Integrating human practice plays a crucial role in the development and application of the entire iGEM project. As a team working in the field of therapeutics, our project outcomes not only impact individual patients but also relate to the broader society, so we bear special responsibilities. We must closely integrate the entire research process with the people, society, and the world, to ensure that our work not only meets scientific standards but also truly meets social needs. In this process, we need to think deeply and creatively about whether our project is truly responsible to the world and brings substantive benefits.

Our story began in December 2023 during a seemingly routine clinical medicine hospital internship class. Our team leader Li Molan and core member Luo Yuejun encountered a young patient with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), who was around the same age as the two students. During the consultation, they learned about the patient's unfortunate experience - she had been battling this illness since the age of 10. This battle had lasted 13 years, during which she frequently suffered from diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding, with the worst episodes reaching 39 bouts of diarrhea per day. Coupled with the psychological burden, she could no longer live, work, or study like a normal young woman. The expensive medical costs had also caused immense suffering for her and her family. That day, the patient's family member firmly told the two students, "If possible, we wish we could take our daughter's illness upon ourselves." Since then, this statement had been etched in the minds of the two students, planting the seed of a desire to alleviate the patient's suffering.

Through a chance encounter, the two students had a conversation with their team's PI, Professor Li Xun, who was the Vice President of Lanzhou University and the Dean of Lanzhou University's First Clinical Medical College. Although inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was not his specialty in liver and biliary surgery, he strongly supported the students' research endeavor and encouraged them to pursue international collaboration and cultivate a compassionate spirit as clinical medical students during their undergraduate studies.

After the team's initial project design was completed, we continued to refine the project through exchanges with expert scholars. Furthermore, we were dedicated to interviewing clinical physicians from internal medicine, surgery, traditional Chinese medicine, integrative medicine, nursing, and psychology, as well as researchers in microbiology, to gain more inspiration and insights. It is worth noting that we also thoroughly investigated the patient's relevant circumstances, approaching the problem from multiple angles to fully embrace comprehensive human practices and continuously strive to find solutions for the treatment and prevention of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Through interviews with various stakeholders and public feedback, we were able to more comprehensively assess the social value of the project. We not only designed for the disease itself but also considered the issue from clinical and social perspectives. We have always focused on the human and social aspects in our research, constantly improving the project to ensure that our research findings can make a positive contribution to human well-being.

Figure1.Timeline chart

We have held a total of 4 comprehensive and large-scale expert and academic exchange meetings. The instructors are all professional scholars in the fields of biology, pharmacy, synthetic biology, clinical medicine, and under their careful guidance, we have continuously improved our research topic, colliding the sparks of ideas, making our project more mature, reliable, and credible.

Communication One

Figure2.The experts participating in the exchange

Figure3.The exchange meeting venue

The questions raised:

•Are thsS/R specific to thiosulfate and PphsA?
•How to handle the high off-target activity and large editing window of CBE proteins?

The resolution process:

After listening to the teacher's advice, we determined through extensive literature review that thsS can only be phosphorylated in the thiosulfate environment, and then it can exert the function of histidine kinase, phosphorylate and dimerize thsR to make it active, and specifically act on PphsA.

Due to the large size of CBE proteins, there are problems such as off-target effects, low editing efficiency conversion, and single editing window. However, our project requires more precise and efficient editing, so the ordinary CBE is not suitable. We wanted to find a CBE protein with higher editing efficiency, higher target activity, easy for precise base editing, and lower off-target activity. After extensive literature review, we found a small, highly efficient CBE protein TadA-CDd optimized from ABE using the Phage-Assisted Non-Continuous Evolution (PANCE) system, and introduced the V106W mutation to significantly reduce its off-target rate. Therefore, we modified the original CBE gene in the system to the V106W mutant of TadA-CDd.

Communication Two

Figure4.The experts participating in the exchange

Figure5.Online meeting screenshot

Before the exchange meeting began, we had read high-difficulty literature, marked outstanding sentences, and recorded the questions we had. Professor Li Yan explained the detailed action pathways of inflammatory factors for us, led us to read high-impact factor literature, and resolved our confusions. Professor Li thoroughly analyzed and elaborated the mechanism of action of the drug protein - AvCystatin (Av17) from parasites, which we chose as the therapeutic part of the overall treatment system for IBD.

