Self-repair (work in progress) Laboratory. 2017-2018 n number of participants Concept Contributions Contact Contributions Hack and build a thermocycler Workshop led by Alessandro Volpato and Mindaugas Gapsevicius Any research lab should include a thermocycler, an apparatus for amplifying segments of DNA via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The workshop includes an introduction to PCR mechanism, an understanding of the apparatus, hacking and upgrading a DIY version of it. The technical and theoretical part of the workshop will be supplemented by a list of projects using a PCR method. Monitoring Urine Workshop led by Alessandro Volpato Undersanding our health status is easy, thanks to well designed equipment, extensive public documentation and collaboration with medical staff. This workshop is about checking biomarkers in own urine, which are measurable indicators of a biological state. [un]ethical Mindaugas Gapševičius, Gabrielius Jakutis, Miglė Kalvaitytė, Lina Rukevičiūtė, Emilija Vasiliūnaitė The interactive installation invites audience to consider questions in relation to modified living organisms. Three contexts are proposed: Gene editing, GMO, and Synthetic biology. In each context audience is invited to evaluate the proposed contexts: "agree," "do not agree," and "neutral." The evaluation is done by sticking the provided stickers on the wall. Further comments might be added on the provided stickers. SynORI - a framework for multi-plasmid systems Mindaugas Gapševičius, Gabrielius Jakutis, Miglė Kalvaitytė, Lina Rukevičiūtė, Emilija Vasiliūnaitė The series of drawings introduce the Vilnius-Lithuania iGEM 2017 team's process of developing a SynORI - synthetic origin of replication. Under the same name the team has created a framework which, for the first time in science history, enables the alteration of plasmid copy number and standardized regulation of multi-plasmid systems. SynORI incorporates a subsystem for reducing the amount of antibiotics needed to maintain multiple plasmids in one cell, and will enable the creation of more complex metabolic pathways, smart assembly of protein complexes and a more precise information processing in synthetic biology. The lab Mindaugas Gapševičius, Gailė Griciūtė, Gabrielius Jakutis, Miglė Kalvaitytė, Emilija Vasiliūnaitė Visitors personally experience the process of scientific experiment and daily life in the laboratory by interacting with auditory exhibits. Laboratory surroundings are full of motion and… music. Indeed, what scientists hear daily is a composition of high pitched tones of the smallest equipment and low basses of large machines all of what merges into exceptional lab-tunes. These tunes will allow to create new associations with the scientist and his/her every day routine. How I prepare myself to be cloned Mindaugas Gapševičius The toolkit dives into the very nature of the organism, which, throughout its life cycle, demonstrates the ability to self-replicate. Referring to mythological hybrids like Pegasus, centaurs, mermaids, or minotaurs, the presented within the toolkit workshops explain the basics of synthetic biology and transgenic organisms. The toolkit includes tools for the analysis of DNA with the provided DIY electrophoresis chamber and the multiplication of DNA with the provided polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine. Lichen biohacking: revealing the secrets of the forgotten part of the forgotten kingdom Workshop led by Technarium team: Eglė Marija Ramanauskaitė and Simona Bekeraitė aka Opit Lichens are great symbiotic organisms, able to survive the most hostile conditions and forming the basis of the ecosystems in which other organisms are unable to grow. Lichens grow very slowly; some of their species are known as one of the oldest organisms on Earth. Unfortunately, lichens are yet largely understudied by scientists and misunderstood by the public. Molecular features of lichens are of particular importance due to their specific growing conditions and the variety of species - what mechanisms and materials influence lichen "longevity"? Can we use such mechanisms for ourselves, for example, solving the crisis of antibiotics. During this lichen biohacking workshop different types of DNA will be analysed aiming to uncover this underestimated source of useful information. How scientists employ bacteria to make them perform desired functions? Workshop led by Vilnius-Lithuania iGEM: Gabrielius Jakutis, Miglė Kalvaitytė, Emilija Vasiliūnaitė Transformation is one of the main methods in biotechnology, used to genetically modify microorganisms. During transformation, small circular DNA molecules, called plasmids, are incorporated into microorganisms, and genes, that programme new functions, are expressed to turn cells into micro-factories. Thus bacteria can produce products that humans need: from insulin to treat diabetes, to various enzymes, that supplement washing powder for stain removal.