Introduction
Human Practices is an essential part of any iGEM project. It challenges engineers to make useful projects that contribute to society. Synthetic biology can bring innovative approaches to solve some major societal problems, however it can also raise many questions. This is where Human Practices comes in to make the teams more aware of the positive as well as the negative impact of their project. Our objective is to fully integrate all stakeholders involved into our project to end up with a therapy that will truly be a great benefit to as many people as possible.
Human Practices Page
On our Human Practices page you will find the work that we did for both Silver Human Practices and Integrated Human practices. The page will show you how we identified our stakeholders, considered their values, and implemented their needs into our project.
On the interactive timeline, you will see that we have met many people from different backgrounds and discussed our project with them at all stages. We used the Gibbs reflective cycle numerous times after the conversations with stakeholders to find out which direction we needed to go in with the project. More about this can be read on the interactive timeline.
Implementation Page
On our implementation page, you will read more about how we intend to bring cELPro into the world in the future. On this page, you can find the information about the improvements we still intend to make on our design, the market research we did, our businessplan, and how we intend to eventually make cELPro available to patients.
Survey Results
In this public survey, we investigetd how the public utilizes mosquito repellents that are currently on the market. We also investigated how the public sees these mass-produced repellent products, how they purchase these products, and how our perfume-repellent product would fit into this niche market.
Question 1: What is your primary country of residence?
Question 2: What is your age?
Question 3: Are mosquitoes/insects an issue in your country?
Question 4: Do you know what Camphor is?
Question 5: Do you know what DEET is?
Question 6: Where do you usually encounter the most mosquitoes?
Question 7: How many times a month on average do you use mosquito repellent?
Question 8: How many sprays do you use each time you apply mosquito repellents?
Question 9: Does the sticky feel of mosquito repellent discourage you from using it?
Question 10: Are you satisfied with the current scents of mosquito repellents?
Question 11: Have you ever had any allergic reactions to alcohol based cosmetic products?
Question 12: What is the highest price you would be willing to pay for a mosquito repellent fragrance(roughly 100ml) that you are satisfied with?
Question 13: How many days on average in a week do you use fragrances(perfumes, colognes, body mists, etc)?
Question 14: Would you be interested to use a perfume/cologne that also functions as a insect repellent?
Question 15: What are your preferred dominant scents for cologne/perfumes?
Integrated Human Practices
During our iGEM journey, we spoke to many stakeholders to get feedback on our project. Those stakeholders are divided into six categories: science and research institutes, business and industry, laws and regulations, safety and ethics, public organizations and communities, and healthcare and hospitals. More about the categories can be found below by clicking on the icons.
An overview of the conversations can be seen in the interactive timeline beneath. The tools that we used in this timeline are the optimized AREA framework of the iGEM team TU Eindhoven 2022 and the Gibbs Reflective Cycle. More about these tools can be found in the respective sections. Furthermore, please click the different stakeholder icons to learn more about them.
To integrate the feedback received from stakeholders it is important to close the engagement loop, different frameworks can be used for this. The AREA framework has been a commonly used framework among iGEM teams over the past few years. The TU Eindhoven 2022 team optimized this framework to the following four phases:
1. Purpose. In this section, the relevance and motivation of the conversation with the stakeholder in question is described.
2. Contribution. Here, the input of the stakeholder can be found, it summarizes the engagement and discussion we had.
3. Implementation. This section shows how we implemented the feedback and how it influences our vision.
4. Outlook. Here, the next steps are described that the team has to take to further improve our project.
The Human Practices work over the past months had an effect on our project on different levels. Moreover, it made us able to make motivated decisions. After these big changes, we reflected on the decision that we made using the Gibbs reflective cycle. An overview of the steps of the cycle can be seen below.
Interactive timeline - All Categories
Click on each stakeholder to see how we implemented their feedback
June 13th
Jsoaper
Interview
In this first meeting with the PIs we discussed the first potential project ideas. Based on the conversation we decided to perform extensive literature research on ELPs (Elastin-Like Polypeptides).
June 26th
Yilan Daxi Education
Our first event was a collaboration with a kindergarten class in Daxi, Yilan, an area known for its high mosquito population. This served as the jumping board for our future kindergarten events, and we gained insight into how to properly lead children to take preventive actions on the topic of pest prevention. During this outing, we educated children on mosquitoes as we identified them as one of the parties most affected by mosquitoes. One of the activities we introduced was creating DIY Mosquito Repellent Bracelets, where children used simple, non-toxic materials like citronella essential oil to make bracelets they could wear and take home, reinforcing the concept of protection from mosquitoes.
