Education

Communication and Promoting Awareness

We recognize that in order for technological achievements to truly serve society and humanity, we must bridge the gap between science and the public. The bioimaging technology developed by our team not only addresses a wide range of social and medical issues but also encompasses vast application directions. We need to engage with the public on multiple fronts, not only by presenting our thoughts on relevant issues but also by promoting our applications to a broader audience. Therefore, our efforts are primarily focused on conveying our reflections on our themes and raising awareness of our research.

Promotions

We have conducted multiple presentations both within and outside the university. The topics covered include synthetic biology and its developments, the new breakthroughs and shortcomings in contemporary bioimaging technologies, as well as the innovation and application prospects of our research results (specifically in challenging applications related to tumor diagnosis and treatment, the blood-testicular barrier, and the blood-brain barrier).

The audience for our presentations includes, but is not limited to, students or researchers in the field of synthetic biology, students from unrelated majors, and high school students who have yet to choose their fields of study. Many individuals from various fields have been inspired and prompted to think more deeply as a result of our presentations. Additionally, high school and university students who are interested in synthetic biology have gained a deeper understanding of the subject. After each presentation, we distribute surveys to assess the effectiveness of our outreach and engage in further meaningful conversations with the audience.

Presentations are our most important and direct means of communicating with the public. Our goal is to share our exploration and insights into bioimaging technology with a wider audience both within and outside the field of synthetic biology, while also promoting and popularizing our research findings. We strive to foster a deeper understanding and thought about biotechnology in society and to bring innovative technological achievements to humanity.

“Entering Synthetic Biology” University-Enterprise Joint Presentation Event

On September 8, 2024, we held a joint presentation event with four other iGEM teams from our university: Jilin-China, JLU-CP, CJUH-JLU-China, and JLU-NBBMS. This event attracted students from various colleges and grades at Jilin University.

First, we introduced the applications and developments of synthetic biology. Next, we discussed our project—the design and modification of near-infrared zone two fluorescent protein probes. We outlined our research process and current results from several aspects, including the research background, market scale, and proposed solutions.

Mass Media

We have established accounts on various new media platforms and continuously publish promotional content, including but not limited to: the significance of synthetic biology for humanity and society, the applications of bioimaging technology in fields such as surgical navigation and tumor diagnosis and treatment, and the contributions of our research findings to relevant areas. People often feel that science is distant from their daily lives, and synthetic biology seems even more unattainable. We recognize the importance of making full use of new media platforms.

As a result, we have created accounts on WeChat, Instagram, TikTok, Little Red Book, and BiliBili. So far, our total viewership across all platforms has exceeded 20,000. Our aim is to bridge the gap between technology and the public through these new media platforms, making science an integral part of everyday life.

Interviews

We interviewed various iGEM teams, including Peking-HSC from Peking University and CPU-China from China Pharmaceutical University. Our goal was to explore the research projects of different teams, investigate diverse approaches to Human Practice, and reflect on the significance of synthetic biology for humanity and society. This initiative aims to facilitate effective communication between teams. Additionally, we edited and published these interviews on different platforms to directly educate and promote our findings to the public.

interview

Meetups

This summer, we participated in two major conferences: the 11th CCiC (Conference of China iGEMer Community) and the 1st Northeast iGEMer Meetup. The public presentations at these conferences were of significant importance to us, as they not only presented the challenge of clearly and systematically showcasing our research achievements but also provided us with a platform for communication and learning. At these conferences, we discussed the principles, applications, and significance of the bioimaging technology developed by our team, while also listening to the projects and innovations from other teams and engaging in exchanges with them. Through our shared passion for synthetic biology, we built a community that created opportunities for further understanding and communication.

11th CCiC (Conference of China iGEMer Community)

From July 11 to 14, 2024, we traveled to Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University to attend the 11th CCiC. This year's conference was themed "SynBio Nexus," with 89 college teams and 35 high school teams participating.

During the conference, we engaged in in-depth discussions with iGEM teams from across China and had valuable exchanges with experts from academia and industry, sparking innovative ideas. We presented our bioimaging technology to many teams, highlighting its applications in tumor diagnosis and treatment, surgical navigation, and challenges related to the blood-brain barrier and blood-testicular barrier. We also learned from many teams that shared their projects, gaining insights into various directions within synthetic biology. Additionally, we distributed pre-prepared promotional brochures and creative materials, facilitating the exchange of ideas and inspirations with other teams, thereby forging valuable friendships.

1st Northeast iGEMer Meetup

On August 12, 2024, we attended the 1st Northeast iGEMer Meetup at Northeast Normal University. Primarily featuring iGEM teams from Northeast China, the conference invited 12 iGEM teams from universities and high schools both domestically and internationally, aiming to establish a platform for showcasing and discussing the key role of synthetic biology in addressing global challenges.

Our public presentation focused on the applications of the modified near-infrared zone two fluorescent protein probes. We introduced the enormous tumor market, emphasizing the prospects of fluorescence surgical navigation in tumor surgeries, and then discussed our design and modification of fluorescent protein probes, experimental results, and hardware components. Lastly, in light of the trend of increasingly younger cancer patients, we promoted important cancer prevention habits to college students, raising awareness about healthy and scientific living. After the presentation, we discussed the applications of project outcomes in the field of synthetic biology with other teams, seeking additional channels for communication with participating teams from Northeast colleges.

Corporate communications

This summer, we engaged in discussions with several biotechnology companies in Beijing. These visits and communications with biotech firms were crucial for us as we transformed the technologies we developed into products and established a comprehensive business plan and model. Therefore, we needed to build effective communication channels with these companies, conduct thorough site visits and project discussions, understand the current state of research and production in synthetic biology companies, and explore the technological applications and market conversion of synthetic biology. This would help us assess the feasibility and prospects of our plans.

Acrobiosystems Co., Ltd

On July 15, 2024, we visited ACRO Biosystems Co., Ltd. ACRO Biosystems Group is a cornerstone enterprise providing key biological reagent products and solutions for the global biopharmaceutical and health industry.

First, we learned about the overall profile of the company, including its product services, business performance, technological advantages, and strategic planning. Next, the representatives introduced us to the forefront of life science applications in medical diagnostics and testing, and we discussed the practical aspects of our project from an industrial perspective. They also offered suggestions regarding future employment options for university students in the biological field. Finally, we toured the company's laboratories and production facilities, gaining insight into their research and production conditions and a deeper understanding of the technological applications and market conversions in synthetic biology.

Chuangmu Biotechnology (Beijing) Co., Ltd

On July 16, 2024, we, together with the Peking-HSC team from Peking University, visited Beijing Chuangmu Biotechnology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., where we had a discussion with Mr. Kang Kai, the company's founder and executive vice president.

First, we reported on our bioimaging technology and its applications. From the perspective of transitioning our developed products from the lab to clinical use, Mr. Kang provided feedback on our project and introduced the classification catalog of medical devices as well as the rules and processes for applying for Class III medical devices. Secondly, he provided insights into our research field, explaining the metabolic processes of the drugs we study and the current approaches to cancer cell diagnosis and treatment in the chemical field. Lastly, he discussed the achievements of Chuangmu Biotechnology, introducing us to tumor models and future application scenarios. This activity inspired us regarding the challenges of our project and laid the groundwork for advancing the integration of technology and business, facilitating the transition from laboratory research to clinical application.