Since 2003, MIT in the USA has conducted the annual iGEM undergraduate student competition in the area of Synthetic Biology.

iGEM involves teams from around the world working at their own institutions to build biological systems and operate them in living cells. Students use biological parts provided for them and new parts of their own design.

The competition culminates with all teams gathering at MIT in October for an international jamboree and the final judging. At this year's jamboree, 110 teams comprising 1,200 students from countries around the world will present their projects.

In 2009, for the first time, students from The University of Queensland will compete as the UQ-Australia team.  

 

Who is UQ-Australia?

The nine students who make up the UQ-Australia team are Robert Brennan, Michael Milevskiy, Tam Nguyen, Richard Schlegel and Luke Sturgess (BBiomedSc program); Tom Partridge (BBiotech program); Flo Camus and Katelin Haynes (BSc program); and Liam Nolan (BEng/BSc program).

 

The role of the School of Biomedical Sciences

Our School is committed to aligning its teaching and learning strategies with those of the University - especially those that seek to attract, support and provide opportuntiies for high-achieving students. Participation in iGEM is one way in which we are realising this commitment.

We have provided ongoing financial and in-kind support for participation in iGEM in 2009 and the years ahead. With the help of others, we have also established a dedicated lab that is available for the exclusive use of UQ iGEM teams. Our School views involvement in iGEM as a long-term venture that will have significant positive outcomes for all stakeholders - whether they are students, team advisors or supporters.

 

More about UQ-Australia

You can follow the team's progress by visiting their Wiki site at http://2009.igem.org/Team:UQ-Australia.