IGEM

Initiator: TU Delft students and researchers for IGEM competition Duration: Short-term intensive project Platform: VR Lab Simulation Focus: Scientific experimentation, lab safety, educational outreach

As part of the internationally recognized iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) competition, a team of TU Delft students took on a unique challenge: how to make scientific laboratory training more accessible, engaging, and safe.

Their solution was to build a fully virtual lab environment where students could perform biological and chemical experiments in VR. Recreated from precise measurements of a real TNO laboratory, the simulation allowed users to interact with lab equipment, practice procedures like pipetting and mixing fluids, and follow safety protocols — all in a risk-free digital setting.

The project aimed to tackle real concerns: not all students have immediate access to expensive or hazardous lab tools, and first-timers can make costly mistakes. By allowing students to practice virtually, the IGEM team created a bridge between theory and practice, encouraging confidence, safety, and preparedness.

The VR lab was not only showcased internally but also presented at international conferences, including one hosted by MIT, highlighting the global relevance of virtual scientific training. It set a precedent for how immersive simulations can become essential tools in both education and outreach, especially in fields where safety and precision are paramount.