Stony Brook University’s International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team has won a gold medal at the 2025 iGEM Competition in Paris, marking its second consecutive win and fourth overall gold since the university began participating in 2014. The competition, held from October 28-31, brought together 421 teams worldwide to present synthetic biology projects.
The Stony Brook team was among only 17 U.S. collegiate teams to receive a gold medal this year. Their project aimed to contribute to HIV eradication by using synthetic biology techniques. The students designed a system that delivers Cas13a, an RNA-targeting CRISPR enzyme, into cells with high specificity and minimal off-target effects. To achieve this, they developed a protein-based delivery mechanism using a detoxified single-chain diphtheria toxin as a carrier for Cas13a.
To ensure that the treatment targets only HIV-infected cells, the team engineered a fusion protein combining CRISPR-Cas13a, the diphtheria toxin carrier, and GP120—a component that interacts with CD4 receptors found on HIV-infected cells. Guide RNAs direct Cas13a to cleave HIV RNA within these cells, which inhibits viral replication while leaving uninfected cells unaffected.
The interdisciplinary team consisted of seniors, juniors, and sophomores majoring in fields such as 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 from the Laufer Center for Physical & Quantitative Biology. Staff from Undergraduate Biology also provided support.
Reflecting on more than a decade of continuous participation in iGEM since 2014—a program initiated by then first-year student interest—faculty advisor Peter Gergen credited ongoing institutional and philanthropic backing for undergraduate research as key factors in their sustained success.
“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,” Gergen said. “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 at Stony Brook University, also commented: “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 additional details about Stony Brook’s iGEM team or their latest project efforts visit their page on the iGEM website.