National Science Foundation grant allows Yasmin Kafai to develop synthetic biology project

June 22, 2016

Yasmin B. Kafai, Penn GSE
Dr. Yasmin Kafai
What if instead of just learning about biology, students could design synthetic genetic circuits that would enable microorganisms to change color, smell, and shape? 

That is the goal of bioMAKERlab, a collaboration between Penn GSE’s Yasmin Kafai and the Penn School of Design’s Orkan Telhan. On Wednesday, the National Science Foundation awarded the project an early-concept grant. 

“With bioMAKERlab, high school students and teachers will be able to learn and discuss not only critical ideas about synthetic biology but also test what it means to design and build your own organisms using DNA,” Telhan said. “This will give students the critical and creative understanding of technology and the sciences needed for jobs in the future.”

Read more about the grant here.