Our children book
Click to begin reading our nanobody story and discover the amazing world of these tiny molecular heroes!
Our Wiki
iGEM.org
GitLab
Achievements
We reached out to the scientific community to introduce iGEM in general and our project in
particular, both locally through the Student’s Life Science Conference at the University of
Hamburg and nationally through an article in the BIOSpektrum, a German scientific journal. We
established a cooperation with the Schülerforschungszentrum (SFZ), a research centre for pupils
to share knowledge about research projects and the iGEM competition with the next generation of
scientists.
By hosting an International Summer School about Synthetic Biology at the Centre for Structural
Systems Biology, we went into dialogue with students from all over the world. While we
introduced them to iGEM and theoretical as well as practical knowledge regarding synthetic
biology, they helped us plan and conduct our first lab experiments and provided valuable input
and creative ideas.
To engage the non-scientific community in synthetic biology, we designed and wrote a children’s
book about nanobodies. We aimed to create an accessible and fun way to engage with nanobodies
and their applications in science and medicine.
On top, we created a protein structure puzzle centered around nanobody structures using Foldit,
a real-time video game developed by researchers at the University of Washington. This way,
students and pupils can understand and visualize protein folding and manipulation of structures
in a fun interactive way.
Children book
In June, we decided to design a children's book ourselves. The initial idea was to write a book that informs children and adults about the risks of mushroom foraging, as our project is based on the death cap mushroom. We even started designing the book and already painted the cover image.
In August, we heard a talk by Alejandro Rojas-Fernandez about nanobodies and we were so impressed by his presentation that we came up with the idea to switch our topic to nanobodies. As we had gained more knowledge about nanobodies through our project, we wanted to share this important and cool part of synthetic biology with a broader audience. First, we held a brainstorming meeting to develop the concept for the children's book and to think up a story. After a few productive hours, we had our first draft, accompanied by a moodboard of images we found on the internet to convey the ideas for pictures that we had.
We decided on a square-shaped format of the book, similar to a popular German children’s book series, the Pixi book, containing 24 pages. Then, the painting began. Mariia started sketching all the images digitally, using “Procreate” on an iPad.
Next, all the lines were carefully drawn to get a clean draft. These drafts were reviewed by the team, and any feedback was incorporated. Lucy and Kristina paid special attention to scientific accuracy. For example, the docking site of the antibody was initially incorrectly shown, so a new image was painted.
Then, all images were colored vividly. After all, it’s a children's book!
Meanwhile, feedback was gathered from non-scientific test readers. Additionally, we conducted an interview with Julia Offe on science communication, target audiences, and distribution of the book. This feedback was also integrated by reaching out to various initiatives and companies asking for co-operations to share our book with the audience.
Once all the images were finished, they were combined with the text. We worked on the layout of the book to create a pleasing overall look using PowerPoint. We paid particular attention to printing specifications, like correct distances of pictures and texts to the edges. Overall, we needed three physical sample copies to adjust everything nicely. We also tried to find sponsors to cover the printing costs, but unfortunately couldn’t find any. The digital version of the finished book was sent to Alejandro Rojas-Fernandez and Waldemar Schäfer to gather scientific feedback from our nanobody experts. Thanks again for proofreading and sharing!
In the end, we had a 12 cm x 12 cm book that everyone was happy with — even in physical form. We had 180 copies printed mainly to distribute at the Jamboree. You can also view the book digitally on our website! Additionally, we created a German version of the text for non-English speakers.
iSSSynBio Summer School
From July 13th to 25th, 2025, we had the pleasure of hosting the international Summer School
iSSSynBio – Challenges of Synthetic Biology: From Theory to Practice in Hamburg. This two-week
program was
designed to provide students from around the world with a comprehensive, hands-on introduction to the
dynamic and
interdisciplinary field of synthetic biology.
Click on the image to read more about our summer school!
A truly collaborative effort
A Truly Collaborative Effort
The Summer School was a joint effort organized by our current iGEM team, our advisors from last year’s iGEM Hamburg team, and our Principal Investigators. We were supported by the Center for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) at DESY, the University of Hamburg, and funding from the International Summer Academy (ISA). Together, we created a program that combined academic depth, practical lab experience, and interdisciplinary dialogue.
International Perspectives & Team-Based Research
Students from various countries joined us in Hamburg to work alongside our team on a synthetic cell biology research project under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Michael Kolbe. Throughout the program, participants learned how to plan and conduct experiments, analyze and document their data, engage in scientific discussions, and tackle the ethical questions that arise in modern biomedical research. All work was carried out in collaborative teams, mirroring the structure of real-world scientific research.
