Introduction
In our educational efforts, we want to promote synthetic biology and our programs to give the public an understanding of synthetic biology and our programs in biopharmaceuticals. To accomplish this goal, we worked to design posters, brochures, promotional videos, and educational games. We distributed our brochures, presented our videos, posters and games at 4 different events to inform students, the public about our work and the future of synthetic biology. In addition, considering that in our research we found that people's access to relevant information and knowledge is now through the internet, we also shared project descriptions, pictures and videos of our daily experiments on our social media accounts, so that this method of information dissemination can also help us with the popularization and promotion of synthetic biology and our project.
Activities in Low Carbon Science and Technology Museum of Hangzhou, China
Members of Bioplus-Shanghai arrived at Low Carbon Science and Technology Museum of Hangzhou on July 28th, 2024, to carry out science popularization activities. We aimed to introduce the public to both the prevention and care of cardiovascular diseases while also presenting our iGEM project on the biosynthesis of rosmarinic acid. The event began by explaining the causes of cardiovascular diseases and the importance of a healthy lifestyle in reducing their risk, helping the audience connect everyday habits with long-term heart health. To engage younger participants, we organized a special drawing session where children learned about the structure of the heart and related plants by illustrating them. This interactive approach not only sparked the children's curiosity but also provided a hands-on way to grasp these scientific concepts. In the second part, our team demonstrated the biosynthesis of rosmarinic acid, focusing on its antioxidant properties and potential role in supporting cardiovascular health. The audience was highly engaged, and the discussion deepened their understanding of how scientific research can contribute to both disease prevention and environmental sustainability. The event successfully bridged health education and scientific innovation, raising public awareness of cardiovascular health and inspiring interest in sustainability-driven research.
iGEM Project Presentation and Classroom Sharing at Ningbo Foreign Language School
Summary of School-Wide Presentation
At Ningbo Foreign Language School, we organized a school-wide presentation on the iGEM competition and our team’s project focusing on the low-cost synthesis of rosmarinic acid. The aim of this event was to introduce students to the field of synthetic biology, highlighting its potential and encouraging them to explore research opportunities. During the presentation, we explained the background and mission of the iGEM competition, showcasing innovative projects from teams worldwide that address various societal and environmental challenges. We then delved into our project, which centers on synthesizing rosmarinic acid, a natural compound with notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, using a cost-effective method developed through synthetic biology. This method not only reduces production costs but also expands the compound’s potential applications in the pharmaceutical and health industries.The presentation generated a strong response from the students, leading to enthusiastic discussions and numerous questions. Many students were curious about the technical aspects of the project and the broader implications of synthetic biology. The session successfully ignited a passion for scientific inquiry among the students, encouraging them to consider engaging in research and innovation in the future.
Summary of Classroom Sharing
Following the school-wide presentation, we held a more focused classroom session where a smaller group of students could dive deeper into the technical details of our project. This session provided an opportunity to explore the principles of genetic engineering and the experimental procedures involved in synthesizing rosmarinic acid. We gave a detailed explanation of the experimental design, including how we engineered microbial systems to produce rosmarinic acid at a lower cost. Students showed a strong interest in how synthetic biology could be applied in real-world contexts, particularly in developing sustainable and affordable solutions. They asked thoughtful questions about the challenges of genetic engineering, the optimization of production processes, and the potential impact of such innovations on industries like healthcare and environmental sustainability. Through this interactive session, students not only deepened their understanding of synthetic biology but also recognized the value of scientific research in solving real-world problems. Many expressed a desire to participate in future research projects or competitions like iGEM. The classroom sharing successfully inspired students to further explore scientific and innovative pursuits, demonstrating the impact that hands-on research and in-depth discussions can have on shaping their academic and professional aspirations.
Synthetic Biology Enters Suzhou Science and Technology Town Foreign Language School
At Suzhou Science and Technology Town Foreign Language School, we held a series of three events to introduce students to the field of synthetic biology and showcase our iGEM project. The first event was a school-wide presentation in the auditorium, followed by more specialized sessions for middle school and high school students. Each session was tailored to the students' academic level, aiming to inspire their interest in scientific research and demonstrate the practical applications of synthetic biology.
Auditorium Presentation Summary
The auditorium presentation introduced the entire school to the iGEM competition, providing an overview of how teams from around the world use synthetic biology to tackle important societal and environmental issues. We also showcased our own project on the low-cost synthesis of rosmarinic acid, a natural compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Through the presentation, we explained how synthetic biology could be used to produce this compound more efficiently and at a lower cost, making it more accessible for pharmaceutical and health applications. The session prompted a lively discussion, with students and teachers asking many questions about how synthetic biology could impact the future of healthcare and the environment. This event successfully engaged the whole school and set the stage for the deeper sessions to follow.
