Teams/News Archive

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News Archive

Here you will find the archived news items from the iGEM 2019 Main page

Judging Feedback for Teams
November 14

184 judges cast a total of 92990 votes across the 3 days of the Jamboree.

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 below.

Wikis Temporarily Thawed! Re-Freeze on December 13
November 13

Team wikis for 2019 teams are now temporarily thawed, and will be re-frozen and permanently archived on December 13, 2019 at 11:59 PM EST. Teams should take this time to edit and update their wiki pages with project results, corrections, etc.

Once wikis are archived, all future changes must be processed through iGEM HQ. Changes will take some time to process, so make sure that you are comfortable with personal information and photos being available online for the foreseeable future.

Public Relations Toolkit for Teams
November 6

Do you want to get your team's amazing achievements into the news, but have no idea where to begin? Check out the 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.

Poster and Presentation File Submissions
November 1

All teams must submit a PDF version of their team presentation and team poster by the end of the Jamboree on Monday November 4, 2019, 11:59 PM EDT. Please make you name your files under the following naming convention: TeamName_[ Poster OR Presentation ]_YourName.

Previous News Items

Instructions for Jamboree Check-In
October 29

Registration and Check-In Hours

Registration and check-in will be available at the second floor Boylston Hallway during the following hours:

Thursday October 31 - 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday November 1 - 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday November 2 - 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday November 3 - 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday November 4 - 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM


Pre-Registered Team Members

This year, attendee check-in at the Jamboree will be done by team, rather than on an individual basis. Each team should designate one team member as the Registration Representative; This individual will be responsible for picking up the Registration Representative Packet, which includes the team's attendee badges and more. Team materials will be filed by official iGEM team name; Please double check your official team name on the team list prior to arriving at the Hynes. Click here to read more about the Registration Representative.


On-Site Registrants

Materials of team members who have not completed their registration payment will not be included in the Registration Representative Packet. Unpaid team member(s) must make payment and pick up their registration materials at the Customer Service booth on the second floor, Boylston Hallway.

Likewise, guests wishing to purchase registration on-site may do so at the Customer Service booth. Click here to read more about on-site registration.

Daylight Savings Reminder
October 28

Daylight savings time will end in Boston at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 3.

We would like to remind attendees to set your analog clocks back by one hour on Sunday morning of the Jamboree (don't worry, this means you get one hour of extra sleep!).

Giant Jamboree Program Booklet
October 24

This year we are not providing hard copies of the program booklet for the Giant Jamboree. That's more than two tons of paper saved! To get the program, you now have a few environmentally friendlier options:

  1. Download the PDF version to your laptop or mobile device - great for making electronic notes
  2. Get the mobile app - perfect for bookmarking sessions, building a personalized schedule, and receiving live updates from HQ at the Jamboree
  3. Browse the program right here on our website!
Giant Jamboree Policies and Restricted Items
October 23

The Giant Jamboree is a celebration - every year, teams enjoy bringing fun giveaways to share with fellow teams! While pins are fine, some items like stickers and helium balloons are NOT ALLOWED.

Restricted items will be confiscated and breaches of policies may be referred to iGEM's Responsible Conduct Committee. To help you plan, please review the event policies:

Congratulations to all teams!
October 22

WIKI AND REGISTRY PAGES ARE NOW FROZEN! Congratulations to all teams for surviving the Wiki & Registry Freeze!

Now it's time to start preparing for the Giant Jamboree! View the program and start planning your days. Or review the poster and presentation requirements and guidelines.

Judging Form Review Period
October 18

The judging form freeze has passed! Now it's time to review your judging form!


Judging Form Review Period
Judging Form Re-Opens October 18 at 6:00PM EDT
Judging Form Closes October 21 at 11:59PM EDT
(same time as the Wiki and Registry Freeze!)


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, and don't forget to click "Save".

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
October 16

All online project documentation on Team Wikis, Registry part pages, and GitHub must be complete by October 21 at 11:59PM EDT. 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). Look below for advice from iGEM Headquarters.

General Advice:

  • NO EDITS WILL BE ALLOWED after the freeze, and no extensions will be granted (no exceptions!)
  • 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.
  • Due to the increased loads on our servers close to the deadline, users can experience delays. DO NOT leave your documentation to the last minute.

