The 11th Conference of China iGEMer Community​

From July 12 to 14, 2024, we were invited to participate online in The 11th Conference of the China iGEMer Community held at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.

This conference attracted nearly a thousand participants, including 89 representative teams from renowned universities such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Fudan University, as well as 35 teams from high schools like the Affiliated High School of Renmin University of China. The participating teams gathered to share and showcase their innovative projects from this year's iGEM competition. During the conference, student representatives engaged in in-depth discussions with experts from academia and industry, sparking innovative ideas through academic lectures, team presentations, and poster displays.

In the opening remarks, Professor Adam Cross, Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, emphasized the importance of synthetic biology, noting its enormous potential to drive revolutionary changes in medicine, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, Professor Zhan Qimin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, elucidated the role of cutting-edge biotechnology in supporting innovation and development in the biomedical field in an accessible manner.

On July 13, BUCT-China 2024 delivered a time-limited presentation, showcasing our project's progress in areas such as wet-lab, modeling, software, and human practice to judges and the audience. We also engaged in discussions with teams like CJUH-JLU-China and Hangzhou-MedX, gaining insights into their design philosophies and innovative approaches. Additionally, we received valuable suggestions from other teams and guidance from professors in various fields, making the experience highly rewarding.

Overall, attending The 11th Conference of the China iGEMer Community was a valuable experience for our team. It not only helped us refine our project concepts for this year and enhance our overall capabilities but also taught us how to coordinate and allocate tasks more effectively. Furthermore, this experience deepened our understanding of the project, expanded our network of connections, and further increased the influence and appeal of MicroDetect.

The 6th Northwestern China iGEM Meetup​

On August 5, the NWU-CHINA-A team from Northwest University hosted the sixth Northwest China Exchange Conference, where BUCT-China 2024 participated alongside over ten iGEM teams from various regions to share ideas and engage in discussions within the field of synthetic biology.

Following the opening, each participating team presented their project backgrounds, research content, experimental methods, results, and innovations through PPT reports and poster displays. The presentation sessions included interactive Q&A segments to foster communication and learning among teams. BUCT-China 2024 focused this year on a significant global health issue—cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer and ovarian cancer. Our goal is to develop a diagnostic platform targeting microRNA, integrating polymerase self-amplification and CRISPR two-step reactions, utilizing single-molecule fluorescence super-resolution microscopy to capture fluorescent spots and conduct automated numerical analysis for diagnostic results, ultimately enabling the diagnosis of multiple cancers.

Throughout the event, our team engaged in mutual learning across various domains such as experimentation, human practices, and design, addressing challenges together and strengthening connections and collaborations.

During this exchange conference, we discussed our respective iGEM projects with outstanding teams from different schools. Listening to the experiences of other teams sparked creative thinking and ideas for improving our own project. Additionally, collaborating with members from diverse backgrounds and projects allowed us to build strong academic ties and friendships, and we hope to create even more remarkable chapters in the field of synthetic biology together.

A visit to Beijing Fulongkangtai Biotechnology Co., Ltd.​

This year, our first stop was a visit to Beijing Fulongkangtai Biotechnology Co., Ltd., where we aimed to explore opportunities for active communication and collaboration with their team.

Beijing Fulongkangtai Biotechnology Co., Ltd. is located in the Yizhuang Biomedical Park in Beijing. The company primarily focuses on the research and development of anti-tumor small molecule drugs. Currently, its core project is the development of FP-208, which has achieved multi-target inhibition of PIKK, offering advantages such as stronger targeting, enhanced safety, lower resistance, and greater sensitivity. As a result, it can provide improved efficacy in tumor suppression.

The company representative introduced us to the entire drug development process, which includes the synthesis of small molecule drugs in the chemistry lab, validation at the cellular level in cell culture facilities, and further validation at the animal level in the animal research facility. Each of these three components is essential. This validation approach inspired us, and we plan to adopt a similar strategy in the experimental validation phase of the MicroDetect project, focusing on verification at the molecular, cellular/tissue, and real sample levels.

