Engineer Life. Build the Future.

The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition is the largest synthetic biology competition in the world. Student teams are given a kit of biological parts and work over the summer to build and test their own biological systems in living cells, from bacteria to plants to mammalian cells.

Our team is open to bachelor and master students from all academic backgrounds at the University of Saarland. We welcome students from STEM, business, design, social sciences, and more. A diverse team is our greatest strength!

iGEM is a significant but rewarding commitment. Over the summer, expect to dedicate time comparable to a full-time internship, especially if you're working in the lab. The workload varies by role and shifts throughout the year—lighter during spring as the project is designed, and more intensive in summer during lab work and wiki development. We expect members to be highly motivated and committed to the project's success.

No prior lab experience is necessary! We provide all the training you'll need. We value enthusiasm and a willingness to learn above all else.

iGEM is an incredible opportunity to gain hands-on research experience, collaborate in an interdisciplinary team, network with experts globally, and develop valuable skills in project management, public speaking, and science communication.