The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition is a prestigious global event that promotes synthetic biology and encourages innovative solutions to real-world problems through genetic engineering.

It began in 2003 as an independent study course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon, attracting thousands of participants from hundreds of institutions annually.

As a high school student, this can be a very valuable experience for you to participate in.

The Mission of iGEM iGEM aims to advance synthetic biology education and inspire high school students to solve pressing issues through biological engineering.

The competition encourages creativity, collaboration, and interdisciplinary approaches, integrating fields like biology, engineering, computer science, and design.

Teams are tasked with conceptualizing, designing, and constructing biological systems using standardized genetic parts, known as BioBricks, which can perform new functions in living cells.

Who Offers iGEM?

The iGEM Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, organizes the competition.

The foundation's mission is to foster an open, collaborative, and interdisciplinary community of synthetic biologists.

How to Win iGEM Winning iGEM requires a combination of scientific excellence, innovation, collaboration, and effective communication.

Here are key steps to achieve success in the competition:

1. Form a Diverse Team Successful iGEM teams typically consist of members who effectively complement each others' skillsets.

These teams will be able to attack problems from multiple angles and therefore be more effective.

2. Choose an Impactful Project Selecting a project that addresses a significant and relevant issue is crucial.

Winning projects often tackle global challenges such as environmental sustainability, healthcare, and food security.

You should identify a pressing problem and propose a novel, feasible solution through synthetic biology.

3. Plan and Execute Thorough Research Thorough research and planning are fundamental to a successful iGEM project.

Teams must design their biological system using BioBricks, conduct experiments, and gather data to validate their approach.

Maintaining detailed records of protocols, results, and iterations is essential for reproducibility and transparency.

4. Collaborate and Network Collaboration is a cornerstone of iGEM.

Teams are encouraged to seek partnerships with other teams, institutions, and industry experts.

These collaborations can provide valuable insights, resources, and support.

Networking within the iGEM community can also lead to fruitful exchanges of ideas and best practices.

Reaching out to professors who are experts in your specific area will also help if you have specific and reasonable things that you would like help with.

5. Engage with the Community iGEM places a strong emphasis on public engagement and education.

Teams are expected to raise awareness about their projects and synthetic biology through outreach activities.

Engaging with local communities, schools, and the media can enhance the project's visibility and impact.

6. Create a Comprehensive Wiki Each team must document their project on a dedicated wiki page.

The wiki serves as a comprehensive repository of the team's work, including the project description, experimental data, protocols, and results.

A well-organized, detailed, and visually appealing wiki will help convey the importance of the project to judges.

7. Present at the Giant Jamboree The culmination of the iGEM competition is the Giant Jamboree, a global conference where teams present their projects to a panel of judges and the broader iGEM community.

Teams should already have practiced their presentation and communication, as well as prepare for expected questions.

They should also be able to work together when presenting as a group.

Past Winners of iGEM Over the years, numerous teams have showcased exceptional projects and won the iGEM competition.

These winners are good inspiration for you as you decide to compete in iGEM.

Here are a few notable winners:

1. iGEM 2021: Munich The Munich team won the Grand Prize in 2021 with their project "InfectINFORM. " They developed a novel diagnostic tool for detecting bacterial infections rapidly and accurately.

Their system utilized CRISPR-based technology to identify specific bacterial pathogens in clinical samples, providing a quick and cost-effective diagnostic solution.

2. iGEM 2020: NCKU Tainan The NCKU Tainan team won the Grand Prize in 2020 with their project "SynBio from Scratch. " They created a modular synthetic biology toolkit designed for educational purposes.

Their toolkit included a series of simple, hands-on experiments to introduce students to the concepts and techniques of synthetic biology, promoting STEM education worldwide.

3. iGEM 2019: Imperial College London Imperial College London's team won the Grand Prize in 2019 with their project "CATE. " They developed a synthetic biology-based platform for the sustainable production of catechol, an important industrial chemical.

Their project aimed to reduce the environmental impact of catechol production by utilizing engineered microorganisms.

Other Useful Information for Participants For prospective iGEM participants, understanding the competition's structure, resources, and expectations is essential.

Here are some additional details that can help teams prepare: iGEM Tracks iGEM projects are categorized into various tracks, each focusing on different aspects of synthetic biology.

Some common tracks include: Environmental: Projects addressing environmental issues such as pollution, waste management, and sustainability.

Health & Medicine: Projects aimed at developing medical diagnostics, treatments, and technologies.

Food & Nutrition: Projects focusing on food security, agricultural innovations, and nutritional improvements.

Energy: Projects exploring alternative energy sources and sustainable energy production. iGEM Resources The iGEM Foundation provides numerous resources to support teams throughout the competition: Registry of Standard Biological Parts: A collection of genetic parts (BioBricks) that teams can use to design their biological systems.

Training Workshops: Educational workshops and webinars covering various aspects of synthetic biology, project design, and competition guidelines.

Mentorship Program: Access to experienced mentors and advisors who can provide guidance and support.

Funding Opportunities: Information on grants, sponsorships, and fundraising strategies to help teams secure financial support for their projects.

Key Dates and Deadlines iGEM operates on a strict timeline with several important dates and deadlines: Team Registration: Typically opens in January, with early registration discounts available.

Project Proposal Submission: Teams must submit their initial project proposals by a specified deadline, usually in the spring.

Giant Jamboree: The final event, held in the fall, where teams present their projects and compete for awards.

Conclusions Once you have found a team for iGEM, I would recommend signing up for Sciencefair. io's coaching.

You will be put in touch with past winners of the competition and have coaching calls with them.

They will know competition-specific things that mentors who have not done the science fair will be aware of.