Genomics, Biotechnology
& Health Sciences Research Lab

Genomics, Biotechnology
& Health Sciences Research Lab


Healthcare and biotechnology have emerged as one of the most challenging and in-demand domains in recent times. Advancements in this domain lead to innovations like wearable gadgets, medical devices, robotics surgery, new & effective treatment of diseases, control of an epidemic, and development of life-saving vaccines.

Our Genomics, Biotechnology & Health Sciences Research Lab provides children great exposure to Gene Editing and its applications, DNA sequencing technology, CRISPR, Plant biology, and therapeutics. This lab allows our young innovators to explore some of the top challenges in this domain, and brainstorm with fellow students to innovate solutions to meet these challenges.

At our Genomics, Biotechnology & Health Sciences Research Lab, we provide our students:

Domain-specific
training.

Activities to understand
domain concepts.

One large project at
the end of the module.

Domain-specific
training.

Activities to understand
domain concepts.

One large project at the end of the module.

We leave our students by introducing them to some of the most pressing problems in the genomics, biotechnology & health sciences domain, encouraging them to find a solution later in their lives.

Our Domain Research Lab Curriculum is inspired by the curriculums of some of the best universities in the world. These labs are designed with these three outcomes in mind:
  1. Introduce you to the basic and advanced topics of these domains through interesting modules.
  2. Introduce you to some of the challenges in these domains and encourage you to brainstorm ways to solve them.
  3. Enable you to find your passion early and enable you to make better and more informed career decisions later in your life.

Genomics, Biotechnology &
Health Sciences Research Lab Curriculum

  • Cellular Organization
  • Organismal Organization
  • Population Organization

Exercise: Hands-on exercise to co-relate Human Cells and World around us

This curriculum is inspired from XGEN101 – Fundamentals of Genetics Stanford School of Medicine Genetics and Genomics Program

  • Fundamentals of human cell
  • What is DNA?
  • Introduction to DNA
  • DNA & RNA: DNA vs RNA
  • mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA: Functions | Types of RNA
  • Protein Synthesis, DNA Transcription, and DNA Translation
  • DNA Methylation
  • Introduction to mRNA Vaccines

Exercise: Understand DNA coding and simulate DNA Code

This curriculum is inspired from XGEN101 – Fundamentals of Genetics Stanford School of Medicine Genetics and Genomics Program

  • DNA, Gene, and Genome
  • Alleles, Genotype, and Phenotype
  • Punnett Square
  • Epigenetics

Exercise: Understand Epigenetics and the impact of certain genes on the human body

  • Gene Mutation
  • Types of Mutation
  • Spontaneous Mutation
  • Induced Mutation
  • Mutagens
  • Repair Mechanism of Mutation
  • Your Probability to get Superpower through some Rarest Mutations

Exercise: Design a protein shape that is capable of providing a shield from the virus mutations

This curriculum is inspired from XGEN102 – Genomics. Stanford School of Medicine Genetics and Genomics Program

  • What is Genomics?
  • A Short History of Genomics
  • Why Genomics?
  • Model Organism for Genomic Study Major Branches of Genomics

Exercise: Develop Co-relation between Animal Gene and Human Gene | 75 minutes.

This curriculum is inspired from XGEN102 – Genomics. Stanford School of Medicine Genetics and Genomics Program

  • What is Genome Sequencing?
    • Some Early DNA Sequencing Methods
    • Second Generation Sequencing
    • Third Generation Sequencing
  • Genetics vs Genomics
  • Explaining the DNA Sequencing Method
  • Solving Crime
  • Personalized Healthcare
  • Cancer Genomics
  • Studying eDNA (Environmental DNA) using DNA metabarcoding
  • Detecting Mutations
  • Parental Verification
  • Identifying and developing GMO Plants in agriculture
  • Microbial Identification and study of new species of bacteria and viruses

Exercise: Perform Gene Sequencing of Unknown DNA

  • Introduction, Principle, and Goals of HGP A race to sequence the human genome Phases of HGP
  • Technical Aspects of HGP
  • Focus of the HGP
  • Applications of the HGP
  • Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Whole Genome Sequencing and You

Exercise: Brainstorm and Develop Future Use of Human Genome Information

  • Ten Bold Predictions

Exercise: Utilize the bold predictions and develop ways to make life better for human beings

This curriculum is inspired from XGEN203 – Genetics Engineering & Biotechnology Stanford School of Medicine Genetics and Genomics Program