July 2nd
Hualien Yu Lee Education
For more information, please visit our Education page.
July 16th
Dr. Zhaobao Wang
Engineering the borneol production pathway harbored many challenges, one of which is the lack of information on an engineered pathway to produce L borneol. After scouring through multiple papers we discovered the pathway for the precursors of L Borneol by Professor Zhaobao Wang. This paper on the Metabolic Engineering of Escherichia coli for the Production of Lycopene was the breakthrough that we needed for our project. However, the paper itself lacks details on the sequences for the necessary proteins in the pathway. We drafted and sent out an Email to reach out to the professor, but we received no reply. This did not faze us, however, and we took on the challenge to recreate the pathway ourselves.
July 22nd
Dr. Rui Ma - National Taiwan University
Recreating the pathway brought up another issue. Although there are sequences out there for the proteins that we need, they are sequences for yeast and not E. Coli. After scouring through multiple papers for a solution we found an article by Professor Rui Ma which claimed to have transformed the sequence of (-)-bornyl diphosphate synthase, a necessary protein for our pathway, into a E. coli compatible form. Although we received no reply from the Professor, a consultation with a researcher from NTU led us to the Codon Optimization Tool on IDT. This enabled us to continue our journey.
July 27th
Dr. Chen Chih-Chiang (Dermatologist) Interview
During the interview with Dr. Chen Chih-chiang, the Director of Dermatology at General Veterans Hospital, we gained insight into the medical and research aspects of our project. We learned about the complexities of developing a mosquito repellent for sensitive skin, including potential allergic reactions, skin irritations, and the toxicity concerns of DEET. Dr. Chen emphasized the importance of alternative ingredients like borneol and oil-based components for better solubility and absorption. He also highlighted the need to address conditions like G6PD deficiency and suggested creating separate product lines for sensitive and non-sensitive skin to meet diverse needs.
July 28th
Dr. Lin
For more information, please visit our entrepreneurship page.
July 28th
Pharmacist Lin Interview
Through the interview with pharmacist Lin Yi-Wen, we received valuable entrepreneur advice on creating a cosmetic product from the ground up. She founded her company, ATHENA, invented 10+ cosmetic products, and established a pharmacy. She provided insights into the repellent and fragrance market, emphasizing the importance of understanding our target audience and balancing costs. Lin Yi-Wen discussed challenges such as weather, economic conditions, and the legal limits on ingredient quantities, which are crucial for product formulation. She also recommended touring factories and engaging with environmentally conscious companies. Her advice would help us refine our product by considering essential oils' repellent properties while managing costs and environmental impact.
August 1st
Piper Kindergarten Lesson
In an interactive session with kindergarten students, we integrated elements of education and entrepreneurship by demonstrating how to craft natural insect repellent using fresh mint leaves, water, and essential oil. To captivate their interest, we narrated a story centered around mosquitoes, underscoring the significance of using repellents, particularly when spending time in parks during the summer. Throughout the activity, we observed that the children struggled to operate the spray nozzle, prompting us to prioritize inclusivity in the design of our product.
August 17th
Dr. Tsai Hong Ying
During our discussion with the G6PD specialist, Dr. Tsai Hong Ying, we gained valuable insights into the impact of different compounds on G6PD patients. Notably, we discovered that borneol, the primary ingredient in our repellent, does not elicit adverse reactions in individuals with G6PD deficiency. Conversely, hemolytic anemia in G6PD patients can be triggered by naphthalene, a substance commonly present in artificial camphor products. This information underscores the significance of using natural borneol in our repellent, as it does not pose a risk to G6PD patients. This knowledge aligns with our commitment to inclusivity, as our product can be safely utilized by individuals with G6PD deficiency.
August 23rd
Professor Hsuan-Chen Wu
National Taiwan University iGem Team
During the event, overgrad and highschool teams presented our projects to Professor Hsuan-Chen Wu from National Taiwan University, who provided valuable feedback. We discussed expanding our insect repellent's effectiveness to consider Taiwan's rainy climate and the future use of a probiotic strain for enhanced protection. We plan to use the T7 system for better demonstration, emphasizing inclusivity and an alcohol-free product. Concerns about the minicell membrane's lifespan and borneol's toxicity were noted, alongside the potential for scent customization using borneol isomers. We’ll also refine our approach to focus on the Z-ring and relevant gene knockouts.