We also had the opportunity to observe various operational processes up close in the laboratory, including the use of centrifuges, liquid chromatography instruments, and cell recovery and expansion in the cell culture facility. Through this visit, we gained further insight into the theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology, while also recognizing the differences and similarities between actual production and laboratory operations. This experience deepened our understanding of the basic concepts and processes involved in clinical validation.

A visit to Zhongke Inno (Beijing) International Medical Research Institute​

This year, our second stop brought us to the Zhongke Inno (Beijing) International Medical Research Institute, where we gained insights into how the company rapidly translates cutting-edge technologies into products within the integrated environment of corporate operations and medical research.

Zhongke Inno (Beijing) International Medical Research Institute is an emerging research service company that integrates intellectual property transformation, research cooperation, and publishing services. It has provided research support services to over a hundred research institutions and clinical hospitals. The company, co-founded by Director Yigang Tong of Beijing University of Chemical Technology, along with Professors Xin Su, Guofeng Li, and Zhao Yang, has established a Molecular Diagnostics Technology Innovation Research Center aimed at enhancing the level of molecular diagnostic technology.

Under the leadership of Manager Feng Guo, BUCT-China 2024 visited various departments within the company and gained insights into its development strategies and operational models. Manager Guo provided a detailed overview of the company's strategies, including "one core, two controls, and three major constructions," which drive stable development and promote employee career growth. During the seminar, Manager Guo and senior staff member Shanshan Shi elaborated on the company's development philosophy and journey, addressing many questions regarding the transition of research outcomes to market applications.

The experiences shared here deepened our understanding of the importance of management and operations in the process of bringing research outcomes to market, inspiring us to consider how to optimize the commercialization pathway for MicroDetect.

A visit to Lunan Pharmaceutical Group​

This year, our third stop was at Lunan Pharmaceutical Group, where we gained insights into the complete process from drug development to commercialization through dialogue with leading enterprises in the pharmaceutical industry.

Lunan Pharmaceutical Group is a comprehensive pharmaceutical enterprise that integrates the production, research, and sales of traditional Chinese medicine, chemical drugs, and biological products. It is recognized as a national innovative enterprise and a key national high-tech enterprise. BUCT-China 2024 visited Lunan Pharmaceutical's modern traditional Chinese medicine production workshop, witnessing the integration of traditional Chinese medicine with modern technology. The entire production process is highly automated, with strict quality control measures in place. During the visit, we actively interacted with grassroots staff to gain insights into Lunan Pharmaceutical's research and development management system and its strong support for innovative technologies. This activity provided us with a broader perspective on how to better integrate MicroDetect into medical applications.

A visit to DP Technology​

For our forth stop, we visited DP Technology, a company focused on the integration of artificial intelligence and biotechnology. Through our discussions with DP Tech, we realized the immense potential of AI in disease detection, particularly in optimizing data analysis and models. This interaction further inspired us to explore how AI could complement our molecular diagnostics efforts in MicroDetect.

DP Technology is a pioneer in the "AI for Science" field, utilizing the "DP · Yuzhi®" large model system to shift scientific research from traditional experiments to the era of pre-trained models. The company has developed platforms such as the Bohrium® Research Space Station, Hermite® Drug Design Platform, RiDYMO® Target Development Platform, and Piloteye® Battery Design Automation Platform, driving innovation in industrial design and simulation across biomedicine, energy, materials, and information sciences.

This visit vividly demonstrated the transformative role of AI in scientific research. DP’s Hermite platform significantly enhances the accuracy and efficiency of molecular docking predictions in drug development. This experience provided BUCT-China 2024 with a deeper understanding of the emerging research paradigm of AI for Science and highlighted the power of technological innovation in advancing research. Moving forward, we are even more committed to integrating AI technology with MicroDetect, aiming to develop our own algorithm to analyze our experimental data.

A visit to Shenzhen Bay Laboratory​

This year, during our fifth stop, we visited the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, where we gained in-depth insights into cutting-edge research in the field of molecular biology, particularly advancements in gene editing and protein engineering.

Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, officially known as the Shenzhen Provincial Laboratory of Life Information and Biomedicine, is one of the second batch of provincial laboratories initiated by the Guangdong Provincial Committee and Government to cultivate national laboratories and build a "reserve team" for national laboratories.

Through the detailed presentation by Professor Chao Deng, we not only toured a series of large instruments and cell cultures, but also learned about the laboratory's cutting-edge research on major diseases such as tumors, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and infectious diseases. Their research spans disease mechanisms, life information, innovative drugs, and medical imaging. Notably, Professor Deng mentioned their advancement in early screening for Alzheimer's disease through DNA methylation, which significantly aids patient treatment. The laboratory has also made substantial progress in developing molecular science software, RNA structure prediction, and PET imaging devices, contributing to the fields of biomedicine, scientific instruments, and medical devices.

The laboratory has initially established a comprehensive platform covering the entire drug development cycle, from new drug research and development to product registration, with over ten transformation of research results in areas such as oncology and infectious diseases. It actively responds to policies from the National Intellectual Property Office, continuously strengthening the layout of high-quality patent applications, and promoting an open licensing system for patents. This approach aims to explore practical ways to facilitate the supply-demand matching between research institutions and enterprises, thereby promoting the transfer and transformation of scientific and technological achievements.

Moreover, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory collaborates with internationally renowned research institutions such as Scripps Research to jointly advance interdisciplinary research in chemical biology and the application of innovative drugs. The establishment and operation of this laboratory are significant for promoting the development of life sciences research in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.

This visit not only expanded our research horizons but also provided new directions for further precise detection and optimization of biomarkers in the MicroDetect project.

A visit to HKG Epitherapeutics Ltd.​

Our final stop this year was the HKG Epitherapeutics Ltd., where we gained further insights into the current development of precision medicine and the efforts of enterprises in promoting personalized treatments.

HKG Epitherapeutics Ltd. was founded in 2016 by Prof. Moshe Szyf, a pioneer in the field of epigenetics. HKG Epitherapeutics focuses on developing early disease detection tool platforms based on epigenetic technology and advanced next-generation sequencing (NGS), with a strong emphasis on the detection, prevention, and early treatment of common diseases such as cancer. The company is dedicated to advancing global healthcare and promoting the well-being of all humanity.

The technological tools developed by HKG Epitherapeutics are characterized by their accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and high throughput. Several of their cancer early screening products have undergone extensive database validation during the research and development phase, achieving over 90% accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity for various types of tumors. Additionally, the company is working towards full automation in research and development to enhance detection efficiency and reduce costs.

During our visit, Prof. Moshe Szyf introduced us to the company's laboratory, which specializes in molecular diagnostic testing, particularly in early disease screening using epigenetic technology. The tests developed include EpiLiver, EpiCervix, and EpiAging. Moreover, Prof. Moshe highlighted that the laboratory collaborates with the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, and teams of clinicians and scientists from Bangladesh to develop a high-throughput method for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This detection method identifies HCC through unique DNA methylation characteristics, showing potential for early-stage liver cancer detection, and has already been published in international journals.

We learned that the laboratory has achieved dual certification from CLIA-CAP, indicating that its testing services and quality control meet international standards. The expansion of the laboratory and the establishment of new testing facilities will contribute to improving testing efficiency and quality while also supporting the company's global market expansion. The laboratory's work encompasses not only research and clinical trials but also the expansion of global marketing and testing services.

This visit provided us with deeper insights into the application prospects of MicroDetect in precision medicine, particularly in how to effectively combine individual needs with universal technologies.