The University of Texas at Austin :: iGEM Team

Official UT Austin Student Organization webpage

2012 iGEM team at the America's West Jamboree at Stanford

What is synthetic biology? What is iGEM?

"Synthetic biology is the design and construction of biological devices and systems for useful purposes."    –Wikipedia page For a flavor of what synthetic biology is like, check out the Adventures in Synthetic Biology comic.

"The International Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) is the premiere undergraduate Synthetic Biology competition. Student teams are given a kit of biological parts at the beginning of the summer from the Registry of Standard Biological Parts. Working at their own schools over the summer, they use these parts and new parts of their own design to build biological systems and operate them in living cells."    –iGEM Foundation

Interested in joining the 2014 iGEM Team?

Expectations for members of the team

1. Previous experience
   • It is expected that each iGEM member will have had previous research experience in a field such as: biology, molecular biology, chemistry, engineering, computer science, programming, phsyics, math, etc.... Many members have been through the Freshmen Research Initiative (FRI) here at UT or previously worked in a research lab on campus. However, this is not a requirement.
   • While most members are sophomores, juniors, or seniors, freshmen can participate. However, given the independent nature of iGEM team projects, all participants are expected to have had previous research experience,
2. Spring: Synthetic Biology Course
   • You are STRONGLY encouraged to participate in the synthetic biology seminar course taught by Professor Barrick with Dr. Dennis Mishler to become more familiar with the current state of the field. As part of this course, you will examine past winning iGEM projects and work as part of a group to propose an iGEM-style project that the team might work on during the summer.
   • Register for CH 391L: Synthetic Biology (Unique #52960).
   • The course is tentatively scheduled to meet Mondays 2-5 pm.
   • You will need Dr. Barrick to sign a "register for a graduate course" from Undergraduate Chemistry Office to register for the course.
3. Spring: Begin Research in the Barrick lab
   • Main objective is to learn techniques and perform exploratory projects under the supervision of current team members.
   • If sufficient time is spent proposing and working on a specific project, signing up for research credit is possible.
   • Apply for summer funding/fellowships.
   • Brainstorm and find funding sources for iGEM summer work and fall presentation. Science is not cheap, and neither are scientific conferences. Members of the iGEM team will search for local sponsors and other organizations that might help cover the costs of doing undergraduate research.
4. Summer: Work on iGEM Project
   • Expected to contribute 20-40+ hours of work per week for most of the summer on the iGEM project
   • You are encouraged to apply for fellowships that provide a research stipend.
   • Or, if sufficient time is spent proposing and working on a specific project, signing up for research credit is possible.
   • The team is also expected to perform outreach activities to educate the public about the impacts and ethics of synthetic biology.
5. Early Fall: Prepare for and Attend Jamborees
   • Includes creating a multimedia website and presentation describing the project.
   • Selected students who have made the greatest contributions to the iGEM project will attend the America regional and World Jamborees (if we advance). (Number depends on sponsorship of team and available resources. Some travel grants are generally available.)

How to Apply

• We will have a mixer as an opportunity to meet with students and advisors from last year's team right before the spring semester begins for students who have applied to join the team or who are interested in learning more before deciding whether to apply.
• Send a resume (or a CV) and a short (<1-page) statement about why you are interested in synthetic biology. Additionally, as part of that <1 page statement, please refer to one of your previous research experiences and how that experience will make you a great iGEM teammate. Mail your application as a PDF to utigem@gmail.com. Include at least one idea you have for a possible project or use for synthetic biology to improve society. (it doesn't necessarily have to be realistic for an iGEM project).
• You must be enrolled in classes at UT during Fall 2014 to participate in the iGEM team.
• DEADLINE We will begin contacting students who have applied starting on Jan. 7th for interviews with team advisors. Final decisions will be made by Jan. 21st

• We encourage non-biologists to apply. Many of the most successful and interesting iGEM projects have had contributions from computer scientists, physicists, mathematicians, game programmers, graphic designers, visual artists...

Past UT Austin iGEM Team Websites

2013 iGEM Team MAPs and Bioscrubber

2012 iGEM Team Decaffeination

2006 iGEM Team Edge Detector

2005 iGEM Team Edge Detector

2004 iGEM Team Bacterial Photography