Wiki Advice:

  • DO NOT leave your documentation to the last minute, and avoid making last minute tweaks to your wiki code (especially your css/formatting files).
  • Review the wiki rules; Failure to follow rules may prevent your team from winning medals or prizes.
  • Review your Pages for Awards; Make sure alert boxes are deleted from the code, not just commented out.

Registry Advice:

  • Document ALL part data on Registry Part Pages, not just on your team wiki. Judges will only evaluate part data on the Registry.
  • DO NOT copy code from your wiki to the Registry at the last minute; Copying data from the wiki to Registry pages can generate errors. Write directly into registry pages, or leave extra time for re-formatting
Jamboree Accessibility Requests
October 10

The Hynes Convention Center is fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators on both ends of the building near the escalators. Please contact iGEM Headquarters for assistance with other accessibility requests and we will do our best to accommodate.

Due to the staging setup in presentation rooms, presenters with accessibility needs should contact iGEM HQ (hq AT igem DOT org) by October 18, so we can arrange for a lift to be brought to the presentation room in a timely manner.

Judging Form Freeze
October 11

Your team judging form should be complete by October 16 at 11:59PM EDT.

Through the judging form, your judges can see at a glance which aspects of your project they should pay 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 Registry Part Pages. Make sure that you know how these work to ensure your judging forms are correct.

Don't forget, teams and judges can both access the Judging Handbook by visiting the Judging Hub.

Judging Forms Are Back Up
October 10

Judging Forms were temporarily down earlier today, but they are now working again. If you encounter issues with the judging form, please contact us by email: hq [AT] igem [DOT] org.

October Newsletter Out Now!
October 9

The October Newsletter is out now. Subject: "HQ's insider tips for upcoming final deadlines". In this issue...

  • Insider tips from HQ: Last competition deadlines before the Giant Jamboree
  • Register for the After iGEM Biosecurity Policy Conference
  • Accessibility requests for the Giant Jamboree
  • Last chance to get free/discounted DNA synthesis
  • It's not too late! Find or post a collaboration
  • Upcoming dates to consider

Click here to subscribe or view past newsletters.

Last chance to use GenScript team discount
October 8

GenScript is offering a 20% discount for DNA synthesis and cloning services to iGEM teams.

The last day to use the discount is Tuesday, October 15 (next week!)

Last chance to order free DNA from IDT
October 7

Have your ordered your 20 kb of free DNA or Alt-R® CRISPR Genome Editing products from IDT yet?

The last day to order is on Monday, October 14 (next week!)

Giant Jamboree Schedule and Workshops info now available
October 3

Plan your days out at the Giant Jamboree! The detailed event schedule and workshop information is out now!

Don't forget to check out the team abstracts too!

Volunteer at the Giant Jamboree!
October 3

The second round of volunteer applications is closing this weekend! 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 Sunday October 6.

Please note: This opportunity is not available to individuals affiliated with a current team, including parents of team members. Members of After iGEM are welcome to apply.

Editing your team wiki
October 2

Using and editing the wiki can be a trial-and-error process. Save some time and learn the basics here.

Don't forget: The Wiki/Registry Freeze is on October 21.

Send us your team videos by this week!
October 1

Each team is welcome to submit a team video by emailing us the file to hq [AT] igem [DOT] org. We will select some of the videos to show during the Giant Jamboree Closing Ceremony!

Submissions are due by October 4 (3 days!).

Pages for Awards
October 1

Teams are required to use specific URLs in their wiki to be eligible for specific awards. The judges will be directed to these pages from static links within the judging form. If your documentation for an award is not on the page encoded by the static link, your team may not be judged for that prize. Click below to see the official list.

Don't forget: Judging Forms are due on October 16.

Webinar: Tips for Creating & Presenting Scientific Posters
September 30

Join Promega's guest experts on October 1st (tomorrow!) to learn how you can make the most of scientific poster presentations, whether you're presenting or attending. The hosts of HelloPhD, Josh Hall and Dan Arneman, will expand upon the tips for a perfect poster presentation they shared on their podcast. Mike Morrison, a PhD student, will explain his #betterposter format for more user-friendly scientific conference posters.

