Impact/Local-People-Local-Problems

International Genetically Engineered Machine

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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.

Local People Solving Local Problems

iGEM is uniquely positioned to bring synthetic biology to participants own hometowns. Empowering teams to address challenges unique to their environment and at their own institutions, engaging local communities in synthetic biology and fostering the creation of synthetic biology ecosystems around the globe.

Examples of teams solving local problems in their communities

Safeguarding Bio-Mining

iGEM 2017 Team AshesiGhana

This team from Ghana worked to safeguard bio-mining in Africa by developing a bio-sensor for gold quantification, thereby providing a non-toxic approach to extracting gold from refractory ore.

Team AshesiGhana engineered E. coli with a gold specific FRET probe that in the presence of free gold would give off a fluorescent signal.

Learn more about this project:
Team Wiki | Parts

Protecting Vineyards

iGEM 2015 Team Bordeaux

Team Bordeaux is from the Aquitaine region, one of the top wine producing areas in France. Vineyards in Aquitaine are threatened by Downy Mildew which affects the quality of wine

This team worked to develop a eco-friendly alternative treatment to protect local vineyards from Downy Mildew.

Learn more about this project:
Team Wiki | Parts

Water Pollution

iGEM 2018 Team Northwestern

The rising problem of water pollution in Lake Michigan inspired this team to create a paper-based, easy-to-use sensor that empowers everyday citizens to test their water quality.

Team Northwestern created MetaSense, a cell-free biosensor designed to detect and respond to the presence of toxic lead and hexavalent chromium in water.

Learn more about this project:
Team Wiki | Parts

Water Pollution

iGEM 2014 Team Sumbawagen

The team from Indonesia sought to combat counterfeit honey production which threatens their local economy.

Team Sumbawagen developing a mobile device that measures glucose concentration and identifies genuine regional honey.

Learn more about this project:
Team Wiki | Parts

Public Health

iGEM 2015 Team Peking

The team from Peking addressed one of China’s most serious public health problems and causes of death from infectious disease, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Team Peking developed a reporter system for detecting M. tuberculosis by transforming biomarkers of the disease into an optical signal.

Learn more about this project:
Team Wiki | Parts

See More Project Examples

Check out iGEM team solutions to local and global problems, safeguarding efforts, public outreach and more here.

Want to learn more?

Learn about iGEM programs, projects and work beyond the competition here.