The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition is a top-tier annual global competition in the field of synthetic biology. It aims to encourage students to use standardised biological modules to design innovative biological systems for solving real-world challenges.

The 2025 iGEM Grand Jamboree was held from 28th to 31st October in Paris, France. Sun Kei students joined students from Wah Yan College (Kowloon), Shatin Tsung Tsin Secondary School, Tsung Tsin Christian Academy and Pope Paul VI College to form the ‘HongKong-HS’ team. With their innovative project – ‘ColoTrace’, a non-invasive colorectal cancer detection tool, the team was awarded a Gold Medal in the High School section, bringing Hong Kong glory.

The team’s award-winning project ‘ColoTrace’ aims at solving the issue of inconvenience and the high cost of existing colorectal cancer (CRC) detection methods (such as colonoscopy). They made use of synthetic biological technology as they strive to develop a low-cost detection tool that people can easily complete at home, aiming to popularise early diagnosis and treatment of CRC.

During their stay in Paris, students not only had the opportunity to visit local attractions, but also exchanged their experiences with participants and scientists from all around the world, and showcased their research results. They expanded their horizons in scientific knowledge, project planning, and international vision – an embodiment of iGEM’s spirit of integrating science, cooperation, and cultural exchange.

Wiki webpage of HongKong-HS (in English)  News article by HK01 (in Chinese)

The list of Sun Kei participants are as follows:

Event Snapshots