iGEM, or International Genetically Engineered Machine, is a student-led interdisciplinary synthetic biology competition with more than 280 participating collegiate teams worldwide. We use bioengineering and computing to tackle issues related to public health, medicine, the environment, and many other scientific areas. Each year, teams from Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas gather at the iGEM Grand Jamboree to share their research findings. iGEM fosters a collaborative spirit among scientists, and bridges national divides to enhance the scientific community.
The University of Maryland chapter of iGEM was founded in 2014. We won a gold medal at our first Jamboree, a notable accomplishment for a rookie team. Riding on this momentum, UMaryland iGEM has since doubled in membership and has taken on multiple research projects: a PCR machine that costs less than $50 to build, a drug that treats macular degeneration, an antibiotic-free alternative to lab work, and an accessible screening tool for cervical precancer. We also educate the local community about synthetic biology through activities and outreach events. More information about our work can be found on our website.
In order to sustain our efforts both inside and outside the lab, we are asking for your help. Each year we need to pay for lab expenses, registration fees, and travel to the Jamboree. By donating to UMaryland iGEM, you can ensure that financial obstacles don’t prevent any of our members from experiencing all that iGEM has to offer. You can help give the next generation of scientists, engineers, and leaders the opportunity to get hands-on experience with research and use it to make a difference in the world.