The three students will split $50,00 for college expenses. The goal of their genetic research is to help biotechnologists produce proteins in the lab more efficiently and cost effectively.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A team from Enloe High School vies for the $100,000 top prize in the Siemens competition in math, science, and technology.

Siemens Foundation

 

The students are among 20 national finalists competing for the prestigious national award.

 

The goal of their genetic research is to help biotechnologists produce proteins in the lab more efficiently and cost effectively.

 

Hao Lian brought computer science skills, Vivek Bhattacharya concentrated on physics and Daniel Vitek led the math research.

 

The three childhood friends spent their summer creating a computation model to help researchers at NC State University.

 

 “We focused on how efficient E-coli can produce proteins we tell it to," described Lian.

 

Instead of trial and error in the lab, their computational model does the work of eliminating inefficient gene sequences so researchers can focus on strands that work to one day develop manmade proteins used in medicines.

 

"The computer is very fast.  It can look at numbers and can quickly determine which one is fastest especially reviewing simulations," said Lian.

 

They use examples from the past.

 

Bhattacharya said, "Another special protein, PRFB, in that case our model threw out ineffective sequences."

 

Over the past year the trio has spent lots of hours at NC State University putting their computational model to good use. Their eventual hope is to cut down on research time in the lab.

 

“We estimate that it can save a couple of years," said Lian.

 

All their hard work boils down to a 12 minute presentation over the weekend.

 

"I think we have as good as a chance as anyone else," said Vitek.

 

His teammate Lian adds, "We've put everything into this project. I won't be surprised if we win."

 

In fact, one research team at NC State is already using their model which may one day increase production of manmade proteins for medicine.

 

Winners in the Siemens contest will be announced Monday.