Parasites use highly effective immune-regulatory molecules to alter the host's immune system, reducing the inflammatory response against them. This mechanism is the basis for our choice of AvCystatin as the drug protein in the treatment system. The main target of AvCystatin is macrophages, which it interferes with the host's immune system by regulating the expression level of IL-10, thereby downregulating the inflammatory response against them. In the signal events triggered by AvCystatin in macrophages, AvCystatin is first absorbed by macrophages, then induces the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) ERK 1/2 and p38. The activation of these two can generate regulatory type 2 macrophages. The activation of ERK1/2 can lead to rapid and transient phosphorylation of histone H3 on the IL-10 promoter, allowing transcription factors (such as Sp1 and STAT3) activated in parallel by p38 to bind to the IL-10 promoter. This induction of IL-10 expression is tyrosine kinase sensitive and dependent on the activation of the two MAP kinases (in contrast to the expression of IL-12/23p40). Dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSP1 and DUSP2) can modulate the inductive effect of AvCystatin on macrophages, with DUSP1 regulating the phosphorylation of ERK and p38, thereby controlling the expression of IL-10 in AvCystatin-modulated macrophages. That is, AvCystatin induces and regulates macrophages through the activation and inactivation pathways of MAP kinases. Additionally, AvCystatin can also induce the phosphorylation of the transcription factors CREB and STAT3, which is controlled by phospho-ERK. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) can reduce the cytokine release induced by AvCystatin, but its downstream target AKT will not be activated after exposure to AvCystatin.

The questions raised:

•How to determine the activation threshold of sodium thiosulfate and NO, and whether it matches the conditions in the intestine of IBD patients?
•Whether the two-component system and Cas9 are compatible?

The resolution process:

To determine the entire system's sulfate and NO activation threshold, we need to know the concentrations of sulfate and NO in the intestines of IBD patients. However, IBD examinations typically focus on testing inflammatory markers like CRP in the blood, and there is little research on the concentrations of sulfate and NO in the intestines of IBD patients. After much painstaking research, we finally found data on the concentrations of sulfate and NO in the intestines of IBD patients and, by combining it with our experiments, we were able to conclude that our engineered bacteria's sodium sulfite activation threshold matches the conditions in the intestines of IBD patients. As the concentration of sulfate in the patient's intestines changes (with the disease's progression), different therapeutic effects will be observed.

We designed Cycle 2 experiments to verify this problem. We added a two-component system and a Cas9 system on either side of the antibiotic resistance gene, and we replaced the start codon ATG with ACG-tag5 in the sfGFP gene downstream of Cas9 to verify the compatibility of the two systems.

Communication Three

Figure6.The experts participating in the exchange

Figure7.Online meeting screenshot

The questions raised:

•The system is too large, so we need to split the plasmid.

The resolution process:

The plasmid we designed is too precise, which inevitably leads to the problem of the plasmid being too large. Due to the large size of the plasmid, it is very difficult to synthesize, and it also brings many difficulties to the subsequent electrotransformation experiments. Therefore, based on the professor's suggestion, we decided to split the plasmid. We divided the original large plasmid into two high-copy plasmids with different resistance genes. Each plasmid is less than 8,000 bp, which reduces the difficulty of gene synthesis and electrotransformation, and to a certain extent ensures the smooth progress of the experiment.

Communication Four

Figure8.The experts participating in the exchange

Figure9.Online meeting screenshot

Due to a lack of competition experience and unfamiliarity with gene synthesis and plasmid construction, our plasmid requires a relatively long synthesis time. The competition time cannot be extended, and we cannot obtain the plasmid in a short time, so the teacher proposed the need to develop a backup plan for plasmid preparation. Additionally, the teachers pointed out that any scientific research must be carried out on the basis of ensuring safety. We should pay high attention to the toxicity issue of MazF. Therefore, we will replace the plasmids pKD237a and pKD246b with similar and more accessible plasmids pSB1C3 and pET-9a. Through extensive literature review and consulting the wiki of previous iGEM teams, we found that while MazF induces programmed cell death in bacteria, it does not cause cell lysis. This means that MazF cannot enter the human intestine by lysing cells, ensuring the safety of our engineered bacteria in the human body. After the engineered bacteria are expelled from the body, the concentration of NO in the surrounding environment will drop sharply, quickly triggering the suicide switch and causing the engineered bacteria to die, thereby avoiding the leakage of the engineered bacteria into the environment and ensuring their safety in the environment.

