Speakers:

Neethu Dax, Brittany Green, and Dr. Marina Lazic

International Genetic Engineered Machines (iGEM) in Alberta

Topic:

The I GEM stands for International genetic Engineered Machines, which is commonly known as “the heart of synthetic biology”. This competition organized annually in Paris, France includes more than 400 teams from 50 countries worldwide. The goal is to gather enthusiastic students from undergraduate, graduate and high schools that are trying to solve local and global problems using synthetic biology as a tool. The University of Alberta iGEM 2024 team worked on addressing the global issue of textile waste management through the development of "ReneWool," a novel method of upcycling blended textile waste into spider silk. The project responds to the environmental challenges posed by the fast fashion industry, which is a significant contributor to global pollution. ReneWool uses enzymes to break down cellulose and keratin from textile waste, converting them into amino acids and sugars that serve as carbon and nitrogen sources for spider silk production. The resulting spider silk has numerous applications, including in tissue scaffolding and drug release. ReneWool not only offers a sustainable solution to textile waste but also raises awareness about the environmental impact of fast fashion. By utilizing biological methods that require low energy and mild conditions, the system is more environmentally friendly compared to traditional mechanical and chemical methods. This system could revolutionize textile recycling, offering both commercial and ecological benefits while advancing the circular economy. This project won the gold medal at the iGem 2024 Grand Jamboree in Paris.