Team:Uppsala-Sweden/Team

• Anthony Forster

Dr. Forster received from the University of Adelaide, Australia, a B.Sc. majoring in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry in 1983, a B.Sc. Hons. in Biochemistry in 1984, and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1988. He was a post-doctoral fellow with Nobel laureate Sidney Altman at Yale and received an M.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Medical School in 1996. He then completed a residency in Anatomical Pathology followed by research as an Instructor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School.

He was Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, from 2005-2011 before moving to Uppsala University, Sweden, as a Professor. Dr. Forster discovered the hammerhead catalytic RNA structure, invented photobiotin for the preparation of nucleic acid diagnostics and external guide sequences for ribonuclease P, and has created unnatural genetic codes de novo. He has published in journals including Cell, JACS, Nature, PNAS and Science, edited a volume of Methods, and has authored patents. His technology has founded 3 biotech companies. He currently researches synthetic biology, protein synthesis and drug discovery.

• Anders Virtanen

Anders Virtanen is a professor at the Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology and a member of the Uppsala RNA Research Centre (URRC). Anders studies primarily enzymes involved in regulating the fate of mRNA. In his research, experimental systems based on mammalian and Drosophila cells are employed. A main goal is to understand how mRNA turnover/degradation, through the mRNA specific cap and poly(A) tail, is integrated with other essential mechanisms of gene expression/regulation. Another goal is to identify previously unrecognized small non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) and to determine their functions. These studies will be of importance for the general understanding of mechanisms controlling the fate of eukaryotic mRNA.

The two greatest discoveries made by Anders Virtanen are: the first known mRNA polyA-site in a human virus; and the enzyme in the animal cells that removes polyA-tail from mRNA.

• Erik Gullberg

PhD student in Medical Bacteriology at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology at Uppsala University since 2009. Has a M.Sc. in Engineering Biology from Linköping University, Sweden, with a specialization towards Microbial Biotechnology.

During his master's thesis at Linköping University he worked on constructing a system for recombinant expression of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase from the malaria parasite in yeast, and he is now working on antibiotic resistance in bacteria in the Dan Andersson group at the Uppsala Biomedical Center. So far he has published articles in PLoS Pathogens and Molecular Microbiology.

• Tomas Klingström

Research assistant at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology. Have studied a M.Sc. Molecular biotechnology engineering at Uppsala University and obtained the Anders Wall scholarship to the young researcher of the year for his work in studying protein-protein interaction data in large datasets.

Is currently working with a project to better identify adverse drug reactions caused by drug-drug interactions under the supervision of Professor Jan Komorowski.

• Antonio Ascue Avalos

Age:
26

Background:
Swedish students with Peruvian roots. Exchange student at California State University, San Diego 2008/2009. Participated in last year iGEM Uppsala-Sweden team.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
I wanted to share my experiences from last year to create a structured and competitive iGEM-team as well as improve my own skills, both inside and outside the lab. There is lot of criterias to consider for an iGEM-team, apart from laboration, that are very important even though the laboratory performance it´s the core of the whole project.

Interests:
Meeting people and friends, my family, biotech, synthetic biology, green sustainable techniques, playing piano, listen and dancing salsa, windsurfing, football, psychology.

Right now I´m also looking for a master degree project in the field of microbial metabolic engineering with synthetic biology applications in the pursuit of scalable biofuel production.

Role:
Project manager. Started the recruitment and pilot studies since Oktober 2010 together with Lidaw, by organizing meetings and lectures. Structured this year iGEM-team. Plans, coordinates and manages lab work and infrastructure together with the help of Lei, Erik and Thomas. Gibson assembly primer designer, assembly plan designer.

• Lidaw Pello-Esso

Age:
25

Background:
Swedish student with Togolese roots

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
I’m interested in biology in general but in synthetic biology in particular. iGEM gives me the opportunity to apply my engineer skills on biological system and be creative. Synthetic biology is the playgrounds were you can play with your fantasy no matter how childish it might seem. I like challenges and solving problems using a different approach.

As was approaching the end of my first master year. I became very curious how synthetic biology would work in practice and the huge possibilities it can offer. Hence iGEM is the perfect opportunity to get a flavour of this exciting new field and cooperate with fellow students with the same interest.

Interests:
I like soccer, meeting new people and friends. I’m also interested in alternative green energy sources, economy and entrepreneurship.

Role:
Project manager

• Lei Sun

Age:
23

Background:
Super senior of the biotech major at Uppsala University, the team member who came up with the project idea. Immense interest in biology. Obtained one silver medal from IBO in 2006. Spent one year at Cornell as an exchange student, affiliated with the Dept. of Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE). Tried to transfer and got accepted by the Ivy League school, but came to Sweden to finish master. Participated in iGEM 2010 from Uppsala, providing the team with some iGEM experience.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
My involvement with iGEM 2010 was a late arrival. The reason I'm jumping on iGEM again is to create and fulfill a scientific project right from the beginning. No doubt, the things you learn from completing your iGEM project is both interesting and helpful for your academic career.

