Guides · ISEF category
Cellular and Molecular Biology
ISEF category BIOL · difficulty for high-school students: high
Studies at the cell and molecular level: gene expression, cell signaling, CRISPR/gene editing, microscopy, cell culture, protein biology, RNA biology.
How it's judged
ISEF scores 100 points across five criteria:
- Creative Ability: 30 pts
- Scientific Thought: 30 pts
- Thoroughness: 15 pts
- Skill: 15 pts
- Clarity: 10 pts
What wins
- CRISPR-Cas9 gene knockout in model organisms or cell lines (university access required)
- Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of publicly available datasets
- Microscopy-based quantitative analysis of cellular phenomena
- Synthetic biology: designing novel genetic circuits in E. coli
- Protein localization studies using fluorescent tagging
Common mistakes
- PCR results without gel images or quantification
- Cell line experiments without confirming cell identity/passage number
- Using DAPI as the only readout in microscopy studies
- Not reporting transfection efficiency in overexpression experiments
What you'll need
PCR machine, gel electrophoresis, fluorescence microscope (or confocal), cell culture facilities. Most competitive work requires university lab access with a faculty mentor.
Ethics & approvals
Human-subjects (IRB) approval is usually not required for this category. Vertebrate-animal (IACUC) approval is usually not required.
The novelty bar
A new gene target, pathway connection, or model system application. Studies that replicate published results without a new angle or organism are not competitive.
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