Community/News Archive
News Archive
Here you will find the archived news items from the iGEM 2018 Main page
New Resource: PR Toolkit
Do you want to get your team's amazing achievements into the news, but have no idea where to begin? Announcing the first ever iGEM Public Relations (PR) toolkit! The toolkit includes professional advice on how to conduct media outreach, key messages and talking points to draw on, and a "plug and play" template for your announcement pitch and press release.
Tip: the less time between the time of the Jamboree and when you reach out to media, the better! Check out the toolkit now.
We Want to Hear From You
We love hearing about your iGEM stories!
Share your iGEM experience and feedback with us through this short survey.
Team Wikis Temporarily Thawed
Team wikis for 2018 teams are now temporarily thawed, and will be re-frozen and permanently archived on December 7, 2018 at 11:59 PM EST.
Teams have until December 7th to edit and update their wiki pages with project results, corrections, etc. Once wikis are archived on December 7th, it will be very difficult to make changes. Special note: Make sure that you are comfortable with personal information and photos being available online for the foreseeable future.
Judging Feedback Available For Team Review
Want to learn more about your results? See what the judges thought of your project by reviewing their feedback. You can access judges' comments and voting details by following the link here.
Note: You must be logged in to access Judging Feedback
Forget to Upload your Poster or Presentation Files?
If your team did not submit poster or presentation files yet, please submit a PDF version of your team presentation and team poster to our dropbox. If you have trouble accessing the dropbox link, please email us at hq [AT] igem [DOT] org.
Please make you name your files under the following naming convention:
TeamName_[ Poster OR Presentation ]_YourName.
Previous News Items
Audio / Visual Checks at the Jamboree
Teams will be given the opportunity for a five- minute Audio/Visual (AV) check to test the connections between their computer and the room projection system. AV checks will be scheduled on a first come-first served basis between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Wednesday October 24, at the Hynes Convention Center. Each team will only be given five minutes to test AV.
AV checks will be scheduled in the following rooms: 207, 208, 302, 304, 306, 309, 310, 311, and 312. Please come prepared with your laptop and cables/adaptors to ensure you make the most of your allotted time. There will be technical staff in the rooms to help with technical difficulties. Remember, this is a quick check. Many other teams will be conducting AV checks as well, so be sure to leave your room on time, and also please leave your room in the condition that you found it!
Now Accepting Poster and Presentation Files
All teams must submit a PDF version of their team presentation and team poster by the end of the Jamboree on Sunday, October 28, 11:59 PM EDT.
Please make you name your files under the following naming convention:
TeamName_[ Poster OR Presentation ]_YourName.
Is your team staying at the Sheraton Boston Hotel?
As mentioned in the last newsletter...
Please be aware that the hotel is a Marriott property and that there are currently 8,000+ Marriott workers on strike around the country. This includes workers at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. iGEM supports fair wages and better working conditions for all workers. If you have a reservation at the Sheraton Boston Hotel and wish to cancel your reservation, you may now cancel without penalty and with a full refund.
From the Sheraton Boston Hotel...
The Sheraton Boston Hotel has informed us that guests will still able to stay at the hotel during the Jamboree and the hotel is fully operational. The hotel reports that they have made arrangements to provide a similar level of service to their guests during this time as any other. However you may find that some services are slower than normal. More from The Sheraton.
Pre-Jamboree Newsletter Out Now
With the Big Freeze now passed, it's time to start planning for the Giant Jamboree! Check out the latest edition of the newsletter for some updates, announcements, and things to look forward to for next week's big event!
Congratulations to all teams!!
Congratulations to all of the 2018 Teams for surviving the toughest deadline day of the iGEM season: Freeze Day!
Remember to check the main page often in the lead-up to the Giant Jamboree for important announcements or last-minute additions
Judging Form Review Period
Teams can now review the contents of their Judging Forms! The Judging Form review period is officially from now (October 15th, 6:00PM EDT) until October 17, 11:59PM EDT (Same time as the Wiki and Registry Freezes).
Judging forms are absolutely vital to the judging process at the Giant Jamboree. If information is missing or incorrect on your judging form, your team could be ineligible for specific medal criteria or awards.