Middle School Presentation Summary
In our middle school session, we introduced synthetic biology, focusing on the basic concepts and how it is applied in daily life. We explained how genetic engineering can modify microorganisms to solve practical problems in medical and environmental fields. We also presented our project, which uses plants to produce valuable medicinal components such as rosmarinic acid, a medicinal component related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, at a low cost. We demonstrated how scientific research can directly impact people’s lives. The students were very engaged and asked insightful questions about how scientific discoveries can be transformed into practical solutions. This lesson sparked their curiosity about science and provided them with a basic understanding of the relevance of synthetic biology to everyday life.
High School Presentation Summary
The high school session was more in-depth, focusing on the technical aspects of synthetic biology and the practical implementation of research projects like ours. We explained the process of using genetic engineering to create a low-cost method for synthesizing rosmarinic acid and discussed broader applications of synthetic biology in medicine, agriculture, and environmental protection. High school students showed a deeper understanding of the subject and asked thoughtful questions about the technical challenges and future possibilities of synthetic biology. We encouraged them to think critically about how these scientific advances could shape the future and urged them to explore research opportunities, such as participating in iGEM or similar competitions. This session not only deepened their knowledge but also inspired many to consider pursuing careers in scientific research and innovation.
Overall, these events successfully introduced students to the exciting field of synthetic biology, engaging them at different levels of understanding and inspiring a new interest in research and innovation.
Synthetic Biology at Suzhou High tech Zone Special Education School
When organizing this event, we did have concerns, as students from special education schools, due to their unique characteristics and educational backgrounds, might find it more challenging to fully grasp the basic concepts of synthetic biology. Synthetic biology, as a relatively new scientific field, involves technologies such as gene editing, bioengineering, and microbial modification, which might appear complex to students with intellectual disabilities. Despite this, we still believed that related science popularization education was very necessary.
Before presenting the science popularization to students from special education schools, we made detailed preparations tailored to their specific needs, using simple language, visual aids, and interactive sessions to ensure they could understand and enjoy the lecture.
During the science popularization event, we showed students videos of our team’s laboratory work, introducing the applications of synthetic biology in the real world and the process of scientific research. The videos explained key experimental steps in a way that was both clear and accessible, helping students understand what happens in our laboratories. As they watched the videos, the students were captivated by the detailed process, witnessing how we used complex equipment to collect data and analyze results, and how we systematically advanced our experiments. Their teachers also mentioned that, typically, maintaining order in class can be challenging, but during our science popularization sessions, the students were extremely attentive and serious, which moved us deeply.
We deeply felt that synthetic biology should be accessible to everyone, and everyone should be able to benefit from it. The development of synthetic biology will bring us new treatment methods and drugs, and advancements in agriculture, the environment, and other fields will also change our lives. No one should be left behind in this process, regardless of their location or any disabilities they may have.
Social media account
We effectively promoted our research project through the social platforms Little Red Book and Tiktok, significantly increasing the project's visibility while deepening public understanding and interest in the field of synthetic biology.
On Little Red Book, we published a series of detailed, visually rich educational articles, highlighting the research background, experimental methods, and potential applications of the project. By transforming complex academic content into clear and accessible science communication, we allowed the audience to quickly grasp the core concepts of synthetic biology. This combination of scientific rigor and engaging presentation received substantial positive feedback from users. Many expressed strong interest in the research and anticipated further updates in this field.
On Tiktok, we posted several short videos that offered a direct look into our experimental process and the project's intermediate research results. These videos, featuring real laboratory operations with concise explanations, demonstrated the practical applications of synthetic biology in addressing real-world challenges. The concise and visually appealing nature of the videos attracted a large audience, with the dynamic display of lab work sparking widespread discussion. Many users posed in-depth questions in the comment section, exploring the applications of synthetic biology in areas such as medicine and environmental protection.
Through the combined promotion on Little Red Book and Tiktok, we not only expanded the influence of our project but also successfully disseminated knowledge of synthetic biology to a broad audience. The interactive nature of social media enhanced our communication with the public, fostering a stronger connection between scientific research and society, and encouraging a deeper understanding and support for the potential social value of our research.
Conclusion
Our event combined live demonstrations and interactive sessions to introduce synthetic biology to diverse audiences, sparking interest in science. Through videos, hands-on experiments, and discussions, participants gained insight into research and its real-world applications. Using social media platforms like Little Red Book and Tiktok, we further expanded our reach and raised awareness of synthetic biology’s societal value.