The BioInnovation Group or BIG, is a student club that provides undergraduate research and leadership opportunities to a diverse population of students at UC Davis. BIG runs five active research groups working on a diverse set of projects. Each of the projects are managed by 1-3 student leads who have previous experience working in the BioInnovation Lab. Each group is mentored by either the BioInnovation Lab advisors or a collaborating faculty advisor. Groups are encouraged to share their work either through on campus presentations (i.e. the Undergraduate Research Conference) via publications both on campus and externally.
3D OPS -
The 3D OPS team is researching novel ways to express, prepare and print spider silk for applications in the medical industry.
Real Vegan Cheese -
The Real Vegan Cheese project team is leveraging expression systems in G.R.A.S. organisms to create a cheese product that is completely vegan.
Microfluidics -
The Microfluidics team is looking to create cost-effective microfluidic chips that can isolate single cells from a cellular population to aid the study of transcriptomics of mammalian cells.
ALGene -
The ALGene team is looking into the feasibility of using photosynthetic algae to express valuable therapeutic proteins in batch culture.
iGEM -
iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machines) is a research experience available to experienced undergraduates looking for a challenge. BIG organizes the iGEM teams; the competition goes from March to November each year. Click here to learn more about the iGEM program.