iGEM - Synthetic biOlogy gaME

Closed Human-Computer Interaction Computer Science Games Engineering Bachelor Master Project Thesis Games Research Lab

Background

iGEM (international Genetically Engineered Machine) is an international competition for students in the field of synthetic biology. The basic idea is to utilise biological building blocks to alter the design and functionality of living organisms. Diverse ideas are presented by student teams from around the world at the iGEM Jamboree conference at the end of the year. For this year’s competition, natural scientists from the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg have come up with a promising project: The construction of new tissue for artificial muscles. To accomplish this, they want to join forces with students of the Julius-Maximilian-Universität Würzburg. They are especially interested in the abilities of students of our department, who are creative computer scientists with a deep understanding of the human user in the centre of their designs.

Tasks

In this project, the joint team aims at making synthetic biology in general and their project in particular more accessible to the broader public. This can be achieved by creating a computer game. The target platform could be mobile phones, possibly relying on location-based services to provide augmented reality interactions. One could also think of browser-based games or even interactive VR simulations that feature the respective knowledge or harness the interactions between biological agents as game mechanisms.

Clearly, the targeted computer game introduces a purpose beyond the fun involved in playing great games to begin with. A vast domain of (literally) game-changing knowledge awaits the student collaborators from Würzburg and the targeted gaming clientele.

Of course, the development of the Synthetic biOlogy gaME (come get SOME!) would require the JMU student(s) to intensively collaborate locally and with the students from Erlangen. This includes attending regular meetings with the Würzburg branch of the team, from time to time even with the whole team. Interested students should include the team in the process of the development by discussing ideas and being open to suggestions from other members. As a “Team Franken” both universities are planned to present together at the iGEM Jamboree and meet the forerunners of this new game-changing discipline. Upon successful completion, the attendance of the Jamboree will be sponsored for JMU students as well.

Wanted

One or more (!) open-minded, team-players from MCS or Games Engineering. Knowledge and skills in game / website design and development.

References

[1] iGEM Foundation iGEM Website. http://igem.org/Main_Page, April 2017.

Contact Persons at the University Würzburg