In the ever-evolving landscape of scientific research, it can be difficult to stay up to date with the latest within the field. For the 4th year in a row The Transcriptome aime to be a website for scientific articles, written in several languages that makes it easy for you to follow along with synthetic biology, no matter your background.
iGEM: a Synthetic Biology competition
The core of the iGEM competition is to become an international platform for students and the public within synthetic biology. Uniting aspiring scientists from universities and research institutions worldwide, iGEM works towards finding relevant solutions from the field to address real-world challenges. For one year, teams composed of students from around the world dedicate themselves to finding innovative solutions while learning how to work within their future profession.
Their projects encompass a diverse array of fields, including healthcare, agriculture, energy, and the environment. From developing groundbreaking diagnostics for diseases to designing sustainable solutions for food production, iGEM teams embark on a journey that transcends the boundaries of academia, actively engaging with real-world issues.
What sets iGEM apart is its collaborative goals. Teams exchange ideas, share protocols, and meet up to discuss their projects with one another. They seek to make their projects open-source, promoting accessibility and encouraging other researchers to build upon their work. By embracing openness, iGEM teams actively contribute to the collective knowledge of the scientific community.
The Transcriptome: Making Science Available to all
In spirit of the iGEM competition, The Transcriptome stands as a digital gateway for those who want to explore more within science. Our mission is to share and exchange scientific information, explore technological advancements, unravel controversial topics, and inspire fascination with life sciences. Above all, we strive to make science inclusive and accessible, regardless of your background. We firmly believe that connecting science with society can have a positive impact on the world of tomorrow.
The Transcriptome, curates a diverse array of articles that showcase the latest scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs. From biology to chemistry, physics, and beyond, we keep you updated on the forefront of research. Our aim is to demystify complex debates and present balanced perspectives. Backed by scientific evidence and expert opinions, we strive to help you form informed opinions and engage in thoughtful discussions.
This years projects
UNIL
The iGEM UNIL team 2023 wants to address the problem of microplastics pollution. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that are less than 5mm in size. They come from a variety of sources, including plastic bags, bottles, and packaging, and can be found in many everyday items such as cosmetics, clothing, and even our food. Nowadays, microplastics are contaminating our oceans, rivers, and lakes, harming aquatic life and the environment in general. It can be ingested by fishes and other water organisms, which can lead to their death. Through the food chain, microplastics also end up in humans and might potentially pose a risk to human health. In Switzerland, every year, 1 million tonnes of plastic are consumed, and, of these, 780’000 tonnes of plastic become waste. Of all this waste, 14’000 tonnes ends up in soil and water.
Chalmers-Gothenburg
The Chalmers-GU team is working on creating a sourdough vitamin factory, SoDoVI. The goal of this is to genetically modify different bacteria and yeast in a sourdough to produce the essential vitamin B12, and also vitamin A. The motivation for this project is the increasing strain on our planet, with carbon emission being the main reason earth is continuously getting warmer. 30% of the world’s carbon emissions come from food production, and 80% of these are from animal farming [1]. B12 is an essential vitamin that can only be ingested through animal produce, but our goal is to produce a vegan option you can keep at home which removes our reliance on animal produce or the alternative, synthetic supplements.
Conclusion
The goal for iGEM and The Transcriptome are the same, to drive scientific exploration and enable global collaboration. As The Transcriptome opens the doors to inclusive scientific communication, we aim to be a channel for sharing and exchanging knowledge. Our commitment is to make science understandable and engaging for everyone. By unraveling complex topics, translating our texts, and emphasizing the link between science and society, The Transcriptome hopes to show the beauty of synthetic biology and its many possibilities to make our future a brighter place!
- The Pufendorf Institute for Advanced Studies, ‘ The Protein Shifts’, Lund University, 2020, https://www.pi.lu.se/en/protein-shifts, (accessed 5 July 2023
