As in previous years, Cornell iGEM remains a student-run undergraduate team. We created and applied our 2021 project entirely on our own. Collatrix applies current research in tissue engineering to develop a product developed specifically for joint system healing.
Our members’ ambition, actions, and accomplishments despite these challenging times exemplify Cornell iGEM’s mission: promoting and harnessing synthetic biology to better the world, whatever the circumstance.
Our Wet Lab subteam engineered E. coli to produce a prokaryotic collagen-like protein with variable binding sites. They developed models and derived differential equations for this protein expression. They analyzed the biomedical applications of creating collagen scaffolds that mimic tissue interfaces. They collaborated with the Product Development subteam to characterize attachment of mammalian cells to hydrogel scaffold frameworks.
The Product Development team developed and built a bioreactor and novel gradient hydrogel machine, using both to produce gradient collagen scaffolds. They constructed 3D designs, modeled the behaviors, and implemented hardware and software components of each machine. The team created and refined hydrogel creation procedures and conducted rigorous mechanical testing of our scaffolds.
The Policy and Practices (P&P) team interviewed professionals in the scientific field. Biotech companies, professors, and other stakeholders were invited to discuss our project and provide feedback. The team designed and implemented outreach and education activities including a collaboration with GTC Hong Kong, a series of seminars with high school students, and a Sciencenter activity booth.
The Business subteam created a comprehensive business plan to take Collatrix to market. The group analyzed the project for its competitive advantages and limitations, performed industry and market research, and compared Collatrix to its competitors already in the space. They then developed a plan for iGEM to raise sufficient funds to finance operations, as well as a timeline to achieve specific milestones and goals.
The Wiki/Design subteam created graphics and a website to display all of the work through digital content in a simple, easy-to-understand layout.
Collatrix would not have been made possible without the guidance of our faculty as well as the organizations, and authorities we have worked with:
- Dr. Jan Lammerding, PhD; Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at the Cornell Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering; Associate at the Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology; for his continued support and consultation for the team’s operations. His active guidance and advice on our experimental designs, feasibility and research have been invaluable.
- Maggie Elpers, Yannis Ntekas, Mariela Rivera-De Jesus, and Stephan Sutter, our graduate student mentors, for their invaluable project feedback and advice. It is only with their insight that we were able to achieve our goals in this project.
- The Ithaca Sciencenter for hosting a Cornell iGEM outreach event to the Ithaca community
- Danimers, Gelita, Jos Olijve from Rousselot, Dr. Benjamin Donohue, Dr. Jason Spector, and Avathamsa Athirasala from OHSU for taking the time to share experience in various fields to help ensure the success of our project.
- Patrick Gibney, Gavin Sacks, Guillame Lambert, Matthew Paszek, Abdullah Ozer, and Linda Nicholson for providing their insight and advice.
- Cornell's College of Engineering for the project team platform, without which we could not otherwise participate in the iGEM tournament.