2013 International Winners

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CloseNatalie Ng
1st Place Winner, California (Bay Area) BioGENEius Challenge
Monta Vista High School
Cupertino, California
Project Title:
Advancing Precision Medicine: MicroRNA Prognostic Signatures and Prediction Models for Distant Metastasis-Free Survival in Breast CancerDescription:
The primary objective of my project is to investigate the role miRNAs play in mediating growth, invasiveness, and metastasis of breast cancer cells. I proposed and developed an in-silico miRNA discovery flow to identify prognostic signatures predictive of breast cancer metastasis. Experimental studies were performed to correlate miRNA expression and in-vitro metastatic characteristics.Jiho Park2nd Place Winner, California (SoCal) BioGENEius Challenge
University High School
Irvine, CaliforniaProject Title:
Description:
MD Simulations of Membrane-Bound Aromatase with Titrated Asp-309 Residue: Implications for Catalysis and Novel Inhibitor Scaffolds
Incorporation of protein flexibility through molecular dynamics into aromatase led to the discovery of novel druggable sites and the development of novel inhibitor scaffolds which hold great potential in the fight against breast cancer. Furthermore, the role of a key active site residue in catalysis and channel dynamics was elucidated with molecular dynamics.Eric Chen3rd Place Winner, California (At Large) BioGENEius Challenge
Canyon Crest Academy
San Diego, CaliforniaProject Title:
Computer-aided Discovery of Novel Influenza Endonuclease Inhibitors to Combat Flu PandemicDescription:
Pandemic Description: I chose the influenza endonuclease as a target to develop new anti-flu medicine. By combining computer modeling and biological studies, I identified a number of novel, potent endonuclease inhibitors. I also performed comprehensive structural analysis, laying the ground work for further design and optimization of the anti-flu drug candidates.Selin Jessa4th Place Winner, Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada
Dr. Charles Best Secondary School
Coquitlam, British ColumbiaProject Title:
Engineering Vaccines to Impair HIV: Proof-of-concept by Attenuating the Function of the HIV Nef Protein Via Site-directed MutagenesisDescription:
A challenge to HIV vaccine development is HIV's ability to mutate to evade immune response. Studies of elite controllers (EC) suggest specific immune responses could force HIV to mutate into less virulent states. This project engineered a mutation in the HIV Nef protein identified as unique to EC and assessed its impact on Nef function.Nebiyou GetahunHonorable Mention, New York (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge
Jericho Senior High School
Jericho, New YorkProject Title:
Photothermal Capabilities of SERS NanoparticlesDescription:
The use of nanotechnology in cancer management has become prominent in both diagnostics and therapy. This study sought to determine whether SERS nanoparticles, one embodiment of plasmonic nanoparticles that have previously displayed strong diagnostic capabilities, were able to be for therapy by killing cancer cells with heat which would make them ideal candidates in theranostics.Sahir JaggiHonorable Mention, New York (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge
Shaker High School
Latham, New YorkProject Title:
Layer-by-Layer 3-D Constructs of Adherent and Non-Adherent Cells in HydrogelDescription:
We have developed a protocol for the layer-by-layer construction of a three-dimensional co-culture, with the capability to control the spatial positions of the cells within. An array of cells was printed by laser direct-write, hydrogel was spin-coated above. A second array of cells was then printed into the hydrogel, which was crosslinked to encapsulate them.Cassandra LeeHonorable Mention, BioGENEius Challenge of Western Australia
St. Mary's Anglican Girls' School
Karrinyup, Western AustraliaProject Title:
Multi-species cultivation of microalgae P. carterae, Cymbella sp. and D. salina at wide salinity ranges for high value biorefinery productionDescription:
Microalgae have many applications but are expensive to produce. The aim of this project was to find out whether more than one species of microalgae could be cultivated in growth media of varying salt content. This could change cultivation aspects of microalgae in large-scale commercial production and reduce its overall cost.Samantha MarquezHonorable Mention, Virginia BioGENEius Challenge
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School
Richmond, VirginiaProject Title:
Advances in the Bottom-Up Assembly of Multicellular Architectures: From Neuroengineering to BiodefenseDescription:
This project reports advances in the bottom-up assembly of multicellular architectures towards the creation of artificial microglands and unique core-shell microtissues called Celloidosomes in the fields of regenerative medicine and biodefense/bioremediation using a variety of cells and templates.Arjun NairHonorable Mention, Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada
Webber Academy
Calgary, AlbertaProject Title:
A Synergistic Approach in Treating Cancer via Photothermal Therapy and HSP90 InhibitionDescription:
Laser induced tissue hyperthermia mediated by gold nanoparticles can treat cancerous tumors (photothermal therapy (PTT)). The effectiveness of PTT is limited because cells upregulate heat shock protein (HSP) which renature broken down protein and is a proangiogenic factor. This study utilizes 17-AAG (HSP 90 inhibitor) in order to optimize PTT.Bansri PatelHonorable Mention, Delaware BioGENEius Challenge
Sussex Technical High School
Georgetown, DelawareProject Title:
Evaluating the Behavioral and Developmental Effects of BPA and BPS on the Model Invertebrate C. elegansDescription:
Exposure to BPA and BPS resulted in significantly slower habituation rates, suggesting the novel idea that these neuroendocrine disruptors may be affecting dopamine reuptake, release, or other breakdown mechanisms in the body. BPA and BPS also increased embryonic lethality and affected normal E. coli growth. This implies the importance of determining the safety of BPS.Priyanga SelvakumarHonorable Mention, Pennsylvania BioGENEius Challenge
Marple Newtown High School
Newtown Square, PennsylvaniaProject Title:
Quercetin: A Novel Therapy for Neuroblastoma by the Reexpression of RIZ1, a Tumor SupressorDescription:
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer with a survival rate of less than 50. Studies showed that RIZ1, a tumor suppressor gene is silenced in the aggressive form of neuroblastoma. Quercetin, a natural flavanoid, re-expressed RIZ1 and inhibited the growth of neuroblastoma cells. Quercetin could be developed into a potential drug for the treatment of neuroblastoma.Emily WangHonorable Mention, California (Bay Area) BioGENEius Challenge
Henry M. Gunn High School
Palo Alto, CaliforniaProject Title:
A New Light In Biosensing: Engineering Photostable GFP Mutants for FRETDescription:
I developed a new green fluorescent protein, Clover 2S, which is now the brightest existing fluorescent protein as well as the most photostable variant of Clover. Clover 2S shows improved photostability, quantum yield, maturation, and confers increased dynamic range onto a calcium sensor.Rena WeisHonorable Mention, Minnesota (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge
New Prague Senior High
New Prague, MinnesotaProject Title:
Impacts of Biochar on Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Soil Moisture, and Crop PAH ConcentrationsDescription:
Six plots (each 24m2) were tilled and prepared for planting. 0.8kg/m2 biochar was amended to three of the six plots. Measurements of soil greenhouse gas emission flux rates, soil moisture content, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in produce were taken and analyzed. Soil moisture and greenhouse gas emissions were measured over a five month period.Jamin WuHonorable Mention, BioGENEius Challenge of Western Australia
Perth Modern School
Perth, Western AustraliaProject Title:
The effects of an artificial insulin-like drug on pancreatic β-cells and implications for an oral insulin mimeticDescription:
This project investigated the broad effects of an artificial insulin-like drug called IM140 on β-cells, cells in the pancreas which release insulin. It was found that IM140 at low concentration exhibited effects similar to insulin without stimulating further insulin production, which might support its use as a commercial insulin replacement for diabetics in the future.Natalie Ng
1st Place Winner
California (Bay Area) BioGENEius Challenge -
Jiho Park
2nd Place Winner
California (SoCal) BioGENEius Challenge -
Eric Chen
3rd Place Winner
California (At Large) BioGENEius Challenge -
Selin Jessa
4th Place Winner
Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada -
Nebiyou Getahun
Honorable Mention
New York (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge -
Sahir Jaggi
Honorable Mention
New York (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge -
Cassandra Lee
Honorable Mention
BioGENEius Challenge of Western Australia -
Samantha Marquez
Honorable Mention
Virginia BioGENEius Challenge -
Arjun Nair
Honorable Mention
Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada -
Bansri Patel
Honorable Mention
Delaware BioGENEius Challenge -
Priyanga Selvakumar
Honorable Mention
Pennsylvania BioGENEius Challenge -
Emily Wang
Honorable Mention
California (Bay Area) BioGENEius Challenge -
Rena Weis
Honorable Mention
Minnesota (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge -
Jamin Wu
Honorable Mention
BioGENEius Challenge of Western Australia