Tracks

The purpose of the iGEM tracks is to help students focus their research projects. The subjects areas encompassed by the tracks aim to solve crucial global challenges; for examples, students have worked on projects related to environmental bioremediation, new medical delivery systems, and alternative energy sources using synthetic biology.

After conducting many experiments on tracks last year, we are making some refinements to the track structure in 2016.

Standard Tracks

  • Diagnostics
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Foundational Advance
  • Information Processing
  • Manufacturing
  • New Application
  • Therapeutics

Special Tracks

  • Art and Design
  • Hardware
  • Measurement
  • Plant
  • Software

Changes to Standard Tracks

  • Health and Medicine will split into Diagnostics and Therapeutics
  • Teams will be required to work with parts to win a medal
  • Standard track teams will be eligible for the Grand Prize
  • Standard track teams will be eligible to win special cross-track prizes like Best Software Tool, etc. corresponding to all of the special track areas (see special track list above)
  • Standard track teams will not be eligible for space in the special exhibition space at the Jamboree

Changes to Special Tracks

  • New Tracks are now called Special Tracks
  • These special tracks will have special showcase space at the Jamboree
  • Special tracks are eligible for most prizes, except the Grand Prize
  • We will offer cross-track prizes for all of these tracks. As with the current structure, teams in the Special Tracks will be ineligible for the equivalent cross-track prizes (teams in the measurement track will not be eligible for the measurement cross-track prize, for example)
  • Special tracks will not be required to make parts to achieve a gold medal

Tracks in iGEM 2016

So why are we setting up iGEM tracks in this way in 2016? Last year, both the Grand Prizes were won by New Track teams (Measurement and Hardware). While there are reasons for this situation, iGEM HQ needs to be mindful of iGEM teams working in the standard tracks, focusing hard on synthetic biology wetlab projects. The Art & Design, Hardware and Software teams had a marked advantage over all other teams with the showcase areas last year. These spaces were great and we don't want to remove them, yet at the same time, we can't confer an unfair advantage to some iGEM teams and not others. Especially if those teams don't have a requirement to make parts during their project.

To this end, we are giving the choice to the teams. You can participate in the the special tracks and have the showcase space for showing off giant robots, software demos, art exhibitions and to generate buzz about these things at the Jamboree. Or you can participate as a regular team, make parts and compete for these special prizes as well as the Grand Prize.

Remember, institutions can also send two teams to the Jamboree. We have offered this option to software and wetware teams for many years. You can decided to split your team into two teams later than the regular registration deadline, so you can start in the lab before deciding if you have a great special project you want to show off! As with every team, there will be a registration fee, but registering a second team will come with the multiple team discount. Keep in mind, two teams gives you two presentations, two posters and two chances to win most of the special prizes.

NOTE: All teams are required to pick their track by the Track Selection deadline.

Requirements

Teams who participate in iGEM regardless of track need to meet the iGEM Requirements, unless otherwise stated. See the iGEM 2016 Requirements page.

Questions ?

If you have any questions please contact us or email HQ [at] iGEM [dot] ORG.