Steven  Holcomb

Steven Holcomb

Scholar Title

MIT SoE — Lord Foundation Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scholar

Research Title

Optimizing Genetic Transformation for Synthetic Biology

Cohort

2015–2016

Supervisor

Cullen Buie

Abstract

Electroporation is a process of delivering foreign DNA into a cell that can allow cells to transform and incorporate DNA more effectively. Although the process is widely utilized in biological research, there still remain organisms that cannot be transformed efficiently. My SuperUROP projects seeks to increase the efficiency of electroporation through a variety of means. It combines elements mechanical engineering techniques with biological and chemical principles to improve a procedure that has been extremely beneficial to biology research worldwide

Quote

I am fascinated by the intersection of mechanical engineering and biology, and I want to be able to use my engineering background to work on projects that can have a positive impact on our understanding of health and biology. My current project not only increases my own experience with research, but also allows me to help advance a procedure that has enormously improved our ability to undertake biological study.

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