Discover your pathway through engineering biology.
iGEM
The iGEM Competition is an annual, worldwide Synthetic Biology event that gives students the opportunity to push the boundaries of Synthetic Biology by tackling everyday issues facing the world. Multidisciplinary teams work together to design, build, test, and measure a system of their own design using interchangeable biological parts and standard molecular biology techniques. The competition culminates in a final convention held in the form of a Grand Jamboree taking place at the Porte de Versailles in Paris, France.
iGEM is much more than that of a Synthetic Biology science fair. The team's project, supported by the competition's deliverables for awards, create an all encompassing experience. As important as it is to gather good results from experiments, deliverables such as the promotional videos and wiki allow the team to broaden their skill sets and gain experiences not necessarily offered in a traditional research. The competition also requires team interactions and collaborations with industry professionals, iGEM alumni, and even other iGEM teams!
Click on the logo to learn more about the competition!
Boston University has a rich history with the iGEM competition competing for over 10 years! The BU teams have contributed to the world of Synthetic Biology in numerous ways over the years ranging from automated hardware systems, novel software packages as well as innovative genetic engineering projects. See more of BU's iGEM history with some of the previous year's teams and projects.
2025
FloraSynse
The FloraSynse project focuses on advancing women’s health through the development of an at-home diagnostic tool for bacterial vaginosis (BV). The team's prototype integrates a biosensor to detect putrescine, a key biomarker of BV, alongside a pH sensor to assess overall vaginal health. By tracking these biomarkers over time, the goal is to develop a more accurate, data-driven, and personalized model of vaginal health.
Team: 5 Students | 3 Mentors
Nominations: N/A
2024
Agrinova
The novel hardware system, NOVA, by Agrinova works by delivering liquefied soil and plant samples to biosensors, where the presence of heavy metals triggers a fluorescent response. This response is then quantified through optical sensors, which measure the intensity of fluorescence emitted by the biosensors. This low-cost, portable device is intended for use by farmers, agronomists, and food and soil testing companies.
Team: 5 Students | 4 Mentors
Nominations: N/A
2023
APUS
The Automated Plug and Playable Microfluidic System (APUS) hardware assists scientists in designing & testing microbial therapies efficiently. This platform accelerates the development of biological therapeutic pathways, with the potential to revolutionize the biotechnology industry.
Team: 5 Students | 3 Mentors
Nominations: Best Software Tool
2022
Aquamatic Technologies
AT is searching for a way to improve the process of toxin detection within liquids, with three main goals in mind: automation, lowered cost, and customizability. Our product, the AM1, is a novel, modular piece of technology. It will allow users to customize an aquatic environment of their choice via a user-friendly touch screen interface, and combine that liquid input with any biosensor.
Team: 5 Students | 3 Mentors
Nominations: Best Environmental Project
2018
Terra
Terra is designed to automate synthetic biology experiments run on microfluidic chips and the dispensing of the products. To utilize our system, the synthetic biologist would briefly educate themselves on microfluidic chip design or choose a predesigned chip from the 2017 BostonU Hardware team, MARS’, repository
Team: 4 Students | 6 Mentors
Nominations: Best Software, Best Hardware
2017
MARS
MARS has three main goals in advancing outreach for microfluidics in Synthetic Biology: increase accessibility of Microfluidics, design chips that are relevant to the day to day protocols in synthetic biology labs which can be used together to perform more complex protocols, create and provide a standardized method of evaluating chip functionality
Team: 3 Students | 5 Mentors
2016
Neptune
Neptune is a specify, design, and build tool for the development of continuous flow microfluidics. Users can specify microfluidic devices through liquid flow relations. Our application will automatically design schematics of the device and, when used in conjunction with low cost, readily available CAD tools, users can build their custom microfluidic system in-lab.
Team: 6 Students | 6 Mentors
Nominations: Best Applied Design, Best Software Tool
iGEM at Boston University
The iGEM competition at Boston University is a 6 month commitment after being selected for the team. Project brainstorming will begin taking place in April and you are expected to work full time in the Summer and part time for the first half of the Fall semester towards the completion of the project, competition's deliverables and attendance at the final Grand Jamboree in early November.
As you will be working as an iGEM researcher over the summer, you will be a member of the summer cohort and gain access to all of the benefits of being in said cohort including all seminars, professional development, and mentorship opportunities offered to those conducting individual research. Click to learn more about the [Research Program].
You will be compensated with competitive pay to that of similar research experiences such as UROP. Room and Board can be provided if selected for the team.
What happens after iGEM?
After the iGEM competition is officially over, speak with our administration about plans for the following semester as you can reapply to join as an individual researcher in next semester's cohort.
Who can join?
The BU iGEM team will consist of a small number of undergraduate students as well as a small number of high school students. The team size will vary depending on the project but typically will be around 7-10 total students and a handful of graduate student mentors.
**High school students must:
Have previous engagement/attendance at STEM Pathways events
OR
Be a BioBuilder certified partner for consideration for the iGEM team**
How do I Join?
The iGEM team is a selective group to be determined by the STEM Pathways administrators as well as the PI who is spearheading the project. Interested applicants should fill out the STEM Pathways application for the summer semester made available in mid to late February and wait for further instruction.
The 2026 iGEM Application is now open! To apply head to:
Applications are due February 6, 2026.
Be sure to stay connected with STEM Pathways to make sure you stay up to date with the latest news and opportunities!
[STAY CONNECTED]