Navigating iGEM

Learn about how to navigate through iGEM here!

Introduction

This page is focused on helping teams navigate through iGEM. The staff at iGEM Headquarters has created a series of pages this year with the idea of helping teams work through some of the more challenging aspects of the iGEM competition. These topics include: understanding and following the safety guidelines, troubleshooting and reporting cloning problems, working on telling your story in a clear and concise manner, and learning how to use the registry and submit new parts. We've also kicked off a new program called the HQ Representative Program to help encourage teams to have regular contact with the staff at iGEM HQ.

It is our hope that these pages will be helpful to all iGEM teams, whether this is your first time participating in iGEM or if you are returning as a seasoned veteran. If you have any suggestions for content or questions, please send an email to your team's HQ Rep or contact us at hq AT igem DOT org!

The iGEM Cycle

The iGEM competition cycle can be seen at the right. Not all teams follow this cycle (for example, you may start work earlier or later than this shows), but this is the general flow of the major tasks involved with participating in iGEM. This is based on the 2015 season, with the Jamboree taking place in September.

The "Off" Season

October through February

  • Have an iGEM debriefing with your PI and team
    1. Assess successes and failures, discuss interest in continuing next year, etc.
  • Raise awareness of iGEM at your school
    1. Run informational sessions, post flyers, talk to Professors and fellow students
  • Find a PI to mentor your team and provide lab space
    1. This may be a challenge if you're a first-time team, but stay positive! Make sure to talk to numerous Professors in your Biology, Biomedical Engineering, and Engineering departments and gauge interest early.
  • Recruit interested students and run informational meetings
  • Start fundraising efforts (this can be an on-going effort)
    • March, April, and May
  • Start a Team
  • Brainstorm Project Ideas
  • Determine Team Goals and Tasks

    • May, June, July, and August
  • Start Wet Lab Work on Project
  • Run Functional Experiments
  • Process and Plot Results

    • August and September
  • Prepare and Practice Oral Presentation
  • Prepare Poster
  • Attend the Giant Jamboree

    • Telling Your Story

    HQ Representative Program

    Cloning Help

    Safety Page

    Using the Registry

    Submitting a Part