Teams can use this review period to make sure everything is correct on your forms. Make sure your parts show up, that your required links work, and that you've filled out descriptions for awards you want to self-nominate for. Be sure to look out for error messages. You can email HQ [AT] igem [DOT] org at any time with questions about error messages on your judging form.
Wiki Freeze, Registry Freeze, and GitHub Freeze
All online project documentation on Team Wikis, Registry part pages, and GitHub must be complete by October 17 at 11:59PM EDT.
Our Advice: Behind the scenes, we have seen teams in previous years lose entire wikis due to last minute changes at the midnight deadline (11:59PM EDT).
- DO NOT leave your documentation to the last minute, and avoid making last minute tweaks to your wiki code (especially your css/formatting files).
- It is not possible for two people to edit the same page at the same time; you may lose information if this happens, so you should be aware of what your teammates are up to.
Judging Form Freeze
Your team judging form should be complete by October 12 at 11:59PM EDT.
Through the judging form, your judges will be able to see at a glance which aspects of your project they should be paying attention to for evaluation of medal criteria and special award criteria.
Our Advice: The judging form is dependent on your team's understanding of Pages for Awards, and the DNA sample submission process. Make sure that you know how these work to ensure your judging forms are correct.
DNA Sample Submissions
Your team's DNA Sample Submissions must be in the mail to headquarters by October 10. The tracking number for shipment must be declared in the online Sample Submission Form, which must be submitted to the Registry by October 10 at 11:59PM EDT.
Shipments must be declared to customs as containing DNA on the outside of the package with the following language:
"DNA (non-hazardous, non-regulated, non-infectious, for research purposes only)"
Teams in China should send shipments to GenScript by the deadline. GenScript does not need to receive your shipment by October 10. Please see the submissions page for more information.
Team Videos (optional)
Each team is welcome to submit a team video by emailing us the file to hq [AT] igem [DOT] org by tomorrow October 5. We will select some of the videos to show during the Giant Jamboree Closing Ceremony!
Collaborations
It's not too late to find a collaboration! Collaborations are being added every day. Check out the collaborations page to make a connection.
Volunteer at the Giant Jamboree!
The second round of volunteer applications is now open! Get a behind-the-scenes look at the biggest synthetic biology event of the year, and help us make the Giant Jamboree an amazing experience for attendees. See the Volunteers page for the application and additional information. Application closes Friday October 5.
Last Chance for Advanced Jamboree Registration
Late registration for the Giant Jamboree will be closing on October 1 at 11:59PM EDT. After this date, attendees will only be able to register on-site at the late registration rate. Register Now.
Team Banner Submissions
What makes the Jamboree so special? The teams! Teams are invited to submit team banners until the end of the week for display at the Jamboree.
Team banners will be displayed all over the Hynes Convention Center for iGEMers and attendees to see. Use your team imagery, high resolution photos and all your creativity to showcase your team. After the event, you can even take your banner home as a souvenir!
Submissions are due on Friday, September 28.
September Newsletter Out Now
It's now almost one month until the start of the iGEM 2018 Giant Jamboree! Judging Forms are now open for editing by teams, the Giant Jamboree schedule is now released, and we are announcing pre-registration for the first ever After iGEM Summit. Read about these items, and get tips about the upcoming crucial deadlines in the newest edition of the newsletter.
To see past newsletters or to sign up for future editions, hit the link on the right:
Apply Now For Exhibition Space - Two Days Left!
Has your team worked on a game, device, or other item that you want to display at the Giant Jamboree? There are two days left to apply to secure an exhibition space for your team's work. Apply now!
Spaces are limited, and priority will be given to Special Track teams (Open and Software) - but all teams are welcome to apply for space! Applications will close on September 19 at 11:59PM EDT.
Team Roster Freeze
Team rosters will be closed Friday September 21! Only approved team members will receive participation certificates so please check your team roster and make sure you are listed as an approved team member
Team PIs will be able to approve pending team members, with the exception of High School team rosters, which are managed by iGEM Headquarters. Any remaining High School team consent forms will need to arrive at the iGEM Headquarters office before September 21 in order to be processed.
