Throughout our iGEM journey, we gained skills through DKU iGEM Bio club training, Dachuang Program mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaborations. We created a science comic with XJTLU, joined a bio-art collection, and presented our Tampon X solution at CCiC, focusing on synthetic biology's potential for addressing environmental challenges. We also raised awareness of toxic shock syndrome via a DKU Campus Health newsletter, promoting our synthetic biology solutions.
The DKU iGEM Bio club offers a dynamic platform for biology enthusiasts to engage with industrial-grade technology. Our members receive training in both wet lab and computational techniques, advancing their expertise in Synthetic Biology and Biomedical Engineering. We aim to demonstrate that Biology is at the forefront of integrating diverse fields—from Art to Data Science—into Synthetic Biology, driving significant scientific progress. Bi-weekly journal clubs enable members to undertake professional research and discuss scientific innovations ranging from Bio-Art and Cancer Treatments to Biology Startups, highlighting the role of DIY Biology in fostering innovation. Each year, 13 members are selected to compete in the prestigious international iGEM competition, continuing a legacy of excellence with numerous medals and honors.
Dachuang played a vital role in our growth as a team and in the advancement of our project. The initiative provided the structure and resources we needed to transform an initial concept into a scientifically sound and socially impactful solution. We shared our Tampon X solution to peer students and professors, receiving advice and suggestions from interdisciplinary scholars. This process not only strengthened our technical skills but also cultivated our collaboration and project management capabilities, both of which are essential for success in iGEM.
Dachuang provided a collaborative environment where we worked with students from different disciplines. This multidisciplinary approach was crucial as it allowed us to address the various aspects of the project—biological, engineering, and practical product design. Each team member contributed their unique expertise, making the research process more dynamic and thorough.
A key feature of the Dachuang Project was the mentorship we received from experienced faculty and industry professionals. Their guidance helped us navigate the complexities of synthetic biology and product development. We regularly presented our progress, receiving critical feedback that shaped the next steps of our project.
Beyond the technical aspects, Dachuang also emphasized the entrepreneurial side of innovation. We participated in workshops on market analysis, user needs, and product scalability, which helped us think beyond the lab and consider how our solution could be implemented in real-world settings.
Dachuang program presentation
In collaboration with XJTLU, we created a science popularization comic that simplifies complex concepts in synthetic biology and bioengineering through engaging, vivid illustrations. By breaking down the science into easy-to-understand steps, we aim to inspire curiosity and understanding of how synthetic biology can be applied in everyday life, from developing new plant species to creating life-saving medications.
DKU & XJTLU collaboration program on synthetic biology popularization
Bio-field science art collaboration program
iGEMers from Jilin university college of basic medical sciences held this multi university iGEM teams Bio art collection. Participating iGEM teams created iGEM comic design aiming to using daily language to explain Synthetic biology concepts and applications.As part of our iGEM project, we presented our poster and Tampon X solution to fellow scholars and iGEM teams during CCiC conference.Engaging with the broader iGEM community also helped us exchange ideas and learn from other innovative solutions.
In addition to presenting our work, we organized a lecture focused on the application of iGEM in addressing environmental issues. During this session, we discussed how synthetic biology could be harnessed to tackle global challenges such as pollution, waste management, and climate change. We highlighted specific iGEM projects that pioneered solutions in areas like water purification, biodegradable materials, and carbon capture. The lecture aimed to inspire participants to explore the vast potential of synthetic biology in creating sustainable, eco-friendly innovations that could reshape the future of environmental science.
DKU iGEM Poster presented on CCiC 2024
In September 2024, we collaborated with the Duke Kunshan University Clinic to launch an October newsletter to address the low awareness of TSS (toxic shock syndrome) in China, which was directed to all faculty and staff at Duke Kunshan University, focusing on the symptoms and severity of TSS, possible causes of TSS and preventive interventions, as well as our new synthetic biology-based solutions. The newsletter focused on the symptoms, severity, possible triggers and preventive interventions of TSS, and proposed our new solution based on synthetic biology. This event not only raised the awareness of TSS among the university staff and students, but also promoted our innovative solutions using synthetic biology technology.
DKU iGEM & DKU Campus Health Monthly Newsletter