From November 2-5, Lambert’s iGEM chapter was in Paris, France attending the iGEM International Jamboree—a big gathering of colleges and schools from all over the world to compete against each other and win awards.
Schools are first sorted into different villages based on what their project is focused on. There were many types of villages that focused on different areas, like the Climate Crisis village, which focused on how biotechnology can remove pollutants from the atmosphere. Lambert’s iGEM was in the Diagnostic Village, a village that, according to the iGEM website, focuses on “technologies also play a key role in preventive healthcare, public health, and epidemiology.” The Lambert team did a continuation of last year’s project, which was a diagnostic tool on coronary artery disease.
Lambert’s team made a biosensor that detects coronary artery disease, a disease caused by build-up of plaque in coronary arteries. The biosensor utilizes microRNAs as a biomarker. MicroRNAs are single stranded non-coded RNA, which bind to padlock pros, long strands of DNA. After multiple processes, the biosensor can detect the presence of microRNA using fluorescence, an ability of chemicals to give off light after soaking up radiation. The light that is given off is also known as fluorescence emission. If there is a high level of fluorescence, then the likelihood of coronary artery disease is low. If the fluorescence level is low, then there is a high chance of the person having the disease.
Lambert was able to win a gold medal and a spot on the Top Ten High Schools list. They were also nominated for various special awards, like Best Measurement and Best Model.
The competition was a mix of emotions for many students, since some of them would be competing in iGEM for the last time. Senior Sahana Narayanan was one of these students.
“This was my last year, since I am a senior,” she said. “So, it was kind of like a bittersweet moment going to my last competition.”
While it may have been an ending for some students, it was definitely the beginning of learning and teamwork for everyone. Congratulations to Lambert’s iGEM team for doing so well at the International Jamboree.