Title and Abstract Freeze
Your team project title and abstract must be submitted to your Team Profile Page by September 14 at 11:59PM EDT.
The title and abstract will be automatically copied into your team judging form, and will be your team's first impression to your judges! It will also be your team's first impression to the rest of the Jamboree attendees, as they will be used in the Jamboree program booklets.
Since this is a freeze deadline, there will be no extensions provided. Don't make a blank impression; make sure you submit your title and abstract on time!
Apply Now For Exhibition Space - Limited Time Only!
Has your team worked on a game, device, or other item that you want to display at the Giant Jamboree? We would love to see it! An Exhibition Space will be setup inside the poster hall at the Hynes Convention Center.
Spaces are limited, and priority will be given to Special Track teams (Open and Software) - but all teams are welcome to apply for space!
Applications close in two weeks on Wednesday, September 19.
Final Safety Forms Due This Friday
Final versions of team safety forms must be completed and submitted by September 7 at 11:59PM EDT. Remember, only your PI can submit the form. Plan for this in advance; your PI being unavailable or on vacation is not an acceptable excuse for missing the deadline!!
Special Edition Newsletter: September Deadlines
There are many deadlines approaching in September: one per week! We released a special edition newsletter this week to explain a little more about each deadline and outline why they are so important to your team's success in the competition.
Read about them now!
Last Call For Jamboree Regular Registration!!
Each team MUST register at least one team member by the end of today (August 31 at 11:59PM EDT) to secure a poster and presentation slot. In addition to this, a $100 per attendee late registration fee is applied after August 31. Secure your team's place and save money, register today!
Today is also the last day to apply to be a volunteer.
Giant Jamboree Schedule Overview
The overview schedule for the Giant Jamboree is available now! Stay tuned, detailed presentation schedule will be available in the next couple of weeks.
Giant Jamboree Registration
Regular registration is closing at the end of this week. Teams, you must register at least one team member by August 31 at 11:59PM EDT to secure your team's poster and presentation slot at the Jamboree! Don't miss out, register today!
August Newsletter Out Now
The August iGEM Competition Newsletter is out now! Read it today to find out our latest exciting news about the Giant Jamboree, including the announcement of Keynote Speakers for Sunday. We also highlight key resources for teams, and include some information about approaching deadlines.
Read the August newsletter now and subscribe here.
Track Selection Due Today!
20% of teams don't have any track declared, even though the deadline is today! Go to your team profile page and declare your track by August 24 11:59PM EDT (TODAY!). Read about this year’s available tracks then select the appropriate track(s) on your team’s profile page.
Giant Jamboree Registration
Regular registration for the Giant Jamboree ends on August 31 at 11:59PM EDT!
Teams, please note: at least one team member must be registered by this date in order to ensure you have a presentation session at the Giant Jamboree!
Track Selection Due
Be sure to select your team’s project tracks by August 24 (THIS FRIDAY!) Read about this year’s available tracks then select the appropriate track(s) on your team’s profile page.
Track selection due in two weeks!
Be sure to select your team’s project tracks by August 24! Read about this year’s available tracks then select the appropriate track(s) on your team’s profile page.
Volunteer at the Giant Jamboree!
The volunteer application is now open! Get a behind-the-scenes look at the biggest synthetic biology event of the year, and help us make the Giant Jamboree an amazing experience for attendees. See the Volunteers page for the application and additional information.
Apply Now!
2018 Judging Handbook
The 2018 Judging Handbook is ready!
Both judges and teams can use this tool to see how judging works in iGEM.
After iGEM Recruiting iGEM Delegates
After iGEM is looking for iGEMers to share their iGEM experiences with policy-makers from around the world, and talk about synbio in the context of protecting biodiversity.
Applications are open to previous iGEMers through the After iGEM Platform, and close on August 10. Applicants must be able to attend the conference in Egypt in November, 2018. Apply today!
InterLab Data due today!
Data for the InterLab study is due today! Submission of your excel data sheets and online forms (parts I-IV) are due on July 27, 11:59PM EDT.
Online submissions will be validated by the Measurement Committee after the deadline, and all participating teams will receive a confirmation email on July 30.
