iGEM is the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition. iGEM is a world-wide, undergraduate-run, highly interdisciplinary synthetic biology research competition. iGEM began in 2003 and has received growing interest with each year. The 2014 iGEM World Jamboree saw 2,300 participants competing on 245 teams, each trying to solve the world’s toughest challenges through synthetic biology innovation. For more information on the iGEM competition, you can visit their webpage here. 

iGEM is the only opportunity for undergraduates at Yale to completely design and develop an innovative research project. The team is comprised of approximately 10-20 members across the entire spectrum of science-related majors from biology to computer-science and engineering. During the summer, a core group of students will spend 10-12 weeks working on the iGEM project. Since its beginnings, the Yale iGEM team has had a close relationship with the Isaacs Lab at Yale drawing on their synthetic biology experience for advice and expertise. Each year, we present our work at the International iGEM Jamboree. We have had success at such competitions, even winning the “Best Project in Food and Energy” at the world championship in previous years.