Clinical interviews

To understand the real situation of IBD in the medical process, explore the current status and pain points of IBD in clinical treatment, and deeply reflect on the project's innovations and feasibility, we continuously improve our project’s engineering bacteria to better apply it to clinical patients in the future. The LZU-China team conducts a series of interviews, consultations, and surveys around IBD involving four key areas: digestive surgery, biological researchers, gastroenterology, and traditional Chinese medicine.

Figure10.Timeline chart

Introduction:

Jiang Lei, Associate Director of the General Surgery Ward 6, First Hospital of Lanzhou University.

Purpose:

This interview invited Dr. Jiang Lei to understand the current real-world treatment status of IBD patients during surgical treatment, the pain points of surgical treatment, and the importance of targeted treatment of IBD.

Details:

Figure11.Interview scene

Through communication with Dr. Jiang Lei, we learned about the real clinical status of IBD surgical treatment. It is clear that the diagnosis of IBD requires the cooperation of multiple disciplines, including gastroenterology, pathology, imaging, and surgery. In terms of treatment, currently, medical treatment occupies the main position for IBD. Mild patients usually use medical drugs first, while severe cases with complications such as perforation and bleeding, or poor drug efficacy, require surgery. Most patients prefer drug therapy.

In the past, IBD treatment drugs relied on imports and were expensive, but the emergence of domestic drugs in recent years has alleviated the economic burden on patients. In addition to medical and surgical treatment, psychological support and education for IBD patients around the perioperative period are also very important. In recent years, the popularization of minimally invasive surgery, such as laparoscopy and robot-assisted surgery, has improved treatment efficacy, and medical treatment has also made progress.

Significance:

Figure12.Team member with Director Jiang in a group photo

The future requires approaching the current treatment bottleneck from more new perspectives. Gut microbiome therapy is believed to have great future development potential. It is recommended to strengthen basic research and clinical trials, focusing on early treatment and patient education. Additionally, some severe patients may undergo multiple surgical procedures, which will bring them additional harm, and the multiple surgeries will also severely affect the patient's emotions. Director Jiang Lei has affirmed and supported our use of engineered bacteria and synthetic biology to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). He is full of expectations for molecular targeting research and hopes that the results of emerging research can be applied to reduce severe cases, alleviate patient suffering, and avoid additional surgical injuries. His exchange has strengthened our belief in optimizing our research projects. He hopes that through the introduction of synthetic biology, we can carry out more biological and molecular targeting research to relieve the pain of severe IBD patients from complications.

Introduction:

Mao Ting, a researcher at the Gansu Academy of Sciences' Institute of Biology.

Purpose:

In modern medical research, synthetic biology is gradually becoming an emerging field that is leading the future, particularly in the field of disease treatment, where it has shown great potential. We had the pleasure of interviewing Mao Ting, a researcher at the Gansu Provincial Academy of Sciences Biological Research Institute, to jointly explore our topic - using synthetic biology technology to construct engineered probiotics to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We hope that through this interview, we can gain a deeper understanding of the revolutionary changes that synthetic biology has brought to the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, as well as the expectations and prospects for the future development of this field.

In the process of conducting preliminary research for our project, we had the pleasure of interviewing Mao Ting, a researcher at the Gansu Provincial Academy of Sciences Biological Research Institute, to jointly explore our topic - using synthetic biology technology to construct engineered probiotics to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In our conversation with Professor Mao, we learned about the limitations of traditional probiotic treatment methods in IBD, as well as the unique advantages of synthetic biology methods in treating IBD. We also learned about the currently available technologies for IBD diagnosis using biomarkers and biosensors, which provided us with important inspiration for the design of engineered microbes - using biomarkers and biosensors to achieve targeted treatment and controlled drug delivery. We hope that through this interview, we can gain a deeper understanding of the revolutionary changes that synthetic biology has brought to the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, as well as the expectations and prospects for the future development of this field.

Interview Dialogue:
Question: What do you think are the advantages of our project?

Answer:
This project uses synthetic biology methods to construct an engineered probiotic therapy for inflammatory bowel disease. Compared to traditional probiotic treatment methods, it does not require the bacterial strain to colonize the gut, thereby effectively improving the treatment effect and reducing the difficulty of treatment.

