On October 31^st, the iGEM – International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition ended in Boston, USA. Rivaling with the 350 teams from across the world, XMU iGEM team captured the gold award once more this year.

Founded by MIT, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the iGEM is a top international competition in the field of synthetic biology. In order to effectively predict, manipulate and measure the delicate and complicated artificial bio-system, all competitors are required to use the standard Biobricks to construct a genetic circuit and establish an effective mathematic model. Besides, the social research, on-site response as well as poster display are also needed to accomplish the competition.

This year, XMU iGEM team is made up of more than 20 undergraduates in different grades from various colleges and departments in XMU, including College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials, School of Life Sciences, the Medical College, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Energy, and so on. Under the guidance of Prof. Fang Baishan and Assistant Prof. Jing Kejv, the team members have designed and constructed a new bio-system to detect and kill antibiotics resistant bacteria, i.e. super bacteria. In the meanwhile, they also have carried out an extensive social research with regard to the abuse of antibiotics. After fierce competition, the team won the gold award again apart from an individual award, and this is also the sixth gold award that XMU team has gained in succession in this competition.

Edited by Jin Zhou