Biohacker Boot Camp: Weeknight Edition

In-person 4-part class:

Monday, August 4 - Thursday, August 7

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT

Did you know that you can now get your whole genome sequenced for less than the cost of an iPhone? And that an organism with specific genes removed isn't considered a genetically modified organism (GMO)? Biotechnology touches many aspects of our lives and is changing with blinding speed. This introductory course covers the major characteristics of the molecular heart of the modern biology era: DNA. Learn the techniques that facilitated the biotechnology revolution, get hands-on experience, and find out where the future is going in our Biohacker Boot Camp (Weeknight Edition).

Learn about the fundamental characteristics of DNA and how we can take advantage of these to cut and paste DNA, making lots of copies of specific DNA sequences, or assembling new DNA sequences into a new genetic program. You will perform some of the foundational techniques of the biotech revolution, including DNA purification, polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, and bacterial transformation. Lecture and discussion is coupled with two hands-on projects: participants will purify and sequence a portion of their DNA to analyze for ancestry, and will generate their own GMO using bacteria and green fluorescent protein (the same protein that won the 2008 Nobel Prize!). The course assumes no prior knowledge other than high-school biology (and even that is negotiable). If you’re new to the lab, this is a great first course.

COVID-19 Safety Notice:

If you are feeling unwell, suspect that you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have tested positive in the past 7 days, please do not attend and let us know ASAP (info@genspace.org). If you cancel after our 7-day policy, we cannot refund your ticket, but we can exchange and offer credits toward future classes. If you have signed up for Biohacker Boot Camp, we will automatically transfer your registration to the next month’s dates unless you tell us otherwise.

Meet the Instructor

Madina Akan she/her is a microbiologist and synthetic biologist with a strong focus on strain engineering, fermentation and metabolic rewiring. Her PhD work centered around designing novel yeast strains for improved aroma production, bridging molecular biology with real-world applications in wine and beer industries. Outside the lab, she’s been deeply involved in the iGEM community: mentoring/judging teams, evaluating safety and ethics and supporting early-stage bio-ventures through market and strategy work. She’s passionate about translating science into impact, especially at the intersection of biology, AI and sustainable innovation.