From 2007.igem.org

May 26, 2007

0900 - Randy Rettberg Introduction
Overview of the iGEM program evolution, goals, and challenges
For 2007, about 55 schools
Earlier preparations
Three teachers workshops
Jamboree November 3 and 4

Goals: High quality parts and descriptions
Automatic assemblies
Modern internet experience
Prepare to scale to hundreds of teams
New ideas

New things:
Sponsorship!
BioBrick Part Program
iGEM and Registry in Europe
New registry workshop (Fall @ MIT)
iGEM Steering committee

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0930 - Team Summaries
Tom Richard, Penn State
Continuation of last year's project, 1 returning student, 5 new students (freshman), good diversity
iGEM is recruiting judges
Fundraising:
Tom is involved in IBE
Previously, not much funding, but not a high burn rate
This year, more proactive -- $22K
IBE has run a special session for iGEM presentations > consider this for sharing team projects as well as the jamboree

Beth Beason, Rice University
Last year: started late
2006 goal was to combine quorum sensing and chemotaxis > quorumtaxis!
Learned that projects should not depend completely on novel biobricks<br? 2007: Courses were offered, 500 level but no prerequisites
Overview of Bios590 course -- interesting! (contact Beth for details)
Support: Last year, not much money. This year, full support! Wow!<br?

Ron ??, Virginia
Bottom up approach
Funding is a major challenge