Concordia HS Students: Master the Art of Synthetic Biology

We are thrilled to announce that Concordia's synthetic biology students have achieved remarkable success in the Annual Agar Art Competition hosted by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). This prestigious contest challenges participants to create beautiful artwork using microbes grown on agar plates.

Two of our talented students earned top honors in their division:

• Rei Ang secured 2nd place
• Hana van Rossum achieved 3rd place

Their innovative entries stood out among fierce competition from across the globe.
What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is the advanced scientific work behind the art. As part of our synthetic biology class, students genetically engineered E. coli bacteria to express different chromoproteins, resulting in a palette of vivid colors. They then used these custom-designed, genetically modified bacteria to create their stunning artwork.

The success doesn't stop there! Concordia dominated the field with an incredible 7 out of the top 15 nominees in the division coming from our school with Tracey Lei, Elsie Fong, Victoria Wong, Amy Wang also recognized. This outstanding representation showcases the depth of talent, scientific knowledge, and creativity among our student body. The Synthetic Biology class shows Concordia's commitment to fostering excellence in advanced STEM education and encouraging interdisciplinary thinking at the forefront of biotechnology.

The Agar Art Competition blends cutting-edge microbiology and genetic engineering with artistic expression, encouraging students to explore the fascinating world of synthetic biology in a unique and engaging way. Our students' success demonstrates their exceptional skills in advanced scientific techniques, artistic design, and innovative thinking.

To view the winning entries and learn more about the competition, visit the ASM Agar Art Contest website at https://asm.org/Events/ASM-Agar-Art-Contest/Winners.