Our iGEM team formed in the early months of 2020. Back then, we had a “battle” between cool ideas, and decided to put all our efforts into Cattlelyst, a biofilter able to reduce both methane and ammonia emission from cattle sheds!
Little did we know we were about to experience the COVID-19 pandemic that would make everything more difficult. Our iGEM project trajectory was disrupted in several ways:
· In March and April we were trying to find our grounds in the new reality of online life, trying to understand what awaited us for our graduation projects, lab work, etc.
· May and June were packed with university duties! A vast majority of the team was doing an extremely demanding hand-in course for a company. Three of us were starting a thesis and some were wrapping up with courses before the summer break. With the uncertainties and the desire to graduate in time, putting courses and university stuff on hold was not an option at that point. iGEM at WUR is an extra-curricular (and extra-cool) activity!
Given all this, we, the team members and the supervisors, took the tough decision to postpone our participation in the competition to 2021 and continue with our curricular courses and theses for the rest of 2020. While we put the team work on hold, the project was always in our minds, and we kept our eyes open for opportunities and carried out minor tasks on the side.
Here comes an exciting announcement: from the early 2021 our iGEM rollercoaster ride has officially started! Additionally, from late Spring 2021 there will be spots reserved in the lab for us. So we are finally kick starting our project! Stay tuned, cool stuff will come out soon!
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