This webinar will cover:

  • Creating a scientific poster
  • Presenting a scientific poster
  • Engaging with other scientists about their posters
Late Registration ends today!
September 30

Late Registration ends today, September 30 at 11:59PM EDT. Don't miss out!

Volunteer at the Giant Jamboree!
September 27

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 Sunday October 6.

Please note: This opportunity is not available to individuals affiliated with a current team, including parents of team members. Members of After iGEM are welcome to apply.

Team Banner Displays Due Today!
September 27

Show off your team spirit! Submit a banner design by September 27 (Today!)to have it printed and displayed at the Giant Jamboree! After the event you can take your banner home as a team souvenir. For specifications and the upload link, see the Team Banners page.

Submissions close Friday, September 27 (Today!)

Team Abstracts and Presentation Times Now Available!
September 26

Wondering when your team is presenting? Team information is now ready online, including abstracts, presentation times, and poster zone assignments. Browse the information on the abstracts page:

Software Tools
September 26

Looking to give your project an extra edge? Make sure to check out the Software Tools resource page! We have special offers from MathWorks and Benchling, as well as many free tools for you to use, including:​

  • SeqViz is a framework agnostic DNA viewer for sequences or files (gb, fasta, etc) with auto-feature annotation. This web tool is customized for use with iGEM parts and is powered by a free, open source JavaScript library of the same name under the hood.
  • SynBioHub is a web-based design repository for people designing biological constructs. It enables DNA and protein designs to be uploaded, then provides a shareable link to allow others to view them.
Cloning troubleshooting
September 25

Cloning is difficult, but it shouldn't be impossible! Check out our tips for successful cloning.

Team Banner Displays
September 24

Show off your team spirit! Submit a banner design by September 27 to have it printed and displayed at the Giant Jamboree! After the event you can take your banner home as a team souvenir. For specifications and the upload link, see the Team Banners page.

Submissions close Friday, September 27 (3 days!)

iGEM Exclusive: Sign Up For New England Biolabs Site Visit and Tour
September 20

If you have an extra day in Boston after the Giant Jamboree, we recommend checking out the NEB headquarters tour! You've been using their reagents, and now you can see where it all comes from!

Sign up your team by this coming Monday, September 23rd, for a chance to tour NEB’s laboratories, meet their scientists, and hear a presentation from Nobel Laureate Sir Richard Roberts, immediately following this year’s iGEM 2019 Giant Jamboree. Selected teams will visit NEB for a half day on Tuesday, November 5th, 2019.

Send us your team videos!
September 19

Each team is welcome to submit a team video by emailing us the file to hq [AT] igem [DOT] org. We will select some of the videos to show during the Giant Jamboree Closing Ceremony!

Submissions are due by October 4.

You're Invited to the GenScript Double Helix Symposium
September 18

You are cordially invited to claim your free pass today for GenScript’s 1st Annual Double Helix Symposium, and get a special discount to register SynBioBeta 2019.

Don’t pass up the opportunity to save your spot for Double Helix Symposium:

  • George Church, Ph.D. to keynote;
  • A variety of applications of synthetic biology in biofuel, astrobiology, DNA information storage, and food science;
  • Innovative technologies of genome editing, DNA nanotechnology, DNA origami, RNA fold, protein engineering, etc.;
  • Career workshop for early career scientists.

iGEMers are invited to submit a poster or become a Cloud Scientist to receive a complementary pass.

Direct Link: https://www.genscript.com/double-helix-symposium-2019.html

Team Banner Displays
September 17

Show off your team spirit! Submit a banner design by September 27 to have it printed and displayed at the Giant Jamboree! After the event you can take your banner home as a team souvenir. For specifications and the upload link, see the Team Banners page.

Submissions close Friday, September 27.

iGEM Exclusive: Sign Up For New England Biolabs Site Visit and Tour
September 12

Are you using NEB® reagents in your iGEM project?

Sign up your team by Monday, September 23rd, for a chance to tour NEB’s laboratories, meet their scientists, and hear a presentation from Nobel Laureate Sir Richard Roberts, immediately following this year’s iGEM 2019 Giant Jamboree. Selected teams will visit NEB for a half day on Tuesday, November 5th, 2019.

