: 4/5 trials successful
  • Created 8 glycerol stocks (-80°C)
  • Fixed SDS-PAGE (buffer issue)
  • Successfully ran SDS-PAGE, dyed and de-stained gel
✓ Completed
  • Fixed electrophoresis, prepared gel
  • Made 8 glycerol stocks
  • First WeChat post published
→ Next Steps
  • Finalize Suzhou presentation
  • Finalize STU questions
  • Create summer workflow
June 27
Logged by Claire Park
▼
👥 Members Present

09:00 ~ 16:00: Yixuan, Asger, Zahara, Jayden Leung, Jayden Liu, Joanna, JingJing, William, David, Lifu, Evelyn, Jackson, Claire

🔬 Activities
Dry Lab
  • David and Lifu: attributions with fluid effects
  • Jackson: completed public engagement form
  • Claire filmed for video
  • Full Suzhou presentation rehearsal
Wet Lab
  • Checked de-stained SDS-PAGE gel
  • Followed gel drying protocol
  • Photographed protein bands (blue light reader)
  • Finalized post-summer workflow
  • Claire completed Suzhou script
✓ Completed
  • Finished SDS-PAGE, photographed bands
  • Wet lab workflow finalized
  • Suzhou rehearsal completed
→ Next Steps
  • Return after summer for protease and kit work

August 2025

Aug 28
Logged by Zahara Greener
▼
👥 Members Present

13:45 ~ 14:15: Zahara, Yixuan, Claire

🔬 Wet Lab Activities
  • Discussed 3-week wet lab plans
  • Reviewed CP-19k purification procedures
  • Structured schedule (timing, equipment, assignments)
→ Next Steps
  • Test CP-19k purity via SDS-PAGE
  • Identify additional protease assays
Aug 29
Logged by Zahara Greener
▼
👥 Members Present

13:45 ~ 14:15: Zahara, Yixuan, Claire, Jayden Leung, Asger

🔬 Wet Lab Activities
  • Thawed half of CP-19k glycerol stocks
  • Inoculated in LB medium (1:10 ratio)
  • Overnight incubation
→ Next Steps
  • Induce CP-19k expression (IPTG) on Monday
  • Purify CP-19k samples

September 2025

Sept 2
Logged by Jayden Leung
▼
👥 Members Present

15:45 ~ 17:30

🔬 Wet Lab Activities
  • Started nickel column protein purification
  • Obtained pellets, resuspended with lysis buffer
  • Isolated supernatant with target protein
Sept 4
Logged by Jayden Leung
▼
🔬 Wet Lab Activities
  • Claire and Yixuan: Started 250mL inoculation for protein expression
  • Jayden Liu, Zahara, Jayden Leung: Continued nickel column purification, prepared SDS-PAGE samples
Sept 5
Logged by Jayden Leung
▼
🔬 Wet Lab Activities
  • Claire and Yixuan: Multiple centrifugation rounds for pellets
  • Zahara, Jayden Liu, Jayden Leung: Ran SDS-PAGE with purified proteins
  • Gel removed, awaiting Monday staining
Sept 8
Logged by Jayden Leung
▼
🔬 Wet Lab Activities
  • Planned next steps to complete project
  • Started SDS-PAGE staining process
Sept 9
Logged by Jayden Leung
▼
🔬 Wet Lab Activities
  • Started nickel column for 250mL culture
  • Resuspended pellets in lysis buffer, centrifuged
  • Protein isolated in supernatant
  • SDS-PAGE results: bands faint and unclear
Sept 12
Logged by Claire Park
▼
🔬 Wet Lab Activities
  • Completed nickel column purification for 250mL culture
Sept 15
Logged by Claire Park
▼
🔬 Wet Lab Activities
  • Continued SDS-PAGE on CP-19k culture
  • Calibrated Bradford assay for CP-19k quantification
  • Excellent calibration curve: r = 0.99
Sept 16
Logged by Claire Park
▼
🔬 Wet Lab Activities
  • Performed Bradford assay on CP-19k samples
  • Determined CP-19k protein concentration
Sept 17
Logged by Claire Park
▼
🔬 Wet Lab Activities
Protease Testing

Trypsin Preparation:

  • Prepared 50mM ethanoic acid
  • Measured 0.004g trypsin powder, mixed
  • Combined 50µL trypsin with 1000µL CP-19k (1:20 ratio)
  • Incubated at 37°C overnight

Alcalase Preparation:

  • Prepared 10mM Tris-HCl buffer
  • Measured 0.11g alcalase powder (7-15 U/mg; 1.1mg/mL)
  • Combined 50µL alcalase with 1000µL CP-19k
  • Incubated at 37°C overnight