Scientific Learning Beyond the Lab
The Summer School included daily laboratory work, regular progress meetings, and a wide range of interactive seminars and workshops. Highlights included:- Workshop on Science Communication – exploring how to effectively present complex scientific ideas to various audiences.
-
Invited Expert Talks & Discussions
- Dr. Waldemar Schäfer (UKE) on nanobodies and their therapeutic potential
- Prof. Ario de Marco on in silico nanobody design
- Dr. Alejandro Rojas-Fernandez on translational nanobody research and biotech entrepreneurship
- Seminars on Synthetic Biology Concepts and Methods – led by members of our team and guest scientists
We also introduced our international guests to our iGEM project in the lab, demonstrating how we apply synthetic biology techniques in practice.
Bioethics Weekend Retreat
A special highlight of the program was a weekend retreat just outside Hamburg, where students delved into the ethical dimensions of synthetic biology with our expert Dr. Mirco Himmel. Through thought-provoking discussions, case studies, and group work, participants critically reflected on questions surrounding responsibility, dual-use research, and the societal implications of synthetic biology.
Building Community
Of course, the program wasn’t all work. We also made sure to create space for cultural exchange, fun, and team bonding. Social activities included:
- A BBQ evening with all participants and hosts
- A boat tour through the Port of Hamburg
- A visit to the stunning Wasserlichtspiele (water-light show) in Planten un Blomen
- A night out at a local Hamburg bar
- Nivea House
- Birthday Party on Hamburg DOM
Impact and Outlook
The iSSSynBio Summer School created a vibrant learning environment where science, ethics, and international collaboration came together. It was an enriching experience not only for the participants but also for us as hosts, and we are proud to have laid the foundation for long-lasting academic and personal connections across borders.
By creating this program, we not only shared knowledge – we built a community of young researchers passionate about synthetic biology and ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
Student's Life Science Conference
Presenting Our Project at the Student Life Conference 2025
At the beginning of the year, we had the opportunity to participate in the annual Student Life Conference, hosted by the Molecular Life Sciences students of the University of Hamburg. This well-established event brings together students, researchers, and industry professionals to share ideas, present projects, and explore career paths in the life sciences.
A Platform for Innovation and Exchange
The Student Life Conference features a diverse program, including student research presentations,
keynote lectures from invited experts, company booths showcasing career opportunities, and a vibrant
poster session. It serves as a platform for young scientists to present their work and engage with
the
broader scientific community.
As the iGEM Team Hamburg 2025, we were excited to contribute by presenting our iGEM project and
poster
to a wide and curious audience. Our booth attracted interest from students, researchers, and company
representatives alike, giving us the opportunity to explain our project goals, the challenges we’re
tackling, and the synthetic biology approaches we’re using.
Valuable Feedback and Networking
We received enthusiastic feedback on our project from many conference attendees, which helped us refine our ideas and think more critically about our design choices. The event also allowed us to network with people from both academia and industry – building connections that may benefit our future work and professional development.
In addition to the scientific value, we enjoyed the engaging and welcoming atmosphere of the conference. It was inspiring to see so many student-led initiatives and to be part of a thriving academic community committed to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.
Foldit
As part of our Drylab and modelling approach we thought about how to increase interest and understanding in pupils and students. We found that structural biology can have a puzzle-like character in structure solving and optimizing and wondered if that side of the sciences around biomolecules could catch young minds.
We found what we were looking for in Foldit, the 3D protein structure folding puzzle. Foldit is an innovative, real-time video game developed by researchers at the University of Washington that enables players to contribute to scientific research by folding proteins. The game builds upon the Rosetta energy function but visualizes complex patterns like clashes, voids and torsion in a way everybody might understand. The goal is to minimize energies in a global manner. Players need to think the protein as a whole but with local changes as the main manipulation.
Designed to make complex biological processes accessible and engaging, Foldit allows pupils and students to visualize and manipulate protein structures, thereby fostering an intuitive understanding of the protein folding problem. The game demonstrates the significance of correct protein folding for biological function and integrity, illustrating concepts such as enzyme activity, misfolding disease mechanisms, and the importance of structural biology.