August 24th
Street Interview
The purpose of our street interviews was to gather opinions on perfumes and mosquito repellents, focusing on their scents and whether people find them unpleasant. We asked about potential allergies to these products and which ingredients, if any, triggered reactions. We concentrated on mosquito repellent usage, asking how frequently people use it and whether they dislike the smell. Those who use repellents frequently tend to enjoy outdoor activities, particularly in summer. Our findings show that only a small number of people are allergic to perfumes, and none reported allergies to mosquito repellents. However, many find the scent of mosquito repellents unpleasant and avoid using them or prefer that others don't.
September 20th
Professor Wei-ning Huang - Yuan-Pei University of Medical Technology
Bryan Tsai - National Taiwan University iGem Wetlab Lead
After purifying the borneol-producing minicells, then extracting L-borneol from the supernatant, we wanted to qualify the extract by performing a laboratory procedure called high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This procedure is used to determine the character of an unknown item, and uses liquid chromatography to identify the spikes of a substance in a absorbance graph, to ensure our product was successfully produced. This machine, however, was not immediately available to us in our laboratory, so we contacted professor Huang Wei-ning to collaborate and conduct the HPLC experiments. In the meeting, the professor gave a clear direction in how to perform the experiment and created a reasonable schedule for the test. Bryan Tsai, a master’s student at the National Taiwan University Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, was also a major component to the interview by providing scientific knowledge and interpersonal skills to ensure a transparent collaboration
June 22nd
Dr. Gewnny Fuhler
Erasmus MC
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Gwenny gave us her opinion about the molecular targets that we had selected until now. Before the meeting, we wanted to go for making an anti TNF-alpha antibody, however she pointed out that this might not be the best choice. We found out that we have to look into molecular targets again and that IL-10 and JAK/STAT inhibitors might be interesting.
Interactive timeline - Education Category
Click on each stakeholder to see how we implemented their feedback
-
Yilan Daxi Education
Our first event was a collaboration with a kindergarten class in Daxi, Yilan, an area known for its high mosquito population. This served as the jumping board for our future kindergarten events, and we gained insight into how to properly lead children to take preventive actions on the topic of pest prevention. During this outing, we educated children on mosquitoes as we identified them as one of the parties most affected by mosquitoes. One of the activities we introduced was creating DIY Mosquito Repellent Bracelets, where children used simple, non-toxic materials like citronella essential oil to make bracelets they could wear and take home, reinforcing the concept of protection from mosquitoes.
-
Yu Lee Education
Our next kindergarten workshop was conducted in Hualien, an area with a prominent mosquito problem. In our second workshop, we used a puppet show to captivate the kindergarteners while educating them on prevention measures.
-
Piper Kindergarten Lesson
In an interactive session with kindergarten students, we integrated elements of education and entrepreneurship by demonstrating how to craft natural insect repellent using fresh mint leaves, water, and essential oil. To captivate their interest, we narrated a story centered around mosquitoes, underscoring the significance of using repellents, particularly when spending time in parks during the summer. Throughout the activity, we observed that the children struggled to operate the spray nozzle, prompting us to prioritize inclusivity in the design of our product.
Interactive timeline - Entrepreneurship Category
Click on each stakeholder to see how we implemented their feedback
-
Jsoaper Interview
We had our first interview soon after establishing a project direction. Our interview with Jane Liu, founder of fragrance company Jsoaper, helped kick start our HP progress. With her extensive knowledge of traditional chinese ingredients, we were able to properly understand our active ingredient. Her experience in the fragrance industry guided us on our path to be inclusive to people who have sensitive conditions, and also influenced the creation of our business plans.
-
Interview with pharmacist Lin Yi-Wen
Through the interview with pharmacist Lin Yi-Wen, we received valuable entrepreneur advice on creating a cosmetic product from the ground up. She founded her company, ATHENA, invented 10+ cosmetic products, and established a pharmacy. She provided insights into the repellent and fragrance market, emphasizing the importance of understanding our target audience and balancing costs. Lin Yi-Wen discussed challenges such as weather, economic conditions, and the legal limits on ingredient quantities, which are crucial for product formulation. She also recommended touring factories and engaging with environmentally conscious companies. Her advice would help us refine our product by considering essential oils' repellent properties while managing costs and environmental impact.