If you have any questions about the final deadline, please contact Measurement [AT] igem [DOT] org.
Be An iGEM Judge!
We're looking for diverse applicants to join the #iGEM2018 Giant Jamboree judging panel! This is our final call for applications! The deadline to apply is July 31. If you're interested in judging at iGEM, please apply here.
Volunteer at the Giant Jamboree!
The volunteer application is now open! Get a behind-the-scenes look at the biggest synthetic biology event of the year, and help us make the Giant Jamboree an amazing experience for attendees. See the Volunteers page for the application and additional information.
Please note that this opportunity is open to members of After iGEM and other individuals not affiliated with a current team.
Apply Now!
July Newsletter Out Now
The latest edition of the iGEM Competition Newsletter came out last week! We introduced the new Ambassadors for 2018, announced sponsor news from SGI-DNA and Promega, and highlighted team Meetups to attend. Read the July newsletter now and subscribe here.
Promega Hosting Second LIVE Q&A Workshop
Do you need technical help with your iGEM project? New to 2018, Promega are lending their technical expertise to all iGEMers, and are hosting their second LIVE Online Q&A Workshop on Tuesday August 14, 9:00 AM Central Daylight Time.
They can answer questions from the basics, like how to troubleshoot a ligation, to the advanced, like designing CRISPR experiments.
Submit a question by this Friday July 20, to have it featured in the seminar, and tune in on August 14 to submit your questions LIVE.
Two Weeks Left to Submit InterLab Data
There are now two weeks left to get InterLab data in! All participating teams should be making progress. If you have any questions or issues with the study, please email us at HQ [AT] igem [DOT] org, or reach out to the Measurement Committee: Measurement [AT] igem [DOT] org.
iGEM at the UK Meetup
The first day of the UK iGEM Meetup is done! We have FOUR representatives for iGEM attending: 2 After iGEM Ambassadors Will and Thea, Director of iGEM Safety & Security Piers Millett, and our very own President of iGEM, Randy Rettberg! Be sure to say hi on day two!
Welcome to Gold Sponsor, SGI-DNA
We are proud to announce that SGI-DNA will once again be a gold sponsor to the iGEM Competition. iGEM believes that safety and security is everyone's responsibility. SGI has been providing safety screening services for the Registry of Standard Biological Parts since 2013. This invaluable service ensures that the thousands of contributions to the Registry can be processed safely, and used responsibly by teams in their projects. Thank you, SGI-DNA!
New iGEM Ambassadors Announced
We had some very special guests visit iGEM Headquarters this week: The new iGEM Ambassadors! Read about what they've been up to in their newest post on the After iGEM platform.
HQ Closed on July 4
iGEM Headquarters will be closed on July 4 for American Independence Day Holiday! Please contact us by email in the meantime: HQ [AT] igem [DOT] org .
New Article From IDT
IDT has been helping iGEM teams push the boundaries of synthetic biology for six years. Take a look at what some teams were able to achieve during iGEM 2017 thanks to IDT!
IDT is offering iGEM 2018 teams 20 kb of DNA as gBlocks® Gene Fragments or Alt-R® CRISPR Genome Editing products free of charge to each iGEM 2018 team! See the offer information here.
One Day Left For InterLab Sign-up
More than 250 teams are already signed up for the 5th International InterLab Measurement Study: the largest collaborative study in synthetic biology in the world.
There’s still time for iGEM 2018 teams to participate! Sign up by June 29, 11:59PM EDT!
Preliminary Safety Form Due This Week
A preliminary version of the safety form is due this week (June 29, 11:59PM EDT)! Make sure you enter as much information as possible. The information you enter in the form will be autosaved as you fill it, and our safety committee will be able to review it at any time.
Remember, there's no need to click any button to "submit" at this stage; Your PI only has to sign off a final version by the deadline in September.
Be An iGEM Judge!
Are you interested in helping shape the next generation of researchers, entrepreneurs, and leaders? We're looking for diverse applicants to join the iGEM 2018 Giant Jamboree judging panel!
If you're interested in judging at iGEM, please apply here.
Three Deadlines This Week
There are three deadlines coming up at the end of this week: InterLab Study sign-up, Preliminary Safety Form, and Project Descriptions.
