The iGEM Cycle: How to Navigate the iGEM Competition
The natural world is filled with cycles … the carbon cycle, the cell cycle, the cycling of the seasons … to name a few. A cycle is also apparent in the iGEM Competition, where teams work with nature in engineering biology to solve local problems and tackle global challenges.
Starting an iGEM team and getting a project started in the iGEM Competition can be a challenge, even for returning teams. We have prepared this guide to help you understand what to expect throughout the iGEM Competition Cycle, whether this is your first time participating, or you are returning as a seasoned veteran.
Off Season Phase (december-January)
Like many of nature’s cycles, the iGEM cycle has a dormant or “off season” phase, which can be a quiet (or not so quiet) time of anticipation, contemplation, and transition. During the months of December through January, students and instructors who are interested in having an iGEM team often begin preparing for the upcoming season. Here are some ideas of what you can do during the iGEM Off Season:
If you’ve never competed in iGEM, reach out to the iGEM Ambassadors
Learn from experienced iGEMers how to start an iGEM team in your region. Contact your iGEM Ambassadors by email at ambassadors [AT] igem [DOT] org.If you have competed in iGEM before, take time to debrief with your PI and team
Assess successes and failures, discuss interest in continuing next year, etc.Raise awareness of iGEM at your school
Run informational sessions, post flyers, talk to Professors and fellow studentsFind a PI to mentor your team and provide lab space
This may be a challenge if you're a first-time team, but stay positive! Make sure to talk to numerous Professors in your Biology, Biomedical Engineering, and Engineering departments and gauge interest early.Recruit interested students
Advertise that you're looking to find interested students with flyers and/or recruit students from courses.Start fundraising efforts (this should be an on-going effort throughout the season)
Email and call local companies, talk to the head of your department or college, investigate other on-campus funding sources like undergraduate research opportunity programs (UROP).
During the competition season, there are 3 active phases in the iGEM cycle. While not all teams follow this cycle (for example, you may want to start work earlier or later than shown here, or you are working on a software project without a wet lab component), the major tasks within the 3 active phases of the competition season include:
Phase 1 (February-May)
Start a Team
Decide the final team from the group of interested students.Brainstorm Project Ideas
Ideally, iGEM projects are entirely conceived, led and driven by students. Many teams will have multiple brainstorming sessions, sometimes with and sometimes without the team instructors.Determine Team Goals and Tasks
This can be challenging, but well worth the effort in the end. A list of high level goals and a detailed list of tasks needed to reach those goals will help your team stay focused on the project.Read the Competition Requirements
Make sure that your team has covered all aspects of the requirements, deliverables, and deadlines, as some aspects may be very important to know before starting to plan your project. This should be the responsibility of the entire team and not the sole responsibility of one team member.
Phase 2 (June, July, August)
Start Work on Project
For wet lab work, you should get trained in protocols and follow your school's safety regulations, and start working on your project. You must also follow iGEM’s safety rules and policies throughout your project.Build Your Designs
Order your DNA, and assemble your genetic devices and systems.Run Functional Experiments and/or Models
This can be done throughout the cloning process once you have a functional device. Test your device and collect your data.Process and Plot Your Results
Determine which software you need to use to process your data, determine the units you want to display, and make sure you include your controls during data analysis and show them on your graphs/plots.Work on your Team Wiki and Registry Part pages
Good project documentation is essential for communicating your project to the world. You should be continually working on your Team Wiki and Registry Part pages throughout the project. Don't wait until the last minute!
Phase 3 (September, October)
Create Materials to Showcase Your Project
Once you have your final data plotted and ready to show, you should create materials to showcase your project at the Jamboree.Finalize Your Project Documentation
Now is the time to finalize your documentation, including Team Wiki, Registry Part Pages, and Judging Form.Prepare and Practice Your Presentation
Similar to your Team Wiki, you should work on your presentation all throughout the project. Practice your presentation in front of a live audience to develop your presentation skills, and integrate feedback to refine the content.Attend the Grand Jamboree in Paris
Meet other iGEM teams, celebrate your work, and have fun!
“iGEM is not easy, but it’s worth it” is a refrain that you’ll hear from many an experienced iGEMer. As you and your teammates work through the phases of the iGEM cycle, you’ll likely experience times filled with excitement and high energy that boost your confidence, along with periods of frustration and disappointment that challenge your motivation. Remember that both the highs and the lows are part of any creative process, and that both are necessary and worthy of celebration as part of your iGEM journey.
More resources are coming soon to the iGEM Blog, including information about how to start a team, and how to fundraise for your team. Subscribe here to be updated when new articles are posted to the iGEM Blog.
If you have any suggestions for content or questions, please send an email to us at hq [AT] igem [DOT] org!
Need more help? Click here to read more blog posts about getting started in the iGEM Competition.
Originally published January 13, 2022. Updates: January 10, 2023; January 25, 2024.
