1. The 11th CCiC
Conference of China iGEMer Community, referred to as CCiC, was initiated by the iGEM participating teams of our country, which aims to provide a platform for the participating iGEM teams and young Chinese synthetic biology enthusiasts to share resources, and promote mutual learning and exchange.
In our discussions with the CCIC team, we explored the importance of biosafety and the mechanisms of biofilm formation. We emphasized the need to strictly follow safety protocols in experimental operations to ensure the safety of the laboratory environment. Our discussions on biofilm formation required us to understand the basic concepts and importance of biofilms. Biofilms are communities of microorganisms that form on contact surfaces and are tightly attached to each other through cell-to-cell interactions, and are surrounded by self-produced extracellular polymeric substances. These structures not only protect microorganisms from adverse environmental conditions, but also facilitate gene exchange and other complex ecological processes. However, the presence of biofilms also presents challenges, as their unique structure often makes them resistant to antibiotics. Finally, during our discussions, we also need to pay attention to ethical and regulatory frameworks to ensure that all research activities are conducted in accordance with internationally recognized standards, without adversely affecting public health and the environment.
2. SLI Workshop
On July 28, 2024, we participated in the roundtable with ZQT-Nanjing and a total of 14 other teams. Our communication mainly focused on the ideas of experimental design and the specific problems encountered. We discussed the methods used in the experiment, shared how to optimize the experimental process to improve efficiency, and suggested some of the challenges encountered in the early design of the experiment, such as the selection of experimental conditions and the setting of control variables. Together, we explored strategies to address these issues, including experimental design using statistical methods to ensure the validity and reliability of the results. In addition, we also shared the technical difficulties encountered in the experimental operation, such as the selection of specific reagents, the optimization of reaction conditions, and shared their success stories and failure lessons. It was agreed that constant communication and information sharing were key to overcoming experimental barriers. This exchange not only enhanced mutual understanding, but also laid a solid foundation for follow-up cooperation. We look forward to further deepening our cooperation and jointly advancing research progress.
3. SynBio Open Conference
We actively participated in the project exchange session at the Synthetic Biology Open Conference on April 27, 2024. The conference brought together many industry experts and scholars to discuss the latest research results in synthetic biology. We shared with participants the core technologies and application prospects of recent projects, especially our progress in gene editing. During the exchange, we learned about the new discoveries made by other teams in the fields of bio-manufacturing and drug research and development, which provided valuable inspiration for our future research direction. The conference promoted cross-field cooperation among various teams and built a platform for promoting innovative development of synthetic biology.
4. Cooperate with WUHAN-HUBU-CHINA
In our discussions with the WUHAN-HUBU-CHINA & jky - wuhan - china team, we shared our experiences and insights from participating in iGEM. We emphasized the importance of project timeline planning and stressed the need for thorough planning in the early design stage to ensure that each stage has clear and achievable goals. We also exchanged ideas for innovative projects and explored how to use synthetic biology principles to solve real-world problems. The Wuhan University team shared effective strategies for project management and team collaboration, which was very inspiring for us to optimize our workflow. Both teams agreed that maintaining an open and learning attitude is key to achieving good results in iGEM. We look forward to more collaboration opportunities in the future to jointly promote the progress of synthetic biology.
5. Cooperation with HUBU teams
In our exchange with the Hubei University teams on August 17, 2024, we had in-depth discussions on human practice (HP). We shared our efforts in raising public awareness of synthetic biology, including educational outreach activities, community engagement, and ethical considerations. The Hubei University team introduced how they enhanced students' engagement through creative workshops and lectures and promoted scientific dialogues within the community. We also explored how to better integrate humanistic concerns into research projects and ensure that research results truly benefit society. Finally, we looked forward to future collaborations and hoped to establish long-term partnerships. This exchange not only deepened our understanding of HP but also provided valuable references for our future research and practice.
6. Cooperate with Fudan&BIT-China team
In our communication with Fudan&BIT-China team, we have discussed related projects of tailings treatment together. The BIT&Fudan team shared their latest progress in the recycling of tailings, especially innovative technologies in reducing environmental pollution and improving resource recovery. We discuss how the tailings can be treated through physical, chemical and biological means to transform them into valuable materials or energy sources. In addition, the two sides also discussed difficulties in the implementation of the project, such as cost control, technical feasibility and environmental compliance. We agreed that interdisciplinary cooperation is the key to solving the tailings disposal challenge and expressed our hope to strengthen this part of the cooperation in the future to jointly promote sustainable development in this field.
7. Roundtable with HZAU
In the round table meeting with the HZAU team, we conducted a comprehensive report and exchange of the overall project. At the meeting, the two sides introduced the progress of their respective projects, including research objectives, implementation strategies and initial results. Together, we discussed how to apply scientific research results to practical production and life to improve experimental efficiency and sustainability. In addition, consensus was reached on data sharing, technical cooperation and other aspects, laying the foundation for our future joint research.
