Utrecht returns with gold: iGEM team shines in Paris

After a seven-year absence, Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht have re-emerged on the global stage of synthetic biology. During the 22nd edition of the international iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) competition in Paris, the UU/UMCU team presented their project GutFeeling (a modified intestinal bacterium that should enable automated medicine delivery in the future) to an audience of scientists, investors and industry leaders. It earned the team from Utrecht a gold medal.

An interdisciplinary team with a shared mission

The Utrecht team consisted of ten bachelor's and master's students from diverse backgrounds, including University College Utrecht, the Graduate School of Life Sciences and Earth Sciences. "It's inspiring to see what happens when you bring together students from different backgrounds," says supervisor Ewart Kuijk (UMCU). "During iGEM, I learned what steps are needed to translate research into social issues, and how important good scientific communication is in this process," says team manager Vlad Andrei Ungureanu (MCLS student).

The team's solution focuses on chronic conditions such as Parkinson's disease, where adherence to treatment is often a challenge. The bacterium produces L-DOPA and can colonise the intestines of zebrafish — a promising step towards application in human medicine. "I thought iGEM was a great opportunity to be creative with a scientific project!", says team member Jochanan Maaijen (MCLS student).

The renewed participation of the iGEM team Utrecht came about through the Centre for Living Technologies (CLT) of the EWUU Alliance. The CLT encourages groundbreaking research in synthetic biology and sees iGEM as a perfect complement to its mission. In addition to financial support, the centre also provided scientific guidance from its own researchers.

Intensive and far-reaching

The students carried out most of the project alongside their regular studies. "iGEM was an intense, challenging and, above all, enriching experience — both for my scientific creativity and my teamwork skills," says Jochanan. Participation in the project fits in seamlessly with Utrecht University's mission: to contribute to a better world by taking an interdisciplinary approach to complex issues. iGEM embodies that principle — students from different disciplines work together intensively for more than six months, thinking about social impact and bringing their ideas to life. "What you learn here cannot be found anywhere else in conventional education. iGEM is a real scientific boot camp," says supervisor Frederik Verweij (UU).

Nevertheless, they see room for improvement: "Next year, we hope that students will be able to do the project full-time, linked to existing courses, so that they can also earn more credits for it. That will make participation less exclusive and more accessible to everyone."