On one hand, traditional probiotics need to consider the colonization of the bacterial strain in the gut, as well as the strain's acid and bile tolerance.

On the other hand, traditional probiotics often use microcapsule encapsulation to address the acid and bile tolerance, but this also requires considering the safety of the encapsulation material and the release capacity of the strain in the gut. The project has optimized this engineered probiotic system and incorporated a thiosulfate-responsive self-regulation system to achieve targeted drug release in the gut.


Question: What do you think are the prospects for using synthetic biology to diagnose and treat inflammatory bowel disease?

Answer:
Synthetic biology has great potential in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a complex chronic disease characterized by long-term inflammation of the intestines, leading to a series of digestive symptoms. Synthetic biology is a discipline that solves problems by designing and constructing new biological systems and functions. Its prospects in this field can be seen from the following aspects:

1. Early Diagnosis
Synthetic biology can help develop more precise diagnostic tools. For example:

(1) Biosensors: Synthetic biology can be used to design microbial-based biosensors that can detect inflammatory markers or specific metabolites in the body.

(2) Synthetic biomarkers: Through synthetic biology technology, new biomarkers can be created that can more sensitively detect inflammation or tissue damage in the early stages. This can help improve the early diagnosis and accuracy of IBD.

2. Personalized Treatment

Customized drugs: Synthetic biology can create drugs or treatment strategies that target specific inflammatory pathways. These drugs can precisely intervene in the inflammatory response at the molecular level, reducing side effects and improving treatment efficacy.

Synthetic biology therapy: In the treatment of IBD, synthetic biology can be used to develop personalized biological therapies.

3. Microbial Therapy

Engineered microbes: Synthetic biology can be used to design and cultivate engineered microbes that can be used to regulate the balance of the gut microbiome. Through specific microbes, beneficial metabolites or anti-inflammatory molecules can be produced to alleviate the symptoms of IBD. For example, engineered probiotics can help restore the balance of the gut microbiome and reduce inflammation.

4. Improving the Safety and Efficiency of Treatment

Targeted delivery systems: Synthetic biology can also be used to develop new targeted drug delivery systems that can directly deliver drugs to the affected areas of the intestines, maximizing the therapeutic effect while minimizing systemic side effects. For example, designing drug delivery systems that respond to the intestinal environment, releasing the drug when it reaches the site of inflammation, can improve the efficiency and safety of treatment.

In summary, synthetic biology has a wide range of applications in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Through precise biosensors, personalized drugs and treatment regimens, engineered microbes and cell therapies, and improved targeted delivery systems, these technologies can improve the accuracy of IBD diagnosis, treatment efficacy, and patient quality of life. However, the actual application of these technologies still requires extensive research, clinical trials, and validation to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

Significance:

Figure13.Team members with Professor Mao in a group photo

In our in-depth conversation with Researcher Mao Ting from the Biomedical Research Institute, we gained valuable insights into the application of synthetic biology for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Our team detailed how we can selectively modulate the gut microbiome using engineered probiotics to alleviate the inflammatory response and promote gut health. Compared to traditional probiotic treatment methods, our approach does not require the probiotic strains to colonize the gut, effectively improving the treatment efficacy and reducing the difficulty of the treatment.

In the future, this research holds promise as a novel and effective strategy for treating inflammatory bowel disease, driving the development of personalized medicine. Researcher Mao Ting is brimming with confidence in the prospects of this technology and looks forward to seeing synthetic biology applied in the treatment of a wider range of diseases. Overall, this interview provides an in-depth understanding of the application of engineered probiotics in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, highlighting the innovative potential and practical value of synthetic biology in modern medicine. Researcher Mao Ting emphasizes that while the current research has a relatively high feasibility, further large-scale clinical trials are still needed to verify its long-term efficacy and safety.

Introduction:

Ren Qian, Chief Physician of the Department of Gastroenterology, First Hospital of Lanzhou University.

Purpose:

We have designed engineered probiotic strains specifically for the treatment of IBD, but the journey from system design to clinical application still faces many challenges. We have a long way to go. We hope to understand the current status of drugs or treatments for IBD in terms of administration, safety, efficacy, patient compliance, and other aspects to help us summarize the experience and better improve our project design.

Therefore, we interviewed Professor Ren Qi, director of the Department of Gastroenterology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou University, and invited her to discuss with us the limitations of fecal microbiota transplantation in treating IBD and the feasibility of using engineered bacteria to treat IBD, as well as the relevant details that need attention.

