This blog is where we share stories, announcements, and insights from around the iGEM community.
All in iGEM Blog
Due to their inherent safety, simplicity and portability , cell-free systems have become an increasingly important tool in iGEM and synthetic biology more broadly.
Our world has entered a new era of infectious diseases, where emerging, re-emerging, and endemic pathogens spread quickly, aided by increased international air travel and global warming. At iGEM, teams are tackling infectious diseases by using the tools of synthetic biology to reduce disease transmission, prevent future epidemics and pandemics, and save lives.
The future of the fashion and cosmetics industries may well lie in the hands of the future leaders of synthetic biology. These consumer-driven industries touch the lives of almost everyone on earth, but they also use massive amounts of raw materials and have an immense negative impact on the environment. At iGEM, teams are using synthetic biology to help move the fashion and cosmetics industries into a new, more sustainable, and animal cruelty-free era. Here are just a few examples of iGEM team projects that could usher in the next revolution in fashion and cosmetics.
Have you ever worked on a laptop computer? (perhaps you are reading this post on a laptop right now?) Have you ever used a cell phone to take a picture? Or get directions using your GPS? Have you ever had your temperature taken in your ear? Or lived in a home with a smoke detector? Or rested your head on a memory foam pillow? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are the beneficiary of space innovation!
Villages represent the global challenges that iGEMers are most interested in working on, and the solutions that iGEM teams put forth reflect the future of synthetic biology. In keeping with the changing needs of synthetic biology and the interests of the teams, iGEM Villages are constantly evolving. This year, we are introducing three new Villages: : Fashion & Cosmetics, Oncology, and Infectious Diseases.
This year, iGEM Startups highlights an iGEM alumna and female founder. Meet Dr. Lydia Mapstone, an alumna of iGEM Edinburgh OG in 2017 and the founder of BoobyBiome, a FemTech startup dedicated to developing an intact breast milk microbiome for babies.
Change happens when people learn about a problematic situation, and assume personal responsibility for acting to correct the situation. iGEM teams do this all the time as they seek to make positive change by addressing problems facing our world using the tools of synthetic biology. But the changes iGEMers seek to make are not solely changes that come about by developing new technologies, they are also changes within our own and the greater synthetic biology community.
Your ideas, your iGEM projects—these could become reality through VCL. If you're uncertain about diving into entrepreneurship or unsure about kickstarting a startup, VCL might hold the answers.
Are you constantly brewing synbio ideas and longing for like-minded discussions? Or perhaps you're eager to meet potential co-founders and delve into the realms of the synbio market? Or maybe you want to discover new career opportunities that lie ahead in 2024?
Starting an iGEM team and getting a project started in the iGEM Competition can be a challenge, even for returning teams. We have prepared this guide to help you understand what to expect throughout the iGEM Competition Cycle, whether this is your first time participating, or you are returning as a seasoned veteran.
You’ve formed an iGEM team. You and your teammates have decided on a project. You’re excited about the journey that lies before you. Now is the time to share the joy and excitement of your iGEM project with those who can help support and fund your team. Here are some ideas and resources to help you put together a fundraising plan.
iGEM is a journey – a journey that requires a plan. Though starting an iGEM team can seem daunting at first, here are some guidelines to help you begin.
As iGEM 2023, the 20th year of iGEM, comes to a close, all of us at iGEM HQ wish to express our appreciation for the many people who have dedicated their time, talent, work, and support in building a strong and vibrant synthetic biology research community and industry, and creating synthetic biology ecosystems around the world.
The first BioInnovation Fair at the iGEM 2023 Grand Jamboree provided a platform for startups, innovators, and industry leaders to explore the future landscape of synthetic biology.
The iGEM 2023 Grand Jamboree's Startup Showcase was a burst of energy, featuring 17 dynamic startups from around the world at the #WorldExpoSynBio. Judges, seasoned in the field, were impressed by the ventures' potential in shaping the future bioeconomy.
Le concours iGEM réunit des équipes d’étudiants du monde entier et leur permet de mettre à l’épreuve leurs idées d’innovation faisant appel à l’ingénierie du vivant. Elle s’est tenue du 2 au 5 novembre, à Paris.
The iGEM 2023 Grand Jamboree brought together over 3500 people to celebrate 20 years of iGEM, the heart of synthetic biology. This was the largest event to date, attended by synthetic biology researchers, industry reps, startup founders, investors, journalists, experts in governance and policy, and the general public, to glimpse the future of synthetic biology.
Tomorrow (November 2), the doors to the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles will open to celebrate the 20th year of iGEM at the 2023 Grand Jamboree! This year, the Grand Jamboree has expanded to include a multitude of presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and satellite events designed to bring together all facets of the growing field of synthetic biology.
We believe that to change the world for the better, BioFounders need to be empowered globally. That’s why we are excited to announce the BioInnovation Fair at the iGEM 2023 Grand Jamboree! Please join us at this thrilling event where you’ll come together with synbio industries, media, startups, incubators, investors, and other stakeholders to connect, network, and forge game-changing deals.
We’re excited to announce the first edition of the iGEM Hackathon at the 2023 Grand Jamboree! Please join us at this a unique event, and be part of an exciting community of programmers, designers, and tech enthusiasts working together to make a lasting impact on iGEM’s future.