REMINDER: Four competition deadlines this week
September 10

There are four competition deadlines at the end of this week.

1. Final Safety Form Due
Your Safety Form MUST be completed, and submitted by a team instructor or PI by September 13, 11:59PM EDT. Don't leave it to the last minute - ask your instructors early! Failure to comply with safety requirements can lead to disqualification from the competition.

2. Track Selections Due
Declare your team track selection as your number 1 choice on your track preference list on your team profile page by September 13, 11:59PM EDT. You may also submit second and third choices (optional).
Please note: High School teams will automatically be placed in the High School track.

3. Team Project Title and Abstract Due
Add your project title and abstract to your team profile page by September 13, 11:59PM EDT. It will be copied into your team Judging Form, and will be used in the Giant Jamboree programs.

4. Final Team Rosters Due
Make sure that ALL team members, advisors, mentors, instructors etc. are documented in your team roster on your team profile page by September 13, 11:59PM EDT. Only members on the roster will receive participation certificates. High school teams should also make sure consent forms have been completed for all team members.

 

Deadline: Friday, September 13 at 11:59PM EDT.

Apply For Exhibition Space
September 9

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 set up 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 (2) days!

Applications close on Wednesday, September 11 at 11:59PM EDT.

Webinar: Tips for Creating & Presenting Scientific Posters
September 6

Join Promega's guest experts on October 1st to learn how you can make the most of scientific poster presentations, whether you're presenting or attending. The hosts of HelloPhD, Josh Hall and Dan Arneman, will expand upon the tips for a perfect poster presentation they shared on their podcast. Mike Morrison, a PhD student, will explain his #betterposter format for more user-friendly scientific conference posters.

This webinar will cover:

  • Creating a scientific poster
  • Presenting a scientific poster
  • Engaging with other scientists about their posters
IDT Special Offer for Teams
August 28

Don't forget, iGEM 2019 teams need to register with IDT by August 30 (in 2 days!) to claim your 20 kb free custom DNA.

Team Banner Displays
August 22

Each team is welcome to submit one banner image for iGEM to print and proudly display at the Giant Jamboree. After the event, you are welcome to take this memento of your participation at the Jamboree home as a way to commemorate your team's achievements! For specifications and the upload link, see the Team Banners page.

Submissions close Friday, September 27.

Judging Forms now open for editing
August 21

The Judging Form is a critical form for every team in the competition. It informs your team's judges about the medal criteria you have fulfilled, as well as any special prize(s) you have nominated your team to compete for at the Giant Jamboree. Please make sure you fill out and save your form by October 16, 11:59PM EDT or you could miss out on awards!

Regular Registration ends this week!
August 27

Regular registration will end this week on August 31 at 11:59PM EDT. Attendance fees for all attendees will increase at midnight.
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.

Apply For Exhibition Space
August 15

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 set up 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 on Wednesday, September 11.

Final Promega Q&A Webinar next week
August 15

Promega's FINAL Ask the Experts Live Q&A Webinar "iGEM Transfection Challenges" is coming up next week on Tuesday, August 20. Promega's experts will answer your questions on all things tricky about transfections. Note that this webinar is scheduled for 9:00 AM Central Daylight Time (CDT).

Register below to RSVP, or to download their previous webinars on ligation and transformation challenges:

IDT Special Offer for Teams
August 14

Did you order your 20 kb of FREE custom DNA from IDT yet? Last day to register is August 30. Last day for orders is October 14!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Safety Form Compliance
August 9

Check your inbox for messages from the safety committee

iGEM's safety committee are currently reviewing safety forms and notifying teams of any gaps in information. It is important to respond to the safety committee in a timely manner to comply with the rules of the competition. Make sure to check the email inbox of the address indicated in the Safety Form for your team.

August Newsletter Out Now
August 7

The August edition of the iGEM Newsletter is out now. Subject: "When does human practices matter? A checklist for teams, and more..." In this issue:

  • Checklist for teams: Make sure you're on track this August
  • New blog post about human practices
  • Register now for the Giant Jamboree
  • Last chance to claim some offers from iGEM's partners
  • Special message from the iGEM Measurement Committee
  • Find an upcoming team meetup near you!

