Could Gregor Mendel have imagined the future of synthetic biology?
In just a few days, we will celebrate the birth of Gregor Johann Mendel, considered the father of modern genetics. Born on July 20, 1822, Mendel was an Austrian monk who worked out the principles of inheritance by crossbreeding garden pea plants and systematically recording how traits such as pea shape (round or wrinkled), flower color (purple or white) and plant size (tall or dwarf) were passed on from one generation to the next. Mendel found that each of the traits he studied were inherited as discrete units rather than blended together at each new generation. Those discrete units of inheritance are now known as “genes”, which are made up of sequences of DNA.
Today, over two hundred years later, iGEM teams from around the world are engineering sequences of DNA in ways Mendel would never have dreamed – designing, building and testing biological systems to tackle everyday issues facing the world, such as human health, sustainable agriculture, and climate change. Since 2003, iGEM has been educating the workforce and the leaders of the synthetic biology industry. More 80,000 iGEMers from 65+ countries have participated in our flagship program – the iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) Competition – where teams push the boundaries of synthetic biology to create a better future.
We invite you to witness the future and interact with tomorrow's leaders of synthetic biology at the iGEM 2024 Grand Jamboree – the World Expo of Synthetic Biology – October 23-26 at the Paris Expo. There, you will see the unveiling of projects by more than 400 iGEM 2024 teams as they compete for medals, special prizes, and awards. Grouped together in thematic exhibition spaces called “Villages”, you’ll meet the teams using the tools of synthetic biology to make a positive impact in the Environment (Agriculture, Bioremediation, Climate Crisis, Conservation, Fashion & Cosmetics, Food & Nutrition), Healthcare (Diagnostics, Infectious Diseases, Oncology, Therapeutics) and Advancements (Biomanufacturing, Foundational Advance, Software & AI, Space).
The iGEM Jamboree unites the world's largest community of synthetic biology researchers, educators, industry, investors, startups and policymakers working to help build a better world using synthetic biology. As in years past, the iGEM 2024 Grand Jamboree will feature much more than the competing iGEM teams, including:
BioInnovation Fair & Startup Showcase,
iGEM Hackathon,
Responsibility Conference 3.0, and
Networking events, workshops and special sessions.
When Gregor Mendel was crossbreeding his pea plants back in the 1800’s, even he did not realize the significance of his work at the time. Many scientists have since built upon Mendel’s work, and we are only just beginning to realize the possibilities of synthetic biology.
Come witness the future of synthetic biology at the iGEM 2024 Grand Jamboree!
Get your tickets today!
