By the end of the 18th century, explorers had started to open a pathway from São Paulo to the gold mines hidden in the countryside. If you follow this centennial road today, you will find a different precious metal: knowledge. Between the hills crossed by the bandeirantes (the controversial fortune hunters that penetrated the interior of Brazil far beyond the original boundaries), you will find São Carlos, the “Brazilian Athens” or “The capital of technology in Brazil”. This charming city received from 26th July to 1st August the 4th National Gathering of Brazilian Biotechnology Students (Núcleo 18), an exciting conference with attendees from North to South of the Latin America Giant discussing politics, entrepreneurship and the future of the field.

The Brazilian iGEM Community in partnership with LiNA-Biotec (National League of Biotechnology Students in Brazil) developed, organized and co-hosted Biohack, a Synthetic Biology Hackathon, during the conference. Enthusiasts without any previous background composed teams from all regions of the country, facing the challenge of learning the basic concepts and developing a feasible technology in a short period. To provide the tools for a successful experience, the event started two weeks before the first participants arrived in São Carlos. An online phase was performed, introducing SynBio for all the newcomers through dynamic, accessible and open-source materials produced by the Brazilian community. Every group received an iGEMer as a mentor and during the two days of the competition each one created a business plan, a genetic circuit and a pitch describing the project. A judging panel composed by iGEM Communityers from academia and industry evaluated the solutions based on technical viability, commercial feasibility and impact on the world. Inspiring ideas included a new bacterial process to degrade antidepressants in wastewater treatment plants, optimized strains for the industrial production of aromatic compounds and a device to purify any source of water – on Earth and beyond. In the end, the Dep Monitor, a new biological test for major depression, emerged victorious. The explorers that passed through São Carlos two hundred years ago moved on to explore new unknown regions, expanding a still unborn country. The visitors that joined the competition will now move back to their regions, broadening the frontiers of Brazilian Synthetic Biology.

However, it was necessary to live up to the nickname “Brazilian Athens”. Considering that the Greek counterpart made history as home of memorable public debates on Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum, there was no better venue for the first iGEM Community Reception in Brazil. The event was an opportunity to hear from and engage with the Brazilian iGEM Community. It was divided into a public workshop and a private roundtable. During the iGEM Community Workshop, the biotechnology students from around the country had the opportunity to learn from the local iGEMers encouraging stories, to brainstorm about the pathway for innovation in the region and to connect with key stakeholders. In the exclusive section, the iGEMers had the opportunity to propose projects to expand Synthetic Biology in Brazil, to combine efforts on a national level and to provide their insights about iGEM Community on a global scale. This remarkable meeting was the cornerstone of a society for the progress of Synthetic Biology in Brazil. The Brazilian iGEM Community leaves São Carlos broader, united and inspired.

We would like to thank the mentors, judges and participants for sharing this marvelous experience.

Awani Jö! ("We are building together" in the native Iorubá language).

To find more information about the iGEM Ambassadors for Latin America and regional synbio activities visit our Latin America webpage. Learn more about the Ambassador Program here.

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