Competition/Deliverables/Part Pages
8. Registry Part Pages
On this page you will find: how to start documenting your parts, suggested questions, part categories, and creating new part pages .
Registry Freeze
Deadline: October TBD, 23:59 EDT
This deadline is the same as the Wiki Freeze deadline. This is important since the judges will begin assessing your team after the freeze. All information you wish to be judged on for your Parts must be documented on your Registry Pages.
This year, we know many teams will not have experimental data available for their Parts. However, if you are planning designs for new Parts this year with the expectation of building the Parts in the future, we do expect teams to provide design information (the DNA sequence, background information from literature and/or previous iGEM teams, expected results, etc.) for those new Parts.
Create New Registry Part Pages
Suggested start: July 1
This is a suggested deadline to encourage teams to look at the information we provide on part categories and making pages. It takes time and effort to make a well documented part page, so we recommend all teams use this deadline to at least make the pages so you can more easily edit and add documentation as the season comes to an end.
Along with the competition, iGEM Headquarters maintains and runs the Registry of Standard Biological Parts (or "Registry"), which houses a growing collection of genetic parts that can be mixed and matched to build synthetic biology devices and systems. During the competition, iGEM teams have access to parts, samples, data, and tools on the Registry to work on their synthetic biology projects.
One of the expectations for participating iGEM teams is that they will submit any new biological parts they created to the Registry in order to help the Registry grow. Teams are also encouraged through the medal system to characterize their new parts along with existing parts from the Registry and submit that data to the Registry in order to help future teams use those parts. This expectation is a part of our "Get and Give" philosophy, where iGEM teams receive existing and contribute new biological parts to the Registry.
1. For teams who are working with parts, your team must create and/or add to existing Part Pages on the Registry. Please refer to the Medal criteria and Special Prizes for Parts for more details.
2. Given the amount of detailed information you need to provide on your Part pages, we strongly recommend that teams work on these Part pages often and early. Waiting until the end of the season can result in poorly documented pages and various mistakes.
3. Only one person should edit a Part Page at a time. If multiple people are editing the same page at the same time, information will be lost!
4. All teams should remember ensure that their parts are compatible with the BioBrick standard described in RFC 10, or the Type IIS standard described here.
How to start documenting your parts
As you make new Part pages, think carefully about the details you would need in order to fully understand and use the part in a project. All of the information needed to use the part successfully should be included on your Part page. Think back to a part you used from the Registry - were you able to easily use it? Or did it need some more information? You should aim to create new Part pages that allow future teams to use your part easily and successfully.
Here are some suggested questions to consider as you document your part(s):
- Where did you obtain this DNA?
- Did you encounter problems with obtaining and/or using the part?
- What biosafety level laboratory can you use this part in?
- Do you have recommendations for testing your part, such as strains or cells lines?
- What experiment did you run to test your part and what controls did you use?
Part Categories
The Registry breaks down parts into two major categories: Basic Part and Composite Part. It's critical that you and your teammates understand the differences between these categories as the category denotes the type of Registry Part Page you will create.
We clearly define these two categories on the Add a Part page on the Registry. Everyone on your team should read through this page and email us at hq AT igem DOT org with any questions prior to making your page(s).
Creating New Part Pages
Once you have determined if you are creating a Basic Part or Composite Part page, you should read through our Guidelines for the Main Part page which will contain the majority of the information about your part.
For specific guidelines for a Basic Part page, please see our Add a Basic Part page. BBa_K863006 is an example of a well-documented Basic Part.
For specific guidelines for a Composite Part page, please see our Add a Composite Part page. BBa_K1150020 is an example of a well-documented Composite Part.
iGEM Foundation
The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of synthetic biology, education and competition, and the development of an open community and collaboration. Visit us at igem.org
Contact
hq AT igem DOT org
45 Prospect Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Due to COVID-19, iGEM staff are working remotely and cannot receive phone calls.
Please contact us by email.