Interests:
I'd like to sing with my piano accompaniment. I'm also a bass in a student choir. In my spare time I hang out with my friends, my girlfriend, and try to indulge myself with music and science.

Role:
Plans, coordinates and manages lab work and infrastructure together with Tomas, Erik and Antonio.

• Tomas Dalmo

Age:
24

Background:
Just starting the 5th year at the Molecular Biotechnology Engineering Programme at Uppsala University. Plan to finish the degree in the spring of 2012, thereby hoping to start the degree project in autum 2011. Though there is no very specific focus in the engineering program, one interest is technological applications within the field of biotechnology.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
Synthetic biology is an interesting approach which applies engineering thinking to biological systems. This makes it an especially interesting and inspiring field of research. Also since it is a competition it will be nice to see what ideas the other teams have come up with.

Interests:
Family, friends and skiing during the winter. Would like to take a diving certificate.

Role:
Plans, coordinates and manages lab work and infrastructure together with the help of Lei, Tomas and Antonio. Responsible of Human Practice.

• Erik Lundin

Age:
23

Background:
Have finished my 4th year at the Molecular Biotechnology Engineering Programme at Uppsala University and plan to study business economics for one year before I do my degree project in the autumn of 2012.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
iGEM is a great opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a real science project.

Interests:
Skiing, Sailing and hiking.

Role:
Plans, coordinates and manages lab work and infrastructure together with the help of Lei, Tomas and Antonio. Recruting sponsors too.

• Amin Zarif Saffari

Age:
27

Background:
During my Bachelor studies in the filed of computer science,I discovered that I had profound interest on simulating the living systems. later on it expand more in fields such as epigenetic and sequencing ; Therefore, I thought Bioinformatic was the route to combine my solid computer science skills with my interest to solve biological problems.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
Due to my background, I lacked lab experiences, so participating on iGEM is a great opportunity for me to work in the laboratories and gain tons of new knowledge. Having the chance to step out of my comfort zone and learn a bit more about Syntetic Biology is one of the best things that had happened to me during my studies in Uppsala.

Interests:
Family, friends, surfing the net and assemble jigsaw puzzle

Role:
Responsible for Wiki. Work in the wet-lab.

• Sibel Ciftci

Age:
23

Background:
I studied biology 4 years in Abant İzzet Baysal University in Turkey. I started my first abroad experience with Sweden three years ago as an exchange student at Halmstad University where I studied renewable energies. After my graduation,I came back to Sweden for my master studies. Now, I think that studing biology in engineering perspective is very exciting,creative and more interesting to me.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
I am very happy I could take part in this team.It is very fun to work with a team.I feel that I am learning a lot from my team-mates not only how to collaborate and manage a Project but also I improve my communication skills and prova min Svenska :) I define synthetic biology as a fascinating world of science where you can apply your imaginations and create your fascinating designs. I believe that ‘iGEM’ competition is a really good start to get in this fascinating world. ‘Thanks to iGEM providing this great oppurtunity to us’.

Interests:
Reading books , doing sports ,shopping and dancing

Role:
Recruting sponsors and in the wet-lab.

• Cherno Sidibeh

Age:
23

Background:
Having discovered that I had profound interest in biology at an early age, I decided to take on natural science in high school. This later evolved into a deeper interest in the field of biotechnology; so naturally I thought this was the route to take on the road towards higher education.

Consequently I applied to Uppsala University for the programme in Molecular Biotechnology and am now in my fifth and final year.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
Synthetic biology is a field with a bright (no pun intended) future. As such, I felt compelled to partake in such an intriguing project where the building blocks of nature were to be understood and utilised for somewhat unnatural purposes.

Interests:
Football, music and The IT Crowd.

Role:
Involved with the the web site group as well as the biosafety group.

• Johanna Spaak

Age:
22

Background:
Starting my fourth year at the Masters Programme in Molecular Biotechnology Engineering at Uppsala University. Currently, I am observing my regular science classes and in addition, also some business distance-learning courses.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
This is my first time participating in iGEM and I am looking forward to gain more experience in the field of synthetic biology.

Interests:
During my spare time I usually catch up with friends, visit my family and since the studies consume most of the time, I balance it by training Thai-boxing or go dancing.

Role:
Recruting sponsors and in the wet-lab.

• Mohammed Beyan

Age:
22

Background:
Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, my parents have roots in Eritrea. During high school, I studied science. Now I am studying third year in Molecular Biotechnology Engineering Programme.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
Combining Science and Technology, design and manufacture new biological functions and systems not found in nature interests me very much. I think that synthetic biology is the future and I also think that it is interesting to follow how the synthetic biology will affect our daily lives in the future.

