Overview
On the journey of pursuing our dreams, we carry a sense of mission, eager to pave the way for a brighter future for humanity through innovative technologies. Synthetic biology, as a cutting-edge field at the intersection of sciences, not only holds endless possibilities but also opens a window to entirely new perspectives.
We understand that the dissemination and sharing of knowledge is a crucial link in sparking inspiration. Therefore, we have decided to embark on science popularization initiative. We aim to transform complex scientific concepts into content that the general public can easily engage with, through a lively and accessible approach. We believe that only when people truly grasp the potential and applications of this technology can their curiosity be awakened, driving them to explore the vast ocean of science. Through carefully designed courses and activities, we hope to let more people experience the allure of synthetic biology, inspiring them to infuse their creativity and imagination into scientific innovation. Our goal is to foster greater understanding and recognition of synthetic biology.
Thus, we embark on the path of science popularization. Below is the specific content of our journey.
1 Education and Outreach
Bringing Knowledge into the Classroom – Astaxanthin Extraction Science Workshop
1.1 Primary school
Our team conducted an engaging science outreach education program for primary school students at Xinluo District Experimental Primary School in Longyan City, Fujian Province. The event kicked off with an interactive and entertaining game, where we utilized colorful cards and models to guide the children on a quest to "discover" the hidden treasure within the longan tree—astaxanthin. This educational approach, blending learning with fun, immediately sparked the interest of the kids, who actively participated and laughed heartily throughout.
Following this, our team members transformed into "little science guides,", leading the children on a fascinating journey through the wonders of astaxanthin with lively language and illustrated PPTs. We narrated its role as a super antioxidant in nature, protecting our skin from external harm like a valiant knight, leaving our skin radiant and glowing with natural beauty. The children listened intently, uttering occasional gasps of amazement, as if witnessing a miracle of nature firsthand. At the conclusion of the event, we received numerous thank-you letters and hand-drawn pictures from the children, expressing their awe at the magical properties of astaxanthin and their boundless aspirations for scientific exploration with innocent yet sincere strokes. One child wrote in their letter, "Today's lesson taught me that there are so many amazing things around us. When I grow up, I want to be a scientist and uncover even more secrets!"
This science outreach activity not only provided primary school students with an initial understanding of astaxanthin but, more importantly, ignited their interest and curiosity in natural science. We deeply realize that science education is not merely about imparting knowledge but also about inspiring minds and igniting dreams. In the days to come, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to science outreach, opening the doors of science to more children and letting the light of science illuminate their path to growth.
1.2 Junior high school
In Qufu, Shandong, we organized an educational lecture themed "Originating from Astaxanthin, Nurturing Healthy Skin" for eighth-grade students.
The event kicked off with a dynamic video clip showcasing our team's spirit, research journey, and past accomplishments in competitions. And we briefly introduced the significance of the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition. Following that, we elaborated on the natural science behind astaxanthin, ranging from its natural sources (such as marine microalgae, shrimp and crab shells) to its unique antioxidant properties and remarkable effects in protecting skin from UV damage and promoting overall skin health, which provided students with a comprehensive and profound understanding of this miraculous molecule.
The enthusiastic response from students after the lecture indicated their profound interest in synthetic biology and the applications of astaxanthin. Many students expressed that the event not only broadened their horizons but also ignited their passion for future technological exploration, hoping to participate in similar research projects someday. Additionally, some teachers highly praised the content of our lecture, deeming it a meaningful science education activity that positively impacts students' scientific literacy and innovative abilities.
1.3 Senior high school
On July 3, 2024, we conducted another lecture titled "Exploring Astaxanthin, Decoding the Secrets in Longan" for tenth-grade students at Hefei No. 8 High School in Anhui Province. The lecture encompassed the natural advantages of our team's choice of longan for efficient astaxanthin production and our current research progress. We also briefly introduced the iGEM competition, with a focus on its human practice component.
Adopting a simulated classroom approach, the lecture was engaging, lively, and easy to understand. To enhance comprehension, we tailored our introduction of astaxanthin based on students' existing knowledge from their curriculum. During the lecture, we incorporated interactive Q&A sessions to boost student participation and enthusiasm.
After the lecture, we conducted a survey to gather students' perspectives, suggestions, and insights gained from the experiment. Our team carefully considered the feasibility of their suggestions. We believe this event planted the seeds of science in the hearts of many young minds, inspiring them to explore the realms of science and contribute to human health and beauty in the future. We plan to continue organizing diverse science outreach activities, illuminating the minds of young individuals with the light of technology.
2 Cooperation &Technological Improvement
2.1 ‘Many hands make light work’ --The seminar on exploring the mystery of Astaxanthin
Date: 2024 August 21
time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Online Seminar
At 7:30 PM on August 21, 2024, our team CHINA-FUZHOU and Team NMU China successfully held an online seminar, with representatives from both teams participating in the meeting to engage in mutual exchanges and learning. Through this seminar, we not only deepened our understanding of the astaxanthin market and industry standards but also gained valuable insights from the other team regarding regulatory compliance, quality control, and product R&D frontiers. This knowledge sharing enabled us to grasp market dynamics more comprehensively, providing a solid theoretical foundation for our future endeavors.
