Antibiotics
What are antibiotics mainly used for?
To kill or stop the growth of bacteria.
What is a gene?
A piece of DNA that carries instructions for making proteins.
What is iGEM's full name?
International Genetically Engineered Machine.
What is a straightforward way you can help prevent the spread of bacteria?
Washing hands, covering coughs, etc.
What does AMR stand for?
Why is AMR considered a global problem?
Why don’t antibiotics work against viruses like the flu?
Because viruses aren’t living cells, and antibiotics only target bacteria.
What do we call changes in a gene that can affect how bacteria respond to antibiotics?
Mutation
What do the Human Practices in iGEM encourage teams to think about?
Why should antibiotics only be taken when prescribed by a doctor?
Because misuse leads to antibiotic resistance.
What is a “superbug”?
A bacteria resistant to many antibiotics.
What is one way bacteria can survive antibiotics?
By mutating or gaining resistance genes.
Where in the cell are genes found?
In the DNA inside the nucleus (or in plasmids for bacteria).
What is one benefit of synthetic biology contests like iGEM?
Building teamwork and leadership skills.
Making synthetic biology more accessible to students.
Inspiring future scientists and engineers.
What role does vaccination play in preventing antibiotic resistance?
Vaccines prevent infections, so fewer antibiotics are needed.
Why do scientists call AMR a “silent pandemic”?
Because it spreads slowly and often without immediate attention but causes serious harm.
Why is it dangerous to stop taking antibiotics before finishing your prescription?
It can leave surviving bacteria that develop resistance.
What is a plasmid, and why is it important in synthetic biology?
A small, circular piece of DNA often used to transfer genes between bacteria.
What is one reason documentation and reproducibility are as important as lab results in iGEM?
That is because others must be able to understand, repeat, and build on the work
How does good hospital hygiene help prevent the spread of resistant bacteria?
It reduces infections and stops resistant bacteria from spreading.
Why is AMR a global health problem?
Because resistant bacteria can spread worldwide and make infections harder to treat.
Name one common type of antibiotic.
Examples: penicillin, tetracycline, amoxicillin.
How can synthetic biology use genes to fight antibiotic resistance?
By designing genes that block resistance mechanisms or help create new treatments.
Summarize iGEM and our project goals in 1-2 sentences.
Model answer: iGEM is a global synthetic biology contest that aims to encourage students to design creative solutions to real-world problems. Our project resensitizes AMR bacteria by inhibiting β-lactamase that renders penicillin ineffective.
In simpler wrods: iGEM is a global SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY contest that tries to solve real world problems. Our project goal is to remove the β-lactamase (thing that makes penicilin ineffective) so that antibiotics can work again.
What is one global strategy scientists are working on to slow antibiotic resistance?
New drugs, antibiotic alternatives, synthetic biology solutions, global monitoring.
How can synthetic biology help solve AMR?
By engineering bacteria, genes, or proteins to detect, fight, or prevent resistant bacteria.