The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition inspires critical thinking and innovative collaboration each year as teams of undergraduates from around the world are challenged to design biological systems to address crucial real-world problems. Each year, the competition culminates in the Giant Jamboree, in which hundreds of teams gather to present their results. This year, t
he UTK iGEM team is setting out to engineer an environmentally friendly and renewable process to turn chemical wastes into natural scents--using bacteria! We will construct a microbe that will function as a catalyst to convert widely-available and hazardous toluene, and its chemical derivatives, into high-value chemicals that are used in the pharmaceutical, fragrances and flavors industries. Like our page to learn more and see what we've been up to!
