iGEM@XJTLU
International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition
XJTLU · iGEM
iGEM – the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition – is a globally recognised synthetic biology competition. It encourages students to apply knowledge from the life sciences, mathematics, chemistry, engineering and data science to real-world challenges in areas such as the environment, health and sustainable development. XJTLU actively encourages students from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds to participate in iGEM, and provides interdisciplinary supervision, laboratory and computational platforms, research training and project implementation support. The programme is student-led: participants advance their research, modelling, data analysis, human practices and science communication with support from their supervisors, while developing skills in research and innovation, teamwork, project management and international communication. Since 2015, XJTLU students have presented a number of socially valuable and innovative projects on the international stage through iGEM, achieving outstanding results, including Global Top 10 honours and nominations for track awards.
Academy Support and Educational Philosophy
The Academy regards iGEM as an important platform that connects classroom learning, research training and societal engagement. Throughout the project cycle, the Academy provides students with interdisciplinary supervision, laboratory and computational facilities, research methodology training, and support in biosafety, research ethics, project management, science communication, and international exchange, helping students develop their innovative ideas into implementable, testable, and presentable research projects. The Academy's support is primarily advisory and enabling, while placing strong emphasis on student autonomy. Supervisors help students to establish scientific rigour, identify research risks and refine project plans; students, in turn, learn to take responsibility, coordinate knowledge and resources across disciplines, and gradually develop the capacity for independent research and collaborative innovation.
Projects and Achievements
Over the years, XJTLU students have undertaken a diverse range of iGEM projects addressing themes such as environmental protection, human health, biomanufacturing and computational biology. Their work has been presented on the international stage and has received multiple awards and honours. These projects reflect students’ commitment to integrating scientific knowledge, engineering methods and societal needs.
iGEM also provides an important opportunity for students to clarify their academic interests and accumulate research experience. Many previous participants have gone on to pursue Master’s or PhD programmes at world-renowned institutions including Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University and Karolinska Institutet, continuing their exploration in the life sciences, engineering, computation and related interdisciplinary fields. Detailed project information, technical approaches and competition results can be found on the “Project Archive” page.
Student-Led Interdisciplinary Practice
iGEM projects bring together students from diverse academic backgrounds. Depending on project needs, participants collaborate in areas such as experimental research, computational modelling, artificial intelligence, data analysis, engineering design, human practices and science communication. The specific composition of the team and the focus of its research are flexibly adapted each year according to the project objectives, student interests, and available resources.
Students typically engage in the full project cycle – from problem identification, concept development and research design, through to experimental validation, model iteration, documentation of results and international presentation. They are required to analyse evidence, coordinate tasks and make collective decisions under evolving research conditions. This process not only deepens their subject knowledge, but also equips them with experience in independent research, teamwork, project management, interdisciplinary communication and international engagement.