Impact/Global-Challenges
International Genetically Engineered Machine
Tackling Global Challenges
iGEM challenges teams to solve a problem using synthetic biology. Any problem!
At iGEM, teams choose their own project. Teams are not given specific problems to solve, instead they are given the space to use synthetic biology to tackle problems however they see fit. As a result, iGEM has become a natural test-bed for new ideas and approaches in synthetic biology across industries.
Competition Tracks
iGEM categorizes subject areas as tracks. Here are some examples of teams addressing global challenges across tracks
Diagnostics
INSA-Lyon 2016
Gotta Detect 'Em All: a multi-STI sensor based on aptamers
Aim: provide an all-in-one detection device for diagnosis of HIV and Hepatitis B
Energy
Nanjing 2016
HydroMagic
Aim: harness solar energy to drive whole-cell hydrogen production in air conditioners
Environment
Peking 2016
Uranium Reaper
Aim: address uranium pollution by constructing a novel biological material that absorbs the radioactive hazard
Food and Nutrition
Sydney Australia 2016
FRES(H)
Aim: create a biosensor sticker to test ripeness of fruit by detecting ethylene levels
Foundational Advance
Imperial College 2016
Ecolibrium - developing a framework for engineering co-cultures
Aim: engineer multi-cellular systems to ensured stable co-existence of different cell types in co-culture
Information Processing
EPFL 2016
IntelliGene
Aim: regulate gene transcription by developing an innovative CRISPR-DCas9 system in yeast
Manufacturing
LMU-TUM_Munich 2016
biotINK - rethINK tissue printing
Aim: rethINK tissue printing by creating a novel bio-ink for 3-D multi-cellular structures
New Application
TU Delft 2016
The new age of optics: Creating biological lenses and lasers to improve imaging techniques
Aim: make biological micro lenses and lasers
Therapeutics
SYSU-MEDICINE 2016
MSCavalry: MSCs of Next Generation
Aim: improve the efficiency of using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat inflammatory disease
Software
Open
StanfordBrownSpelman 2014
Biosynthetic Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Aim: make a quad-copter out of biomaterials
High School
HSiTAIWAN 2016
Biosensor for Toxin in Chinese Herb Medicine
Aim: Create a series of cheap, user-friendly E. coli biosensor to detect certain poison in the Chinese herbal medicine
See More Project Examples
Check out iGEM team solutions to local and global problems, safeguarding efforts, public outreach and more here.
iGEM Foundation
The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of synthetic biology, education and competition, and the development of an open community and collaboration.
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