The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition is back for the 8th year and entering its final day on Monday November 8th. The competition involves teams of undergraduate students from various universities who are given a kit of biological parts at the beginning of the summer which are used to build biological systems and operate them in living cells. This year’s competition taking place at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the largest yet boasting 130 teams and 2,000 participants.
The competition encourages both intellectual exercise and interpersonal skills. According to the iGEM judging criteria, requirements for earning a gold medal include:
- building biological systems and operate them in living cells
- helping another iGEM team
- Developing and documenting a new technical standard
- Outlining and detailing a new approach to an issue of Human Practice in synthetic biology
For more information on iGEM, visit the iGEM 2010 website
iGEM is an international event and has attracted contestants from all across the globe. Watch the video below to see news coverage of the Dutch team’s project on oil degradation using microorganisms as covered in the Dutch news (subtitles)
and an inspiring video from the 2010 U of Illinois team
or the Harvard iGEM recruitment video
Which is your favorite?
Tags: iGEM competition