As a part of our effort to raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis, our team initiated a unique collaboration with several iGEM teams and a small business owned by an MS patient, Gabriela. Gabriela’s brand, lOUSOUN by G., specializes in handmade scrunchies and to support this cause, we invited participating teams to take photos wearing an orange scrunchie. These photos were taken in a laboratory setting or during team meetings. The collaboration aimed to highlight the intersection of science and community support while raising awareness for Multiple Sclerosis.

Our team hosted the Aegean Meeting in Thessaloniki from August 23th-25th, bringing together iGEM teams from across Greece and beyond. The event provided an opportunity for teams to present their projects, share insights and collaborate. We were also joined by iGEM Ambassador Elli Magkouta, who presented various iGEM programs and encouraged us to document and share our iGEM journeys. Beyond the formal sessions, participants enjoyed exploring Thessaloniki together, strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories.

For World Health Day, PatrasMed invited us to participate in a collaborative social media project. The initiative involved multiple iGEM teams, each contributing by writing a sentence about a factor that promotes good health. The collected messages were then combined into a single post, aiming to highlight the collective efforts of Greek iGEM teams in promoting health and demonstrating how small, everyday actions can make a significant impact.

Our team was invited by iGEM Brazil to participate in a significant research initiative focusing on the inclusion of women in science. As part of this collaboration, we were asked to provide the following information about our team: the total number of members, the number of women on the team, the number of women in leadership positions and details about the areas of expertise of the women on our team. This effort aimed to contribute valuable insights into the representation and roles of women in scientific research teams.

Our team was invited by iGEM Ioannina to join a collaborative initiative involving Greek iGEM teams for World Blood Donor Day on June 14th. The project involved each team creating a short video, where members shared reasons why blood donation is important. These individual clips were then compiled into a single, final video that was shared on social media. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the significance of voluntary blood donation and encourage broader community participation in this life-saving act.

Our team was invited by iGEM Hannover to contribute to the creation of an "iGEM Cookbook." In Hannover, it's tradition for team members to bring homemade snacks to meetings and they were interested in exploring international recipes that other teams enjoy. Therefore, they asked us to share a favorite dish from our region, along with a photo of it. This project aimed to bring together culinary delights from iGEM teams around the world, creating a unique cookbook that celebrates international collaboration!