Click here to subscribe or view past newsletters.

REMINDER: Upcoming deadline to submit orders for synthesis
July 31

Twist Bioscience is offering every iGEM 2019 team complimentary 10 kb of Gene Fragments during the 2019 competition. Synthesis will be performed in monthly batches; orders must be received by the monthly submission deadlines to be processed.

Submit requests by August 7 to be included in the next round.

Benchling Training for iGEM Teams
July 18

Join the Benchling team at 10am PT/1pm ET on Tuesday, August 13 to learn the ins and outs of Benchling's Molecular Biology and Notebook applications, and to learn how they can help your team collaborate more efficiently. We'll show you how to get started on Benchling, walk through a molecular biology workflow, and share some of our favorite tips and tricks. We'll also have time for Q&A.

Register below to join us for this webinar. Even if you're in a different time zone or you'll be busy, register now to automatically receive an email with the recording.

Promega Q&A Webinar next week
July 17

Promega is hosting an exclusive iGEM Ask the Experts Live Q&A Webinar Series, where Promega's experts will answer your questions about ligation, transfection and transformation. The next webinar "iGEM Transformation Challenges" is coming up next week on Tuesday, July 23.

Note that this webinar is scheduled for 9:00 AM Central Daylight Time (CDT).

Register below to RSVP, or to download their previous webinar on ligation challenges:

Be an iGEM Judge!
July 12

Are you interested in judging at the 2019 Giant Jamboree? Judge Applications are still open, so apply today and help us celebrate the achievements of our amazing teams this year!

Volunteers wanted for Giant Jamboree!
July 11

We are looking for volunteers to help us make the 2019 Giant Jamboree a great event! Help us ensure that every attendee has an amazing experience. The first round of applications is open through August 30, and notifications will be sent by September 9.

This opportunity is open to iGEM alumni and other non-team members only. This opportunity is not available to current team members or their family members. For the application and more details, visit the Volunteers page. Please email Kitwa if you have any questions: kitwa AT igem DOT org

Giant Jamboree Registration Now Open
July 3

Register now to attend the Giant Jamboree!! Join us at the Hynes Convention Center from October 31-November 4 and experience iGEM in action.

Regular registration will end 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.

REMINDER: Upcoming deadline to submit orders for synthesis
July 2

Twist Bioscience is offering every iGEM 2019 team complimentary 10 kb of Gene Fragments during the 2019 competition. Synthesis will be performed in monthly batches; orders must be received by the monthly submission deadlines to be processed.

Submit requests by July 10 to be included in the next round.

The iGEM Blog is Back!
June 26

We are excited to announce that the iGEM Blog is officially back, and better than ever! Through the iGEM Blog, we'll be sharing stories from all around the iGEM community.

The first blog post "What is iGEM?" is up now. Our lead writer Linda Kahl wants to hear from YOU - what does iGEM mean to you? Share your perspective for the chance to be featured in future blog posts.

REMINDER: Two competition deadlines this week
June 24

There are two competition deadlines coming up at the end of this week:

1. Preliminary Safety Form Due
An initial version of your Safety Form is due June 28, 11:59PM EDT. This includes your team's contact information, information about your lab, and information about your project. Any team member may fill this in and save the form for submission.

2. Project Inspiration and Descriptions Draft Due
Your preliminary draft for your team's project inspiration and description is due June 28, 11:59PM EDT. This description should be posted on your Team Wiki Description page (example URL: https://2019.igem.org/Team:TeamName/Description).

Deadline: June 28, 11:59PM EDT (4 Days!)

This Week: 3 Days until first Promega Q&A Webinar
June 24

Promega is hosting an exclusive iGEM Ask the Experts Live Q&A Webinar Series, where Promega's experts will answer your questions about ligation, transfection and transformation. The first webinar "iGEM Ligation Challenges" is this week. Note that this webinar is scheduled for 9:00 AM Central Daylight Time (CDT) on Thursday June 27.