See the official 2018 Calendar for more information.
German iGEM Meetup This Weekend
The German iGEM Meetup is on this weekend in Marburg! The co-ordinator of the After iGEM Ambassador Program, Guilherme, is on his way there as our official representative.
Guilherme was an iGEM ambassador himself last year! If you’re attending be sure to say hi and ask him questions about his experiences in iGEM, After iGEM, and the Ambassador Program.
Winners of GenScript's Grant Opportunity Announced
GenScript has announced the 5 recipients for their team sponsorship offer! Congratulations to the following teams: Munich, Stony Brook, UCL, Virginia, and Washington.
These teams will each be receiving a total of $4000 of support from GenScript.
June Newsletter Out Now
The June Newsletter is out now! Register for the Jamboree, Get Connected, and more...
Read the latest edition, view previous editions, and subscribe here.
Mentorship Program Still Taking Applications
We are still taking applications for the 2018 Mentorship Program!
iGEM Alumni: Continue your iGEM experience as a mentor;
Teams: Get the help you need from experienced iGEMers!
Apply by this weekend, June 24.
Giant Jamboree Registration Now Open
Register now to attend the Giant Jamboree! Taking care of registration early means avoiding late fees and other headaches. It is also a good chance to start planning your trip to Boston.
New Partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks
We are excited to announce today a new partnership between Ginkgo Bioworks and iGEM! Ginkgo’s five co-founders have a long history with iGEM. After participating in iGEM’s early days, Ginkgo was founded in 2008. Ten years later, they are excited to give back to their roots and seed the next generation of leadership in synthetic biology.
As lead partners, Ginkgo and iGEM are delighted to formalize a relationship that began so long ago.
See the press release here.
Mentorship Program Welcomes Applications
Would you like to apply your experience to support and guide iGEM teams, developing teaching, leadership and mentoring skills?
Do you think your team should join the program and receive the assistance of a mentor?
After iGEM invites both mentors and teams to apply and enjoy this collaborative experience.
The sign-up deadline is June 24.
Meetups Around the World
Our visual designer Ana was at the Nordic iGEM Conference over the weekend! Meetups are a great way to meet the other teams in your region, find potential partners for collaboration, or to get practice and feedback on your project before the Giant Jamboree. Every meetup is different!
There are 5 meetups in Europe, 3 in North America, and 3 in Asia coming up. Check out the meetups calendar and join in on the fun!
2018 Team Map
Where are all the iGEM teams? Find out with the 2018 Team Map!
Access the interactive Google map here. Let us know if you find any errors by emailing us at hq [AT] igem [DOT] org.
Update (June 21): The Google Maps link is temporarily unavailable. Please use this direct URL to access the team map in the mean-time: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Xp8J3ifz6YhBgwqIP8F3p2int3cL-2i5&usp=sharing
Free Software From MathWorks
MathWorks is offering complimentary software kits to all iGEM teams in 2018! It includes FREE access to 13 products including MATLAB, SimBiology, and more. They also have a library of resources to help you get started. Claim your kit today!
iGEM at SEED
Traci and Vinoo from iGEM Headquarters are at the Synthetic Biology: Engineering, Evolution & Design (SEED) Conference in Scottsdale, AZ this week! If you're attending, drop by and say hello!
Now Taking Collaborations Requests
Did you know that collaborating with other iGEM teams is part of the Silver Medal Criteria? If you’re looking for a collaboration opportunity, or if you have one to offer, visit our collaborations page and make a request today!
Winners of Promega's Grant Opportunity Announced
Promega has announced the 10 recipients for their team sponsorship offer! Congratulations to the following teams: Unesp Brazil, RDFZ-China, UI Indonesia, TecMonterrey GDL, Makerere Uganda, NYU Abu Dhabi, Manchester, Edinburgh OG, Tacoma RAINmakers, and Stony Brook.
Recipient teams will be contacted directly by Promega.
Sign Up Now for the 5th International InterLab Measurement Study!
All teams in iGEM 2018 are invited to participate in the 5th International InterLab Measurement Study. This is an optional and voluntary exercise for all teams in the competition, and also an optional activity for fulfilling the Bronze Medal Requirement #4 this year.