In educational settings, Foldit might serve as an effective tool to spark interest in the life sciences by combining entertainment with hands-on experience of complex mechanisms. It provides a practical introduction to key scientific principles, encouraging students to think critically about molecular interactions and the challenges researchers face in solving structures and designing proteins.
Furthermore, Foldit acts as a stepping stone toward understanding modern computational approaches in biology, including artificial intelligence (AI). As students progress, they can explore how AI algorithms are employed to advance structural biology as a field, leading into topics like protein structure prediction with deep learning models such as AlphaFold.
The game also sets a foundation for exploring cutting-edge protein design techniques, including the application of diffusion models—machine learning methods that generate novel protein sequences with desired properties.
We did set up puzzles centering around nanobody structures we plan on tackling with pupils from the SFZ, an institution we are currently setting up a collaboration with. The SFZ helps pupils on their way to become research scientists with project oriented education often leading to entries in prestigious national and international competitions, not unlike the iGEM itself.
With individual or seminar based Foldit introductions we plan on fostering enthusiasm for molecular biology, an area that is expandable in the SFZ.
SFZ - A Research Centre for Pupils
The Schüler Forschungszentrum or “pupils research centre” has a long lasting tradition of introducing middle and high school students to scientific work through project based endeavours. Often the goal is to participate in nationwide and international competitions, not unlike iGEM, with less of a group based system. The SFZ Hamburg is located conveniently in one of the buildings of the chemical institute and has already partnered with previous iGEM Teams. However, a cooperation across the years, lasting beyond singular teams and team members, never took off.
We made it our mission to not only introduce ourselves to the SFZ team and the pupils they work with but also to set up a system for repeated collaboration. We brainstormed with the SFZ team in which ways iGEM teams could reach the next generation of young scientists each year, show them their conceptual work and engage in a meaningful and productive partnership. Together, we came up with a need-based system, where the iGEM teams would give informational input to the pupils, both about their project and about iGEM, as well as the process itself. Building on this input, there would be the possibility of visiting the iGEM team, witnessing lab work and project work each firsthand. The top tier of partnering with pupils would then be one-on-one mentoring in their own project development.
The SFZ expressed desire to increase their involvement in biological research, and iGEM with its SynBio approaches would therefore be a perfect addition.
We wanted to ensure the continuation of the affiliation by setting up a tutorial for each starting iGEM team and setting a course of action with the SFZ team.
Our contribution to BioSpectrum
Our Contribution to BioSpektrum This year, our team had the opportunity to contribute to BioSpektrum with an article introducing our iGEM project DeathCapTrap. The journal highlighted the international Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition as one of the world’s most important platforms for young scientists to apply synthetic biology in addressing global challenges. Over 7,000 participants worldwide, including 16 teams from Germany, five from Switzerland, and one from Austria, are taking part this year.
Our article, published under the title: “DeathCapTrap – Development of a Liposomal Nanobody Antidote Against Alpha-Amanitin” (© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, a part of Springer Nature 2025)
Tackling a Deadly Mushroom Toxin
Amatoxin-containing mushrooms such as the death cap (Amanita phalloides) cause some of the deadliest mushroom poisonings worldwide. Alpha-amanitin, the main toxin, irreversibly inhibits RNA polymerase II, leading to a shutdown of protein biosynthesis and ultimately liver failure. Despite advances in intensive care, mortality rates remain up to 20%, and no specific antidote is currently available. Liver transplantation is often the only option. Children, pets, and foragers are particularly at risk.
Our Synthetic Biology Approach
With DeathCapTrap, we are developing a modular therapeutic system based on a high-affinity
nanobody against alpha-amanitin. This nanobody is generated de novo through structure-based in silico
design and subsequently produced recombinantly.
Our therapeutic concept involves two complementary strategies:
- Extracellular neutralization: applying nanobodies in the bloodstream at early stages of poisoning to directly bind and neutralize alpha-amanitin.
- Intracellular protection: delivering nanobody-loaded lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) into hepatocytes, where they can block toxic interactions with RNA polymerase II.
Broader Impact
Beyond alpha-amanitin, the modular framework of DeathCapTrap can be adapted to address other toxins. By combining synthetic biology tools, nanobody engineering, and targeted drug delivery, our project contributes to the development of next-generation precision biopharmaceuticals for acute intoxications - an urgent yet underexplored field.Our team is supported by our mentors Michael Kolbe and Mirko Himmel. Authors of the article: Kristina Boneß, Lucy J. Jansen, and the iGEM Team Hamburg Contact: igem@uni-hamburg.de
Find the article here