Details:

Figure14.They're engaged in a lively discussion

Director Ren mentioned that the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not reached a unified consensus, and it is mainly believed to be the result of the joint action of factors such as genetics, environment, immunity, and microbiological imbalance. During the treatment process, doctors will formulate a preliminary treatment plan based on the patient's medical history, physical examination, and examination results, while also paying attention to individual differences such as age and lifestyle, in order to optimize drug selection and treatment strategies. The importance of health education is emphasized to improve patient compliance. In the application of fecal microbiota transplantation, the donor's stool needs to be screened strictly, and measures such as improving diet and avoiding the abuse of antibiotics should be taken to promote the colonization and growth of the introduced microbial community, in order to achieve the therapeutic effect.

Additionally, she also emphasized the unique advantages of engineered bacteria, including their precision and non-colonization, especially in the effective release of therapeutic factors. Compared to traditional fecal microbiota transplantation, the design of engineered bacteria needs to consider ecological adaptability, the possibility of incorporating a "suicide switch" and optimizing the "suicide switch" mechanism to ensure safety, strengthening the harmless treatment of waste, and establishing a monitoring and early warning system to track environmental impacts.

Significance:

Figure15.Team member with Director Ren in a group photo

Director Ren's response was detailed and valuable, greatly resolving our confusion. It also provided us with many new insights, such as whether the strain is able to colonize the intestines, determining the concentration of anti-inflammatory factors to release based on the severity of the patient's condition, and considering the accuracy of drug release location. Antibiotics and other medications can cause many adverse reactions, and long-term use can reduce an individual's resistance and immunity. Individuals also have different levels of tolerance to drugs, and drugs should not be seen as a long-term solution. Additionally, the screening of bacterial strains for fecal transplantation poses challenges that are difficult to overcome. The engineered bacteria we proposed have stronger targeting and precision, and the "suicide switch" can regulate drug release, ensuring safety. We will incorporate Director Ren's suggestions, reflect on the project design, and further optimize and improve our project.

Introduction:

Ji Rui, Deputy Director of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Chief Physician of the Department of Gastroenterology.

Purpose:

We have preliminarily constructed an engineered bacterial strain that can perform in-situ treatment of IBD, utilizing biomarkers and biosensors for targeted drug release and suicide under specific conditions, through the application of synthetic biology methods. However, we have also encountered other issues - firstly, whether the gut microbiome is a worthwhile path to explore in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease; secondly, the current state of integration between the gut microbiome and internal and external medicine in the clinical setting; and finally, from the patient's perspective, whether they may develop a rejection mentality towards this novel microbial therapy. We hope to resolve these three issues through discussions with Director Ji.

Details:

Figure16.They're engaged in a lively discussion

Director Ji Rui believes that based on the current clinical effects of fecal microbiota transplantation technology and the traditional Chinese medicine concept of "disease originates from the mouth", the cause of diseases and the development of diseases may be due to intestinal flora imbalance. Therefore, the treatment plan for intestinal flora is a new treatment method worth researching and exploring. However, Director Ji Rui also raised related difficulties and challenges: the number and variety of intestinal flora are quite large, and it requires a huge workload and certain difficulty to thoroughly study the intestinal flora. After listening to our project introduction, Director Ji Rui pointed out that synthetic biology may become the protagonist of future treatment, and our research direction should not be limited to fecal microbiota transplantation technology, but rather broader and deeper research is worth exploring.

When we imagine whether the intestinal flora and synthetic biology therapy can be combined with the current internal and external treatment in the future, the director affirmed our idea: "For diseases with unknown causes, we often mention 'comprehensive treatment', and if the internal medication treatment can see the effect, it would be the best."

In addition, our team is also very concerned about whether patients will feel worried when they hear about intestinal flora transplantation and other treatments, and whether they are willing to accept them. The director happily told us that some patients suffering from IBD are willing to accept this treatment, their bowel movements have decreased, and their quality of life has also improved. They even actively inquire whether they need to undergo repeated transplantation and have specially sent a banner to express their gratitude. This is undoubtedly good news for us, which to some extent dispels our concern about poor patient and family compliance.