Sign-ups are now open, and will close on June 29.
Team Sponsorship Opportunities - Apply Today!
Last chance to apply for sponsorship opportunities from GenScript and Promega! Applications are due tomorrow! (Deadline: May 31, 2018).
New Videos from IDT
Have you ordered your 20 kb of FREE custom DNA from IDT yet?
Live in the future of synthetic biology: learn how to order and handle your gBlocks® today with two new videos by IDT.
Distribution kits for Chinese teams
Chinese teams will soon be receiving the iGEM 2018 distribution kits! We sent 105 distribution kits to GenScript today for shipment to teams in China. Many thanks to GenScript for their critical support!
Pending teams, we are waiting for your registration materials! Check your team status and contact us at hq(at)igem(dot)org!
iGEM 2018 May Newsletter Out Now
The May newsletter for the competition is out now! Read the latest edition, view previous editions, and subscribe today to get the competition updates delivered straight to your email inbox.
Closed For Memorial Day
Our office will be closed this Monday, May 28 in observance of Memorial Day in the US. Contact us by email at HQ [at] igem [dot] org in the meantime.
Updated Privacy Policy
iGEM has updated their privacy policy, please take a look by visiting: igem.org/Privacy_Policy
Team Sponsorship Opportunities - Apply Today!
We currently have two sponsorship opportunities for iGEM teams in 2018 from two of iGEM's partners, GenScript and Promega.
- GenScript will sponsor 5 iGEM teams, offering $4000 of total support for each sponsored team
- Promega will sponsor 10 iGEM teams, offering $2000 in Promega products for each sponsored team
The deadline to apply for both opportunities is in one week (Deadline: May 31, 2018) so apply soon to be considered!
Traveling Internationally to Attend the Giant Jamboree?
Visa applications can sometimes take months to process, so be sure to apply for your travel visa early! The staff members at iGEM Headquarters cannot contact the consulate on your behalf if your visa application is delayed.
By applying early, you increase your chances of attaining your visa on time to attend the Giant Jamboree. Information about travel visas and instructions on accessing the iGEM visa application letter system are available on the Visa Help page.
Safety Forms
Piers Millett, the head of the iGEM Biosafety and Biosecurity Program, is at iGEM Headquarters this week!
While Piers is here, let’s talk safety forms! Safety forms are for YOU to tell US what your team is doing to be safe throughout your iGEM project. Not all teams need to fill a Check-In Form but ALL teams need to fill the Safety and Security Form in order to compete in iGEM. There’s no penalty for asking questions about safety, so if you’re in doubt don’t hesitate to contact us!
Learn more.
Team Approvals
Distribution kits are being shipped out to approved iGEM 2018 teams! Pending teams should check on the status of their registration materials through their team profile page and contact us if there are any discrepancies at: hq [at] igem [dot] org.
Full Day Added to the Giant Jamboree
With 340 teams signed up for the iGEM Competition this year, we are excited to announce that the 2018 Giant Jamboree will be extended by one day to accommodate for all of our amazing teams! Thursday, October 25 will now begin with the Opening Ceremony, followed by team presentations and posters. This new schedule will have three full days of presentations, poster sessions, and workshops, so that everyone can make the most of their Jamboree experience.
See the Giant Jamboree page for more information.
Sponsorship Opportunities For Teams From iGEM's Partners
We currently have two sponsorship opportunities for iGEM 2018 teams from two of iGEM's partner sponsors, GenScript and Promega. Applications for both opportunities will close on May 31, 2018 so apply soon to be considered!
See the Special Offers page for more information.
Winners of Opentrons Robot Challenge Announced
Opentrons has announced the 10 winners of their Robot Challenge! Congratulations to the following teams: Makerere Uganda, NCKU Tainan, SJTU BioX Shanghai, Newcastle, Duesseldorf, Marburg, UIOWA, Queen's Canada, Stony Brook, and Tec-Monterrey.
Did you miss out on the Opentrons Robot Challenge? Don't worry, Opentrons are enabling all iGEM teams in 2018 to get access to low-cost automation with their offer of $2000 off your first Opentrons robot.
