The iGEM Competition is an international competition for undergraduate students interested in synthetic biology. Each year teams from all over the world compete in iGEM and get a chance to create an organism that can help society solve some of the problems it is facing today.
The mission of our organization is to compete in the iGEM competition and give undergraduate students exposure to the field of synthetic biology. Members of UConn iGEM take part in a unique, collaborators, and interdisciplinary research experience where they can contribute to the development and execution of the team’s own creative project in synthetic biology that will not only further members’ careers as scientists, but help address world problems as well. Our faculty advisors are Dr. Rachel O’Neill and Dr. Lisa Nigro from the Institute for Systems Genomics.
Critical thinking, creativity, and open-mindedness are skills required to be on the team. Since UConn iGEM conducts its student-driven research project over the summer, full-time summer internships are supported through the team when funding can be raised.
Furthermore, students who wish to participate in the lab research component must also take the UConn iGEM training sessions that are offered in the Spring. This lab training course instructs students on necessary wet lab techniques to allow them to contribute and participate in project development.
In addition to research, UConn iGEM also educates the public about Synthetic Biology and genetic engineering more broadly through community outreach events for UConn as well as the surrounding communities in Connecticut.
