An amazing experience: “One that no one regrets and everyone will remember”

In 2014, the Biochemical Society helped fund students taking part in the iGEM (the International Genetically Engineered Machine) competition. This synthetic biology competition allows university students to work in teams to solve real challenges by building genetically engineered biological systems using BioBricks, from the Registry of Standard Biological Parts. Each team has to manage their own project, secure funding and advocates their research. In 2014 iGEM celebrated its tenth anniversary, which meant that all teams had the opportunity to present their accomplishments at the Giant Jamboree in Boston, MA. Lewis Moffat (iGEM team, University College London, UK) and Jessica Martyn (iGEM team, Dundee, UK) took part in the competition. They have written accounts of their experiences throughout the project and what they gained from taking part.