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.”
The project had two key components: first, the team worked with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are reprogrammed body cells that act like versatile embryonic stem cells. By influencing iPSCs biochemically, they generated an organoid – a simple tissue culture that mimics the function and structure of a real organ – that simulates human bone marrow. These organoids can be utilized in preclinical studies in place of animal models, a major achievement for ethical testing.
The team then created a computational model for the growth and behavior of different cell populations in bone marrow. The framework was based on a series of mathematical differential equations, highlighting the changes in the bone-marrow organoid at different stages of infection. The team faced many challenges due to the nature of their research, and they made an impression on both judges and participants with their creativity and success.
“You never really feel ready, no matter how much you prepare,” said Caleb Faison, captain of the Dry Lab team.
The iGEM competitions emphasize troubleshooting and flexibility, because the research is conducted under such tight time constraints. As a result, the team gained confidence as the competition progressed.
“At the Jamboree, we were able to connect with students and scientists from across the globe and learn from their unique work,” said Julia Jamieson, captain of the Human Practices team. “It was an amazing experience, and we are grateful for the support we have received from our sponsors throughout UF.”
Story & Editing by: Katherine Canev
Marketing & Communications Student Assistant
Design & Editing by: Christi Swiers
Marketing & Communications Specialist
UF Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
January 29, 2025