Beginning the iGEM Journey: How to start an iGEM Team
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
iGEM is a journey – a journey that requires a plan. Though starting an iGEM team can seem daunting at first, here are some guidelines to help you begin:
1. Get Inspired
Every year in the iGEM Competition, thousands of students around the world push the boundaries of synthetic biology by tackling both local and global challenges. With 70,000+ participants and 3500+ projects built since 2004, the best way to get inspired is to look at past projects. You can:
Search projects using the Phoenix Project search tool
Search and sort projects by different categories and awards; Preview project abstracts, and click through to the team wiki for more information about each project. (Projects between 2004-2020 only)
Take a look at team wikis from previous years
Teams document their entire project on their team wiki, from their inspirations to project design, and results.
Watch team videos on the iGEM Video Universe
You can watch project promotion videos and presentation videos on the iGEM Video Universe.
Explore stories on the iGEM Blog
These iGEM Blog stories highlight excellence in iGEM Projects around topics like biodiversity, the Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, human health, and more.
iGEM teams use synthetic biology to tackle local and global challenges. This team from University College London created a sustainable alternative to cement to decarbonize the construction industry. Team UCL at the 2022 Grand Jamboree, Paris.
2. Recruit the Team
To compete in iGEM, you will need to form a team. Here are some of the most common questions we get about team composition:
How many students do we need?
There is no upper limit on the number of students in an iGEM team. We recommend creating a team of around 8 - 15 people with different backgrounds who can enrich the team. We also recommend creating an ethnically- and gender-diverse team, with strong representation of women and non-binary members. See the Diversity & Inclusion Committee's recommendations for creating a well-rounded and diverse team.
Must students have a specific academic background?
We recommend including team members from different academic backgrounds, ranging from biology and chemistry to mechanical engineering, industrial design, art and philosophy. You may also want to recruit team members who can help build a website and produce videos. While there are no regulations about how to assign team duties, we recommend that all students have opportunities to try many different types of work during the project: modeling, human practices, bench work, web design, video production, etc.
Is there an age restriction?
There is no age restriction for participating in iGEM. However, students are expected to be enrolled in a high school or higher education institution to participate in iGEM. The exception are Community Lab team members, where the team is made up from local people working at the community lab. Also, be aware that the age of student team members affects the assignment of Undergraduate and Overgraduate sections.
Can more than one school be in one team?
Yes, two or more schools can get together to form a single team. The schools also do not need to be local to one another – we’ve had teams in the past with students from China and the United States on the same team! This allows a team to combine different backgrounds and talents to enrich the overall project. Just make sure to include all participants on the Team Roster.
How many Principal Investigators (“PIs”) do we need?
PIs are individuals in a position of authority who are responsible for the team. You need at least one PI to be part of your team, though we strongly recommend (but do not require) that you have more than one PI.
Other than students and PIs, who else should we include on an iGEM team?
You may want to include Instructors and/or Advisors who can help with technical training in lab protocols and support the team in understanding and meeting competition requirements (e.g., previous iGEMers, graduate students, post-docs, and/or lab technicians). If there are none around you, you may be interested in signing up for the Mentorship program.
We recommend creating a team of around 8 - 15 people with different backgrounds who can enrich the team. See the Diversity Committee's recommendations for creating a well-rounded and diverse team. Team Lethbridge HS at the 2022 Grand Jamboree, Paris.
3. Find Space
Teams need a space in which to work during the season. You may want to:
Ask your instructors or teachers if they have lab space during the iGEM season (generally May – October, although some teams may start before then). Your team may want to start setting up dedicated lab space for your team to use this year and in future years.
See if your school or department has free lab space. Make sure that in addition to benches and equipment, you also have a space for meetings, relaxing, eating, etc.
Your team may want to start setting up dedicated lab space for your team to use this year and in future years. Photo by Trnava University on Unsplash.
4. Create a Budget
There are several things you need to consider when creating a budget for your iGEM team, including Team Registration and Grand Jamboree fees as well as expenses for lab supplies, travel, and team expenses. Some expenses vary depending on region and country, and you may wish to consult with other iGEM teams from your area to get an idea of their budget. (Note: We covered fundraising in a separate blog post.)
Team Registration Fee
To participate in iGEM, each team must submit a team registration fee. This amount must be submitted before the registration deadline. Team registration typically opens in March and closes in April.
Grand Jamboree Fee
The Grand Jamboree is the culminating event of the iGEM Competition, where teams showcase their projects and celebrate together with other teams and the greater synthetic biology community. The Grand Jamboree is taking place at the Porte de Versailles (Paris, France). Fees for the Grand Jamboree are typically announced in May. You’ll also need to consider travel and accommodation costs for your team to stay in Paris.
Laboratory Expenses
Talk to your instructors and advisors regarding what lab materials are available at the institution. Some of these materials might already be in your school and can be provided for your team. Also consider reaching out to local biotech companies, they can provide you with lab materials such as lab gloves, pipettes and other useful supplies.
Regional Meetups
In a normal iGEM year, we encourage teams to get together and share their work at regional team meetups. These events can sometimes have associated expenses that would need to be included in the team budget. When travel is not possible, you may consider switching to an online virtual meetup.
Team Identity
We encourage you to create your own team branding material. Logos and mascots can be used to present your project to the rest of the world. Be as creative as you want! Some local companies can help by sponsoring the creation of these items so be sure to look for their support. Teams have designed logos, T-shirts, Hoodies, Vests, Posters, Mascots, Cups, Comic books, Pins, Stickers, and more!
Summer Stipends
Some iGEM teams help students who are working on the project to support themselves during the summer. This aid can take form of funds to pay the student’s expenses, social service hours or professional service hours in some countries. Talk to the department heads at your institution to get the help you need to work full time on your project.
iGEM teams create a cohesive team identity through branded clothing, and giveaways like pins or stickers. Team Toulouse INSA-UPS at the 2023 Grand Jamboree, Paris.
5. Read the competition requirements
Each team member, including students, advisors, instructors, and Primary and Secondary PIs, should take the time to read through the Competition requirements prior to starting work on your iGEM project. We usually post Competition requirements by March of each year. Subscribe to the iGEM Newsletter to stay updated!
As you embark on your iGEM journey, be prepared to work hard and have lots of fun! Though your journey will be unique to you and your teammates, know that you will not be alone. You’ll be in good company with fellow iGEMers and the thousands of iGEM alumni from all over the world who will help you along the way. Welcome to iGEM!
Stay tuned! Registration for the 2024 iGEM Competition is coming soon!
Need more help? Click here to read more blog posts about getting started in the iGEM Competition.
If you have any suggestions for content or questions, please send an email to us at hq [AT] igem [DOT] org!
Originally published January 19, 2022. Updates: February 22, 2023; January 8, 2024.
