Introduction to BioBuilder

I’m so glad you’re here and are interested in learning what BioBuilder is and does. Allow me to take you on a tour of BioBuilder so you can get to know us better.

Our Beginnings and Mission

The non-profit BioBuilder Educational Foundation was founded in 2011 by Dr. Natalie Kuldell, a faculty member in the Department of Biological Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. BioBuilder’s synthetic biology curriculum helps students of all ages see themselves as bioengineers by training and preparing them to design, build, and test innovative biotechnologies that address some of society’s most pressing needs. By making advanced science accessible to all students, rich or poor, rural or urban, “science-y” and not so much, BioBuilder prepares the next generation of innovators for college and technical careers in synthetic biology, a field that will define the world economy for the next century.

You may be thinking: “What is synthetic biology?” Check out this 11-minute Museum of Science podcast to better understand synthetic biology and its applications.

BioBuilder accomplishes its mission by providing middle school, high school, and college students with synthetic biology learning programs and hands-on experiments. We also support teachers by providing curricula, resources, and training to help them guide their students into the world of synthetic biology.

BioBuilder for Students

BioBuilder provides students with a number of different ways to engage in synthetic biology:

  • Hands-on experiments centered on the bioengineering of microbes teach students how to plan, conduct, and evaluate bioengineering investigations. For example, in the “Eau that smell” lab, students engineer bacteria to produce the smell of a banana. You know that gets their attention!
  • After-school, the BioBuilderClub provides high school teams with support as they develop novel synthetic biology applications, mentoring by professional scientists, and the opportunity to present their work at a professional level. Check out the BioBuilderClub project library to see what students have accomplished so far!
  • The High School Apprenticeship Challenge prepares students for internships in the life sciences with a focus on recruiting students from under-served populations, namely students of color or recently immigrated students attending Massachusetts public schools.
  • The BioBuilder textbook provides additional support for students, teachers, and parents.
  • BioBuilder online programs (see below)

BioBuilder for Teachers

BioBuilder gives educators the tools they need to be able to immerse themselves and their students in bioengineering:

BioBuilder Online

BioBuilder Online provides students and teachers with other opportunities to dig into synthetic biology:

Learn more, get inspired, and stay in touch!

BioBuilder Online provides students and teachers with other opportunities to dig into synthetic biology:

Device Dude

Device Dude

BioBuilder is excited to announce that BioBuilderClub teams published 15 articles in the BioTreks journal in the past year. We couldn’t be prouder and will be highlighting the articles in upcoming blog posts. Go teams!