Stony Brook University’s International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team has won a gold medal at the 2025 iGEM Competition, marking its fourth gold overall and second consecutive win. The event took place in Paris, France from October 28 to 31 and featured 421 teams from around the world competing in synthetic biology.
The Stony Brook team was among 17 US collegiate teams to receive a gold medal this year. Their project focused on using synthetic biology for HIV eradication by delivering Cas13a, an RNA-targeting CRISPR enzyme, into target cells. The team developed a protein-based delivery system that uses a detoxified single-chain diphtheria toxin as a carrier to transport large protein cargoes like Cas13a directly into cells.
To ensure the delivery system targeted only HIV-infected cells, the students engineered a fusion protein composed of CRISPR-Cas13a, DTA, and CD4 receptor-interacting GP120. Once inside the cell, guide RNAs direct Cas13a to HIV single-stranded RNA for precise cleavage and viral inhibition. If no HIV RNA is present, the system remains inactive to avoid affecting healthy cells.
This year’s interdisciplinary team included three seniors, four juniors, and eight sophomores with majors spanning applied mathematics and statistics, biochemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, computer science, environmental studies, and psychology. Faculty members Peter Gergen and Kathryn Gunn from the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology co-advised the group alongside Gábor Balázsi of the Laufer Center for Physical & Quantitative Biology. Undergraduate Biology staff also supported the effort.
Stony Brook has participated in iGEM since its first team launched in 2014 following an initiative by a first-year student who approached Professor Peter Gergen in 2012. Institutional support came from both university leadership and donors over time.
“I continue to be amazed at the impact that participating in iGEM is having on student growth and development and on the success our teams have enjoyed at this international competition,” said Peter Gergen. “I can add outstanding advice and support from members of our prior iGEM teams as well as expert guidance from PhD students Melanie Cragan and Christopher Helenek contributed greatly to the success of the 2025 iGEM team.”
David Wrobel, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences added: “I could not be more proud of this year’s International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team, who, for the fourth time in SBU history, brought home a Gold Medal from the International Conference in Paris. What a fantastic example of undergraduate research excellence at our university and the brilliant mentorship that our faculty provide, as well as the support of our amazing donors who continue to help make this program possible. This is a mark of great pride and purpose for the College and SBU, and I appreciate everyone involved in supporting the success of our remarkable students.”
For further details about Stony Brook’s iGEM project or their ongoing work in synthetic biology competitions readers can visit their page on the official iGEM website.
