The NYU Abu Dhabi International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team earned a gold medal and clinched the prestigious Best Integrated Human Practices Award — a special prize that is awarded to only one high school, undergraduate, and postdoctoral team out of the 421 teams in the competition. This marks the first special prize win for NYUAD at iGEM.
The Best Integrated Human Practices category recognizes teams that meaningfully engage stakeholders and communities to ensure responsible and impact-driven scientific innovation.
Bioengineering major Heesung Tae (Class of 2027) says, “Science doesn't exist in a vacuum. When you're trying to engineer a solution, you need to make sure that it is safe and socially responsible. You need to talk to people who know the issue best, and you need to talk to people who will benefit from your solution. You rarely learn this in a classroom or a lab.”
This year, the NYUAD team focused on PMM2-CDG, the most common form of Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG). CDGs are a group of over 160 rare genetic disorders caused by defects in glycosylation, a process of adding carbohydrates (sugars) to proteins or lipids. When this process is disrupted, many organs in the body are affected, leading to wide-ranging health challenges starting from childhood.
Developing a non-invasive probiotic-based therapy concept
CDG can lead to a wide range of symptoms, yet it remains overlooked due to its rarity and complexity. The NYUAD team worked closely with clinicians, scientists, and CDG families to understand daily challenges faced by patients and to design a therapeutic concept that responds directly to those needs.
Guided by these conversations, students developed “Revitalyze”, a non-invasive probiotic-based therapy concept. They engineered beneficial bacteria to produce the missing PMM2 enzyme, with the idea that patients could receive the enzyme through something as simple as a daily drink. The approach reflects the team’s commitment to designing solutions that are both scientifically grounded and practical for families through NYUAD’s cross-disciplinary approach.
Working together through cross-disciplinary approach
Students from across majors like chemistry, bioengineering, and computer engineering, learned to combine their strengths to tackle complex real-world problems.
Computer engineering major Nataliya Sakharova (Class of 2028) says, “Running to the stage to receive the special prize felt like a testament to our collective efforts as an iGEM team — a truly unparalleled experience in learning and teamwork.”
Reflecting on the result, Secondary PI of iGEM and Instructor of Biology Ibrahim Chehade adds, “iGEM reflects the same interdisciplinary learning model we built at NYUAD."
