The team of Bielefeld-CeBiTec 2018 consists of 9 highly motivated students from different faculties of Bielefeld University. The courses of study represented are Biochemistry, Bioinformatics and Genome Research, Molecular Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, and Genome-Based Systems Biology. We are supported by Boas Pucker, Julian Droste, Svenja Vinke, Janina Lüders, Pascal Schmidt, Carsten Hain, Marten Linder, Dr. Christian Rückert, Prof. Dr. Jörn Kalinowski and other CeBiTec employees.
From left to right: Erika Schneider, Matthias Otto, Antonin Lenzen, Jakob Zubek, Christoph Geske, Levin Joe Klages, Johannes Ruhnau, Vanessa Krämer and Irina Rais
Our Team
Johannes Ruhnau, Molecular Biotechnology (Master of Science)
What are you studying and why?
I study molecular biotechnology. The interdisciplinary nature of the subject and the wide range of possible applications enable the training of competences in many different fields and are therefore very varied. Whether you like computer science, molecular genetics or process technology, everyone will find a niche for their field of interest!
Why do you participate in iGEM?
iGEM is a great way to carry out your own project from start to finish. You don't often have the opportunity to think about a topic yourself, to plan independently and to take your own interests into account. I also hope that this will enable me to learn to work more independently in the laboratory.
What fascinates you about synthetic biology?
I am fascinated by the diversity of applications in Synthetic Biology. In Synthetic Biology, the approaches to solving problems are often very unconventional. In theory, there are hardly any limits.
What is your life philosophy?
"He who takes life too seriously needs a lot of humour to bear it." Charlie Chaplin
Levin Joe Klages, Molecular Biology (Bachelor of Science)
What are you studying and why?
I am studying molecular biology, as this is a large area of biology that always reveals new discoveries. Also one can dedicate oneself in this area wonderfully different topic areas and everyone finds its range!
Why do you participate in iGEM?
iGEM gives me the chance to work on my own ideas and create a great project with a team. I also appreciate the experience you get and the opportunity to meet many people from the field of biology.
What fascinates you about synthetic biology?
You have the chance to fight many of the world's problems and create new things.
What is your life philosophy?
"The principle is to be his own competition. It's about constantly improving yourself, being better than the day before."
Christoph Geske, Bioinformatics and Genome Research (Bachelor of Science)
What are you studying and why?
Bioinformatics, as it wonderfully combines two of the most interesting fields of science.
Why do you participate in iGEM?
I like the philosophy behind iGEM and the projects are so interesting that I can't help it than to join in.
What fascinates you about synthetic biology?
I would agree with Richard Feynman: "What I cannot create, I do not understand."
If you could change something in the world, what would it be and how would you do it?
Hacking our brains and all the stupid things it makes up (greed, hatred and some
of cognitive distortion). I would do it first with transcranial magnetic stimulation
and implanted electrodes.
Matthias Otto, Molecular Biotechnology (Master of Science)
What are you studying and why?
The study of molecular biotechnology offers a wide range of applications, which influences the most diverse areas of life. Using biotechnology to develop applications that improve people's quality of life is becoming increasingly relevant to future problems.
Why do you participate in iGEM?
Participation in the iGEM competition offers a unique opportunity to carry out your own project in a team and to delve deeper into Synthetic Biology. It is interesting to examine a project from different perspectives, which include not only laboratory work, but also public relations, biosafety and other aspects. The academic exchange with international, young students is another interesting part of the competition.
What are your hobbies?
Travelling, hiking, growing plants
What fascinates you about synthetic biology?
Synthetic Biology offers many possibilities and a wide range of applications that could solve future problems.
What is your life philosophy?
If you don't dare, you won't win.
Antonin Lenzen, Molecular Biotechnology (Master of Science)
What are you studying and why?
I am studying molecular biotechnology because I believe that this is a promising field of study. I hope that biotechnology with, for example, synthetic biology will replace conventional industry in the long term. Biotechnology has not only more possibilities, but also much greater potential to protect and cleanse the environment.
Why do you participate in iGEM?
I find iGEM interesting because it gives me the opportunity to work together with other students on my own, self-designed and self-organized project. I also think that the approach of standardizing the Biobricks to a certain extent and making the designed "building blocks" available to all teams is a step in the right direction.
What are your hobbies?
Martial arts, climbing, reading, computer games
Jakob Zubek, Biochemistry (Bachelor of Science)
What are you studying and why?
I study biochemistry because I want to do what organic and inorganic chemists do, but under standard conditions and highly effecient. I also want to wipe out my old philosophy teacher, who has ridiculed my assumptions that humans are nothing but molecules and the soul is a result of this.
Why do you participate in iGEM?
This year's projects sounded exciting and I generally find independent work very inspiring.
What are your hobbies?
Motorcycling, scuba diving, gambling, writing, pen and paper, dancing, cooking and reading
What fascinates you about synthetic biology?
Everything. The idea of using biological systems and completely reprogramming them feels absolutely natural to me because I already raved in my early years that one can program with genes and biological systems quasi matter.
What is your life philosophy?
At some point it'll end on its own. Why dirty my own hands?
What do you do after a tiring lab day?
After a "exhausting" laboratory day I go home, cook something, listen to music and read or write my own stories.
What are you doing after iGEM?
I am looking for a job after iGEM and am also a Master of Biochemistry at the University of Bielefeld (profile: structures and functions).
What are you getting up for every morning?
"Captain, there is a fundamental and very valuable statement in science. It is a sign of wisdom and says,'I don't know!'"
Data, Lieutenant Commander of the USS Enterprise
What motivates you to do your best?
