iGEM
Dear students,
Are you interested in synthetic biology (SynBio) and interdisciplinary work? Would you like to develop your own project and drive it towards success?
The international iGEM competition allows students to work in interdisciplinary teams on their own synthetic biology project. Imagination knows no limits here, and the project can be freely chosen. This makes the competition an excellent opportunity to learn new skills that are not typically taught in your studies. At the same time, the exchange with teams from all over the world provides numerous opportunities to establish international contacts.
For those interested in synthetic biology at the University of Bonn, we aim to create opportunities for participation in iGEM in the future. More information and reports from participants in 2019 and 2022 will soon be available in various information sessions.
If you are interested in joining the next iGEM team, please send an email to Boas Pucker (preferably from a University of Bonn email address).
We look forward to hearing from you!
iGEM Bonn
The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition is a major international event in synthetic biology. Each year, more than 400 student teams develop their own projects to tackle real-world challenges using synthetic biology. At the end of the season, all teams come together to present their results at a large international conference: the Grand Jamboree.
iGEM Bonn has participated in the competition year since 2016 and won medals in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Our project combines science, creativity, and teamwork
As an interdisciplinary team, we work not only in the lab – planning and conducting experiments – but also on computational modeling, Human Practices, social media outreach, website design, and sponsoring. Whether you're interested in synthetic biology, science communication, coding, design, or project management – there's a place for you in our team.
Project 2025/2026 in progress
We have recently launched a fresh start into the 2026 iGEM season. Right now we are in the phase of finding and developing our project. Take part of our journey and following our progress throughout the year! Feel free to visit us at our information stand on August 23 at the Friedensplatz in Bonn.
More information about iGEM Bonn can be found on this website: Bonn-Rheinbach.
Support us at our work!
Whether laboratory materials or participation fees, there are many costs involved. We are happy about every supporting donation!
Our support runs through our non-profit association iGEM Bonn-Rheinbach eV. The money flows into for example:
Research expenses
Registration fees
Conferences
We are happy to issue donation receipts. Are you interested? Please contact us at:
igembonn@protonmail.com
iGEM Bonn-Rheinbach 2023
Details about the project are described in the team's wiki.
iGEM Bonn-Rheinbach 2022
iGEM Bonn-Rheinbach 2021
Details about the project are described in the team's wiki.
iGEM Bonn 2019
Details about the project are described in the team's wiki.
iGEM UBonn HBRS 2017
Details about the project are described in the team's wiki.
iGEM UBonn HBRS 2016
Details about the project are described in the team's wiki.
Previous iGEM projects supervised (selection)
iGEM 2017 (Bielefeld-CeBiTec): Expanding the Genetic Code
"We are exploring the application of unnatural base pairs as an expansion of the genetic code. To prevent loss of unnatural base pairs during replication, we will utilize several systems including CRISPR/Cas9. The expanded genetic code allows for the ribosomal incorporation of multiple non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) into peptides. With their broad chemical and functional diversity, ncAAs provide a variety of promising applications including protein labeling, photocaging, structure analysis, and specific protein interactions. Therefore, our innovative toolkit for the translational incorporation of ncAAs in E. coli is a valuable contribution to iGEM. Directed evolution of tRNA/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase pairs enables the site-specific incorporation of ncAAs into peptides. This approach results in an optimal orthogonality to the autologous translation apparatus and a high flexibility concerning the incorporation of multiple ncAAs. As proof of concept, we are developing a rapid test for prions and a new chromatography method for mild protein elution." Please find additional details in the Bielefeld-CeBiTec 2017 team's wiki.
iGEM 2019 (Bielefeld-CeBiTec): Troygenics
"Remember the trojan horse? Employing this trick, Greeks snuck into Troy. Inspired by this story, we engineered Troygenics, molecular trojan horses that enter and transform eukaryotic cells. This approach simplifies difficult and often time consuming protocols commonly used for the transformation of eukaryotic cells. Our Troygenics are based on the M13 bacteriophage modified in a way that disables it from infecting its natural host E. coli, but enables it to enter target cells specifically, via endocytosis by fusing a target-specific ligand to the major coat protein pVIII. Additionally, we implemented a gene of interest in the Application Plasmid that is packed up into the Troygenics during assembly. For a possible application in fighting eukaryotic pathogens, we developed a Cell Death Inducing System (CeDIS) based on Cas13a that specifically attacks the targeted organism, but is harmless to any other cell nearby." Please find additional details in the Bielefeld-CeBiTec 2019 team's wiki.
iGEM 2023 (TU Braunschweig): Li+on Switch
"With our project Li+onSwitch, we aim to develop a testing system that will enable patients with bipolar undergoing lithium therapy to independently monitor their lithium levels.The measurement of lithium holds significant importance for individuals with Bipolar, lithium administration is a therapeutic approach for this condition. Monitoring lithium levels in the blood is crucial, as therapeutic and cytotoxic lithium concentrations are closely intertwined, making accurate and reliable measurement challenging. Currently, regular blood tests conducted by doctors are the only means of monitoring lithium levels. We present a novel measurement method for lithium, utilizing a lithium-sensing riboswitch. Riboswitches are mRNA elements capable of sensing small molecules and regulating gene expression accordingly. We aims to exploit the unique properties of the nhaA riboswitches described by White et al. (2022) to enable the specific and sensitive measurement of lithium ions. The synthesis of the riboswitch is planned to be carried out in a cell-free system, ensuring precise control over the experimental conditions and simplifying the production process. To quantify lithium, the reporters LacZ/beta-Galactosidase, superfolder GFP, NanoLuc and mScarletI-3 are evaluated in conjunction with the riboswitches."Please find additional details in the TU Braunschweig 2023 team's wiki.