Team:Exeter/Introduction

What is Synthetic Biology?

Synthetic Biology is fast becoming a prominent area of ground breaking science and offers vast areas of new research. It encompasses both science and engineering to design and construct new biological parts, devices, and systems or to re-design existing biological systems for useful endeavours.

This has lead to the creation of a synthetic biology competition called iGEM.

What is iGEM?

iGEM is the “international Genetically Engineered Machine” competition for the interdisciplinary collaboration of undergraduate students. Each team is given a kit of biobricks and access to the registry of biological parts. Using this, and encompassing different elements of synthetic biology, they must devise a project in which they design and engineer a novel “genetic machine”. They must then present their project and its results at a regional jamboree where several teams will be selected to progress to the world finals based at MIT in America. There are various judging criteria ranging from designing the best wiki to having the best modelling practice, this is yet another element in which the multi disciplinary learning opportunity is highlighted.

Since its competitive beginning in 2006 iGEM has grown rapidly, with 193 University’s entering for the 2012 competition!

A little bit about Us...

The University of Exeter is situated in the heart of Devon's capital city!

This year the University is entering their first team into the iGEM competition consisting of four Bioscientists, four Physicists, an Engineer and a Mathematician. They have the support of several members of staff who have provided them with guidance and their personal expertise throughout the project.