  • Introduction to Gene Editing
  • Gene Editing tools (CRISPR/Cas9 Technology) Gene Editing and  CRISPR/Cas9 Technology – How far should we go?
  • Complications and Risks of Gene Editing: Ethical Issues in Gene Editing

Exercise: Bioethics Research Project

  • Genetic Engineering Explained:
  • Why Genetic Engineering?
    • Genetic engineering and its future impact
    • 15 Things You Didn’t Know About the Genomics Industry
    • 10 Reasons Why Biotech is Booming –
    • Impact of Genetic Engineering in Medicine.
    • Genetic Engineering Application in Agriculture.
    • Gene Drives to Lower Disease Transmission
    • CRISPR Mediated Biofuels:
    • Genomics in Organ Transplant
    • Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)
    • Genetically Modified Crops

Exercise: Hands-on Gene Editing using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology 

This curriculum is inspired from XGEN201 – Principles & Practices of Gene Therapy Stanford School of Medicine Genetics and Genomics Program

  • Gene Mutation & Genetic Diseases
  • Introduction to Gene Therapy
  • Some examples of Gene Therapy

Exercise: Understand and Simulate an Attempt to Develop a Cure for Cancer using TP53 Gene

This curriculum is inspired from XGEN205 – Personal Genomics & Your Health Stanford School of Medicine Genetics and Genomics Program

  • How Personal Genomics impacts Healthcare
  • Diagnosing and Treating Diseases with the help of Genomics (Example: Diabetes, Heart Diseases, Allergies, etc.)

Exercise: Research and Report Writing on Gene Therapy of a Genetic Disease

Some of the Innovations made by DiscoverSTEM Students
in this Research Lab are:

Handheld device to detect lead compounds and impurities in water

US Patent Granted

(This innovation received ‘Honorable Mention’ at NASA Ames Space Settlement Design Challenge – 2018)

Wearable device for managing alcohol-driven violence

US Patent Granted

Apparatus for sanitising products

US Patent Granted

Stress management system

Patent Granted

(This innovation won 1st prize at Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge at NASA Kennedy Space Centre – 2016, held at NASA Kennedy Space Center)

Method and apparatus for enabling communication of differently abled users

Patent Granted

A system and a method for color-blind person to distinguish colors in a surrounding

Patent Granted

Surgical Image Processing and Reporting System (SIPORS)

Patent Pending

Patent Details:

Google Patents | Bibliography

System and method for contactless provisioning of elevator service

Patent Pending

Patent Details:

Google Patents | Bibliography

Wearable device to identify medical emergencies and notify

Patent Pending

Patent Details:

Google Patents | Bibliography

Self-sanitizing Poles

Patent Pending

Patent Details:

Google Patents | Bibliography

Automatic system to monitor health condition of an infant

Patent Pending

Patent Details:

Google Patents

Self disinfecting door handle with
UV protection covering

Patent Pending

(This innovation was judged among the Top 80 Most Innovative Products Supporting United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals at the Oslo Innovation Week 2022)

System to prevent ambulance
delays due to traffic

Patent Pending

Hisham Ahmad - CMO

I am a 14-year-old freshman attending Brighter Horizons Academy in Garland, Texas. I have extensive experience with marketing, as I have been a part of various companies and mentorships. I graduated from the DiscoverStem program, allowing new doors to open up for me, and change the way I see things. The DiscoverStem program has also given me more experience with concepts such as patents, invention, and innovation, as well as inspiration to use these skills to help the world around us.

DiscoverSTEM founders Mirza Rizwan and Mirza Faizan have made history by becoming the first Indian to win the coveted George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedoms Foundation – USA.

Started in 1949 by former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Freedoms Foundation honors exceptional contributions of Americans towards communities in the USA. Generally reserved for the US citizens, the awarding organization made an exception to recognize the stellar research work and its impact of India’s Mr. Rizwan in designing and implementing a unique STEM & Innovation program for American children, thereby revolutionizing the education system in the USA.

Few of the other notable non-US citizens who have received George Washington Honor Medal include Ms. Margaret Thatcher (Former Prime Minister of United Kingdom), Lech Walesa (Former President of Poland and Noble Prize winner) and world-renowned Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. As the latest recipients of this prestigious honor, Mirza brothers join historically acclaimed group of citizens whose work and dedication advance the American ideals, the award letter says.

Some of the distinguished US citizens who have received this award for their stellar contributions in their field are Walt Disney, Astronauts Sally Ride and John Glenn, Capt. Sully Sullenberger, Athletes like Arthur Ashe, George Foreman and Tiger Woods and famous US educator Jaime Escalante.