You either do it right or you don't do it at all.
If you could change something in the world, what would it be and how would you do it?
I find the unjust distribution of goods and education in the world unfair. Eventually I will start my own company and my goal will be to offer and distribute fair wages also in 3rd world countries.
Vanessa Krämer, Bioinformatics and Genome Research (Bachelor of Science)
What are you studying and why?
I am studying bioinformatics and genome research and have chosen this course of study because it is an interdisciplinary subject. In addition to the biological and informatics basics, I am particularly interested in the combination of both disciplines in order to understand biological processes and solve biological problems.
Why do you participate in iGEM?
During my participation in iGEM I would like to further train my skills in the laboratory, apply what I have learned in my studies and also deal with other fields that are new to me. Above all, however, I like the idea of working on a self-developed project in a team.
What motivates you to do your best?
What motivates me most is to implement my own project. In the end, the work and time that I and the team have invested in our project should result in good results and a successful completion of iGEM.
Irina Rais, Biochemistry (Bachelor of Science)
What are you studying and why?
I study biochemistry because it is a wonderful mixture of chemistry, biology and medicine. And I find diseases super and even better to decipher them.
Why do you participate in iGEM?
IGEM gives me the opportunity to work on my own project in addition to the mandatory studies and to develop this not only scientifically but also economically.
What motivates you to do your best?
The thought of the future.
What is your life philosophy?
As long as nothing hurts, everything is cool.
What do you do after a tiring lab day?
Watching memes.
Erika Schneider, Genome-Based Systems Biology (Master of Science)
What are you studying and why?
I'm studying Genome-Based Systems Biology. Like iGEM, this Master's programme lives from interdisciplinarity. Systems biology is a young field and deals with the modelling and classification of the enormous amounts of data generated with the high-throughput methods of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. I find the connections between the different metabolic pathways in a cell or an entire organism extremely exciting. It is also a pity how much data is lost unused and unseen, although so much could be learned from it.
Why do you participate in iGEM?
How often do you get the chance to realize your own project during and after your studies? That's why I use this opportunity wherever it presents itself to me.
What fascinates you about synthetic biology?
Synthetic biology reminds me of Lego. With enough creativity everything can be created. Implementing this in living nature opens up completely new possibilities.
What are your hobbies?
Minecraft, series marathons, pen and paper, creating Excel tables
What are you doing after iGEM?
Good question. Apart from my master's degree, I still have no concrete plans. Ultimately, there are so many possibilities in the short term and that is why I want to remain open to everything.
What is your life philosophy?
If life gives you lemons, make it lemonade.
Our Advisors
Boas Pucker Research Assistant at the Chair of Genome Research (University of Bielefeld / CeBiTec)
What are you studying and why?
I am studying for my doctorates in "Biology" and "Bioinformatics" because I am very interested in genome research and both are necessary for this.
Why do you participate in iGEM?
I enjoy SynBio and work with motivated students. Furthermore, the (Bielefeld) iGEM community is super.
What are your hobbies?
iGEM, Badminton, Hiking
What fascinates you about synthetic biology?
Biological systems can take over almost all tasks by appropriate modification.
What are you doing after iGEM?
iGEM again ;)
What do you do after a tiring lab day?
Eat and sleep
Julian Droste Research Assistant at the Chair of Microbial Genomics and Biotechnology (University of Bielefeld / CeBiTec)
What are you studying and why?
I studied molecular biotechnology in Bielefeld and am currently doing my doctorate in the field of industrial biotechnology. I believe that biotechnology is one of the important technologies of the future. Many things can already be solved or will be solved in the future with biotechnological processes.
Why do you participate in iGEM?
The concept of iGEM and synthetic biology has fascinated me for a long time. The huge variety of scientific papers and the possibilities in this field are impressive. Especially at the final Jamboree in Boston (USA) you can see how many people enjoy science and also have fun communicating it.
iGEM offers the possibility to share this fun, but also the science with each other, to learn from each other and thus to work together. It is like a big family, because you meet many people who once became iGEMer again and again.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are mainly sports, especially soccer and table tennis. I also play guitar and electric bass. Of course I like to meet my friends and do a lot with them.
If you could change something in the world, what would it be and how would you do it?
I would want to end the wars and great conflicts in the world.
What fascinates you about synthetic biology?
Synthetic biology has enormous potential for an enormous range of possibilities. I am particularly fascinated by the possibility to bring basic functions into new contexts in order to be able to solve the big problems of our time.
What motivates you to do your best?
The best way to motivate myself is to see what is possible in the field of science.
What are you getting up for every morning?
I don't like to get up (early) :D
What are you doing after iGEM?
I will finish my PhD and maybe supervise another iGEM team :D
What is your life philosophy?
I have no specific motto. But I think you should enjoy life and take everything as it comes.
What do you do after a tiring lab day?
I go to the gym and meet friends for a cold drink. Alternatively, an evening in front of the TV with a good film or a good series is also possible ?
Svenja Vinke, Molecular Biotechnology (Master of Science)
What are you studying and why?
I am studying molecular biotechnology because it is a combination of STEM subjects and biotechnology can solve many problems of the future.
What fascinates you about synthetic biology?
Synthetic biology fascinates me with its interdisciplinarity and diversity. As a result, problems can often only be solved through creativity. Working on these solutions in a team is a lot of fun for me.
What are you doing after iGEM?
Working on new projects in the lab with my eXpand team and helping the new team learn and grow as much about iGEM as we do.
What do you do after a tiring lab day?
Sport to clear your head and to be able to continue working the next day in a relaxed way.
