Looking ahead at 2022

Now more than ever the world needs synthetic biologists – talented and passionate people who are building a better world by engineering biology. iGEM is known by most as the premier international synthetic biology competition, and the organization that helped to establish the synthetic biology industry. But in 2022, iGEM has grown to be so much more than just the competition.

Between the global community, entrepreneurship programs, and new leagues, we are reaching out to even more parts of the world in 2022, to make sure that synthetic biology gets developed everywhere by everyone. Here’s a glimpse of some of the excitement that lies ahead for 2022: 

1. iGEM Design League 

iGEM Design League invites students in Latin America to create a better future through synthetic biology design. Teams take on the challenge of applying biological design to solve local problems in areas such as energy, environment, biodiversity, human health, and more. iGEM Design League uses an integrated approach that includes:

iGEM Academy provides a world-class educational experience to Design League participants.

• iGEM Academy – a platform streaming a world-class educational experience from the leading minds of synthetic biology.

• Cutting-edge digital tools – we partner with companies to provide to digital tools for prototyping biology from your computer.

• Focus on Latin America – iGEM Design League students design biological solutions to local problems in their region of Latin America.

If you are a student, or teacher, or just someone who is interested in synthetic biology in Latin America, we invite you to participate in iGEM Design League 2022. Registration is open now.

Want to know more about iGEM Design League? Explore iGEM Academy, check out results from the 2021 iGEM Design League, or contact us at design [AT] igem [DOT] org. 

2. iGEM Indian League

iGEM Indian League empowers students and educators across India to reimagine the landscape of synthetic biology in their region. With a central focus of developing a vibrant synthetic biology network across India, the iGEM Indian League has been carefully designed to increase synthetic biology participation, involvement, and opportunities for three major strata: 

• High School – designed to encourage more students to take up a degree, project, and career in synthetic biology. Using the format of a summer camp, students will receive training and an introduction to synthetic biology.

• Undergraduate – aims to build the synthetic biology infrastructure in India through competition and development of accessible tools. Regional competitions will be complemented with workshops to build capacities and skills for understanding a local problem and designing a synthetic biology solution, with a heavy focus on human practices, biosafety, biosecurity, and entrepreneurship.

• Educator – provides training for instructors and expands the mentor pool that supports students interested in synthetic biology projects. Industry-certified training modules and workshops will be offered to pre-final, final year undergraduates, and graduate students so they can gain the technical skills related to synthetic biology and iGEM, which they can use to host workshops in their communities, and mentor teams for future programs.

Want to know more about iGEM Indian League? Read Our White Paper, check out the ATGC Indian High School Workshop, or contact us at leagues [AT] igem [DOT] org.

3. iGEM EPIC

The Entrepreneurship Program Innovation Community (EPIC) supports the development of iGEM’s entrepreneurial community. The vision of the program is to become the driving force behind hundreds of synthetic biology based start-ups globally to help accelerate our transition to a more sustainable bioeconomy. The core of the program is focused on supporting iGEMers by connecting them to relevant co-founders, mentors, accelerators, investors and partners. This is done through a range of global and regional activities, including:

The core of the EPIC program is focused on supporting iGEMers by connecting them to relevant co-founders, mentors, accelerators, investors and partners.

• Hackathon (March 18-20, 2022) – a beginner-friendly workshop introducing the basics of entrepreneurship, with opportunities to find a co-founder, develop your business ideas, and present in a pitch contest. 

• Venture Creation Labs – designed to equip upcoming biofounders with tools, strategies, and the team they need to realize their ventures.

• Mentorship Program – matches teams with experts to provide them actionable feedback through biweekly meetings to improve the team's business case and open doors for them into relevant networks.

• Summer Bootcamp – prepares current iGEM Competition teams for the Best Supporting Entrepreneurship prize by hosting a short bootcamp on entrepreneurship fundamentals.

• Fast Track Program – offers biofounders direct access to the top tier seed stage accelerators and investors in their region to help fund their proof-of-concept studies and mature their bioventures.

• Annual Startup Showcase – highlights the top biofounders at the Jamboree comprised of start-up competitions, panel discussions, workshops, and awards.

Interested in joining? Sign up for the Hackathon by March 13, and Venture Creation Labs by March 20.

Want to know more about iGEM EPIC? Read the 2021 wrap-up, check out the 2021 Start-up Showcase, or contact us at epic [AT] igem [DOT] org. 

4. iGEM Community

As the next generation of leaders in synthetic biology, the iGEM Community (formerly known as After iGEM) organizes numerous programs and events to provide opportunities and resources to help iGEMers in their career goals and development both as an individual and a community member. Highlights include: 

• The Ambassador Program – a diverse team of regional leaders representing and promoting iGEM and synthetic biology around the world.

• iGEM Networks – dedicated to connecting individuals, building communities, sharing resources and developing initiatives around specialized areas of synthetic biology, including academia & research, open science & accessibility, governance & policy, and more.

• Community Initiatives – inspired programs supporting iGEMers, including the Mentors’ Network, Global Alliance of Synbio Associations, Phoenix Project, and the Women in STEM Initiative. 

Want to know more about iGEM Community? Read the 2021 welcome message, or contact us at community [AT] igem [DOT] org. 

5. Grand Jamboree in Paris 

The Grand Jamboree is the world expo of synthetic biology where 350+ iGEM teams, judges, academia, journalists, investors, industry reps, experts in governance and policy, and the public will convene for an amazing in-person 4-day event in Paris, France. Over 7000 people are expected to attend the Grand Jamboree, to be held October 20-23, 2022 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Features include:

Over 7000 people are expected to attend the Grand Jamboree, to be held October 20-23, 2022 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

• Many organizations around the world that care about the same issues we care about will be joining iGEM at the Grand Jamboree to chart the future of synthetic biology and our world.

• Events include the Start-up Showcase, iGEM Community events, networking opportunities, and more.

• On the last day of the Grand Jamboree, everyone will gather to celebrate the accomplishments of the iGEM 2022 teams.

Want to know more about the Grand Jamboree? Watch this space for updates, sign up for the iGEM Newsletter, or email iGEM Headquarters at hq [AT] igem [DOT] org. 

2022 holds a lot of promise for making sure the field of synthetic biology, and all of the power this technology holds, becomes more accessible to more people everywhere in the world. We invite you to join us – become an iGEM partner or sponsor, join us at the Grand Jamboree as a contributor or attendee, or reach out to us at hq [AT] igem [DOT] org.