Winners of GenScript Grant Opportunity Announced
June 19

GenScript has announced the winners of their team sponsorship offer!
Congratulations to the following teams:

  1. Montepellier
  2. Toronto
  3. Lubbock TTU
  4. Ruperto Carola
  5. BrownStanfordPrincetn

All iGEM teams are still eligible to receive 20% off DNA synthesis and cloning services from GenScript.

REMINDER: 2 Days left to submit orders for Twist Bioscience
June 10

Twist Bioscience is offering every iGEM 2019 team complimentary 10 kb of Gene Fragments during the 2019 competition. Synthesis will be performed in monthly batches; orders must be received by the monthly submission deadlines to be processed.

The next request deadline is in two (2) days!
Submit requests by June 12 to be included in the next round.

Winners of Promega Grant Opportunity Announced
June 7

Promega has announced the winners of their team sponsorship offer!
Congratulations to the following teams:

  1. UAlberta
  2. Bonn
  3. CU
  4. MSP-Maastricht
  5. Northern BC
  6. NUS Singapore
  7. Sao-Carlos Brazil
  8. NYU Abu Dhabi
  9. Sorbonne U Paris
  10. Victoria Wellington

Promega will continue to support ALL iGEM teams with expert technical help throughout the season. Join Promega for an exclusive iGEM Ask the Experts Live Q&A Webinar Series where Promega's experts will answer your questions about ligation, transfection and transformation.

Ask the Experts - Upcoming Webinars:

  • June 27: iGEM Ligation Challenges
  • July 23: iGEM Transformation Challenges
  • August 20: iGEM Transfection Challenges
Upcoming deadline for Twist Bioscience synthesis pilot
June 4

Twist Bioscience is offering every iGEM 2019 team complimentary 10 kb of Gene Fragments during the 2019 competition. Synthesis will be performed in monthly batches; orders must be received by the monthly submission deadlines to be processed.

Submit requests by June 12 to be included in the next round.

iGEM teams innovate faster with a free Benchling account!
May 29

Benchling is partnering with iGEM for the first time to help iGEM teams accelerate their work! In 2019, all iGEM teams can sign up for FREE Benchling accounts. iGEMers will get special access to an enterprise feature, Benchling Sync, and 10 GB of extra space. Get started with Benchling's Notebook and Molecular Biology applications, and create a Benchling organization to start sharing data with your team today. Get started.

World Metrology Day
May 20

It’s World Metrology Day! What better way to celebrate than with 7 newly published calibration protocols from our Measurement Committee?

Making precise and accurate measurements in wet lab can be hard. We want to make it easier for iGEMers. Improve the quality of your results - Calibrate first!

Winners of Opentrons Robot Challenge Announced
May 17

Opentrons has announced the winners of their Robot Challenge!
Congratulations to the following teams: CU, Victoria Wellington, OUC-China, Leiden, ITESO Guadalajara, Lethbridge, UC Davis, TUDelft, and NUS Singapore.

Teams that did not win a free robot are still eligible for a discount of $2000 off your first OT-2 Robot.

Closed for Memorial Day
May 27

Our office will be closed this Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day in the US. Please contact us by email at HQ [at] igem [dot] org in the meantime.

No Phone Service
May 21

Our phone line is currently unavailable due to office relocation. We expect the phone to be restored by Friday, May 24. We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need to contact iGEM Headquarters, please email us at hq [AT] igem [DOT] org.

Coming from overseas? Travel Visas for the Giant Jamboree
May 16

Are you traveling from overseas to attend the Giant Jamboree? We recommend that teams who need a visa to travel to the United States of America apply for their visa as early as possible. It can take a long time for some visas to process, and even if the rest of your team receives their visa quickly, it may take longer for yours to be approved. You don't want to miss out on the amazing experience at the Giant Jamboree, so apply early!

All team members registered for the 2019 Competition can download a customized Visa Invitation Letter to assist with the visa application process. Visit the Visa Help page for more information:

Where are all the iGEM Teams? Find them on the team map!
May 16

Around the world, we now have 303 teams officially approved, and counting! Find them on the interactive team map on Google Maps.

