The entrepreneurship prize recognizes exceptional effort to build a business case and commercialize an iGEM project.
When science happens through collaborations and team work only then can true development be possible. Talking about the international team meetups and the cross-disciplinary knowledge sharing, that have driven our project to its present stage. Building the future of Synthetic biology, together.
Our collaborations span across the globe, connecting diverse research institutes, universities, and innovation hubs. By fostering a network of knowledge exchange, we are able to share best practices and ensure that our solutions are enriched by multiple perspectives.
The world map above highlights the scope of our reach, symbolizing not only geographical connections but also the cultural and intellectual bridges we are building. These partnerships encourage open science, transparency, and a commitment to shared progress.
As we continue to expand our collaborations, we aim to bring together even more institutions, amplifying the impact of our collective research. This global approach ensures that scientific advancements benefit humanity as a whole rather than remaining confined within borders.
The Biomanufacturing Team Meet brought together iGEM teams from across the globe, each working on region-specific challenges with a shared emphasis on sustainability and innovation. iGEM Unicamp (Brazil) is developing antimicrobial peptides that can be activated only when required, alongside exploring the cultivation of filamentous fungi on orange industry residues, aligning with circular economy goals. iGEM Thessaly (Greece) is focusing on virulite particles and cell line bioreactors to contribute to cancer research, particularly targeting high-mortality cancers like pancreatic cancer while addressing public concerns about breast cancer. Meanwhile, iGEM Stony Brook (USA) is designing a one-shot therapeutic for HIV that could eliminate the need for lifelong medication, with emphasis on safe delivery systems. From India, iGEM IISER Berhampur is creating a biofilter targeting heavy metals, addressing Odisha’s contamination issues through bioremediation.
The key discussions revolved around the role of biomanufacturing in synthetic biology and its contribution to sustainability. By using engineered organisms to produce medicines, fuels, and materials, biomanufacturing reduces fossil fuel reliance, carbon emissions, and toxic waste. Teams highlighted the need for sustainable processes, yield, and cost-efficiency as guiding principles in designing biological systems. The selection of project topics was inspired by local and global needs—Brazil’s citrus industry challenges, Greece’s concern for cancer mortality, and India’s environmental health issues—showcasing how regional contexts shape scientific innovation.
Each team also shared their considerations in wet lab work, including chassis selection and biosafety protocols. While Thessaly is still determining a safe and effective chassis due to the complexities of working with viruses and cancer cells, Stony Brook is using VERO E6 mammalian cell lines under strict handling restrictions, and Unicamp is facing hurdles in engineering spores and cultivating fungi. Common challenges such as repetitive DNA sequences, unstable constructs, and substrate limitations reflect the technical difficulties inherent in synthetic biology. Despite these obstacles, the meet emphasized collaboration, safety, and responsibility, underscoring the importance of knowledge-sharing in driving global progress in biomanufacturing.
In collaboration with the VIT-iGEM team, we created a Gujarati-language podcast episode on the concept of Minimal Genes, aiming to educate regional audiences about synthetic biology and its applications. The discussion explored the origins of minimal cells and the innovations they could bring to medicine, research, gene editing, industry, and even space exploration.
Our team members—Druv Keswani, Jay Patel, and Tirth Amipara—delivered the episode to bridge the gap between cutting-edge science and local communities, highlighting the value of collaborative outreach in making complex ideas more accessible. The podcast proved both compelling and insightful, sparking curiosity while encouraging reflection on the ethical implications of these innovations and humanity’s relationship with nature.
As part of our engagement with the synthetic biology community, members of iGEM ICT Mumbai participated in the Microbe Innovation Ideathon, organized by iGEM IIT Delhi, on the occasion of Indian Microbiology Day. The competition encouraged students to design microbial solutions for challenges in healthcare, the environment, and agriculture, reflecting the same spirit of innovation and problem-solving that drives iGEM.
Two of our team members, Prannav Choudhari and Jay Patel, reached the finals with their respective teams. Their participation not only represented ICT Mumbai at a national-level forum but also showed how synthetic biology is being applied in diverse ways across India. This exposure helped strengthen the Integrated Human Practices by learning from different approaches to project design, understanding how microbial solutions are communicated to broader audiences, and connecting with the wider iGEM network in India.
