Collaborations

Introduction

Participation of iGEM Düsseldorf is beyond the laboratory. Collaborations with other iGEMers gave us insights into their unique projects and also prepared us for the Jamboree. It was thrilling to meet enthusiastic and like-minded students across Europe and beyond.

Düsseldorf Meet up:

We started the iGEM year with a local meet up, inviting teams from Aachen and Münster in March. It was a great chance to share each other's ideas, get valuable feedback so early on and to connect with the other teams. We presented our project and had a productive discussion about the challenges we are facing and how we can address them. It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm and dedication of all the teams and we're excited to continue collaborating and supporting each other throughout the competition. Apart from sharing our project ideas, one of our PIs, Professor Markus Pauly, shared his research, which focuses on the innovative idea of converting atmospheric carbon into plant polysaccharides. His insights provided a fascinating perspective on how synthetic biology can help solve environmental challenges in the context of the climate crisis. Apart from his presentation, Professor Pauly generously took the time to guide the guest teams and his local iGEM team through his laboratory. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude once again for sharing his time, as well as his inspiring advice.

BFH European Meet-up in Bielefeld:

The next meet up we attended was the highly anticipated BFH European meet-up 2024, which took place on the last weekend of May. The iGEM team Bielefeld hosted the first-ever European meet-up. The main focus was on the presentations of the participating teams' projects. Our team members, Melanie Schreiber and Said Laibacher, presented the progress of our project, KlothY, in front of the assembled audience of other teams and judges. Besides the presentation of their individual projects, the teams also had the opportunity to attend various workshops on diverse topics – from trained AI systems for bioscience, to multimedia or science communication training. Additionally, various lectures were given by specially invited speakers, covering topics from suitable software applications for iGEM teams to scientific talks on sustainable science. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the other teams, speakers, and judges for their valuable advice and critical questions, which have further prepared us for the upcoming final presentation in Paris this October. During an exhibition of the scientific project posters, our members engaged in discussions with other teams, exchanging scientific discourse and ideas about the diverse and promising projects. A personal highlight for our team were the exchanges with the iGEM team from Dresden as well as with Nemanja Stijepovic – Executive Vice President of iGEM – about our project. The teams had the chance to see him again on the last day during an interesting panel discussion with other individuals, which addressed, among other topics, the moral responsibilities of science. In the evenings, when the teams were able to unwind, our members reflected on these collective experiences with various members from different teams. On that note, we would like to give our heartfelt thanks to the hardworking members of iGEM Bielefeld for being such attentive hosts and organising this event in the first place. We are excited for next year when the iGEM team Frankfurt will take its respective turn as host.

Münster International Meet-up 2024:

 We also attended the International iGEM Meet-up in Münster, which took place in mid-August. We spent an exciting weekend there, connecting with iGEM teams from across Europe, including Finland, Switzerland, and Belgium. Some of these teams we had already met two months earlier at the European Meet-up in Bielefeld, so it was wonderful to reunite with familiar faces. The event was a great opportunity to listen to fascinating talks by speakers from academia, industry, and fellow iGEMers, which inspired us with fresh ideas and new perspectives. From lectures on biocatalysis, enzyme engineering, and bioorganic chemistry to practical sessions on key iGEM requirements for all teams, the event covered a wide range of important topics for our ongoing work. We were also thrilled to present our project to such a diverse and knowledgeable audience. Our presentation gave us the chance to showcase the progress and innovations we’ve made since the Bielefeld meet-up, sparking lively discussions and valuable exchanges with other teams and judges. After the presentation, our booth quickly became a popular spot. We proudly displayed our poster and unique textile mats, and demonstrated our much-loved property testing machine. It was encouraging to see so many people interested in our work; many stopped by to ask questions, share feedback, and even discuss potential collaborations.The weekend culminated in an incredible moment for our team when we were honoured with two awards: Best Project in Advancement and Best Presentation. These recognitions marked a significant milestone for us, reflecting the dedication and hard work we've put into the project over the past year. We are truly grateful for these awards, and we're excited to display them in our office as a reminder of what we’ve achieved together. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the teams, speakers, and judges for their invaluable advice and thought-provoking questions. Their input has been instrumental in shaping our project and refining our approach as we prepare for the final presentation in Paris. The meet-up was an amazing opportunity to exchange ideas and gain insights that will help us advance our work. We’re eager to apply what we’ve learned and can't wait to showcase our progress - this time at the iGEM Grand Jamboree 2024 in Paris!

Eindhoven:

For preparing for the final Grand Jamboree and as the last meet up for us of the year, we are happy to be part of the mini jamboree in Eindhoven that will happen just a few days after the wiki freeze on the 7th of October. We are curious about learning what the teams we met on our journey, or hosted at our meet up, have achieved, as well as sharing our own progress as a rehearsal for the upcoming grand jamboree. Overall, we are excited to evaluate the year, listen to interesting talks and meet new and known teams once again.