Collaboration in iGEM fosters idea exchange and resource sharing, driving innovation in synthetic biology. This aligns with SDG 17, emphasizing global partnerships to tackle societal challenges and quality education. Together, teams amplify their impact, working towards sustainable solutions for a better future.

Continuing the tradition of AIIM, which brings together iGEM teams across India, IISc hosted this year's meet and ensured a seamless experience for all participants throughout the event. With 11 teams participating, the event featured engaging activities such as a mock Jamboree, poster presentations, and informal sessions.

At AIIM, teams presented their projects and were evaluated by a panel of judges, providing an excellent opportunity for mock presentations and practice. Participants received constructive critiques from both the judges and fellow iGEM members, allowing them to refine their projects based on diverse perspectives. It was also a lot of fun interacting with other team members and sharing our experiences, enriching the collaborative spirit of the event.

Stanford iGEM, CityU iGEM, iGEM IISER-TVM

Team iGEM Stanford reached out to us for a handbook focusing on developing a human-centric approach for human practices in iGEM projects, along with CityU iGEM. This handbook aims to serve as a guide and orientation tool for future iGEM teams, helping them navigate the complexities of human practices.

The handbook titled "Digging into the Challenge: A Guide to Integrated Human Practices in Synthetic Biology Research" serves as a comprehensive resource for applying human-centred design (HCD) principles in synthetic biology projects. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs of users and stakeholders, encouraging iterative design processes that prioritize empathy, collaboration, and continuous feedback to create solutions that are relevant and impactful for the communities they serve. The guide is structured to support both novice and experienced practitioners in navigating the complexities of project development while fostering critical thinking and responsible scientific practices.

The handbook will assist other iGEM teams by providing readily available material that they can review before brainstorming their human practices. This resource will simplify the process, allowing teams to build on established concepts and enhance their project designs effectively.

iGEM Taipei

iGEM high school team KCIS-Xiugang-Taipei has taken an innovative approach to sustainability by creating postcards that showcase their projects in various local languages of collaborating teams. This fun initiative not only highlights their work on plastics and sustainability but also inspires other teams, including ours, to participate in a similar endeavour.

The postcards serve as a unique way to promote awareness of their projects and the importance of sustainability within their communities. The relevance of these projects to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was emphasized while sharing beautifully printed postcards across campuses, effectively engaging a wider audience in discussions about environmental responsibility.

This initiative effectively raises awareness of sustainability issues and fosters global collaboration among iGEM teams, showcasing how creativity and teamwork can inspire impactful outreach and encourage sustainable practices.

Check out their wiki here!

iGEM IIT Bombay, iGEM IISER Kolkata

As part of our commitment to expanding knowledge beyond academia within the iGEM community, we initiated BioGenesis 1.0, a conclave centred on entrepreneurship for students. We extended an open invitation to all Indian iGEM teams and, in collaboration with IISER Kolkata and IIT Bombay, hosted a series of talks for iGEM participants, science enthusiasts, and academics eager to explore entrepreneurial opportunities in the biotech sector.

Prominent experts such as Dijith Rajan, Pramod P Wangikar, and Jaydeep Bhattacharya were called, and they shared their insights on topics ranging from biotech innovation to startup development. This collaborative initiative provided teams with the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and promoted the growth of biotech startups, paving the way for future iGEMers and academic entrepreneurs. The positive feedback we received highlighted the event's success in normalizing the use of biotechnological products and ideas within the community.

Check out our Entrepreneurship page for more impact.

Celebrating the Diversity of Global Fragrances.

In a move to foster cross-cultural exchange and appreciation, we invited all participating teams from around the world to showcase the unique natural fragrances of their respective regions. We asked each team to submit a short write-up about a specific plant fragrance, highlighting its origin, cultural importance, and any intriguing facts associated with it.

This initiative showcased the rich diversity of natural fragrances from around the world and fostered a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance and traditional knowledge associated with these aromatic treasures.

Check out our Entrepreneurship page for more impact.