STEM Student Competition Sponsorship Program 2023 - The Australasian SynBio Challenge

Project Member(s): Care, A.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer (Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer)
Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer (Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer)

Start year: 2023

Summary: TheAustralasian SynBio (ASB) Challenge is an inter-university competition that aims to grow the SynBio community in Australia and abroad (www.aussynbiochallenge.org/). Accordingly, the Challenge provides a unique educational platform for university students to carry-out their own SynBio research project. This year, our University of Technology Sydney team will creatively merge synthetic biology with space research! Specifically, we will explore new ways to biomanufacture protein therapeutics in space, which could improve self-sufficiency during long space missions. We have partnered with NSW-based start-up EXPLOR (www.explorespace.com.au/), who have a device that mimics microgravity conditions found on the International Space Station. The team will use this device to determine the effect microgravity has on the production of protein therapeutics. Additionally, the team is supported by the Australian Space Agency, who will offer critical scientific guidance.

FOR Codes: Space transport, Expanding knowledge in the biomedical and clinical sciences, Space sciences, Synthetic biology

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.