-
Interview with Dr. Lin
ENTER TEXT
-
Meeting with Jsoaper
During the Jsaoper meeting, we received critical feedback on our current product strategy. We learned that our manufacturing costs exceed our pricing of 280 NTD and that marketing will be our largest expense. The short shelf life of our product, one year, poses challenges, especially compared to other repellent, which usually lasts up to four years. Furthermore, we understand the potential of creating a mothball product but recognize the difficulties in entering the market owing to the high costs and risks associated with large chains and online retailers. Establishing a brand early and focusing on marketing will be essential for success.
Interactive timeline - Inclusivity Category
Click on each stakeholder to see how we implemented their feedback
-
Interview with Dermatologist Dr. Chen Chih-Chiang
During the interview with Dr. Chen Chih-chiang, the Director of Dermatology at General Veterans Hospital, we gained insight into the medical and research aspects of our project. We learned about the complexities of developing a mosquito repellent for sensitive skin, including potential allergic reactions, skin irritations, and the toxicity concerns of DEET. Dr. Chen emphasized the importance of alternative ingredients like borneol and oil-based components for better solubility and absorption. He also highlighted the need to address conditions like G6PD deficiency and suggested creating separate product lines for sensitive and non-sensitive skin to meet diverse needs.
-
Meeting with Dr. Tsai Hong Ying
During our discussion with the G6PD specialist, Dr. Tsai Hong Ying, we gained valuable insights into the impact of different compounds on G6PD patients. Notably, we discovered that borneol, the primary ingredient in our repellent, does not elicit adverse reactions in individuals with G6PD deficiency. Conversely, hemolytic anemia in G6PD patients can be triggered by naphthalene, a substance commonly present in artificial camphor products. This information underscores the significance of using natural borneol in our repellent, as it does not pose a risk to G6PD patients. This knowledge aligns with our commitment to inclusivity, as our product can be safely utilized by individuals with G6PD deficiency.
Interactive timeline - Wetlab Advisory Category
Click on each stakeholder to see how we implemented their feedback
-
Dr. Zhaobao Wang
Engineering the borneol production pathway harbored many challenges, one of which is the lack of information on an engineered pathway to produce L borneol. After scouring through multiple papers we discovered the pathway for the precursors of L Borneol by Professor Zhaobao Wang. This paper on the Metabolic Engineering of Escherichia coli for the Production of Lycopene was the breakthrough that we needed for our project. However, the paper itself lacks details on the sequences for the necessary proteins in the pathway. We drafted and sent out an Email to reach out to the professor, but we received no reply. This did not faze us, however, and we took on the challenge to recreate the pathway ourselves
-
Prof. Rui Ma
National Taiwan University
Recreating the pathway brought up another issue. Although there are sequences out there for the proteins that we need, they are sequences for yeast and not E. Coli. After scouring through multiple papers for a solution we found an article by Professor Rui Ma which claimed to have transformed the sequence of (-)-bornyl diphosphate synthase, a necessary protein for our pathway, into a E. coli compatible form. Although we received no reply from the Professor, a consultation with a researcher from NTU led us to the Codon Optimization Tool on IDT. This enabled us to continue our journey.
-
Prof. Hsuan-Chen Wu
ENTER INSTITUTION
NTU-Taiwan iGEM team
During the event, overgrad and highschool teams presented our projects to Professor Hsuan-Chen Wu from National Taiwan University, who provided valuable feedback. We discussed expanding our insect repellent's effectiveness to consider Taiwan's rainy climate and the future use of a probiotic strain for enhanced protection. We plan to use the T7 system for better demonstration, emphasizing inclusivity and an alcohol-free product. Concerns about the minicell membrane's lifespan and borneol's toxicity were noted, alongside the potential for scent customization using borneol isomers. We’ll also refine our approach to focus on the Z-ring and relevant gene knockouts.
-
Professor Wei-ning Huang
Yuan-Pei University of Medical Technology
Bryan TsaI
NTU iGem team
After purifying the borneol-producing minicells, then extracting L-borneol from the supernatant, we wanted to qualify the extract by performing a laboratory procedure called high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This procedure is used to determine the character of an unknown item, and uses liquid chromatography to identify the spikes of a substance in a absorbance graph, to ensure our product was successfully produced. This machine, however, was not immediately available to us in our laboratory, so we contacted professor Huang Wei-ning to collaborate and conduct the HPLC experiments. In the meeting, the professor gave a clear direction in how to perform the experiment and created a reasonable schedule for the test. Bryan Tsai, a master’s student at the National Taiwan University Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, was also a major component to the interview by providing scientific knowledge and interpersonal skills to ensure a transparent collaboration.