Thank you for another record-breaking year – iGEM 2024!
2024 was another record-breaking year for iGEM, with all-time highs in the number of people, teams, and organizations participating in iGEM programs. And you - iGEMers - are the ones who made that happen!
The Highlights
The iGEM 2024 Grand Jamboree hosted an astonishing 4,500+ attendees, including synthetic biology researchers, industry reps, startup founders, investors, journalists, experts in governance and policy, and the general public. This year, the Grand Jamboree featured:
More Villages than ever before (14 Villages!), reflecting the diverse interests of the synthetic biology community;
Filled to overflowing audiences for the more than 600 Event Sessions (videos out now!); and
45 Exhibitors and Kiosks displaying new opportunities, technologies and programs at the forefront of innovation; and
New and returning Partner Sponsors that support iGEM’s many programs to develop the future workforce and advance the global synthetic biology industry.
iGEM Competition
iGEM’s flagship program – the iGEM Competition – the longest running and largest synthetic biology competition in the world. The 2024 iGEM Competition featured over 400 iGEM teams from 50+ countries and regions, and a record number of 650 applicants from all over the world hoping to be selected for one of the 500 positions available for new and returning iGEM Judges.
iGEM Startups
The iGEM Startups program saw the largest jump in participating teams (82 startup teams in 2024!) exploring a wide range of synthetic biology applications. Check out insights in bioentrepreneurship from the 2024 iGEM teams here and here;
iGEM Technology
The iGEM Technology program provided support for the largest cohort of iGEM teams to date (over 400 teams!), sending out a record number of Distribution Kits with high quality standard biological parts and devices to accelerate synthetic biology projects;
iGEM Responsibility
The iGEM Responsibility program, together with the OECD, hosted Responsibility Conference 3.0, featuring sessions led by professionals in academia, government and international organizations, focusing on responsible innovation in synthetic biology, including the future of AI.
iGEM Community
The iGEM Community program, with over 140 volunteers from 101 cities in 43 countries, facilitated hundreds of opportunities for iGEM alumni and the synbio community, including: 37 iGEM Ambassadors, 88 published iGEMers through our collaboration with Frontiers in Systems Biology, 150 job opportunities on the SynBio Job Board, connections with 13 synthetic biology associations and organizations from around the world, and many interactive and informative events, projects and videos. Check out all the accomplishments and opportunities offered by the iGEM Community here.
Thank you to our community!
As iGEM 2024 draws 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, including:
PIs, Advisors, and Mentors of the iGEM teams, who generously give their time and expertise in guiding the teams through the competition,
Judges and members of the Judging Committee who bring their individual areas of special expertise and serve as master generalists in evaluating all aspects of a team's work;
Members of the Safety & Security, Human Practices, Diversity and Inclusion, and Engineering Committees who create programing and guidelines to help teams navigate the many challenges in carrying out their iGEM project;
All those who participate in the iGEM Community, Technology, Responsibility, and Startups programs that support teams in the iGEM Competition and help them continue their journey in creating a strong, responsible, and visionary synthetic biology ecosystem; and
the Partners and Sponsors of the iGEM 2024 Competition and Grand Jamboree that help us continue to provide this unique and valuable experience to iGEMers worldwide.
iGEM is the heart of synthetic biology, and you are the heart of iGEM! We invite you to stay connected as we continue to grow and support the global synthetic biology community.
Join us in 2025
Registration for the iGEM 2025 Competition season is open now. Register your team today and get ready to innovate!
Invest in the future by partnering with iGEM, exhibiting at future iGEM Grand Jamborees, or sponsoring iGEM teams. Contact: sponsor [AT] igem [DOT] org.
iGEM HQ will be closed for winter holiday beginning 23 December 2024, and will re-open 02 January 2025.
