4ª Olimpíada Brasileira de Biologia Sintética (OBBS)
Press Release by: Yala Sampaio, Director of Education at SynBioBR
The Brazilian Synthetic Biology Olympiad (OBBS) is a national event that has been gaining increasing relevance in the Brazilian scientific landscape. Organized by the Brazilian Association of Synthetic Biology (SynBioBR) with support from the Vertere Institute, the competition, which began in 2021, has established itself as a milestone in promoting synthetic biology and encouraging young talents across the country.
OBBS 2024: A New Phase Under SynBioBR Coordination
OBBS was conceived by the iGEM USP-BR team, a multidisciplinary university group participating in iGEM, the world’s largest synthetic biology competition. In 2024, the Olympiad reached its fourth edition and, for the first time, was organized by SynBioBR. We had an impressive participation of 3,794 registrants from all Brazilian states. During the competition, 3,045 students completed the first phase, 1,603 advanced to the second phase, and 528 medalists were awarded, representing 25 of the 27 Brazilian states!
Social Inclusion and Diversity
One of the highlights of this edition was the notable increase in participation from public school students. In 2021, 59.3% of registrants were from private schools, while only 32.5% came from public schools. In 2024, for the first time, OBBS had more registrants from public schools (46.3%) than from private schools (45.9%), demonstrating significant progress in democratizing access to science and opportunities for young people from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Another important aspect was the geographic distribution of participants. In 2021, the Southeast region had almost twice as many registrants compared to the Northeast, the second region with the highest number of participants. In 2024, this trend was reversed, with the Northeast representing 46.1% of registrants, followed by the Southeast with 22.9%, the North with 13.8%, the South with 8.4%, and the Center-West with 5.5%.
Additionally, OBBS takes pride in the significant female participation in all editions. In 2024, 59% of registrants were girls, demonstrating the growing interest of young women in science and technology. This progress reinforces OBBS’s role in promoting gender equity in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), encouraging more girls to explore careers in synthetic biology and science in general.
Highlights Among the Medalists
The 528 medalists of OBBS 2024 also reflect this shifting landscape. 41.5% of the medalists are from the Northeast, followed by 33.5% from the Southeast, 9.1% from the North, 8.9% from the South, and 7% from the Center-West. These figures highlight not only the growing representation of regions more distant from major urban centers but also the impact of OBBS in building a more inclusive and diverse knowledge network.
Additionally, the top 10 ranked students – one from a public school and one from a private school in each region – will be awarded a ticket to the 2nd Brazilian Conference on Synthetic Biology (CBBS). This initiative aims to recognize the outstanding performance of participants and provide them with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of synthetic biology, connecting with researchers, professionals, and innovations in the field.
Impact and Future of OBBS
The 2024 numbers reflect the growing impact of OBBS in shaping future scientists and bioengineers in Brazil. The increased participation of girls, public school students, and historically underrepresented regions highlights SynBioBR’s commitment to making synthetic biology more accessible and inclusive. We thank all participants and supporters who were part of this transformative journey!
Now, we need your help to make OBBS even bigger and more inclusive! With your support, we can offer more opportunities, reward talent, and ensure that public school students have access to this unique experience.
Would you like to support this initiative even further? Get in touch with SynBioBR via email [email protected]
