Gold Medal
| Criterion |
|
Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excellence in Synthetic Biology |
|
Impress the judges with your work towards three Special Prizes of your choice . You must demonstrate excellence in both General Biological Engineering and in at least one Specialization. Note: Software and AI Village teams cannot select the Software Special Prize as a Gold medal criterion. By competition rules, teams in the Software and AI Village are not eligible to win the Software Special Prize. |
General biological engineering:
Find our
Model page.
Specializations:
Find our
integrated human practices
page.
Find our
education
page.
|
Best Model:
Our modeling work goes beyond technical implementation, emphasizing
innovation and comprehensiveness. Through this comprehensive
modeling process, we supported our project from
concept validation to practical
application, opening new perspectives for exploring the relationship
between cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Our Model conducted in-depth bioinformatic analysis for miRNA
identification. By integrating
bioinformatic analysis, ROC diagnostics, and experimental validation , we identified reliable biomarkers for screening cancer in
cardiovascular disease patients.
Our Model designed the single-arm LIRA structure capable of detecting
one kind of target miRNA and documented the design process into a
standardized process. Our Model performed a comprehensive analysis of
the stem-loop ratio at the binding sites between the single-arm
LIRA and miRNA, constructing 280 functional single-arm sequences.
This laid a foundation for further optimization of miRNA detection.
Further, we designed the double-armed LIRA structure capable of
simultaneously detecting two kinds of target miRNAs and meticulously
documented the design process into a standardized process, resulting in
the construction of 6 functional double-armed LIRA structures.
This design expanded the application range of LIRA, enhancing the
flexibility and accuracy of multi-miRNA detection.
Our Model carried out in-depth analysis and optimization of the designed
double-armed structures, utilizing a Random Forest model combined
with simulated data the value calculated according to the indicator for
parameter optimization. The effectiveness of the model was validated
through experimental verification.
Our Model also conducted kinetic simulations of the LIRA system
observing the response times and concentration changes of the LIRA
system. The analysis of concentration changes provided valuable insights
into the dynamic response of the LIRA system.
Innovatively, we introduced 3D surface analysis, simulating the
interaction between double-armed LIRA and varying miRNA concentrations,
ensuring that the LIRA system better aligns with the complexities of
clinical applications.
Best Integrated Human Practices:
IHP is integrated with the project throughout the entire process,
promoting and enhancing each other. Significantly, ethics was considered
all the time. For the final implementation of the project, we have
embraced the full-scale commercialization. Through extensive and
meaningful interaction with all stakeholders, we have successfully
achieved the closed loops.
The modern spectrum of diseases and the lack of public awareness have
led to societal demand for Heartecho, which we have keenly
identified.
This year, we have interviewed 23 stakeholders, including
experts, doctors, patients, and corporations. This
comprehensive approach not only enhances our understanding of the
project but also supports informed decision-making throughout its
various phases.
After considering the current public understanding, as well as
ethical and legal standards, Heartecho has determined the demand
and established the specifications.
Through advice from multidisciplinary experts, we
gradually generated, promoted, and refined our project,
transitioning from ischemic heart disease to coronary heart disease, and
finally determining myocardial infarction as the final choice.
With continuous patient and public feedback, Heartecho's features
have been iteratively improved.
Additionally, we take responsibility for our stakeholders through
interviews, sports activities, social welfare publications, and social
media .
Best Education:
Our education core is "Wider and Deeper", which symbolizes our
commitment to engaging a broader range of communities in synthetic
biology, fostering deeper communication and understanding.
To ensure inclusivity across all age groups, we've cultivated an
expansive education tree, organizing activities according to the
unique characteristics and needs of different age groups, which has
successfully integrated 17 schools and reached out to
1,682 participants .
We noticed the difficulties faced by minority students in
accessing synthetic biology and recognized that
teachers, parents, and community workers are not only a new
community, but also have the potential to influence and inspire more
people to explore this fascinating field.
To further enhance engagement and learning, we've hosted a series of
innovative events, such as
"iGEMers' Day," "Design the Heart in Your
Mind," "21 Days, Let's Make Heart Healthier," and "Lab Wonders & Micro
Art"
. These events have provided exciting platforms for participants to
appreciate diverse applications in synthetic biology.
We ingeniously designed four games, including
two video games, a jigsaw
puzzle, and a card game
named SYNO. These games have been instrumental
in making synthetic biology education more accessible and enjoyable for
learners of all ages.
In view of the benefits of multi-sensory learning, we innovatively
commence our educational journey through sight, hearing, smell, taste,
and touch.
Additionally, we've crafted four unique theme handbooks, each enriching
the learning experience and providing valuable resources for learners to
explore and delve deeper into the subject.
We constructed an educational activity feedback form to promote mutual
learning and/or a dialogue. Ultimately, we close the loop of education.
Our aspiration is that through our dedicated efforts, the knowledge of
synthetic biology will inspire and empower individuals to contribute to
the advancement of this cutting-edge discipline, ultimately benefiting
society and driving progress in the field of synthetic biology.
Silver Medal
| Criterion |
|
Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Success |
|
Demonstrate engineering success in a technical aspect of your project by going through at least one iteration of the engineering design cycle. |
Find our
engineering
page.
|
| Human Practices |
|
Explain how you have determined your work is responsible and good for the world. |
Find our
human practices
page.
|
For Engineering Success:
iGEM requires all teams to complete the Engineering cycle of
Design-Build-Test-Learn on their own projects. We have completed 3 DBLT
Engineering cycles to examine single-arm LIRA、Double-arm LIRA and
Cell-free systems. We analyze the Structure of LIRA with the model.
Based on it, we design our own LIRA to detect miR-210-3p and miR-142-3p.
Next, we build engineered bacteria. To verify our building, we test it
with antibiotics, digestion, and sequencing. After verification, we
observed and analyzed the result so that the forward engineering cycle
can promote the next engineering cycle.
For Human Practices:
We ensured our project was responsible by actively engaging with diverse
stakeholders, including experts in cardiology, oncology, ethics, and
patients themselves. This broad consultation process allowed us to
refine our project scientifically and ethically, making sure it meets
the real needs of both medical professionals and patients. By balancing
social responsibility, scientific advancement, ethical principles, and
gathering feedback from the public, we are confident that our project is
both responsible and has a positive impact on the world.
Bronze Medal
| Criterion |
|
Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition Deliverables |
|
Complete the following Competition Deliverables: Wiki, Presentation Video, Judging Form, and Judging Session. |
We have designed and submitted our wiki.
Our presentation video will be handed in after
the wiki freeze on the iGEM uploads platform.
Find our
judging form.
We are looking forward to the judging session.
|
| Project Attributions |
|
Describe what work your team members did and what other people did for your project using the standardized form. |
Find our
attributions form.
|
| Project Description |
|
Describe how and why you chose your iGEM project. |
Find our
project description.
|
| Contribution |
|
Make a useful contribution for future iGEM teams. |
Find our
contributions.
|