Significance:

Figure17.Team members with President Ji in a group photo

Through our dialogue with Director Ji, we gained a more detailed understanding of the current status of IBD treatment, and more clearly defined the feasibility and focus of our project. We also realized that in order to better realize our project's vision, we still need to do sufficient basic research, which is in line with our expectations. Most patients and their families are willing to accept emerging treatments, and the fact that they are not opposed to new therapies is a result we did not anticipate before the interviews. As a result, we are more confident in optimizing our project and promoting our concepts and new treatment paths to the public. We hope we can ignite the hope of recovery in patients and provide them with encouragement and comfort.

After listening to the stories of patients who have to go to the toilet over 40 times a day, we have also been greatly inspired by the patients. We hope to contribute our humble efforts to the IBD patients who are tormented by the disease.

Introduction:

Yao Xiaoquan, Chief Physician of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, First Hospital of Lanzhou University.

Purpose:

Since 1932, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been recognized in China, and since then, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gradually developed and accumulated a wealth of experience in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. We are fortunate to have invited Dr. Yao to provide us with a detailed understanding of the TCM concept of inflammatory bowel disease, familiarize us with its prevention strategies, and we hope that Dr. Yao can provide us with future improvement suggestions for our project from the perspective of TCM.

Details:

Figure18.They're engaged in a lively discussion

We understand the dialectical method and holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating inflammatory bowel diseases. Depending on the different ways of invasion by the six external pathogenic factors of "wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness, and fire", TCM adopts different treatment plans to ultimately achieve the effect of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach. The TCM treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases not only includes Chinese herbal prescriptions, but also non-drug therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and cupping. The fundamental goal of TCM treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases is to restore the normal physiological functions of the spleen and stomach, eliminate pathological factors such as damp-heat and blood stasis, balance the qi and blood in the viscera, and enhance the body's resistance, thereby achieving the purpose of relieving clinical symptoms, reducing recurrence, and improving quality of life. TCM advocates "treating both the symptoms and the root cause". When treating inflammatory bowel diseases, in addition to targeting the affected area itself, we may be able to expand our treatment thinking based on the interdependent relationship of the five zang organs and six fu organs, and explore new approaches for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Significance:

Figure19.Team member with Dr.Yao in a group photo

Absorbing the treatment philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine, we have gained some insights. Instead of delving solely into the treatment targets of the gastrointestinal tract, perhaps we could broaden our research perspective and explore the ultimate locus of inflammatory bowel disease based on the dialectical relationship between the viscera.

Expanded interviews

Figure20.Timeline chart

Introduction:

Li Xuefeng, director of the Lanzhou University Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Communication and Innovation Research.

Purpose:

Compared to Western medicine, the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of IBD has its own unique advantages. To gain a deeper understanding of the perspective of the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine on IBD, analyze the differentiation and treatment of UC and CD, and comprehensively understand the treatment approach of the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine for IBD, we interviewed Director Li Xuefeng of the Lanzhou University Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Dissemination and Innovation Research Center to learn about his understanding of IBD.

Details:

Figure21.They're engaged in a lively discussion

The method of integrating traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine in the treatment of IBD is to carry out comprehensive treatment based on the traditional Western medical treatment, combined with the concepts and therapies of traditional Chinese medicine. The starting point of this method is to utilize the holistic concept and the dialectical treatment approach of traditional Chinese medicine, combined with the modern diagnostic techniques and drug therapies of Western medicine, in order to achieve better results in relieving symptoms, improving quality of life, and delaying disease progression.

Overall, the future prospect of integrating traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine in the treatment of IBD is positive, but it requires continuous exploration and development in scientific research and clinical practice to better serve the health of patients. It is not just about the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, we encourage the output of any comprehensive treatment plan, and our focus and starting point have always been to alleviate the suffering of patients.

Significance:

Figure22.Team member with Professor Li in a group photo

Traditional Chinese medicine is an indispensable part of treating IBD. We need to continuously expand our research horizons, review existing research, and make full use of current studies to actively explore new research. The future prospects of integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine in treating IBD are promising, but we still need to continue exploring and innovating in scientific research and clinical practice, constantly improving and optimizing treatment plans. Regardless of what theoretical or research mechanisms we adopt, our fundamental starting point and ultimate goal will always be to relieve patients' suffering.

Introduction:

Liu Jianbin, Director of the Department of Mental Health, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University.