Apply to be a Judge at the Giant Jamboree!
Judging applications for the 2018 Giant Jamboree are open and we are looking for a diverse applicants to join our judging panel! Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so make sure you apply today to be considered in the next round.
New Sponsorship Opportunities From GenScript
We are excited to announce new sponsorship opportunities from GenScript for iGEM 2018 teams! They are offering team grants of $4000 total in products, support and services to 5 iGEM teams, and 20% off DNA synthesis and cloning services for all teams. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2018. Learn more.
GenScript is also providing critical support for our teams in China by shipping the iGEM 2018 Distribution Kits.
Thank you, GenScript!
Promega iGEM Crash Course: Ask the Experts
The Promega iGEM Crash Course: Ask The Experts live Q&A with Promega is now over! Thanks to everyone who joined in! You can get on demand access to the entire webcast and see the questions that your fellow iGEMers asked - http://bit.ly/2r1y6YY
Did you know Promega is offering technical support like this all year? They are also offering a team grant opportunity of $2000 in products to 10 iGEM teams! The deadline for applications is May 31, 2018. Learn more.
iGEM 2018 Opening Day!
Thank you to the 340 teams that have registered for the iGEM 2018 Competition! Registration for new teams is now closed.
May 1st was Opening Day for iGEM 2018! From this day you can view and edit the safety forms, create your visa invitation letter, update your team rosters, declare your track preferences, and much more!
Check out the official iGEM Calendar for more information on all of the most important deadlines.
Opentrons Bringing Automation to iGEM
The Opentrons and iGEM partnership is bringing low-cost, open-source automation to all iGEM 2018 teams. Thank you to all teams that applied for the Opentrons Robot Challenge - we received over 50 applications!
Did you miss out on the Opentrons Robot Challenge? Don't worry, all iGEM teams in 2018 are still eligible for $2000 off their first Opentrons robot.
Promega iGEM Crash Course: Ask the Experts
Do you have technical troubleshooting questions for your 2018 iGEM project? Promega are lending their technical expertise in a LIVE Online Q&A Workshop exclusively for iGEMers on Monday, May 7.
Submit a question by May 3 and get a FREE tube of T4 DNA Ligase. Register and submit your questions at http://bit.ly/2r1y6YY.
Distribution Kits
The 2018 Distribution Kits have started shipping to registered and approved 2018 iGEM teams! Have you received yours yet? Tag us on social media and use #iGEM2018 and #WelcomeToiGEM to let us know!
If you're curious about what will be in your distribution kit, please see the 2018 Distribution Kit handbook.
Opentrons bringing automation to iGEM
iGEM and Opentrons are excited to announce a new partnership, bringing low-cost, open-source automation to all iGEM 2018 teams. 10 select teams will receive free OT-2 robots, and all teams will be eligible for a 50% discount!
Applications are due May 1, 2018. Apply soon to be considered.
Late registration now open
You can still register to be part of iGEM 2018! Register and pay for your team by April 30 to join this year's competition.
Meetups
Some teams have already let us know about their Meetups! If you're organizing one, let us know by email - hq [at] igem [dot] org - to have it posted to the Meetups page
Team Approvals
We've begun approving teams for iGEM 2018! Team primary PIs will receive emails from iGEM HQ confirming team status when we have received all applicable registration materials. Check your team profile page to see the status of your team's registration materials and contact us if there are any discrepancies at: hq [at] igem [dot] org.
Please note, the team registration fee status is updated manually so there may be a delay between fee submission and fee status.
Regular registration ends soon!
The regular registration deadline is coming up on March 31! Don't forget to register and pay for your team by 11:59PM EDT to avoid the late registration fee.
iGEM at the World Health Assembly
Did your team work on a Health and Medicine project?
Are you interested in international policy?
Do you want to be part of the global conversation on synthetic biology?
Join iGEM at the WHA!
If have participated in iGEM before, you can apply to be part of the After iGEM Delegate Program and attend at the World Health Assembly in Geneva (May 21 - 26)
IDT Offer
We are excited to announce that IDT will be partnering with iGEM for the third year to offer all registered 2018 teams 20 kb of custom DNA in the form of gBlocks® Gene Fragments and Alt-R® CRISPR Genome Editing products! Cost no longer has to be a limiting factor in your research.
