BioGENEius 2015 International Winners

Austin Wang

Grand Prize Winner: Global Environment Challenge
Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada
David Thompson Secondary
Vancouver, BC

Project Title:
Identifying Genes with Roles in Power Output of Exoelectrogenic Bacteria in Microbial Fuel Cells

Description:
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are batteries powered by bacteria. In this project, a novel procedure was used to identify genes that help bacteria improve their ability to generate electricity in MFCs. The results of this study may eventually contribute to the commercialization of MFC technology by improving the performance of MFCs.

Kimberly Te

Runner-Up: Global Environment Challenge
At-Large New York (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Manhasset High School
Manhasset, NY

Project Title:
Natural, Cost-Effective Anodes for Optimized Sediment Microbial Fuel Cells: Engineering a Novel Approach to Harvesting Energy and Cleaning Up Oil-Polluted Regions

Description:
I engineered a device, known as a microbial fuel cell (MFC), that can both generate electricity and clean up oil-polluted regions. I developed a novel design that utilizes natural, sustainable, low-cost materials for optimized MFC performance. This device can also be helpful towards manufacturing plants, remote sensing technology, and 3rd world countries.

Ayan Bandyopadhyay

Honorable Mention
California (Bay Area) BioGENEius Challenge
Bellarmine College Preparatory
San Jose, CA

Project Title:
The Effect of Cobalt(II) Biomineralization on Power Density in a Microbial Fuel Cell

Description:
In microbial fuel cells, bacteria transfer electrons to the anode. Electrons flow to the cathode, which reduces oxygen. The project increased cell voltage when bacteria deposited Cobalt(III) compounds on the cathode. Because power is voltage times current, more power was produced per square meter of electrode surface area.

Simon Kammann

Honorable Mention
BioGENEius Challenge of Germany
Institut Dr. Flad
Stuttgart, DE-BW

Project Title:
Sunscreens – Effects on freshwater and saltwater organisms

Description:
The objective is to determine the toxicity of sunscreen to avoid possible consequences for the environment, especially for freshwater and saltwater organisms.

Jonah Ng

Honorable Mention
New Mexico BioGENEius Challenge
Las Cruces High School
Las Cruces, NM

Project Title:
Automated ECG Signal Analysis and Arrhythmia Detection

Description:
Procedures and software based on machine learning have been developed that allow us to automatically identify abnormal heartbeats from ECG recordings. They will be useful for the long-term monitoring of the heart condition in personalized wearable healthcare devices. Tests with ECG signals in a public database confirm the effectiveness of the approach.

Rohan Palanki

Honorable Mention
Alabama (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge
WP Davidson High School
Mobile, AL

Project Title:
Efficacy and Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles for Skin Cancer Chemoprevention and Therapy

Description:
In this project, very small particles in the nanoscale range were tested in a skin cancer model. I found that silver nanoparticles are potent at treating skin cancer and at preventing the onset of skin cancer. These silver nanoparticles were then synthesized via an alternative method for use in a topical cream for these applications.

Michael Tran Duong

Runner-Up: Global Healthcare Challenge
Local Pennsylvania BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Methacton High School
Eagleville, PA

Project Title:
Advances in Alzheimer's Disease: Amyloid-Beta Protein Reprograms Early Neurodevelopment leading to Future Neurodegeneration

Description:
This study determines that the presence of abnormally high levels of amyloid-beta protein linked with early and late-onset Alzheimer's disease to multipotent neural stem cells can abnormally affect the early neurodevelopment of the brain and lead to future neurodegeneration. These results indicate the need and opportunity for early identification and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

Aditya Mohan

Honorable Mention
Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada
Colonel By Secondary School
Ottawa, On

Project Title:
Development Of A Novel Oncolytic Virus For Cancer Treatment And Diagnosis

Description:
I have developed a novel virus that is able to target cancer cells with an efficiency of 94%, can kill 98% of cancer cells without harming healthy cells, and can be used at very low doses making it around 1000 times more efficient than existing cancer treatments.

Anthony Kang

Honorable Mention
California (SoCal) BioGENEius Challenge
Canyon Crest Academy
San Diego, CA

Project Title:
TraY-cing the Origins of Antibiotic Resistance Spread through F conjugation

Description:
I demonstrated the effectiveness of a novel approach to treat highly resistant bacterial infections. In my experiment, I was able to successively slow down the spread of antibiotic resistance genes within bacterial populations by hindering conjugation, through which individual bacterium can exchange genetic information. Further research may substantiate this approach's viability in a clinical setting.

Olivia Lenzo

Honorable Mention
Illinois BioGENEius Challenge
Oak Park River Forest High School
Oak Park, IL

Project Title:
Bioengineering a Novel Natural Pharmaceutical Composed of Umbelliferone and Resveratrol to Reduce Biofilms on Joint Replacements

Description:
Five different species of bacteria were exposed to umbelliferone/resveratrol on aluminum plates submerged in nutrient agar (in order to replicate conditions bacteria would grow on a prosthetic joint or metal bone implant within the human body). Bacterial growth was then observed and analyzed in order to determine the efficacy of umbelliferone/resveratrol as an anti-bacterial agent.

Paul Winkler

Honorable Mention
BioGENEius Challenge of Germany
Gymnasium Brandis
Brandis, DE-SN

Project Title:
Can we afford to let energy rot on the field?

Description:
The most frequently used plant to produce energy in form of biogas is corn. In conventional processes the whole plant along with the grains is fermented to generate energy. Instead of using the conventional methods for generating biogas, large amounts of left over straw could be used after threshing which usually remains unused on fields.

Anvita Gupta

Grand Prize Winner: Global Healthcare Challenge
At-Large Arizona (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge Winner
BASIS Scottsdale
Scottsdale, AZ

Project Title:
Novel Therapeutics for Genetic and Infectious Diseases: Drug Discovery Targeting Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

Description:
Drug discovery takes ten years and five billion dollars to bring one drug to market. By combining artificial-intelligence with biochemistry, we create a novel framework to find therapeutics for genetic/infectious diseases by targeting disordered proteins, thus reducing time and cost. The framework is applied to find and validate new drugs for Cancer, Tuberculosis, and Ebola.

Edward Park

Honorable Mention
New Mexico BioGENEius Challenge
Las Cruces High School
Las Cruces, NM

Project Title:
Sustainable Bio-battery Utilizing Extracellular Charge Transfer Mechanism of Dissimilatory Metal-Reducing Bacteria

Description:
Dissimilartory metal-reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis produces extracellular nanowires connecting neighboring cells. This project built a simple, low-cost, non-toxic bio-battery that utilized the nanowire network that served as electron transfer pathways under electron acceptor limitation. This bio-battery could be powered by wastewater and can produce energy for portable technology such as mobile phone, tablets and laptops.

Vaishnavi Shrivastava

Honorable Mention
California (Bay Area) BioGENEius Challenge
Mission San Jose High School
Fremont, CA

Project Title:
A Noninvasive Regenerative Stem Cell Treatment for Osteoporosis through an Injectable Nanocomposite Orthopedic Implant and Dynamic Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Stimulation

Description:
I created a fast nonsurgical treatment for osteoporosis-related fractures and bone defects. These injuries often cannot heal and bone graft surgeries are unsuccessful in over 70% of cases, so patients undergo prolonged pain and suffering. My novel treatment method involves an injectable implant and external ultrasound stimulation to rapidly and completely heal these injuries.