Design the Future with
Synthetic Biology
Organized by CBS-UNMSM & NEA (Neuronas en Acción). Virtual Bootcamp + In-Person Opening & Closing in Lima, Peru. Join the country's most radical bio-innovation hub.
Registration Modalities
BioDesign Bootcamp offers two official application tracks: Group (visited, non-visited, and interschool teams) and Individual (free students). Register between September 8 and 23.
Group Registration
For teams of 3 to 5 students from the same school or interschool, represented by a teacher or adult tutor.
- 3 to 5 students per team: Formed by peers from the same school or interschool (max. 3 teams per school).
- Visited schools: Delegation registers through an official teacher/advisor from the institution.
- Non-visited schools: May register with a teacher or a responsible adult tutor as official communication channel.
- Interschool teams: Students from different institutions participate represented by an adult tutor (e.g. adult relative).
Individual Registration
For high school students from Lima and any region across Peru interested in bio-innovation without a prior team.
- Direct personal application: Students apply directly with their personal information and scientific interests.
- In-person representation in Lima: Teams will have at least one member in Lima to represent them at in-person events; traveling is not mandatory for all team members.
- 100% virtual national call: Students from all regions across Peru can train and fully engage in all virtual workshops and sprints.
- No prior team required: You do not need teammates already signed up; we will connect you with fellow innovators.
Elige Tu Track
Cada equipo debe seleccionar uno de los tres ejes temáticos oficiales del Hackathon. Tu proyecto, diseño y pitch deben responder al reto del track elegido.
Environmental Impact
Design biological solutions to protect and restore ecosystems.
Public Health & Preventive Diagnostics
Accessible diagnostics for vulnerable communities.
Biomaterials & Biomanufacturing
Produce sustainable materials and high-value compounds with bioengineering.
BioDesign Roadmap
From September 26 to October 23, 2026 — Virtual (6–8 pm) + In-Person Opening & Closing in Lima.
Virtual Bootcamp + Opening
Intensive training in synthetic biology: DNA, chassis, proteins, biobricks, and in silico tools. Live virtual sessions 6–8 pm.
Hackathon Sprint
Informative kick-off on October 9, guided Hackathon sprint on October 10 & 11, asynchronous grading from October 12 to 22, and the grand live Final Pitch on October 23.
Official Sessions & Roadmap
Immersive training, rapid prototyping sprint, and official evaluation before the expert jury.
Opening Ceremony (In-Person)
In-person welcome in Lima, program presentation by the organizing committee (CBS-UNMSM & NEA), Hackathon dynamics, and team formation.
DNA & the Manual of Life
Central dogma fundamentals: how information flows from DNA to protein and how synthetic biology harnesses it.
Safe Chassis: E. coli & Yeast
Model organisms in synthetic biology: properties, safe handling, and school project applications.
Proteins: Functions, Candidates & Recombinant Production
Protein fundamentals in synthetic biology: molecular functions, candidate selection for genetic circuit design, and key categories in recombinant production.
BioBricks: Genetic Circuit Parts
Standard language of synthetic biology: promoters, reporters, terminators, and molecular assembly.
Benchling Workshop
Hands-on session on the official platform: circuit design, part annotation, and in silico plasmid construction.
Informative Hackathon Kick-off
Informational sprint briefing: teams receive their final challenge prompt and start structuring their in silico solution.
Guided Hackathon (48h Sprint)
48 hours of collaborative teamwork: guided Hackathon, Benchling circuit modeling, mentor office hours, and prototype submission.
Asynchronous Partial Grading
The evaluation committee and judges review deliverables (circuits, rationale, biosafety) against the official rubric.
Final Pitch, Closing & Awards
In-person oral defense before the jury panel, evaluation of the final rubric criterion, and awards ceremony for the Top 3 teams by the organizing committee (CBS & NEA).
Evaluation Criteria
Your project will be evaluated under 5 official criteria distributed across two stages. Know exactly what the judges will assess.
Total score: 100 points — Stage 1 (80 pts) + Stage 2 (20 pts)
Problem Understanding & Biological Chassis
The problem is poorly defined. The chassis is not justified or unsuitable.
Problem is partially identified. Chassis is justified with basic arguments.
Problem is well-defined with local context. Chassis is suitable and justified with evidence.
Problem contextualized with local data. Chassis is ideal, safe, and backed by scientific literature.
Coherence & Sustainability of the Solution
The solution lacks coherence with the problem or is unsustainable.
Solution is partially coherent. Sustainability is mentioned but undeveloped.
Solution addresses the problem and considers environmental and social impact.
Solution is innovative, deeply coherent, and outlines a long-term sustainable impact model.
Genetic Circuit Design in Benchling
Circuit is incomplete or Benchling is not used properly.
Circuit has basic components but contains errors or lacks logical connections.
Genetic circuit is well-designed in Benchling with correctly annotated parts.
Circuit is complete, optimized, uses standard BioBricks, and shows deep genetic logic.
Biosafety & Social Benefit
Biosafety and social impact are not addressed.
Biosafety is superficially mentioned. Social benefit is generic.
Biosafety risks identified with mitigation strategies. Social benefit is clear.
Rigorous biosafety analysis (BSL, containment). Social benefit quantified and integrated.
Final Pitch & Oral Defense
Presentation is confusing. Design decisions are not defended.
Presentation has basic structure. Answers to the jury are partial.
Clear and structured presentation. Team defends design choices with confidence.
Exceptional pitch: compelling narrative, total technical mastery, and outstanding Q&A defense.
Organizing Committee
The scientific institutions leading and making the BioDesign 2026 initiative possible, bridging academia, research, and biotechnological outreach.
CBS-UNMSM
Synthetic Biology Community — UNMSM. Non-profit academic community promoting training and outreach in synthetic biology with a scientific and humanistic approach.
NEA — Neuronas en Acción
Neuronas En Acción (NEA). A youth organization focused on science outreach, engineering, biology, and medicine. We promote and create opportunities, as well as educational content for the next generation of scientists, fostering knowledge for all.
Allied Organizations
Scientific communities and student chapters driving synthetic biology across Latin America and supporting this initiative.
Synbio LATAM
Latin American synthetic biology network connecting researchers and students across the region.
ASM UTEC
Student chapter of the American Society for Microbiology at UTEC (University of Engineering and Technology).
BIOMIN
Student community in biosciences and biomining focused on ecosystem bioremediation.
Want to Drive Bio-Innovation in Peru?
Join BioDesign 2026 as a sponsor or strategic partner. Connect your organization directly with the country's most visionary youth talent in biotechnology and biological computation.