# Introduction to Biological Engineering Design

- Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Department: Biological Engineering
- Taught by: Dr. Natalie Kuldell, Prof. Andrew Endy
- Term: Spring 2009
- Level: Undergraduate
- Language: English
- Subjects: Biology, Engineering
- Source: [MIT OpenCourseWare](https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009/)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) (Non-commercial use only.)
- Syllabus: [at the source](https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009/pages/syllabus/)
- Who can watch: Tweens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

This class is a project-based introduction to the engineering of synthetic biological systems. Throughout the term, students develop projects that are responsive to real-world problems of their choosing, and whose solutions depend on biological technologies. Lectures, discussions, and studio exercises will introduce (1) components and control of prokaryotic and eukaryotic behavior, (2) DNA synthesis, standards, and abstraction in biological engineering, and (3) issues of human practice, including biological safety; security; ownership, sharing, and innovation; and ethics. Enrollment preference is given to freshmen.

This subject was originally developed and first taught in Spring 2008 by Drew Endy and Natalie Kuldell. Many of Drew’s materials are used in this Spring 2009 version, and are included with his permission.

This OCW Web site is based on the OpenWetWare class Wiki, found at OpenWetWare: 20.020 (S09)

## Lectures

1. [1. Open Reading Frames (ORFs)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/mit/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009/dd3fce909cca), 4 min (Video)
2. [2. Building a Gene: Correct Parts in Correct Order](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/mit/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009/b5fee0b1961c), 4 min (Video)
3. [3. Genetic Programs: Why Parts Don’t Simply Snap Together](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/mit/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009/2b84d63d50ac), 4 min (Video)
4. [4. Genetic Digital Devices: The On-Off Switch](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/mit/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009/536608134544), 6 min (Video)
5. [5. The Abstraction Process: Arsenic Detector](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/mit/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009/ec3d1f6dc0f8), 4 min (Video)
6. [6. Controlling Growth: The Transcriptional Inverter](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/mit/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009/7b4e37dacaf1), 6 min (Video)
7. [7. DNA Synthesis: Stringing Parts Together](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/mit/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009/253e13bfee42), 4 min (Video)
8. [8. Measurement for Biological Parts](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/mit/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009/64b880ee71ac), 3 min (Video)
9. [9. The iGEM Competition](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/mit/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009/8d31c77329f2), 4 min (Video)
10. [10. Biosafety Levels](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/mit/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009/e64e293c35b5), 4 min (Video)
11. [11. Bacterial Growth and its Measurement](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/mit/20-020-introduction-to-biological-engineering-design-spring-2009/0824b50f6cf1), 3 min (Video)