For the second consecutive year and fourth time overall, Stony Brook University’s International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team brought home the gold medal from the iGEM Competition.
Held in Paris, France, from October 28-31, the iGEM Giant Jamboree is a world expo for synthetic biology. This year’s competition featured 421 teams competing for medals and awards by designing, building and testing projects using cutting-edge synthetic biology. Stony Brook University was one of 17 U.S. collegiate teams to earn a gold medal.
Stony Brook University’s iGEM team project focused on using synthetic biology to seek HIV eradication. Specifically, by delivering Cas13a, an RNA-targeting CRISPR enzyme known for its high specificity and minimal off-target cleavage, to disrupt HIV’s ability to create further issues within the body.
To deliver Cas13a efficiently into target cells, Stony Brook’s team worked to develop a protein-based delivery system using a detoxified single-chain diphtheria toxin (DTA) as a translocation carrier. This enabled receptor-mediated delivery of large protein cargoes (e.g., Cas13a) directly into cells.
To target delivery to HIV-infected cells, the team engineered a fusion protein composed of CRISPR-Cas13a, DTA and CD4 receptor-interacting GP120. Once inside the cell, guide RNAs would direct Cas13a to the HIV ssRNA, resulting in precise cleavage and viral inhibition. If HIV RNA is absent, the system remains inactive, preventing unintended activity and preserving healthy cellular function.
This year’s interdisciplinary iGEM team, currently comprising three seniors, four juniors and eight sophomores, included those with majors in applied mathematics and statistics, biochemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, clinical laboratory sciences, computer science, environmental studies and psychology. The team was co-advised by faculty members Peter Gergen and Kathryn Gunn in the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, and Gábor Balázsi, Henry Laufer Professor, Louis and Beatrice Laufer Center for Physical & Quantitative Biology, and received support from staff in the Program in Undergraduate Biology.
This was Stony Brook’s 12th iGEM team with continuous participation since the inaugural iGEM team in 2014. The first team was launched as the brainchild of a first-year student who, in Fall 2012, approached SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Peter Gergen when he was serving as director of the Program in Undergraduate Biology. The duo was able to garner some initial support from the Provost and the Office of the Vice President for Research with continuing participation benefiting from both institutional and philanthropic support of undergraduate research.
“I continue to be amazed at the impact that participating in iGEM is having on student growth and development and on the success our teams have enjoyed at this international competition,” Gergen said. “I can add outstanding advice and support from members of our prior iGEM teams as well as expert guidance from PhD students Melanie Cragan and Christopher Helenek contributed greatly to the success of the 2025 iGEM team.”
“I could not be more proud of this year’s International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team, who, for the fourth time in SBU history, brought home a Gold Medal from the International Conference in Paris,” said David Wrobel, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “What a fantastic example of undergraduate research excellence at our university and the brilliant mentorship that our faculty provide, as well as the support of our amazing donors who continue to help make this program possible. This is a mark of great pride and purpose for the College and SBU, and I appreciate everyone involved in supporting the success of our remarkable students.”
For more information on Stony Brook’s iGEM team and this year’s project, visit the iGEM website.
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