Have trouble accessing Google Maps? Click to browse the Team List on igem.org

REMINDER: 2 Days left to apply for sponsorship opportunities
May 15

We currently have two sponsorship opportunities for iGEM teams in 2019 from two of iGEM's partners, GenScript and Promega.

  • GenScript will sponsor 10 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 application deadline is in two (2) days!
Apply by May 17 to be considered.

Is your project safe? Safety Check-Ins
May 14

Is your iGEM project safe? To help teams make sure of this, the Safety and Security Committee has created a series of resources and check-in forms.

Any team that plans to acquire or use any organism/part that is NOT on the White List must submit a Check-In form first. In addition, If your team plans to use any vertebrates (e.g. rats, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters), or higher order invertebrates (e.g. cuttlefish, octopus, squid, lobster) you will need to complete an Animal Use form to tell us about any risks associated with your work and how you will be managing them.

REMINDER: 2 Days left to submit orders for Twist Bioscience
May 13

Twist Bioscience is offering every iGEM 2019 team complimentary 10 kb of Gene Fragments during the 2019 competition. Synthesis will be performed in monthly batches; orders must be received by the monthly submission deadlines to be processed.

The first request deadline is in two (2) days!
Submit requests by May 15 to be included in the next round.

May Newsletter Out Now
May 8

The iGEM 2019 May Newsletter is out now. Subject: "We're hiring! Also: travel visas, safety check-ins, and new lab protocols for teams." Read it now!

We send out major news and notifications via the 2019 Competition Website (2019.igem.org) and through our newsletters. Make sure to check the competition website at least once a week, and add info AT igem DOT org and hq AT igem DOT org to your safe senders list.

Missed something? See our newsletter archive to read previous issues or subscribe.

REMINDER: 2 days left to apply for Opentrons sponsorship opportunity!
May 6

Opentrons will sponsor 10 iGEM Teams in 2019. Each sponsored team will receive a free OT-2 pipetting robot, plus accessories - a combined value of $10,000! All registered iGEM Teams in 2019 are eligible to apply. If you have ever wanted to automate your protocols like transformations, ligations, digests, and more, you should apply for this sponsorship opportunity!

The application deadline is in two (2) days!
Apply by May 8 at 11:59pm EDT to be considered.

REMINDER: Apply for sponsorship opportunities from GenScript and Promega
May 3

We currently have two sponsorship opportunities for iGEM teams in 2019 from two of iGEM's partners, GenScript and Promega.

  • GenScript will sponsor 10 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 application deadline for both opportunities is in 2 weeks! Apply by May 17 to be considered.

2019 Judging Handbook Published
May 2

We provide a Judging Handbook for both judges and teams to review during the iGEM season. This handbook allows everyone involved in the competition to see how judging works in iGEM.

Click below to download a PDF of the 2019 Judging Handbook!

Visit the Judging Hub to learn more about judging in iGEM.
Want to be a judge for the 2019 Competition? Applications are open now.

Happy Opening Day!
May 1

Happy Opening Day! On this day, many of the main forms you’ll need for the 2019 season will open. Here's a summary:

  • Submit a Safety Check-In Form
  • Create a Visa Invitation Letter
  • Start selecting team track preferences
  • Start editing Safety Forms
  • Start editing your team roster
  • Start editing your team judging form
REMINDER: Apply to Win 1 of 10 OT-2 Robots from Opentrons!
April 30

Opentrons is giving away 10 free OT-2 pipetting robots iGEM 2019 teams.

The application deadline is in 1 week! Apply by May 8 at 11:59pm EDT to be considered.

iGEMers Can Count on MathWorks!
April 25

MathWorks has shown its unwavering support to iGEM teams since 2008, through their continued generosity of offering complimentary software and technical mentoring of our growing community. For 2019, iGEM teams can continue to count on MathWorks: All teams are eligible to receive a complimentary software kit from MathWorks with 13 free products including MATLAB, SimBiology, Simulink and more! Learn more

More DNA synthesis for teams
April 25

Twist Bioscience is helping change the way iGEMers share in the 2019 Competition. For the first time, teams don't have to ship samples to HQ - Twist Bioscience will synthesize them! In addition, they will offer every team complimentary 10 kb of Gene Fragments in 2019. Learn more

Free DNA Synthesis from IDT
April 24

IDT is helping bring iGEM's vision for the future to life! For 2019, they are offering FREE for all teams:

  • 20 kb of DNA as gBlocks® Gene Fragments
  • OR
  • Alt-R® CRISPR Genome Editing products

Learn more

Win 1 of 10 awards from GenScript
April 23

GenScript is making research easy for iGEMers! This year, GenScript is offering a team grant opportunity worth $4000 in products and support per sponsored team, as well as 20% off synthesis and cloning services for all teams in 2019. 

Team award applications close May 17.

Win 1 of 10 product grants from Promega
April 23

Promega believes that mutual advancement can only be achieved by working in harmony. That's why for 2019 Promega is partnering with iGEM, and giving away up to $2000 of free Promega products to 10 iGEM teams. iGEMers can also call Promega's technical support scientists for technical help at any time!

Team grant applications close May 17.

Win 1 of 10 OT-2 Robots from Opentrons!
April 22

iGEM startup Opentrons is enabling better reproducibility for iGEMers through low cost automation. For 2019, Opentrons will continue their giveaway of free OT-2 robots to 10 iGEM teams.

Apply by May 8 to be considered.

2019 Judge Applications - Now Open!
April 19

The Judge Application is now open! If you're interested in judging this year, please submit an application.

Do you have questions about being a judge or the application process? Please send us an email at judging [AT] igem [DOT] org with your concerns / questions and we'll help you out!

Our Vision: Focus on Information
April 15

We recently announced several exciting changes to the iGEM 2019 Competition. These changes reflect the next step in moving towards our vision of synthetic biology -- one where you don't have to manipulate your DNA and instead can focus on the information, documentation, and characterization of your parts.

We're happy to share this vision with you and we invite you to join us in making it a reality. Read more at https://igem.org/Vision.

iGEM is going sample submission free and Type IIS is now fully supported
April 10

With technologies ever changing, iGEM is changing too. For 2019, we are removing the requirement for teams to submit physical samples of their parts to HQ. We are now accepting parts in the Type IIS standard alongside the usual BioBrick RFC[10] standard. We are also including samples of Type IIS parts in Kit Plate 6 of the DNA Distribution Kit. These combined changes will give teams more flexibility, and allow teams to be closer to the cutting edge than ever before.

iGEM in The Economist
April 8

The Economist journalist, Oliver Morton, attended the iGEM 2018 Giant Jamboree. His subsequent piece titled, 'The engineering of living organisms could soon start changing everything' came out in the Economist this spring.

Read about iGEM in the Economist

Late Registration Now Open
April 3

Missed out on regular registration? There's still time to join!

Late Registration is now available, and closes on April 30.

Phone Service Restored
March 28

Our phone is back online. You can reach us at +1-617-500-3106.

Regular Registration extended by two days
March 28

iGEM Headquarters has just moved to a new location in Boston! Due to the short disruption we have experienced from the move, we have decided to extend our regular registration period by two days. The new deadline for Regular Registration is:


April 2 at 11:59PM EDT


Register and pay for your team before April 2 to avoid the $500 late registration fee.

Reminder: Regular Registration Closes in 2 Weeks
March 18

Regular registration is closing in two weeks!

Register and pay for your team before March 31st to avoid the $500 late registration fee.

What's trending in iGEM?
March 13

What is the most popular competition track? How many teams work in chassis other than E. coli? What are the most important research trends in iGEM?

Get answers to these questions and many more in the newly published iGEM 2018 Annual Report.

Team Registration Now Open!
February 19

The day we've all been waiting for is finally here! Team registration for the 2019 Competition is now officially open. Visit the registration information page for instructions, including information about deadlines, fees, and other materials you'll need to register your team.

Registration Coming Soon...
January 11

We will be opening team registration in Mid-February! Regular registration for 2019 teams will be $5,000 USD. We will send out the announcement through our Newsletter, so please sign up for the Newsletter to get the latest updates about iGEM 2019! You can see previous Newsletters and sign-up to receive them here: https://igem.org/Newsletters.

Welcome to iGEM 2019!
January 8

2019.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 2019.igem.org/Competition.