Contact
Share your thoughts and ideas with us openscience@igem.org
The Open Science and Accessibility (OScA) topic was created by observing how accessibility barriers prevent many people, especially in certain regions, from participating in the synthetic biology ecosystem. iGEM is already a global community and is well-positioned to be at the forefront of making synthetic biology more supportive, cooperative, inclusive and international. This topic aims to foster projects that support and help develop synthetic biology in underrepresented regions and communities, and promote accessibility and inclusivity by using open and citizen science principles to achieve that.
Projects
Science Communication
Open Science & Accessibility
Latin AmericaSynBio For LATAM
Create a Latin American (LATAM) SynBio Network to connect the region's countries under related topics. We seek to create high value connections, develop a collaboration-friendly environment, and promote diverse opportunities among the LATAM community.
Africa
EducationOpen Science & AccessibilitySynthAfrica
Address synthetic biology knowledge gaps in Africa, tailored to the continent's challenges. With transformative potential in medicine, agriculture, and industry, our project seeks to bridge the awareness and education gap.
Science CommunicationOpen Science & AccessibilityEducationSynthesizing Synergies
Foster teamwork, boost innovation, and elevate the collective output of iGEM teams with guidance and regulation. We address uneven work distribution among team members and so much more!
AfricaEducationOpen Science & AccessibilityBiota Talks
Biota Talks is an initiative that brings together members of the African biology community to share experiences, knowledge, and insights about synthetic biology. It’s neither a series of webinars nor workshops. Instead, it takes the form of a book club where members meet regularly to discuss and explore the latest developments and advances in the field.
Academia & ResearchEducationOpen Science & AccessibilityDemystifying The Publication Process
The project aims to create an interactive guide for iGEM teams seeking to publish their research. We will create high-quality videos to show the steps of the publication process, including editing, peer review, and submission. We will also create a comprehensive handbook to provide guidance to teams on how to navigate publication.
Science CommunicationOpen Science & AccessibilityEducationiGEMx
A platform to share your stories from around the world. The iGEM experience leads to many challenges and accomplishments that may otherwise not be highlighted during the Competition.
EducationScience CommunicationOpen Science & AccessibilitySynBio 101
SynBio 101 aims to democratize synthetic biology by bringing synbio educational resources to the scientists of tomorrow through frugal DIY kits, 3D lessons, modules, and free interactive videos aiming to expose younger audiences to the field at an earlier age.
Open Science & AccessibilityEducationWork in Progress
Work in Progress will be a peer support network for iGEMers and members of the synthetic biology geared towards mental health support. The network is a safe space where anyone can turn to, when they are feeling stressed, demotivated or just want to vent.
Open Science & AccessibilityEducationLens On Labs: SynBio Research Talks
Lens on Labs is your window to synthetic biology and its unending prospects. With symposiums on iGEM competition tracks, it aims to build awareness around synbio advancements, while also providing a forum for collaborative discussions from field experts.
Open Science & AccessibilityOpen Talks
The Open Talks project consists of a set of lectures with speakers involved in open (bio)sciences and technologies, specifically in the scope of hardware, software, licenses and open innovation.
Open Science & AccessibilityProject ORIgin
The ORIgin Project is a database for multilingual synbio learning content. It aims to break the accessibility barriers of various valuable online synbio learning resources to the world - whether through translation or by technical means.
Governance & PolicyOpen Science & AccessibilityShipping Policies
The Shipping Policies project aims to study how to extend access to synthetic biology and its tools by understanding local/regional bureaucracy and policy. The pilot project started in Latin America, in collaboration with the Open Science & Accessibility Network.
Open Science & AccessibilityTranslation Initiative
Aims to support a more inclusive community, where language is a bridge and not a barrier. Our goal is to create a shared vocabulary concerning iGEM and synthetic biology that is translated into different languages.
Events
Open Science & AccessibilityOScAthon
iGEM Open Science and Accessibility (OScA) is partnering with Gathering for Open Science Hardware (GOSH) to continue pursuing open science and synbio development.