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How to grow (almost) anything: a hybrid distance learning model for global laboratory-based synthetic biology education

A pilot program for synthetic biology education via a scalable distributed network model of distance-based laboratory learning can be accessible globally across disciplines and backgrounds.

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Fig. 1: The HTGAA vision of synbio distance learning.
Fig. 2: The HTGAA curriculum includes a combination of lessons by professors, TAs and industry partners.
Fig. 3: Lab robots for distance education.
Fig. 4: Class outcomes.
Fig. 5: Community lab network.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge all of the faculty instructors, teaching assistants and students who have participated in How To Grow (Almost) Anything. We would also like to thank the MIT Biology Department, Technical Instructor Anthony Fuccione, Senior Technical Instructor Vanessa Cheung, MIT’s Environment, Health, and Safety Office, Ginkgo Bioworks and the Institute of Preventive Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taiwan. The course has received support from Twist Biosciences, Opentrons, Waters Corporation, Takeda and the Program in Media Arts & Sciences at the MIT Media Lab.

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Correspondence to David Kong.

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Perry, E., Weber, J., Pataranutaporn, P. et al. How to grow (almost) anything: a hybrid distance learning model for global laboratory-based synthetic biology education. Nat Biotechnol 40, 1874–1879 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-022-01601-x

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