During the 2020 season, we at Cornell iGEM sought to understand how different teams around the world were being affected by and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, we wrote a corresponding survey and sent it out to roughly 150
different teams from around the world, with over 20 teams responding. The data from this survey was collected and condensed into a concise infographic, which was subsequently sent to the responding teams and to the iGEM Headquarters.
Additionally, the complete survey results were made viewable for all teams who participated.
In this collaborative effort, we hoped to connect a network of iGEM teams together so they could learn from one another’s response strategies. Additionally, we hoped to supply the iGEM Headquarters with valuable information about planning
for this season and future seasons in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below, you can view our infographic with the compiled data on it in addition to the questions included on our survey.
Section 1
- Which iGEM team do you represent?
- What is a good email address to contact your team with?
Section 2
- How severely do you anticipate your research activities will be affected by the COVID-19 outbreak? (1 to 5)
- Do you know what date you will be able to resume research activities on campus/in your lab? If yes, what date?
- How has the COVID-19 outbreak hindered your ability to acquire funding for your project? (1 to 5)
- Please use this section to describe your answer to the above question, if desired.
- Are you able to order materials for your project while you are working remotely away from campus?
- How has the COVID-19 outbreak hindered your ability to conduct interviews for HUMAN PRACTICES-related purposes? (1 to 5)
- Please use this section to describe your answer to the above question, if desired.
- How has the COVID-19 outbreak hindered your ability to conduct or attend events for HUMAN PRACTICES-related purposes? (1 to 5)
- Please use this section to describe your answer to the above question, if desired.
- How has the COVID-19 outbreak hindered your ability to conduct interviews for BUSINESS MODEL-related purposes? (1 to 5)
- Please use this section to describe your answer to the above question, if desired.
- How has the COVID-19 outbreak hindered your ability to design a competition website (wiki) for the 2020 season? (1 to 5)
- Please use this section to describe your answer to the above question, if desired.
- Would you like to see the competition moved to a later date? Please explain your answer in "Other", if desired. (Yes or No)
Section 3
- Outline your team's typical competitive season workflow. For example, when do you do most of your work? How long do you have to work on a given project? Dates, times, etc.
- In reference to the question above, how has the COVID-19 outbreak affected your typical season workflow?
- Would you like to see the deadline for REGISTRATION PAYMENT of April 30th moved to a later date?
- If you answered "Yes" to the above question, what date would you like this to be?
- Would you like to see the deadline for REGISTRATION CANCELLATION DATE of May 1st moved to a later date?
- If you answered "Yes" to the above question, what date would you like this to be?
Section 4
- How effectively does this form address your concerns about the 2020 season regarding COVID-19?
- Please include any feedback you have for this form.
This year, our team had the opportunity to collaborate with Ohio State University, Purdue University, Michigan State University, University of Maryland, and the College of William & Mary iGEM teams to educate the public about synthetic biology and how iGEM teams function. We wrote scripts for two Youtube videos. The first covered our own project, Lumicure, and the second gave a brief introduction and summary on bioterrorism. We focused on presenting the facts, as well as pros and cons of the topics in an unbiased manner. Our team members also narrated a few videos that were scripted by other teams in the collaboration. The effort made by each team was in hopes to engage and inform the general in a safe and easy way. Each video is presented in a format that will allow even those with little biology background to understand. You can find the Youtube channel here.
This season we also collaborated with the UPCH Peru iGEM team to highlight the ways in which each team is contributing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations. This is done in order to raise awareness about the benefits and importance of scientific approaches to achieve sustainable development.
Together, we built a slideshow presentation upon which each team described 1-3 SDGs that their project contributes to, and how the project achieves this. Cornell iGEM’s slide is exhibited below.
Through this collaboration, we were able to contribute to the movement #SinCienciaNohayFuturo (#NoScienceNoFuture). This movement began in Spanish-speaking countries to raise awareness concerning the need for scientific research to keep thriving as a society, particularly for developing countries.
A confirmation of our collaboration was sent from the UPCH team, viewable down below:
