Introduction

At Scentinel, our goal is to not only develop innovative solutions for visually impaired women through synthetic biology but also to contribute knowledge, data, and tools that can help future iGEM teams in their projects. Our work aims to combine science and empathy to create meaningful change. Through the course of our project, we have made significant contributions to the iGEM community, which we are proud to share.

Registry Contributions

One of our major contributions to the iGEM community is the addition of 15 Basic Parts and 19 Composite Parts to the Registry of Standard Biological Parts. Each part has undergone thorough experimental validation, ensuring that they meet the desired functionality. Below are some of the key highlights of our contribution:

• Thorough Documentation: We have written detailed documentation for 4 key parts, with an average of 10 experimental results supporting each part. This level of detail ensures that future iGEM teams can fully understand and utilize these parts in their own projects.
• pINO1 Promoter Analysis(BBa_K5217001): We performed extensive measurements of the pINO1 promoter in regulating multiple terpene synthase genes, providing a comparative analysis of corresponding terpene compound production. This data offers a crucial resource for teams aiming to explore fragrance production through synthetic biology.
• Experimental Results: Our comprehensive experimental results provide a clear reference for anyone interested in producing and applying aromatic compounds using yeast. These well-characterized parts will be a valuable resource for future projects in fragrance, synthetic biology, and related fields.
• Parts Submission: Our parts are available for the entire iGEM community in the Registry database, and we encourage teams to build upon our work by using these tools in their own projects.

Technical Contributions

Our team has developed detailed protocols, experimental designs, and vector construction strategies that can serve as important references for future iGEM participants. Specifically:

• SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures): We provide standard and widely used SOPs that future teams can follow to ensure consistency and reliability in their own experiments.
• Vector Construction Strategies:Our strategies for constructing vectors tailored for fragrance compound production are thoroughly documented and can save future teams valuable time and effort.

These contributions to the iGEM knowledge base aim to ensure that teams interested in fragrance compound synthesis, especially those working on similar topics, have a robust set of resources to draw from.

Human Practices Contributions

Our project explores a unique and underserved area: addressing the challenges visually impaired women face during their menstrual cycles. Through extensive human practice activities, we have gained deep insights into how synthetic biology can help solve this societal issue. Some of the key outcomes include:

• Raising Awareness:We have engaged with the broader community to raise awareness about the needs of visually impaired women and how fragrance-based solutions can empower them in managing their menstrual health.
• Inclusion Advocacy:One of our goals is to call for greater inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly visually impaired individuals, in scientific research such as synthetic biology. We hope that our project inspires more teams to consider how their work can impact underserved populations and include them in STEM fields.
• Human Practices Data:Through our human practice work, we have collected valuable insights and data that can benefit future teams working on projects aimed at solving problems for underrepresented or disadvantaged communities.