The 2018 iGEM registration is open and the iTesla-SoundBio High School Team is looking for new members! iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) is a premiere international competition that focuses on using synthetic biology to solve real world problems, and includes teams in multiple tracks: High School, Community Lab, Undergraduate, and Overgraduate.

Last year, team iTesla-SoundBio attended their first iGEM Jamboree in Boston and spent four days exploring the ideas and projects of undergraduate teams from around the world. They were thrilled to win a bronze medal for their project: Eliminating PCB pollution in the Puget Sound by genetically modifying E. coli!

Right now our team is considering three projects including: a) boosting innate plant defense systems to combat Apple Replant Disease, b) engineering biosensors to detect perchlorate in soil and water on Mars, and c) designing an alternative to endotoxin tests, which currently require horseshoe crab blood. The team invites any and all high schoolers who are interested to contact itesla@sound.bio! No experience is necessary!

If you are not a high school student but want to support the team, they are courteously receiving donations here!: http://www.sound.bio/donate/ -- Be sure to select the option entitled High School iGEM team (iTesla).