Visit https://2018.igem.org/Sponsors/Special_Offers/IDT to learn more!
After iGEM
When you complete a season of the iGEM Competition you join a community of iGEMers around the world and gain access to exclusive job opportunities like these.
If you have been in an iGEM team before this year, you can request access to After iGEM today: after.igem.org.
To recruit iGEMers visit https://after.igem.org/networks/igem/custom_page/recruit
Join the Human Practices Committee!
Love #iGEM?
Want to ensure that synthetic biology projects are safe, responsible and good for the world? Apply to serve on iGEM’s Human Practices Committee! https://2018.igem.org/Human_Practices/Application
Giant Jamboree Video
Get a sneak peek into the biggest synthetic biology event in the world, the iGEM Giant Jamboree
Regular Registration is open!
Regular registration will be open until March 31st! See the registration page for details.
The new 2018 pins have arrived!
Join an iGEM team to get yours delivered to a lab near you!!
Early Registration Deadline
Early registration closes this Friday February 16 at 11:59PM EST! Be sure to register and pay for your team by Friday in order to receive a $500 discount off the team registration fee! See the registration page for details.
iGEM Competition Newsletters
Sign up to learn more
Are you part of an iGEM 2018 team or interested in learning more about the competition? Make sure to sign up for our newsletters featuring competition news, highlighted and announcements. We will be sending you newsletters about once a month. They are designed to provide you with key updates, reminders and announcements for the iGEM 2018 competition season. To sign up for our newsletters or look through past messages, visit: https://igem.org/Newsletters
Promega and iGEM - We are delighted to welcome Promega as a new iGEM Partner sponsor of iGEM 2018.
Promega believes that mutual advancement can only be achieved by working in harmony and that the best benefits we receive come from the prosperity of our communities.
For Promega, and for iGEM, this often means fostering education and advancement of the next generation of scientists and innovators – all of you iGEMers.
Team Grant opportunity: Promega is proud to announce its plan to support global iGEM teams in 2018 in two important ways. They plan to sponsor 10 iGEM
teams around the world by providing each team with up to $2,000 in free Promega products. They also will offer unparalleled technical support to all
competitors who will be welcome to reach out to them as they build their genetically-engineered machines and seed their scientific careers.
Register your Team for iGEM 2018
Build a better world by participating in iGEM 2018!
The iGEM 2018 competition season is officially OPEN. Register your team and solve real world problems using synthetic biology. Get $500 off the regular registration rate when you register and pay by Friday, February 16, 2018. For complete registration details and to save, visit the registration page.
MathWorks and iGEM
Celebrating its 10th year of sponsoring iGEM
From 90 teams in 2008 to over 300 in 2017, MathWorks has shown its unwavering support to iGEM teams, through their continued generosity of offering complimentary
software and technical mentoring of our growing community.
In 2018, MathWorks is proud to once again sponsor the iGEM competition. As an iGEM Partner, MathWorks will provide a FREE MATLAB Software License (includes 12
products) and Technical Mentoring available to ALL teams. This complimentary software kit is designed specifically to cater to the needs of iGEM teams.
Competition Hubs
Here to help you succeed in the iGEM competition
2018.igem.org will be your resource for all competition related details and announcements. Make sure to look over the content on the iGEM Hubs as there is a wealth of information there designed to help you do well in the competition. To help you naviaged though the competition, we have grouped information into Hubs. Visit each hub for general information as well as a deeper understanding of what is expected from your team for the 2018 season.
Welcome to 2018.igem.org
iGEM is excited to announce the launch of the iGEM 2018 competition website!
2018.igem.org will be your key resource for all competition related details and announcements. Visit this page often for news and updates. To get started, learn about competition requirements and registration by visiting 2018.igem.org/Competition.
iGEM Foundation
The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of synthetic biology, education and competition, and the development of an open community and collaboration. Visit us at igem.org
hq AT igem DOT org
One Kendall Square, Suite B6104
Cambridge, MA 02139
+1.617.500.3106