The world is facing a serious threat of severe weather events, if these phenomena are inevitable, we should be prepared to safeguard our amazing iGEM projects by assessing, developing and implementing a Weather Contingency Plan (WCP).

Frequently, we learn about a storm/blizzard/tornado that affects places where fellow iGEM teams are working on their projects. In some cases, the phenomenon can even force the affected team to reconsider their participation in the iGEM Giant Jamboree Competition. Drawing upon the spirit of collaboration of the iGEM community, we proposed to lead the way in preparing a useful tool that future iGEM teams can draw support from when facing similar circumstances as described above, that is the main idea behind why we proposed this collaboration.

As you may recall, Puerto Rico was severely affected by the passage of Hurricane Maria. All of our team members experienced suspended utility services for at least 6 months. That is 6 months without electricity, water and in most cases internet connection (communication services). We know from firsthand that having a Weather Contingency Plan is critical for developing a successful iGEM project. This year we were blessed, for Hurricane Dorian and Tropical Storm Karen passed through our region and no major damages were reported or felt on the island. We hypothesize that the unpredictable weather conditions of the Caribbean could be a major factor as to why we are the first and only team from the region to participate thus far at the iGEM Competition.

The iGEM WCP will help current and future iGEM teams to be prepared to stay on track for the competition in the event unpredictable weather inclemencies affect their region. The iGEM WCP is a collaborative effort that will have historic significance and impart a real positive impact in the way iGEM teams are working their respective projects.

Our team envisioned developing a booklet that can be distributed electronically to new iGEM teams at the start of the next competition cycles. We proposed that this iGEM WCP booklet should be worked in unison by at least 3 active 2019 iGEM teams to ensure representativity and inclusion.

What will be the content of the iGEM WCP?

Communication strategies between team members and with iGEM HQ before, during and after a weather phenomenon.
Possible collaboration partnership-grids across the iGEM regions.
Electricity independent laboratory protocols.
Project planning with low resources.
Time efficiency and strategic planning.

To be of good use for future iGEM teams, the contents we proposed by our team were developed by each respective iGEM region representatives according to their particularities and experiences.

Here are some of the teams that have helped us to develop the iGEM WCP:

UFRGS_Brazil To view their contribution submission you can click here.
Rice To view their contribution submission you can click here.
IIT-Madras To view their contribution submission you can click here.

Weather Contingency Plan Booklet 2019 Version

In case your team faces a severe weather phenomenon, team UPRM has collaborated with other teams to create a tool that could potentially save your project! The WCP is a tool that your team can use to create a tailored plan to prepare for the most common weather threats in your region and hopefully manage the stress of the ever-more present severe wheater conditions. We have compiled some great tips that may help you continue your iGEM projects and keep the iGEM dream running strong! Remember that the iGEM community is kin to collaboration efforts, so feel free to share and use it. It would be great if future iGEM teams continue developing this tool.

Other Collaborations

The Language Project 2.0

As part of our mission to make Synthetic Biology knowledge available to our fellow Spanish speaking community, Team UPRM toke note of the opportunity to collaborate with Team IIT-Madras from India on The Language Project 2.0 The collaboration between our teams primarily consisted of translating, recording, editing and sharing io our social media two video scripts that IIT-Madras sent us from English into Spanish and thus sharing key concepts of Synthetic Biology with our respective audiences. A list of the translated videos can be found here:

The Language Project 2.0 DNA & RNA Video (Spanish)	The Language Project 2.0 Proteins (Spanish)
The Language Project 2.0 Central Dogma of Molecular Biology & Translation (Spanish)	The Language Project 2.0 Mutations (Spanish)

Meta-Analysis

As part of our mission to make knowledge of Synthetic Biology available to our fellow Spanish speaking community, Team UPRM toke note of the opportunity to collaborate with Team Rice from Texas on Meta Analysis .

For this collaboration our team answered a questionnaire page, sent via email by our collaborators from team Rice, indicating how our team settled for our project idea and other information related to our team. You can review our answers bellow.

Demographics and Inclusivity Survey 2019

Team UPRM believes that the future of Synthetic Biology is as diverse and inclusive as the societies we live, most of our teams members took their time to collaborate with Team UAlberta from Canada on completing the Demographic’s and Inclusivity Survey 2019.

To further ensure a safe space for our team members a very clear disposition in our Team Constitution specifies that: “The organization will not discriminate based on age, race, color, religion, disability, natural origin, political views, veteran status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and nutritional requirements. This applies but is not exclusive to current members, recruiting members and public. This organization adheres to the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez nondiscrimination standards."

Team:UPRM/Collaborations

COLLABORATIONS

Major Collaborations

iGEM Weather Contingency Plan