Home
Project Proposal Guidelines
Undergraduate teams are charged with proposing an idea that
promotes the development of novel biotechnology(see the Brainstorming assignment).
These projects should use standardized biological parts (i.e., BioBricks;
see BioBrick
Standard Assembly) and simple mathematical
models to design and optimize novel genetic circuits. They
should be structured similar to those from the International
Genetically Engineered Machine Competition that are
listed on the 2013
iGEM team Wikis; for examples of other competitions,
please go to Previous
iGEM Competitions.
A particularly simple and clear example is the 2006
Edinburgh project.
Additional biological parts besides those found in the iGEM registry
(i.e., novel Biobricks) can be used in these projects; however,
the core idea of these projects cannot depend solely
on the function of these non-standardized parts. On the last
day of class, each TEAM will
submit
a document (12
pages maximum, including summary page, introduction and proposed
experiment sections with figures, and references)
on the idea.
These proposals should contain the following sections:
- Cover page with each of the following on separate
lines:
- Title of project proposal
- Authors (give the first and last names of each
member of your team)
- Complete name(s) of institution(s)
- Submission date (use correct format for recording
date)
- Honor code pledge: "On my honor, I have
neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on
this paper" [full signature by each team member]
- Summary page with an abstract (no more than
250 words)
- Introduction that describes why this circuit is
being proposed (e.g., the problem that your circuit will help
solve)
- Experimental Design (include figures)
- BioBricks
- a description of existing BioBricks that will be required
for the project and how they will be assembled
- a description of any novel BioBricks that need to be created and how their function will be verified
- proposed circuit diagram/model
- the methods that you will use to test the function of your circuit (e.g., how you will benchmark its function)
- how you will optimize your circuit after your first measurements
- if applicable, a brief description of the mathematical
models that
will be required for your project
- a conclusion describing a critical evaluation of your proposed
circuit
- briefly describe how you would approach biological safety
issues associated with your project
- Risks to the safety and health of those working in the
lab?
- Risks to the safety and health of the general public,
if released by design or by accident?
- Risks to the environment, if released by design or by accident?
- Risks to security through malicious misuse by individuals, groups, or countries?
- References (include access details for URL's)
Formatting Instructions:
- Text must be typed in a font size of 12
points; use Cambria, Times or Times New
Roman.
- Print on 8.5 x 11 paper; do NOT submit electronically
in PDF format or e-mail.
- Use DOUBLE SPACING throughout; do NOT use a
two column layout.
- Use one-inch margins.
- Start each section on a NEW page
- Number ALL pages consecutively; the title
page is page 1 (this page is NOT numbered) and the summary
is page 2, and so on...
- Put your TEAM # (e.g.,
Team 4) at the TOP of EACH page (except for
the Title Page)
- Abbreviations must be given in ( ) immediately
AFTER the complete citation of the term within the text
[e.g., adenosine deaminase (ADA)] . The
abbreviations of some important biochemical compounds,
e.g., ATP, NADH, DNA, and amino acids in proteins, need
not be defined.
The paper is scored as follows:
- Individual Sections
5 points = Summary
10 points = Introduction
20 points = Experimental Design
3 points = References
- Overall Presentation
6 points = Rationale (impact and novelty), Thoroughness
of Research Plan, Feasibility
6 points = Writing (clarity and style, organization,
usefulness of figures and tables)
Copyright, Acknowledgements,
and Intended Use
Created by B. Beason (bbeason@rice.edu),
Rice University, 10 January 2008
Updated 14 October 2013