Requirements

iGEM has been growing so rapidly that we are preparing for 80 to 100 teams this year and a Jamboree with 800 to 1000 participants. iGEM 2007 was a huge success, but we are taking steps to make 2008 even better. Based on the experience of last year's iGEM, we are making the requirements for participating in iGEM 2008 a bit clearer. We hope this will keep the competition both fair and fun.

iGEM is intended to be an undergraduate competition in the area of Synthetic Biology based on standard parts. Projects and activities should recognize that perspective.

iGEM 2008 is introducing a new track for software tools. Awards will be given for tools that help engineer biological systems based on standard parts.

Requirements for Participation in iGEM 2008
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iGEM teams consist primarily of undergraduate students at an accredited college or university. The team must be supervised by at least two instructors one of whom must be a faculty member. Graduate students, postdocs, and others are welcome as team advisors. One of the faculty members must be the designated primary contact and is responsible for the official registration of the team, the team roster, and payment of team fees.

The structure of iGEM teams is quite flexible. Several schools may combine to form a team and a school may have several teams.

A $1000.00 USD registration fee is required for each team and a Jamboree attendance fee of $100.00 USD is required for each undergraduate and $250.00 USD for all other attendees.

The instructors are expected to attend one of the Teachers Workshops offered May 3 at MIT or in June in Europe and Asia.

The team's project must be documented on the iGEM Wiki, the parts used in their project must be documented in the Registry and the physical DNA must be received by the Registry at least one week before the Jamboree. (See the detailed schedule.)

Teams are required to provide their parts to the Registry as standard biological parts in standard BioBrick plasmids. If a team wishes to use a different plasmid or different assembly method, they must document the new standard, explain their decision, and receive approval from iGEM Headquarters by the stated deadline.</a></li>

Teams participating in the software tools track are expected to make tools for use with standard biological parts and are required to provide their tools as open source projects on the iGEM servers.</li>

The description of each project must clearly attribute work done by the team and distinguish it from work done by others, including the host labs, advisors, and instructors.</li>

All team members are expected to attend the Championship Jamboree at MIT November 8-9, 2008.</li>

Each team will give a 20 minute presentation and present a poster of their project at the Jamboree.</li>

All participants are required to work hard to build positive contributions to society and have lots of fun.</li>

If you have any questions about the requirement for participating in iGEM 2008, contact the staff at iGEM Headquarters.