Changing the world for the better through iGEM entrepreneurship
by Marjolein Crooijmans on behalf of the iGEM Startups
Imagine a world where 10% of iGEM projects are turned into start-ups. The immense amount of innovation and impact made by focusing the power of synthetic biology on real life applications will change the world for the better. The iGEM 2022 teams have done amazing work in translating their projects into commercially viable products and services that could change the lives of many people by improving health, or combatting climate change, or addressing many other important, urgent world problems.
iGEM’s EPIC program supports entrepreneurship in synthetic biology, and provides resources for iGEM teams looking to launch a startup.
Best Supporting Entrepreneurship
The Best Supporting Entrepreneurship award recognizes exceptional effort to build a business case and commercialize an iGEM project. This year’s nominees and winners were:
Undergraduate Division
TU-Eindhoven (Netherlands) designed a Modular and Personalized Autoimmune Cell Therapy "!MPACT" using engineered mammalian cells for treatment of autoimmune disease. Gold Medalist, Winner Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, Grand Prize Winner, Top 10, Undergrad Division.
IISER-Pune2_India (India) designed an engineered antibody fragment as a therapeutic against Dengue that does not cause antibody-dependent enhancement. Gold Medalist, Nominee Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, Top 10, Undergrad Division.
Imperial_College_London (United Kingdom) engineered a broad-spectrum biofungicide "Sporadicate" that eliminates the time-lag between diagnosis and treatment of fungal pathogens in crops. Gold Medalist, Nominee Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, Top 10, Undergrad Division.
Thessaloniki (Greece) developed a molecular tool "THERIAC" that detects cancer biomarkers and releases siRNA therapeutic molecules to treat Glioblastoma multiforme, the most common malignant brain tumor. Silver Medalist, Nominee Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, Undergrad Division.
Toulouse_INSA-UPS (France) developed an innovative approach, based on the specific aggregation of engineered bacteria in the presence of Immunoglobulins E (IgE), to assess a patient’s predisposition to allergies. Gold Medalist, Nominee Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, Undergrad Division.
Overgraduate Division
Leiden (Netherlands) developed a microbial factory to produce nanoparticles for photothermal therapy, which converts 800 nm light from a laser into heat to kill cancer cells. Gold Medalist, Winner Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, Top 10, Overgrad Division.
Montpellier (France) created a user-friendly, paper-based test to detect Vibrio aestuarianus that could be used for preventive pathogen scanning in oyster farms. Gold Medalist, Nominee Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, 1st Runner-Up Grand Prize, Top 10, Overgrad Division.
Thessaloniki_Meta (Greece) developed a CRISPR/Cas13a-based in vitro diagnostic device "DIAS" for the early detection of lung cancer. Gold Medalist, Nominee Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, Top 10, Overgrad Division.
TUDelft (Netherlands) developed a device that combines the specificity of biomolecules with the reliability of electronics to detect the drug gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and protect people from drink spiking. Gold Medalist, Nominee Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, Overgrad Division.
High School Division
GEMS_Taiwan (Taiwan) engineered a biofungicidal rhizobacteria to provide protection against Fusarium oxysporum cubense, a disease threatening the Cavendish banana. Gold Medalist, Winner Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, High School Division.
Seoul_Korea (Korea) engineered bacteria to mass produce 4 types of cellulose-degrading enzymes to create “Pine-sorb” an eco-friendly and biodegradable oil absorbent. Gold Medalist, Winner Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, Top 10, High School Division.
Sesame_Shenzhen (China) designed bacteria to produce uricase oxidase for use as a novel uric acid-lowering treatment of hyperuricemia, which can cause hypertension, fatty liver, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular diseases. Gold Medalist, Nominee Best Supporting Entrepreneurship, High School Division.
My colleagues and I at iGEM are proud of all the 2022 teams who used their imagination, skill, and ingenuity in applying the tools of synthetic biology to real life applications that will change the world for the better!
For nearly 20 years, iGEM teams have pushed the boundaries of synthetic biology by tackling issues that concern our health, environment and food security, and shaping the future of the bioeconomy. Learn more about iGEM’s EPIC program supporting entrepreneurship in synthetic biology by visiting our website, following us on LinkedIn, or contacting us at epic [AT] igem [DOT] org.
