What is synthetic biology? Researcher and professor Dr. Xiaojing Gao introduces this cutting edge field. He explains how his lab at Stanford University engineers biomolecular circuits, which are meant to be programmable, reproducible, and friendlier to mammalian cells than non-biological molecules.  Xiaojing hopes to create the building blocks of this technology, to one day better treat all sorts of medical conditions ranging from cancer to epilepsy. He also describes his path to his interdisciplinary career.

Related to this episode:  
• Dr. Xiaojing Gao: https://cheme.stanford.edu/person/xiaojing-gao
• Gao Lab at Stanford: https://gaolab.blog/
• CAR T Therapy for cancer: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/car-t-cell-therapy
• Targeted Therapy for cancer: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/targeted-therapies
• biological logic gates: https://phys.org/news/2020-04-cells-protein-logic-gates.html
• Brain & Behavior Foundation: https://www.bbrfoundation.org/
• Cell Reprogramming With CRISPR/Cas9 Based Transcriptional Regulation Systems:  https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2020.00882/full
• Physics Olympiad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Physics_Olympiad
• Michael Elowitz: https://www.bbe.caltech.edu/people/michael-b-elowitz
• Liqun Luo: https://profiles.stanford.edu/liqun-luo
• Can we write biological “software updates” to cure disease?: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-we-write-biological-software-updates-to-cure-disease/
• Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) https://science.osti.gov/wdts
	
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The K12 Engineering Education Podcast

Design Biomolecular Circuits, with Dr. Xiaojing Gao

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Promoting education in engineering and design for all ages.  Learn more and read transcripts at www.k12engineering.net. Produced by Pius Wong, engineer, of Pios Labs (www.pioslabs.com). 

This podcast is for educators, engineers, entrepreneurs, and parents interested in bringing engineering to younger ages. Listen to real conversations among various professionals in the engineering education space, as we try to find better ways to educate and inspire kids in engineering thinking.  For episode transcripts and more information, visit: www.k12engineering.net

Topics include overcoming institutional barriers to engineering and STEM in K12, cool ways to teach engineering, equity in access to engineering, industry needs for engineers, strategies for training teachers, "edtech" solutions for K12 classrooms, curriculum and pedagogy reviews, and research on how kids learn engineering knowledge and skills. Thanks for listening!

Victor Notaro is an alumni of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (General Management Program) and completed the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, held at Georgetown University. In addition, he earned a Bachelor of Science from Aquinas College where he also has a seat on the Alumni Leadership Council. Notaro holds a FINRA Series 79 (Investment Banking) license as well as the FINRA Series 63 (State Law) license, is a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) by the Association of Financial Professionals and completed the Aligning Strategy and Sales Program at the Harvard Business School. Victor lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife and their three children.