UniTartu Summer School Synthetic Biology and its Applications
Author:
Andrea Margó Rotenberg
Synthetic Biology and its Applications
On-site in Tartu 28 July – 8 August 2025
The summer school aims to provide an overview of synthetic biology advances and their applications. Students will get hands-on experience in molecular cloning and genetic engineering. This course is designed for high school students and beginner level BSc students.
Laboratory work will focus on genetically modifying baker’s yeast (S. cerevisiae) with previously designed set of plasmid vectors. The constructed yeast strains will be used to study intricate mechanisms of regulation of gene expression and to illustrate the concept of logic gates in synthetic biology. Three distinct fluorescent proteins will be used as protein expression reporters. By combining different inputs to induce gene expression, the fluorescence of different reporter proteins will be measured as output.
Students will learn how to work in the molecular biology lab, lab safety rules, how to operate various laboratory equipment (e.g., PCR machines, centrifuges, vortexes, thermostats, etc.). They will learn the basic principles of logic gates and their applications in synthetic biology. Students will collect and analyse the data using different research methods, including live-cell flourescent microscope imaging, FACS, Western Blotting.
Information about the course
Focus area: | Applied Biotechnology, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering | Coordinating unit: | Institute of Bioengineering |
Study Field: | Science and Technology, Bioengineering | Course Leaders: | Ilona Faustova, Associate Professor in Molecular Biology |
Format: | Summer course, hands-on workshop | Location: | Nooruse 1, Tartu |
Course dates: | 28 July - 8 August 2025 | Language: | English |
ECTS: | 2 | Study group: | High school students, beginner level BSc |
Lecturers
Ilona Faustova | Artemi Maljavin | Juli Mukhadze |
| Vice Director of the Institute of Bioengineering, Associate Professor in Molecular Biology, Programme Director of Science & Technology and Bioengineering programmes | Junior Lecturer in Molecular Biology, Assistant of Programme Director | Junior Research Fellow in Molecular Biotechnology |
Application deadline: 30 April 2025
Application period: 1 April - 30 April 2025
NB! All of the applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of EUR 25. Your application will only be processed after the University has received the fee. The application fee is required to facilitate the admissions process and will not be refunded, regardless of the admission result.
Course fee: 600EUR
Includes:
Study materials
8 days of academic work with lecturers
Certificate of completion (2 ECTS)
5 cultural events in the evenings
NB! Transportation and accommodation costs are not included. The course fee does not cover participant's lunch during the summer school.
Before every practical assignment, instructors will explain the theoretical basis of the method. The students can take part in a cultural programme in the evenings.
Week 1
Sunday, 27 July
- Arrival to Tartu
Monday, 28 July
- Introduction to summer school: Schedule, goals, learning outcomes.
- Introduction to safety rules and laboratory techniques
- PCR amplification Estradiol Transcrition Factor
- Lecture: How synthetic biology is changing the world
- Restriction of PCR product and plasmid vector
- Ligation of PCR product and plasmid vector
Tuesday, 29 July
- Transformation of E. coli TURBO competent cells with Golden gate assemblies
- Lecture: Logic gates and their applications in synthetic biology
- Institute Tour
Wednesday, 30 July
- Plasmid DNA extraction from transformed E. coli TURBO cells
- Measuring DNA concentration
- Restriction analysis of the extracted plasmid DNA
- Preparing DNA samples for Sanger sequencing
Thursday, 31 Juli
- In silico cloning in Benchling
Friday, 1 August
- Analysis of Sanger Sequencing results
- Yeast transformation
- Lecture: The basics of homologous recombination and its application in synthetic biology
Saturday, 2 August
- Free day
Sunday, 3 August
- Free day
Week 2
Monday, 4 August
- Check the S. cerevisiae colonies after transformation if the plasmid integrated correctly into yeast genome using PCR
- Inoculate growth media with correctly constructed strains
Tuesday, 5 August
- Induce different scenarios of protein expressions, collect samples for Western blotting
- Prepare samples for western blotting
Wednesday, 6 August
- Western blotting
- Introduction of the Bioengineering MSc programme at the University of Tartu
Thursday, 7 August
- Live-cell flourescent microscope imaging
- FACS
- Final discussion of the Results
- Awarding of Diplomas
Friday, 8 August
- Departure
The student completing the course will:
- Know the main branches of synthetic biology
- Will learn potential drawbacks and ethical issues raised by synthetic biology development
- Know different molecular cloning techniques, including Golden Gate assembly and digest/ligate cloning
- Be able to perform PCR, DNA gel electrophoresis, Bacterial and Yeast transformations, DNA extraction from bacterial cells.
- Learn about different sequencing methods and how to analyze the results of Sanger sequencing
- Learn the fundamentals of the Western blotting method and how the conduct western blot analysis.
- Learn to analyse the live-cell flourescent microscope imaging data.
- Learn the basics of FACS analysis.
In order to complete the course, the students must take part in all of the lectures and workshops and complete the given tasks on each day.
Entry requirements:
- Online application form (application period April 1 - April 30 2025)
- Motivation letter (up to 1 page) that demonstrates the applicant’s motivation to participate, his/her expectations about the programme, how participation in the summer programme relates to his/her studies and interests, and how the applicant plans to use the gained experience and knowledge in the future.
- Transcript of academic records
- Copy of passport
PS: Only complete applications including all annexes submitted by the deadline will be considered for selection.
Article from 2024
Barbora at the summer course “Synthetic Biology and its Applications”
Photo Gallery
Check out the photos from last year!
Are you wondering how to get to Tartu and where to stay? Tartu is the second biggest city in Estonia and is, therefore, quite easily reachable. Tartu is famous for its sustainable transportation methods which make moving around the city very quick, cheap and convenient. In the City of Education there are many options of accommodation. You'll get to choose between a cheap stay at the dormitory with other international students or pick a fancier option in a hotel or apartment.
While the academic course is broaden your knowledge and learning skills, the cultural programme offers a range of fun and engaging cultural activities, introducing you to Estonia and the opportunity to interact and network with other participants in a lively environment. Students will have the opportunity to enjoy a range of day trips and events offered through the programmes and their experience in Tartu!