Purpose:

In order to better focus on the physical and mental health of IBD patients, we interviewed Dr. Liu Jianbin, an experienced director of the mental health department, to explore how to build a solid mental health fortress for IBD patients.

Details:

Figure23.They're engaged in a lively discussion

According to Dr. Liu Jianbin, in his regular practice, he sees relatively few IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) patients. In gastroenterology treatment, severe patients may come for consultation due to secondary psychological issues. IBD is mainly characterized by digestive symptoms, and psychological treatment can help improve the mood of IBD patients. Cognitive and behavioral therapies are among the available psychological interventions.

Furthermore, Dr. Liu told us that family and social support have a positive impact on the mental health of patients, and can help alleviate psychological problems for both patients and their families. The relationship between medication and psychological treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition. The reasons why IBD affects patients' psychology include the recurrence of the disease and changes in lifestyle, which can be improved through cognitive therapy.

In their work, medical staff can assess patients' mental and psychological state in various ways. For children and adolescents with IBD, the disease can affect their social integration and learning, so it is important to provide them with good social support, protect their rights, and take measures to prevent physical and mental illnesses. For the elderly IBD population, attention should be paid to the occurrence of complications, and support can be provided through specialized medical treatment in the healthcare system. In addition to hospitals, community-based resources can also offer assistance.

Significance:

Figure24.Team member with Director Liu in a group photo

In the future, we can strengthen mental health education through lectures, materials, online mental support groups, and community outreach activities to help patients and their families pay attention to psychological care, create a caring and inclusive social environment, reduce discrimination and misunderstanding, or provide personalized psychological intervention plans to achieve multi-faceted support and improve the quality of life for patients. On the other hand, the chronic nature of inflammatory bowel disease means that it requires long-term treatment, and patients and their families will bear a huge economic burden. Dr. Liu frankly admitted that economic pressure is the main psychological pressure for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, aside from the physical harm caused by the disease. In the future, with the development of synthetic biology and the study of targeted mechanisms, the application of engineered microbes and biological components may be able to solve the psychological problems of patients and their families in terms of medical expenses, while also reducing the burden on society.

Introduction:

Zhen Xiaoling, Head Nurse of the Gastroenterology Department at Lanzhou University.

Purpose:

As a chronic intestinal disease, IBD has a long course of progression, and long-term medication brings serious distress to the physical and mental health of patients. In addition to general treatment, specialized nursing care is also essential. We are fortunate to interview head nurse Zhen Xiaoling from the Gastroenterology Department of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, and let's hear about the key points to note in the daily care of IBD patients.

Details:

Figure25.They're engaged in a lively discussion

For IBD patients, effective care measures include psychological support, lifestyle management, medication management, and pain management. In terms of psychological support, nurses need to provide patients with sufficient psychological support, help them adjust their mindset, and maintain a positive attitude towards life. In terms of lifestyle management, nurses should provide patients with detailed dietary guidance, encourage them to participate in suitable sports activities, and pay attention to rest. In terms of medication management, nurses need to assist patients in managing their medications, ensure they take their medications on time and in the right dosage, and observe the efficacy and side effects of the medications. In terms of pain management, nurses should provide patients with detailed information about IBD and effective pain management measures to help patients relieve pain and improve their comfort.

Significance:

Figure26.Team member with head nurse Zhen in a group photo

Good nursing care can provide the most comfortable care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We can improve patient satisfaction, set up nursing methods suitable for patients, and reduce patients' psychological burden on their illness. As a specialized nursing model, specialized nursing holds an important position in the modern medical system. The future development of specialized nursing requires continuous efforts in talent training, technological innovation, and interdisciplinary cooperation to achieve higher nursing quality and patient satisfaction.

The patient's voice

To gain a multifaceted understanding of IBD and adhere to the "people-centered" principle, we visited the bedside of a hospitalized patient with a 6-year history of ulcerative colitis, with the consent of the attending physician and the patient himself, to have a detailed conversation and learn about the patient's journey with IBD over the years.

The patient initially sought treatment at a local hospital due to bloody stool, and was initially diagnosed with hemorrhoids, but was later correctly diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after further examination. Prior to this, the patient had no family members with IBD, and had never heard of this disease before, nor received any related health education during his schooling. Reflecting on his 6-year experience with the illness, the patient shared that aside from the bloody stool, he had no other notable symptoms initially, but the symptoms worsened after he started university a year ago, with some relief after using the restroom.