Collaborating with Team NMU China, we engaged in a thought-provoking exchange where discussions sparked new perspectives, allowing us to examine issues from diverse angles. The unique backgrounds and experiences of both teams contributed diverse viewpoints to problem-solving, fostering the formation of innovative thinking.
2.2 Longan Technology Institute
Our team's research is centered on extracting astaxanthin from longans, and the success of this project owes significantly to our close ties and collaboration with the Longan Technology institute . The institute's expertise in related fields has provided invaluable technical support and assistance to our endeavors, while we have jointly embarked on diverse science outreach activities.
During the initial stages of our research, we encountered challenges related to insufficient experimental materials and equipment. The Longan Technology institute generously shared their surplus experimental materials with us, significantly accelerating our research progress. Furthermore, leveraging their extensive experience in data analysis, they imparted knowledge on utilizing professional software for data processing, correctly interpreting experimental results, and offered strategies to tackle issues encountered during their own research processes. These guidances were crucial in helping us accurately assess extraction efficiency and optimize process parameters.
We communicated with the experts of the Longan Technology Institute. "For a long time, the city has not formed a systematic and standardized longan tree management method."Expert Yu Zuxing said that longan planting" big years " is obvious, the big year results, nutrient consumption, tree potential decline, fruit picking can not germinate strong autumn shoots, can not form good fruit branches, resulting in less flowers, less fruit, or even no flowers, no fruit or the next year results. Therefore, before and after fruit picking, whether to supply timely and sufficient nutrients, as well as protect the tree potential and prevent recession. After the establishment of "Fuqing Longan Technology Institute ", experts compiled "Longan Green Cultivation Technology Regulations" and " Longan Product Standard" to guide fruit farmers to manage fruit trees according to green, organic and ecological working methods.
Building upon this foundation, our team participated in the inaugural Technology Longan Festival organized by the Longan Technology Institute during the 2023 National Science Popularization Day in Fuqing City. Through this platform, we aimed to disseminate more scientific knowledge to the public. Simultaneously, we promoted the diverse applications of longans to a wider audience of farmers, contributing to the enhancement of their scientific literacy and supporting rural revitalization efforts. Our team is also dedicated to increasing the global popularity of longans, fostering their cultivation rates, and ultimately benefiting a broader spectrum of people.
3 Scientific research and cooperation
We cooperate with students of different majors, different fields,also different countries
On the afternoon of August 24, 2024, our biology students guided international students on a tour of our laboratory, conducting a practical activity on the extraction of astaxanthin from longans . The purpose of this activity was to facilitate communication among students from different disciplines and promote interdisciplinary collaboration and understanding. The participating international students primarily came from chemistry-related fields, and they expressed great interest in our experimental process, offering valuable suggestions at the end.
At the beginning of the activity, we first introduced the basic characteristics of longan and their applications in traditional medicine, followed by a detailed explanation of the astaxanthin extraction process. By showcasing the experimental equipment and procedures, the students observed how to extract this important natural antioxidant from longans. The international students actively participated, posing numerous questions that reflected their deep engagement with the topic.
After the activity concluded, the international students shared their thoughts and suggestions. They first recommended that we provide a more detailed explanation of the chemical structure of astaxanthin and its antioxidant mechanisms to enhance their understanding of the compound’s functions. They believed that comprehending the molecular microstructure and its reactive characteristics would aid us in better recognizing astaxanthin and improving our extraction work.
Additionally, the international students suggested incorporating quantitative analysis methods into the experiments, such as using UV-visible spectrophotometry to determine the concentration of astaxanthin. They felt that this would help us more accurately evaluate the extraction efficiency and link the experimental results with theoretical concepts, thereby enhancing the scientific rigor and reliability of our work.
In the future, we hope to continue conducting such exchange activities to promote learning and cooperation across different disciplines, jointly exploring the mysteries of science. We believe that through such interactions can we truly advance scientific development and innovation.
4 Social assistance and poverty alleviation
Take our knowledge to the fields —— the countryside practice
Date: 2024 August 3~2024 August 5
Time: 8:00-18:00
Location: Shunchang County, Nanping City, Fujian province, China
Our team brought with us the method of extracting astaxanthin from longan leaves and the knowledge related to astaxanthin, come to Shunchang, NanPing city, to understand the farmers planting longan method, longan leaf pulp and other products processing methods. And we will deepen the longan industrial chain program to inform them to seek a good way of cooperation.
4.1 Popular science propaganda
We put up activity posters on community bulletin boards, schools and other places, and set up publicity booths in densely populated areas such as town centres or markets, members of the practice team contact farmers and introduce astaxanthin knowledge. At the same time, through hanging banners, distributing leaflets and other ways to attract the attention of residents.
We held a health talk to introduce the health function and application of astaxanthin. A question-and-answer session was arranged to answer residents’ questions about astaxanthin. The antioxidation experiment of astaxanthin was also carried out to show the effect of astaxanthin. Also we organized a small game or lucky draw activities to increase interaction and fun, so that farmers better understand the longan leaves in the extraction of astaxanthin-related knowledge.
4.2 Plantation Research
Step 1: To determine the time, place and number of samples. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the health status of longan leaves, the effects of plant diseases and insect pests, and the distribution of chlorophyll content.
Step 2: Go deep into the field and collect samples from longan trees of different ages and directions in the longan plantation area. The hyperspectral images of the leaves were obtained using a hyperspectral imager. The chlorophyll content of the leaves was determined using spectrophotometer and astaxanthin was extracted using existing laboratory methods.
Step 3: Explain the result of practice, evaluate the distribution of chlorophyll content and astaxanthin content of longan leaves in different growth stages. Write research reports, including research methods, results and conclusions.
By summarizing and reviewing the original intention and goal of the study, and comparing with the actual results, we evaluate the goal of the three practices successfully achieved.
We learned more about the way farmers grow longan and the way longan leaves and pulp are processed, the distribution of chlorophyll content and astaxanthin content in longan at different growth stages were studied by taking back samples. By putting up posters, setting up shop and giving health talks, we explained the knowledge of longan and astaxanthin to many local townspeople. They listened carefully, learned a lot of new knowledge, and we accepted their advice on longan cultivation. We have a smooth communication with plantation managers and farmers, but also confirmed the initial intention of cooperation between the two sides, looking forward to the future of longan supply and other cooperation.
5. Production of Online Science Popularization Videos
Our team is dedicated to disseminating scientific knowledge through innovative methods, among which the production and release of science popularization videos have become one of our core strategies. These videos aim to enhance the public's in-depth understanding and awareness of astaxanthin and longan, as well as the application of astaxanthin in the cosmetics industry. They not only enrich the public's scientific horizons but also promote the popularization and application of scientific knowledge.
Utilizing the vivid and intuitive platform of online science popularization videos, we present astaxanthin, this miraculous substance and its wide range of applications, as well as the nutritional and health benefits of longan, a traditional fruit, to a broad audience in an easy-to-understand manner. We hope that through these meticulously planned and produced contents, we can break down the barriers of scientific knowledge, make complex concepts easier to grasp, and let the light of science illuminate every corner of daily life.
Astaxanthin Special Topic: We will conduct comprehensive and multi-layered introductions from various dimensions, including the sources of astaxanthin, its biological functions (such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and eye-protective properties), the latest research findings, application fields (food, health products, cosmetics, etc.), and its practical roles in modern life. Through animation simulations, experimental demonstrations, expert interviews, and other forms, we will allow viewers to intuitively feel the charm of astaxanthin.
In-depth Analysis of Longan: We will focus on the nutritional value, medicinal value, consumption methods, and status in traditional culture of longan. Through field visits to longan orchards, demonstrations of longan processing, sharing of traditional recipes, and modern scientific research, we will allow viewers to delve into the mysteries of this natural gift while enjoying a visual feast.
Application of Astaxanthin in Cosmetics: We will start with an introduction to the sources and biological functions of astaxanthin (such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and eye-protective properties) to provide viewers with a basic understanding. We will then further elaborate on the unique role of astaxanthin in cosmetics. Through animation simulations, experimental demonstrations, expert interviews, and other forms, we will allow viewers to intuitively feel the magical effects of astaxanthin in cosmetics. We will share the latest research findings in the field of cosmetics and demonstrate its broad application prospects. At the same time, we will expand the practical application of astaxanthin in fields such as food, health products, and cosmetics, showcasing its diverse application value to viewers.
We will leverage social media, video platforms, and other multi-channels for widespread dissemination to ensure that the content covers audience groups of different age layers and interest preferences. We encourage viewers to leave comments and participate in discussions, regularly hold online Q&A sessions to enhance viewer engagement. At the same time, through data analysis (such as view count, likes, comments, shares, etc.) and viewer feedback, we will continuously optimize video content and dissemination strategies to ensure the maximization of science popularization effects.
We hope that through our continuous efforts, not only will astaxanthin and longan become hotly discussed scientific topics among the public but also inspire the public's enthusiasm for scientific exploration, enhance the scientific literacy of all citizens, and promote the deep integration of science with social life. We believe that every share of love and dissemination of science is an important force driving social progress.
Summary
When delving into the educational significance of our project, we have profoundly realized that a successful project should not only be responsible and beneficial to the world but also embody a profound reflection and positive response to human practices, research, and participation. Our project transcends mere technology or product development; it is an educational journey characterized by continuous iteration, integration of social feedback, and self-improvement.
