Contribution: The 3rd of a 4-part series on iGEM 2021

“The opportunities in science are advancing at unprecedented speed, and the ability to harness that science to make a difference in the lives of people and for the world is just enormous.”

- Dr. Margaret (Peggy) Hamburg, World Health Organization

Since beginning in 2003, iGEM has inspired thousands of students to build a better world by using synthetic biology to solve local problems and tackle global challenges. Now as leaders in academia, government and industry in over 45 countries, iGEMers are significantly advancing synthetic biology and contributing to society. Let’s take a look at the many ways their work, research, and ideas contribute …

Chromoproteins contributed by the 2011 Uppsala iGEM team to the iGEM parts Registry

… to the iGEM community

The Registry of Standard Biological Parts is a world class resource of genetic parts created by iGEM teams to make biology easier to engineer. Expanded and improved each year by current iGEM teams that use, improve, and develop new parts under iGEM’s Get & Give (& Share) philosophy, the Registry available online to researchers all over the world.

 During the annual competition, iGEM teams collaborate with and help one another to push the boundaries of synthetic biology. With this shared experience, many iGEMers go on in future years to serve as judges, or mentors, or committee members. Together with iGEM’s sponsors and partners, these volunteers are essential in supporting iGEM teams as they create safe and responsible solutions for global challenges.

… to the synthetic biology industry

iGEM has become a natural test-bed for new ideas in synthetic biology, and has laid the foundation for building a global synthetic biology industry. Over 150 synthetic biology companies began as iGEM projects, including Gingko Bioworks, Hyasynth, Opentrons, and many, many more. Today, these companies are developing biological solutions to preserve the environment and improve the lives of people all over the world – from promoting biodiversity, to food security for a growing population, to testing and treating diseases such as COVID-19.

Given iGEM’s reputation as a high-quality pipeline for talent, it is no surprise that companies often turn to iGEM to recruit their employees. iGEMers not only contribute to the synthetic biology industry through their direct work on synthetic biology projects, but also through engagement with government and non-governmental organizations, as well as their local communities and the general public.

… to the global bioeconomy

Hundreds of proofs-of-concepts are tested at iGEM each year, leading to future research, PhD thesis projects, and to the launch of new companies.  iGEM’s Entrepreneurship Program Innovation Community (EPIC) supports start-up companies inspired by iGEM projects by connecting them to relevant co-founders, mentors, accelerators, investors and partners.

Companies with roots in iGEM are making a significant and positive impact on the global bioeconomy. To date, 157 startups from 27 different countries have collectively raised over $1.2 billion towards creating biological solutions to challenges in food, health and environment.  The vast majority (90%) of these ventures are still active and have created an estimated 1,500 jobs. Moreover, the number of female founders is rapidly rising, with a 5-fold increase during the last 7 years.

… to the world

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are “a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030”. Last year, iGEM introduced the SDGs as a focus for collaboration that teams could continue to build upon in future years. By coordinating iGEM projects across years, across boundaries, and across disciplines, iGEMers are working together to solve the environmental, social, and economic challenges of the world.

Today, there are more than 50,000 alumni who have shared an iGEM experience. Many are choosing to continue their journey through the After iGEM program, where there are many opportunities to work toward a strong, responsible and visionary synthetic biology industry on an international level.

Beyond these measurable means of contributing to society though synthetic biology, iGEMers are contributing by being themselves – people who engage with others respectfully, and who follow their dreams of changing the world for the better.