WE NEED YOUR HELP! Support the CSW IGEM Team!

Created in 2003, iGEM, or International Geneticall, is a team-based genetics competition where diverse groups of students use synthetic biology to solve real-world problems in society. Out of the 400 international IGEM teams-- CSW-UD IGEM team is 1 out of 13 US high school teams, the ONLY and FIRST high school team from Delaware, and ONE of THREE East Coast high School teams. IGEM is an extremely unique opportunity that allows students to get hands-on in the lab with students taking the lead.

At CSW, we aim to provide its passionate members an opportunity to explore a new frontier of science. We've been lucky enough to receive mentorship from the University of Delaware's Biomolecular Engineering Department's Dr. Solomon and Mr. Brett Graver.

This year we are focused on improving photosynthesis to tackle world hunger. Watch our project promotion video!

CSW’s 2024 iGEM team has decided to tackle future food instability with increased global temperatures by improving crop yield. Photosynthesis is a core process in plant growth. This process depends on a crucial component: an enzyme called Rubisco. Rubisco’s role is to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air around the plant and convert it to storable energy. Additionally, Rubisco requires a chaperone enzyme, Rubisco Activase, or RCA, to catalyze itself and begin work. The issue lies with RCA, where RCA’s thermosensitivity limits Rubisco’s activity.

As a result, our team is working on enhancing the heat tolerance of RCA to improve the functionality of photosynthesis at higher temperatures leading to higher crop yield.

The money we raise will support the IGEM team to present their hard work on the international stage at the Grand Jamboree in Paris this October!

click here to learn about --> SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS

For updates follow us on Instagram! @cswigem