<BlockQuoteBtext="Judging for iGEM is one of the highlights on my professional calendar…"cite="Dr. Nancy Burgess, Director of Judging at iGEM HQ"/>
<p>The iGEM competition celebrates innovation in synthetic biology, offering teams the chance to compete for a range of awards based on their achievements in
various categories. Judging is based on how well teams integrate scientific rigor with societal impact, safety, and creativity. We aim to compete for
several prestigious awards, including <b>Best Integrated Human Practices</b>, <b>Biosafety and Security</b> Award, and <b>Best New Basic Part</b>. Additionally, we seek recognition for our <b>therapeutic project</b> and will strive for excellence in best wiki, best promotional video, and the iGEMers prize. </p>
several prestigious awards, including <b>Best Integrated Human Practices</b>, <b>Safety and Security Award</b>, and <b>Best New Basic Part</b>. Additionally, we seek recognition for our <b>therapeutic project</b> and will strive for excellence in <b>Best Wiki</b>, <b>Best Presentation</b>, and the <b>iGEMers prize</b>. </p>
<p>In alignment with iGEM’s emphasis on biosafety, we submitted Check-Ins for the components and organisms not covered by the iGEM White list. These formal evaluations ensured that all aspects of our project were thoroughly assessed and approved by the iGEM Safety Committee. We maintained active communication with the committee to ensure compliance with all iGEM standards, reflecting our dedication to biosafety and biosecurity. </p>
<h4>Laboratory and Safety Practices </h4>
<p>All experiments were conducted at Bielefeld University in Prof. Dr. Kristian Müller's laboratory, following BSL-1 (and BSL-2 if needed) standard operating procedures. The team participated in mandatory safety briefings and adhered to rigorous safety measures, including regulations concerning hazardous substances, genetic engineering, and the handling of biological materials. Our lab activities were meticulously planned to minimize risk and ensure data integrity. </p>
<p>By building on existing knowledge, rigorously testing our biosafety measures, and proactively managing risks, we have developed a project that significantly contributes to the field of biosafety and biosecurity. Our comprehensive approach ensures that our technology can be safely applied in real-world scenarios, and we believe this sets a new standard for responsible synthetic biology. Our efforts, particularly in the development of the Prime Editing complex for CF and the associated biosafety protocols, merit recognition for the <b>Biosafety and Security Award</b>. </p>
<p>By building on existing knowledge, rigorously testing our biosafety measures, and proactively managing risks, we have developed a project that significantly contributes to the field of biosafety and biosecurity. Our comprehensive approach ensures that our technology can be safely applied in real-world scenarios, and we believe this sets a new standard for responsible synthetic biology. Our efforts, particularly in the development of the Prime Editing complex for CF and the associated biosafety protocols, merit recognition for the <b>Safety and Security Award</b>. </p>
</Section>
<Sectiontitle="Best New Basic Part"id="Best New Basic Part">
<p>Our project focuses on optimizing prime editing for the Cystic Fibrosis-causing CFTR F508del mutation, which represents one of the most significant applications for prime editing. Prime editing is a precise and safe gene editing technique, but its efficiency varies greatly depending on the genomic locus. Through our development of a context-specific Prime Editor Activity Reporter (PEAR) system, we have successfully optimized this advanced technology, paving the way for more effective genomic targeting, not just for Cystic Fibrosis but for future synthetic biology applications as well. </p>
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@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ export function Judging() {
commitment to societal impact. By integrating human practices into every stage of our work, ensuring the highest standards of biosafety, and contributing
valuable tools to the community, we have set a new standard for innovation in the field. Our therapeutic approach for Cystic Fibrosis has the potential
to revolutionize treatment for this life-threatening condition, while our contributions to biosafety and part development will benefit the broader
synthetic biology ecosystem. We are confident that our project is deserving of recognition in multiple award categories, including <b>Best Therapeutic Project</b>, <b>Best Integrated Human Practices</b>, <b>Biosafety and Security</b>, and <b>Best New Basic Part</b>. Through our work, we hope to inspire future iGEM teams to pursue solutions that are both scientifically excellent and socially responsible. </p>
synthetic biology ecosystem. We are confident that our project is deserving of recognition in multiple award categories, including <b>Best Therapeutic Project</b>, <b>Best Integrated Human Practices</b>, <b>Safety and Security Award</b>, and <b>Best New Basic Part</b>. Through our work, we hope to inspire future iGEM teams to pursue solutions that are both scientifically excellent and socially responsible. </p>
quote:"My first challenge was selecting the iGEM team 2024. I focused on choosing candidates with strong technical skills and the ability to work well in an interdisciplinary setting, aiming to create a diverse team with complementary strengths.",
type:"meta",
summary:[<p>
Building a <OurLinkpath='team'text="successful interdisciplinary team"/>, like the one involved in this iGEM project, requires careful coordination and a shared vision for addressing complex scientific challenges. This team is an excellent example of how bringing together individuals from various academic backgrounds fosters innovation and facilitates problem-solving in the fields of synthetic biology and biotechnology.</p>,
Building a successful <OurLinkpath='team'text="interdisciplinary team"/>, like the one involved in this iGEM project, requires careful coordination and a shared vision for addressing complex scientific challenges. This team is an excellent example of how bringing together individuals from various academic backgrounds fosters innovation and facilitates problem-solving in the fields of synthetic biology and biotechnology.</p>,
<p><b>The team members come from diverse fields of study, including Molecular Biotechnology, Bioinformatics and genome research, Biochemistry, Molecular Cell Biology, Genome-Based System Biology, Interdisciplinary Biomedicine, and even Media Production.</b></p>,<p>This variety of expertise allows them to approach problems from multiple perspectives, ensuring that the project is well-rounded and capable of addressing both
experimental and computational challenges. For instance, while the biotechnologists and molecular biologists focus on designing and conducting lab experiments, the bioinformaticians contribute crucial insights for data analysis and genome sequencing. The inclusion of a media production expert adds another layer to the team’s capabilities, ensuring that science communication and
project documentation are handled professionally, which is particularly important for presenting their work at conferences and competitions.
