What is iGEM?
The iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) competition is the largest global event in synthetic biology, where student teams design, build, and test innovative biological systems. It empowers young scientists to combine creativity, engineering, and entrepreneurship to address real-world challenges through biology-based solutions.
Since 2022, Goethe University has competed on the global iGEM stage, showcasing our scientific excellence. Each year, the team develops an independent, innovative project, bringing together undergraduate and graduate students from programs such as biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics.
Our Vision
Frankfurt is part of a growing local biotech hub, and we aim to push the boundaries of synthetic biology by building on regional expertise. Our goal is to develop innovative projects that advance sustainability, improve global health, and contribute to a more resilient future.
Our Team
Participating in iGEM offers students at Goethe University the chance to gain invaluable early-career experience in scientific research and entrepreneurship. Our teams are highly multidisciplinary, learning from one another in a cooperative, peer-driven setting. Along the way, participants build strong friendships within the team and lasting connections with alumni.
Our Expertise
Throughout the iGEM season, teams work in close collaboration with experts from academia and industry, drawing on local knowledge while also building new connections. Mentorship from university researchers, biotech professionals, and international partners helps students navigate complex scientific, ethical, and entrepreneurial questions.
Current Project
Fungal pathogens pose a major threat to agriculture, causing significant economic losses and straining global food systems. Climate change worsens these challenges by creating warmer, more humid conditions that favor fungal infections. Conventional fungicides often harm beneficial organisms, disrupt ecosystems, and drive resistance development, threatening long-term food security.
We propose a more precise and sustainable alternative. Using a modular sensor system with a genetic AND-gate, our engineered bacteria detect pathogen-specific signals tied to physiology and secretome, releasing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) only when needed. This ensures targeted action while minimizing off-target effects. SPROUT is a scalable, precision-based platform for next-generation plant protection. Its modular design allows easy adaptation to diverse crops and pathogens, enabling efficient, on-demand AMP release. By combining specificity, adaptability, and sustainability, SPROUT offers a practical and innovative approach to strengthening agricultural resilience against fungal diseases.
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History
Achievements
- Gold Medal
- 1st Place iGEM Hackathon
Nominations
- Something
Achievements
- Silver Medal
Nominations
- Something