The unique challenges of high school iGEM teams

The unique challenges of high school iGEM teams

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iGEM Blog

Last year was a banner year for high schools in iGEM, with 119 teams participating, each experiencing the joys, frustrations, challenges, and rewards that come from working on an iGEM project. High school teams have been a part of iGEM since 2011, and their numbers have been growing ever since. Yet, because the iGEM Competition was originally designed for collegiate teams, high school teams have been in a perpetual state of experimentation as the elements and format of competition have been adapted to meet the unique challenges of high school teams. This post is the second of a series where we focus on high school teams in iGEM.

Conquering Cancer with Synthetic Biology

Conquering Cancer with Synthetic Biology

iGEM Headquarters
iGEM Blog

Imagine a future where most cancers are prevented or even cured, where there is universal access to early detection and treatment, and where most (all?) cancer patients can expect to live cancer-free without trading the quality of life for length of life. At iGEM, teams are working to create such a future using the tools of synthetic biology. Check out these examples.

Revolutionizing the fashion and cosmetics industries with synthetic biology

Revolutionizing the fashion and cosmetics industries with synthetic biology

iGEM Headquarters
iGEM Blog

The future of the fashion and cosmetics industries may well lie in the hands of the future leaders of synthetic biology. These consumer-driven industries touch the lives of almost everyone on earth, but they also use massive amounts of raw materials and have an immense negative impact on the environment. At iGEM, teams are using synthetic biology to help move the fashion and cosmetics industries into a new, more sustainable, and animal cruelty-free era. Here are just a few examples of iGEM team projects that could usher in the next revolution in fashion and cosmetics.

Reaching for the Stars, Improving Life on Earth: The Promise of Synthetic Biology in Space

Reaching for the Stars, Improving Life on Earth: The Promise of Synthetic Biology in Space

Lucas Boldrini
iGEM Blog

Have you ever worked on a laptop computer? (perhaps you are reading this post on a laptop right now?) Have you ever used a cell phone to take a picture? Or get directions using your GPS? Have you ever had your temperature taken in your ear? Or lived in a home with a smoke detector? Or rested your head on a memory foam pillow? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are the beneficiary of space innovation!

New Villages for 2024: Fashion & Cosmetics, Oncology, and Infectious Diseases

New Villages for 2024: Fashion & Cosmetics, Oncology, and Infectious Diseases

iGEM Headquarters
iGEM Blog

Villages represent the global challenges that iGEMers are most interested in working on, and the solutions that iGEM teams put forth reflect the future of synthetic biology. In keeping with the changing needs of synthetic biology and the interests of the teams, iGEM Villages are constantly evolving. This year, we are introducing three new Villages: : Fashion & Cosmetics, Oncology, and Infectious Diseases.

iGEMers as agents of change for gender equity in STEM

iGEMers as agents of change for gender equity in STEM

Linda Kahl
iGEM Blog

Change happens when people learn about a problematic situation, and assume personal responsibility for acting to correct the situation. iGEM teams do this all the time as they seek to make positive change by addressing problems facing our world using the tools of synthetic biology. But the changes iGEMers seek to make are not solely changes that come about by developing new technologies, they are also changes within our own and the greater synthetic biology community. 

Fundraising: Sharing the joy of your iGEM project

Fundraising: Sharing the joy of your iGEM project

iGEM Headquarters
iGEM Blog

You’ve formed an iGEM team. You and your teammates have decided on a project. You’re excited about the journey that lies before you. Now is the time to share the joy and excitement of your iGEM project with those who can help support and fund your team. Here are some ideas and resources to help you put together a fundraising plan.

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