We had an in-depth discussion with the JIASHU-SouthChina team on microbial fermentation technology, during which both sides unanimously emphasized the importance of strictly adhering to microbial safety laws and regulations. This discussion not only clarified our understanding of the necessity of maintaining standard operations during project implementation but also prompted us to further consider how to maximize the functionality of microorganisms while ensuring safety to enhance the overall efficiency of the project.

Additionally, we discussed the feasibility of donations for our inclusive target group—primarily women. During the meeting, we jointly explored the idea of making donations through online platforms. Our team hopes to provide broader support and assistance to women.

In the meeting, the JIASHU-SouthChina team also shared their experiences in learning within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. These experiences not only enriched our understanding of women’s learning and development in STEM but also helped us gain deeper insight into the challenges and opportunities women face in this field.

During the Conference of China iGEMer Community (CCiC), we shared our project progress with the judges, who offered valuable suggestions. They pointed out that considering our future plan to apply microbial-produced morin in skincare, common E. coli chassis strains like DH5α and BL21 might produce endotoxins, making safety a significant concern. They also recommended designing a suicide system to enhance project safety.

Through this exchange, both teams gained a more comprehensive and profound understanding of each other's projects. The discussions laid a solid foundation for the further advancement of our projects and provided us with new ideas and inspiration for our research and practice in microbial fermentation and women’s inclusivity issues.