UBC iGEM
We are UBC iGEM.
As a team of undergraduate students representing UBC, we promote interdisciplinary thinking in synthetic biology. Our team creates a platform for students at all educational levels to explore their passion for synthetic biology through competition research, educational outreach, and science communication.
Our award-winning team achieved a Gold Medal and won two special prizes (Best Hardware and Best Sustainable Development Impact) at the 2024 iGEM Grand Jamboree held in Paris, France. Additionally, we placed in the Top 5 for the iGEM Village competition in Biomanufacturing, cementing our status as the best-performing undergraduate team in North America.
View our latest project
15 Years of Competing
2009-2019, 2021-2025
7 Special Prize Nominations
Biomanufacturing, Diagnostics, and more!!
10 Gold Medals
2024, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
3 Special Prize Wins
Best Hardware (2024), Sustainable Dev Impact (2024), Model (2013)
About the competition
The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition is an annual worldwide synthetic biology, where student teams design, build, and test innovative biological systems. Teams use standardized, interchangeable biological parts and molecular biology techniques to tackle real-world problems. This work brings together students from biology, engineering, computer science, and other fields. Since 2003, iGEM has expanded to include high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, along with community labs and entrepreneurs—now engaging thousands worldwide.
Teams work for months on their projects before presenting at the Grand Jamboree to a global audience and expert judges. Projects earn awards based on innovation, execution, and impact. Beyond competition, iGEM champions the responsible advancement of synthetic biology, fostering an open and collaborative scientific community.
