Global Distinction for the Sixth Consecutive Year for iGEM Thessaly

Η διεπιστημονική ομάδα του Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλίας, iGEM Thessaly 2024
Η διεπιστημονική ομάδα του Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλίας, iGEM Thessaly 2024

The interdisciplinary team from the University of Thessaly, iGEM Thessaly 2024, presented its research project, "THAELIA," aimed at preventing one of the most serious fungal diseases affecting olive trees, Verticillium wilt, which poses a significant threat to production. This project represents a sustainable and innovative response, contributing to a viable future for the agricultural economy and protecting cultural heritage.

The team's hard work paid off throughout the year with their participation in the world’s largest Synthetic Biology competition, iGEM. Competing among more than 400 teams worldwide, the team received a gold medal for the sixth consecutive year. In addition to the gold medal, iGEM Thessaly 2024 became the first Greek team to win a special award in the General Biological Engineering field. The team excelled as the best in the “Best New Basic Part” category, as they researched and developed a new molecular component/tool (a promoter) that had not previously been introduced in the competition. Continuing their achievements, the team was nominated for the best research project in the “Agriculture” and “Education” categories.

Members of iGEM Thessaly 2024 and students of the University of Thessaly include:

  • Katerina Karagianni (Department of Agriculture, Crop Production, and Rural Environment),
  • Panagiota Koutsandrea (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology),
  • Nefeli-Maria Stoupa (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology),
  • Maria-Asimina Kakadiari (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology),
  • Myrto Veligratli (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology),
  • Ioannis Xesfingoulis (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology),
  • Maria Tzanaki (Department of Computer Science with Biomedical Applications),
  • Evangelos Ananiadis (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering),
  • Chrysi Toukhtidou (Department of Computer Science with Biomedical Applications),
  • Nikolaos Chatzoudas (Department of Digital Systems).

Advisors of the team are:

  • Claire Tsitsigianni (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology),
  • Theofilos Terzopoulos (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology),
  • Christina Malamou (Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology),
  • Dimitris Eleftheriou (Department of Food Technology),
  • Grigoris Karypidis (Department of Computer Science with Biomedical Applications).

Instructors:

  • Maria Tsampika Manoli (Biological Research Center Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC)),
  • Afroditi Katsaouni (VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, Rhizosphere Group).

Principal Investigators:

  • Konstantinos Mathiopoulos and
  • Antonis Giakountis 

(Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology).

The University of Thessaly and the Region of Thessaly were primary supporters of this effort. For the sixth consecutive year, the university provided financial and material support to the students, as well as laboratory facilities and equipment for conducting all experiments. The Region of Thessaly also provided financial assistance, which was crucial for the team's travel and accommodation in Paris for the competition. The team received further support from companies including Dimoulas Specialty Cables S.A., GAP, The Science Support, MEDIAPHARM, DEDDIE, Pfizer Hellas, BioAnalytica S.A., METROLAB S.A., Interlab Ltd., TC Group, JOIST Innovation Park, Bioagros, Anadrasi MED, IDT, and SnapGene.

You can follow the team’s work and contact them through their social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and their website.

Website: iGEM Thessaly 2024
Facebook: iGEM Thessaly on Facebook
Instagram: iGEM Thessaly on Instagram
LinkedIn: iGEM Thessaly on LinkedIn