For us, an iGEM project is not just a series of experiments in a laboratory: it is a collective adventure where ideas are exchanged, confronted, and transformed.
As this is our university's first iGEM year in a long time, we made it a point of honour to increase the number of meetings and exchanges. We participated in two international meet-ups, which allowed us to share our progress, obtain valuable feedback, and discover other teams' projects. But above all, we were able to create lasting links between the university and the teams that will follow us.
We also had the pleasure of visiting the KUL iGEM team, with whom we discussed our respective approaches, exchanged ideas, and identified areas for mutual improvement. It is important for iGEM teams within a country to work together in order to represent it as well as possible.
Finally, we decided to take our cooperation with other teams a step further, notably by producing a handbook on GMOs that we will make available to iGEM for future years.
BFH Meetup
BFH European meet-up
During the month of May 2025, we spent a few days at the meet-up organised in Frankfurt, the BFH. There, we had the chance to take part in fun activities and enriching talks, but above all, we had the opportunity to present our project to iGEM judges, who gave us valuable feedback. This event, which taught us a great deal on both a personal and scientific level, marked the beginning of a stronger collaboration and friendship with the Bohemia team from Prague.
- Paths of the Legends
- Team project presentation
- Workshop sessions
Collaborative game
During our adventure at the BFH, we decided to create a collaborative game with all the other teams. We asked each team to prepare a small card featuring an anecdote, a drawing, or any piece of information they wanted to share with the iGEM community. We then placed all these cards on a European map to create an Instagram post in collaboration with every participating team.
This initiative allowed us to connect the followers of all the different iGEM teams, mix our communities, and highlight the global and collaborative spirit of the competition and its wonderful encounters.
Don’t hesitate to click to enlarge the image!
Photo highlights
KUL Collaboration
KU Leuven — Bilateral exchange
Belgium is a small country, but it is fortunate to have two iGEM teams. What’s more, these two universities share a common origin and have been part of the same institution for 530 years. It was therefore only natural for our two teams to discuss, meet, and collaborate. During a visit to the magnificent city of Leuven, we had the opportunity to exchange valuable advice on the organisation of our team, on sub-projects, and on the scientific aspect. As the iGEM team at KU Leuven has much more experience and seniority, they were able to guide us on certain aspects of iGEM that we had not taken into account.
This year, we are building bridges and creating connections to lay the foundation for a strong Belgian iGEM community.
- Mutual feedbacks
- Rehearsal and improvement of our presentation
- Foundations for a Belgian iGEM network
Photo highlights
Prague Meetup
Prague — International meetup
In September, we had the opportunity to participate in a meet-up organised in Prague by the Bohemia team. This event gave us the chance to present our project in an international setting. In front of several other iGEM teams, we were able to showcase our ideas and scientific approach, while also testing our ability to communicate clearly and effectively. The feedback we received was extremely valuable: some comments focused on the structure of our presentation, others on how we captured the audience’s attention or explained complex concepts in accessible terms. This constructive input helped us improve and refine our presentation for the Jamboree, strengthening both the clarity and the impact of our project.
Beyond the presentations, this meet-up marked the beginning of a genuine scientific and human collaboration with the Bohemia team. Together, we wanted to move beyond traditional networking and build a concrete, lasting tool: a handbook on GMOs . This document brings together clear and accessible explanations to better understand a complex and often controversial subject. We worked hand in hand to ensure that this resource would be useful for future iGEM teams. This joint project reflects our vision of iGEM: turning encounters into tangible initiatives capable of creating a real impact.
- Practice our presentation skills
- Feedback on the scientific project and the presentation
- Beginning of a collaboration: a handbook on GMOs
Photo highlights
