This document provides information about the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) synthetic biology competition. It discusses how iGEM began at MIT in 2003 and has grown significantly each year, involving teams from Asia, America, and Europe working on projects involving genetic engineering. Examples of past team projects are provided, such as developing a biosensor for detecting arsenic in water (Edinburgh 2006) and creating an engineered E. coli to act as a blood substitute (Berkeley 2007). Requirements for participating in iGEM with a student team are outlined.

1. iGEM
Subhadeep Mondal

2. Internationally
Genetically
Engineered
Machine
igem.org

3. Synthetic Biology
Competition

4. Synthetic Biology ?

5. SB Video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD5uNAMbDaQ

6. Genetic Engineering
VS
Synthetic Biology

7. GE involves the transfer of individual genes from one
species to another.
SB envisions the assembly of novel microbial
genomes from a set of standardized genetic parts.
These components may be natural genes that are being
applied for a new purpose, natural genes that have
been redesigned to function more efficiently, or
artificial genes that have been designed and
synthesized from scratch.

9. BioBrick
biobricks.org

10. Registry of Standard
Biological Parts
partsregistry.org

11. MIT
Jan, 2003

12. 2004 – 05
2005 – 13
2006 – 32
# TEAMS
2007 – 54
2008 – 84
2009 – 112
2010 – 130
2011 – 165

13. Asia | America| Europe
46 | 64 | 50

17. BU Team 2011

18. Interesting iGEM Projects
Arsenic Biodetector (Edinburgh 2006)
BactoBlood (Berkeley 2007)
E.Chromi (Cambridge 2009)

19. Arsenic Biodetector
(Edinburgh 2006)
Aimed to develop a bacterial biosensor that responds to
a range of arsenic concentrations and produces a
change in pH that can be calibrated in relation to arsenic
concentration.
The team's goal was to help many under-developed countries, in particular
Bangladesh, to detect arsenic contamination in water. The proposed device was
intended be more economical, portable and easier to use in comparison with other
detectors
E. coli, gives a good pH response to arsenate concentrations as low as 5 ppb arsenic,
with a dynamic range in the region of 0 to 20 ppb, in a non-optimized system. This
can be detected with a pH electrode or a pH indicator (methyl red) which changes
from yellow to red when the pH falls below about 5

20. BactoBlood (Berkeley 2007)
The UC Berkeley team worked to develop a cost-
effective red blood cell substitute constructed from
engineered E. coli bacteria. The system is designed to
safely transport oxygen in the bloodstream without
inducing sepsis, and to be stored for prolonged periods
in a freeze-dried state.

21. E.Chromi (Cambridge 2009)
The Cambridge team project strived to facilitate biosensor
design and construction.
They designed and characterised two types of parts -
Sensitivity Tuners and Colour Generators -- E. coli engineered
to produce different pigments in response to different
concentrations of an inducer. The availability of these parts
revolutionized the path of future biosensor design.

22. Timeline

23. Timeline

24. 2011

28. TARGET: 2012

29. TEAM

30. • Students (Undergrad)
• Advisors (Grad / Post Doc)
• Instructors (Two Faculty)
• Organizer

31. • Bio E
• MCB
• Genetics
• CB
• Modeling

32. Registration Fees
• Team Registration: $2,000 USD
• Regional Jamborgee: $225 USD / student
• World Championship: $225 USD / student
Estimated Budget: $10-12,000*

33. iGEM Experience
http://vimeo.com/10043261

34. Register at
www.tinyurl.com/IGEM2012

35. Thank You