Tianjin University Celebrates 20 Years of iGEM in China

Tianjin University hosted the “20 Years of iGEM China” academic forum on June 26, celebrating two decades of pioneering contributions to synthetic biology education and research in China.

The forum gathered prominent scientists, including Academician Yuan Yingjin of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dr. John Cumbers, founder and CEO of SynBioBeta, and Professor Cai Yizhi from the University of Manchester and Academia Europaea, along with past and present members of Tianjin University’s iGEM teams. Participants discussed future directions and innovative applications of synthetic biology.

“Twenty years ago, we planted the seeds of synthetic biology at Tianjin University,” said Professor Cai, recalling his first visit in 2006 to promote iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine), an international competition initiated by MIT. “Today, those seeds have grown into a flourishing forest. Tianjin University has become a fertile land nurturing global scientific talent.”

Since introducing the iGEM competition to China in 2006, Tianjin University has played a pivotal role in the development of synthetic biology nationwide. Under the leadership of Academician Yuan Yingjin, the university organized China’s first-ever iGEM symposium in 2007, facilitating high-level exchanges between Chinese researchers and renowned synthetic biology experts from MIT and the California Institute of Technology. That same year, Tianjin University also hosted the first Asian training workshop for iGEM instructors, significantly boosting Chinese participation in this global event.

In the most recent iGEM competition in 2024, a total of 438 teams globally participated, with 209 teams earning gold medals. Chinese teams—including those from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan—secured 106 gold medals, highlighting China's growing global leadership in synthetic biology.

Delivering a keynote address titled “Synthetic Biology: Building a Sustainable Future through Reading, Writing, and Editing Genes,” Dr. John Cumbers emphasized synthetic biology’s evolution from a niche scientific discipline into a vibrant global industry poised to revolutionize sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, materials, and energy.

“Synthetic biology holds immense potential to address urgent global challenges such as climate change, food security, and human health,” stressed Dr. Cumbers. He outlined key advances such as gene editing and synthetic genomics, and highlighted the critical role of startups, venture capital, and international cooperation involving academia, industry, and governments in building sustainable bio-economies.

Tianjin University’s commitment to synthetic biology began with its participation in the iGEM competition, leading to the establishment of targeted undergraduate courses like “Genome Design and Synthesis.” In 2017, the university launched China’s first undergraduate synthetic biology major, and earlier this year, it established the School of Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing , appointing Academician Yuan Yingjin as its inaugural dean.

Today, after nearly two decades of sustained research and educational innovation, Tianjin University ranks first globally in synthetic biology research publications over the past three years. The university is also spearheading the establishment of China’s National Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biotechnology.

By Eva Yin