On July 15, SynBERC Deputy Director Wendell Lim participated in the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus Briefings with a talk entitled “Kids Can Do Science! The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition.” He spoke about his experiences working with a team of students from San Francisco's Lincoln High School.  The iGEM competition offers a unique way to engage young students in science.  Conversely, integrating these students can inject creative ideas and energy into a high-level research team.

The Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus seeks to broaden the support and knowledge of basic and clinical biomedical research among Members of Congress with jurisdiction over the NIH, the NSF, science research, and health issues. The Caucus also serves to inform and educate Congress about potential and actual advances in health care made by our investment in biomedical research, while exploring future advances that could be achieved with increased support. Video of Lim’s briefing is online at
http://www.coalitionforlifesciences.org/