The UF Chapter of iGEM dazzled 2024 Grand Jamboree judges, earning a gold medal for their research into sepsis, a life-threatening condition that results from the body’s dysregulated response to infection.
International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) is a global competition where student teams design and build genetically engineered systems to solve real-world problems using synthetic biology. Teams present their projects at the annual Grand Jamboree, competing for medals based on their ingenuity, technical achievements, and societal impact.
This project was built on the team’s work from 2023, for which they won a silver medal. Their mentor Jing Pan, Ph.D., enabled them to hone their skills through hands-on experience. Under the guidance of Pan, the all-undergraduate team developed the procedures for their project and split into teams: Wet Lab, Dry Lab, and Human Practices.
“I’m really proud of them,” Pan said. “They put so much effort into this year’s competition, and receiving the gold medal is a huge accomplishment for them. It’s not just about the award—it’s about recognizing the impact of their work and the passion they brought to this project.”