International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Jamboree integrates materials research
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BEYOND THE LAB
International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Jamboree integrates materials research By Chia-Suei Hung
D
escending like flocks of migrating birds, thousands of enthusiastic aspiring scientists arrive in Boston, Mass., in October every year for the annual International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Jamboree. The iGEM Jamboree is not your standard science fair nor are the students run-of-the-mill scientists. Rather, each project takes a holistic approach to science, where both scientific advancements and human/societal impacts play equally important roles. The students are dedicated to their projects and employ the most advanced synthetic biology techniques to solve challenging problems facing the world and humanity. Born out of a month-long course during the Independent Activity Period at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, iGEM grew from a five-team competition
in 2004 to 353 teams from more than 40 countries in 2019. Synthetic biology research is at the heart of the iGEM competition. Every year, each team conceives of a theme for its project and employs various synthetic biology techniques— ranging from cell-based to cell-free to DNA technologies—combined with engineering principles to tackle problems such as biotechnology, disease detection (for either human, animal, or plant diseases), therapeutics, and biomaterials production. Mathematical modeling or software programming is an integral part of the project. In addition, iGEM teams are encouraged to take their science outside of laboratories for public engagements, such as scientific outreach, public education, industrial interaction, and policy discussion with governmental organizations.
Top: A group of iGEM students interacting with and being questioned by a judge at their poster presentation. Credit: Amy Breedon, iGEM team mentor. Left: Oral presentation at the 2019 Giant Jamboree. Credit: iGEM Foundation and Justin Knight.
Furthermore, each team maintains a Wiki website detailing its team members, project theme, research design, research progression, and public engagements. The yearlong science project crescendos at the annual gathering of the Giant Jamboree in Boston. The teams present their research to their peers and a panel of judges through an oral and a poster presentation. Teams are judged not only on their scientific quality but also on wiki design, public engagement, education outreach, and policy/societal impacts. Based on completion metrics, each team receives bronze, silver, or gold medals. However, as the name implies, the annual competition is also an opportunity for teams to interact with each other, making new friends or reaffirming their friendships with teams whom they have collaborated with during the year, and exchange knowledge. That sentiment is well-reflected by iGEM participants. Annie Bete, currently a student at The Ohio State University and formally a member of the US_AFRL_CarrollHS team, said, “It’s one thing to email back and forth with a person from another team, but when they come to yo
