History of iGEM
This competition, which began in 2003, allows students to design and build synthetic biology projects.
What is iGEM?
This term refers to the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems.
What is synthetic biology?
These small, circular DNA molecules are commonly used to introduce new genes into bacteria for research and engineering.
What are plasmids?
This application of synthetic biology involves designing new organisms to produce renewable energy sources.
What is biofuel production?
In 2018, researchers used synthetic biology to create bacteria that can produce insulin, a life-saving drug for people with this disease.
What is diabetes?
iGEM started as a winter session course at this university, where students built biological systems to solve real-world problems.
What is MIT?
This type of RNA is crucial in the process of translating genetic code into proteins.
What does messenger RNA (mRNA) do?
A technique used to make millions of copies of a specific DNA segment quickly and efficiently in a lab.
What is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)?
Synthetic biology is being used to develop this type of crop, which is engineered to resist pests and withstand harsh environmental conditions.
What are genetically modified crops?
In 2020, researchers used synthetic biology to engineer mosquitoes that are unable to carry this deadly disease.
What is malaria?
This award was introduced in 2006 to recognize teams that go above and beyond in considering the societal impact of their projects.
What is the Human Practices Award?
This common microorganism is often used as a "workhorse" in synthetic biology experiments.
What is Escherichia coli (E. coli)?
A technique used to detect specific proteins in a sample.
What is Western Blot (Immunoblotting)?
Scientists have used synthetic biology to engineer yeast that produces this essential flavor ingredient, often used as a vanilla substitute.
What is vanillin?
Synthetic biology has been used to engineer microbes that produce this sweetener, which could reduce the need for sugarcane farming.
What is stevia?
This scientist is known as the "father of synthetic biology" for his work in the field and involvement in founding iGEM.
Who is Tom Knight?
The process of inserting foreign DNA into a host organism to change its traits.
What is genetic modification?
A method used to determine the precise order of nucleotides in a DNA sequence.
What is Sanger sequencing?
A device that uses biological molecules to detect and measure specific substances or changes in the environment, providing a measurable signal.
What are Biosensors?
In 2020, a major breakthrough allowed scientists to engineer yeast to produce this expensive, naturally sourced compound used in the perfume industry.
What is squalene?
In 2011, iGEM split into regional competitions for the first time, with this number continents hosting their own events.
What is three regions (Europe, Asia, Americas)?
Standardized DNA sequences used in synthetic biology to easily combine and create new genetic functions in organisms.
What are BioBricks?
An enzyme used in PCR to copy DNA sequences quickly and accurately.
What is Taq Polymerase?
Synthetic biology is being used to create bacteria that can glow in the dark, a trait originally found in these sea creatures.
What are jellyfish?
This technique, discovered in 2012, allows scientists to easily edit genes by cutting DNA at specific spots, making it much faster to change the genetic code.
What is CRISPR-Cas9?