University of Exeter iGEM Team

What is iGEM?

The iGEM competition is a worldwide synthetic biology (SynBio) competition where multidisciplinary teams of undergraduate students come together to work on a SynBio project of their own design. The team will be responsible for the design of the project, its implementation in the lab and its documentation on the iGEM wiki. The iGEM competition culminates with the Giant Jamboree in Paris in early November 2023 where the team present the results of their project on a world-wide stage.

iGEM is not just about the science!!! Exeter iGEM are a truly multi-disciplinary team and are looking for students who are also interested in the Human Practice elements of the competition. Human Practices looks at establishing a two-way dialogue with stakeholders and the public to help further SynBio projects as well as SynBio education (An example of which can be seen below with the 2019 team). We are also looking for students who are interested in mathematical modelling, education, communication, website design, sustainability, inclusivity. The possibilities in an iGEM project are endless.

iGEM at Exeter

Exeter has an excellent record in this completion with its first team taking part in 2012 and has worked hard to establish itself as a gold winning regular (Examples of the work done by past Exeter iGEM teams can be seen below).

iGEM 2018 - The team achieved a Gold medal.
iGEM 2019 - The team achieved a Gold medal and were also nominated for Best Environment Project, Best Model and Best Wiki and won Best Hardware, Best Integrated Human Practice and Best Entrepreneurship.
iGEM 2020 - The team achieved a Gold medal.
iGEM 2022 - The team achieved a Gold medal and were also Nominated for Best Biomanufacturing Project and Best Human Practices and won Best Inclusivity.

What is expected of an iGEM team member?

Team members are expected to attend a bootcamp week (last week of summer term) where they will receive a crash course in everything synthetic biology. The main part of the project begins on the first Monday, after the last week of Term 3, and runs throughout the summer break. Students are expected to participate Mondays to Fridays 9 am to 5 pm but you will have time to take 2-3 working weeks of holiday during this time! Preparation for the Giant Jamboree will take place in the Autumn term and the Jamboree itself will be held, hopefully in Paris, in early November 2023.

Team members will receive a stipend (Yes that’s right not only is it an amazing opportunity but you get PAID to do it) to work over the summer (at the National Living Wage) as well as having the cost of attendance at the Giant Jamboree covered.

Be on this year's team

We are looking for any student (that is NOT in the last year of their degree) in any college / discipline that feel they can contribute to the 2023 team. If you would like to be on the team, you can apply using the Exeter iGEM 20223 application form.

DEADLINE Wednesday 8th March 2023, midday (noon).

Come and find out about being an iGEM 2023 team member

For any questions about iGEM or how the application process works, contact Dr Dr Chloe Singleton.

Alternativity please drop in at the Bioeconomy Centre Office on Wednesday afternoons, 14:00 to 17:00, for an informal chat.

The Bioeconomy Office and the home of iGEM is located on the 2nd floor of the Biocatalysis Building between Peter Chalk and the Geoffrey Pope Building. You will need to enter via reception in the Geoffrey Pope Building.