Interests:
I spend much of my free time to play football in a team called IFK Uppsala, a division 4 team in Uppsala.

Role:
Recruting sponsors and in the wet-lab.

• Laura Alexis

Age:
19

Background:
Starting the 2nd year at the Molecular Biotechnology Engineering Program at Uppsala University. Planning to finish the degree in spring 2015. I am adopted from Colombia and have lived in Sweden since the age of three.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
I chose to participate in this year’s iGEM competition to achieve a better understanding of synthetic biology.

Interests:
I enjoy dancing, skiing and travelling but most of my time is distributed for my university studies.

Role:
Recruting sponsors and in the wet-lab.

• Hamid Gavali

Age:
19

Background:
First year student in the biotech. program in Uppsala University. At an early age I realized that science was the only thing that temporarily could clench my thirst for answers and satisfy my curious nature. Not long after this relevation I discovered the amazing field which many referred to as: biology. The fact that biology were the soruce of so many unanswered questions, conveyed me that this was the field which I wanted to understand as well as contribute to.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
The very moment the concept of iGEM was presented to me, I knew that this was something I wanted to participate in. Basically, this appealed me in every way possible; a scientific research project made easy through standardisation - only the sky was the limit. Disregarding my inexperience as a first year student I decided to try to join the team – a decision I will never regret.

Interests:
As with many others in the team - friends, music and studies are that which consumes most of my time, together with university related commitments.

Role:
Recruting sponsors and in the wet-lab.

• Pikkei Yuen

Age:
19

Background:
About to start my second year at the Masters Programme in Molecular Biotechnology Engineering. Chose this path because of interest in both technology and biology. Aiming to finish my degree in 2016. I'm a Swedish student with Chinese roots.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
My main purpose was to gain more experience in working with a project. I also thought it was a great way to increase my knowledge within the field of synthetic biology and my skills in the laboratory.

Interests:
I like to be with my friends, family and visit my relatives abroad.

Role:
Responsible for the Biosecurity and the Bioethics group. Work in the wet-lab at times too.

• Karl Dyrhage

Age:
20

Background:
Starting the second year in Uppsala after summer. Studied a year in Japan in high school, as an exchange student.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
Seemed like a great way to gain lab experience.

Interests:
Playing the Irish bouzouki and the mandolin.

Role:
Biosafety and wet-lab.

• Phani Rama Krishna Behra

Age:
23

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
This is my first time experience in iGEM, doing both dry lab and wet lab work which really impressed me initially. I started learning about synthetic biology projects in the previous year of iGEM where I discovered an interest and decided to participate in iGEM 2011 and now I am enjoying a lot here :)

Interests:
I would like to spend my time with family members and i love playing chess.

Role:
Lab work & web site part.

• Anna Gustafsson

Program:
Engineering Molecular Biotechnology

Age:
23

Background:
Swedish student, studying the second year at Uppsala University. Adopted from Peru, with regular trips back to learn more about the culture and country.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
For as long as I can remember I have been interested in biology and especially synthetic biology. iGEM has therefore given me a great opportunity to put all the theory in practice and actually create something from scratch. The whole experience of participating in a project and working together towards a common goal and with similar interests, is one of the best.

Interests:
Playing classical music on piano, spending time with family and friends and traveling.

Role:
Sponsoring group.

• Ismail Abubeker

Program:

Age:

Background:
Studying sophomore year majoring in Molecular Biotechnology at Uppsala university.

Why I chose to participate in iGEM:
First time participating in Igem. Hoping to get a better understanding of synthetic biology.

Interests:
Enjoys skateboarding, hiking and gymnastics.

Role:
Responsible for Bioethics, Biosecurity and biosafety assessments.

• Daniel Camsund

Daniel Camsund is a doctoral student in the Microbial chemistry group of Prof. Peter Lindblad at the Department of Photochemistry and Molecular Science (Fotomol), Uppsala University, Sweden. After receiving his M.Sc. in Molecular Biotechnology Engineering at UU in 2007, he worked one year as a research assistant at Fotomol before continuing with his doctoral studies, with Prof. Alfonso Jaramillo (institute of Systems and Synthetic Biology, France) and Dr. Thorsten Heidorn (Fotomol) as co-supervisors. His research interests include the development of molecular tools for transcriptional control and introduction of genetic circuits relevant for bioproduction in bacteria, especially cyanobacteria, as they enable renewable biotechnology powered by photosynthesis. Further, he is interested in the dissemination of synthetic biology and co-organized/supervised the first two iGEM-teams of Uppsala University. To date, he has published three refereed articles and a book chapter.