We then inquired about the patient's usual dietary habits and lifestyle. The patient generally maintains a healthy diet, without any picky eating or aversion to fruits and vegetables. He shared that during middle and high school, when he ate home-cooked meals, his physical condition was quite good, but after transitioning to dining hall food in university, his disease management became more challenging, which may have contributed to the recent exacerbation leading to his hospitalization. Regarding his lifestyle, the patient said he does not have the habit of staying up late, and used to exercise regularly by playing table tennis, especially during his middle and high school years. However, after his condition worsened about a year ago, he has experienced anemia and fatigue, and can no longer engage in strenuous physical activities.

When discussing the greatest impact the illness has had on him, the patient candidly acknowledged the psychological burden, as IBD is an incurable chronic condition requiring lifelong treatment, which deeply troubles him. The patient's distress reflects a key challenge in IBD treatment - the concern that long-term medication use may reduce treatment adherence. However, this patient shared that he has been consistently taking his medications over the years. He initially took traditional Chinese medicine for about four to five months, but felt it could not adequately control his condition, so he switched to the Western medication mesalazine. Recently, due to worsening symptoms, he has added biologics and other stronger medications under his doctor's guidance.

After communicating with the patient and introducing our project, we found that he has great expectations for the new treatment model using engineered bacteria to address inflammatory bowel diseases. The patient exhibits strong confidence and is willing to try this approach, without any skepticism or fear. They are eager for a convenient and effective way to improve their quality of life. Given the patient's financial situation, we will continue to optimize this system. We are committed to relentlessly innovating traditional treatment methods to alleviate the physical, mental, and economic burdens on patients.

In our conversations with clinicians, we have gained a more updated and deeper understanding of inflammatory bowel disease, and our face-to-face conversations with patients have also allowed us to understand inflammatory bowel disease from the most authentic, vivid, and profound perspectives. Finally, based on the actual clinical situation and the suggestions of the clinical doctors, we have improved our project. The following is what we have gained and the prospects from the human practice exchange:

Concept
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is an inflammatory condition of the gut with an unknown cause, significantly different from common intestinal inflammation. While regular intestinal inflammation is usually acute and can be cured through anti-infection treatment, IBD is characterized by a protracted course and recurrent episodes, with no current cure.

The epidemiological data in our country shows an upward trend in the prevalence and incidence of IBD, and it is estimated that the number of patients will reach 1.5 million by 2025. Due to the complex etiology of IBD and its chronic, relapsing nature, the diagnosis and treatment can be extremely costly, placing a significant burden on patients, their families, and society. IBD has thus been dubbed the "green cancer".

IBD primarily includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), with the key difference being that UC is limited to the large intestine, while CD can involve the entire digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. The clinical manifestations of IBD are diverse, including gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloody stools, as well as systemic symptoms like weight loss, fever, fatigue, and anemia. Extraintestinal complications affecting the joints, skin, mucous membranes, and eyes can also occur. In severe cases, complications like intestinal perforation, obstruction, and massive bleeding can arise, and there is even a risk of cancer development.

Expert Opinion
We conducted in-depth interviews with experts from the Gastroenterology Department of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, including experts in the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, as well as nursing staff. These experts from various fields, including gastroenterology, digestive surgery, traditional Chinese medicine, the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, mental health, and nursing, provided profound insights into the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and offered comprehensive and in-depth guidance. The treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) requires close collaboration of a multidisciplinary team, and a comprehensive approach that includes drug therapy, endoscopic treatment, surgical treatment, traditional Chinese medicine, psychological intervention, and nursing care, in order to provide patients with the best possible treatment outcomes and quality of life.

1. Diagnosis

The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves a multidisciplinary approach, including gastroenterology, pathology, radiology, and surgery, to develop a reasonable treatment plan. IBD is classified into ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, usually by assessing the degree of intestinal inflammation. For mild cases, we prioritize medical treatment. For moderate to severe IBD patients, we adopt a more comprehensive treatment strategy, such as nutritional support, to ensure adequate nutrition. In some cases, when medication is ineffective or complications arise, surgical intervention may be necessary.

2. Medical Treatment

(1) In gastroenterology, experts emphasize the importance of endoscopic treatment. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) can effectively remove lesions, reduce inflammation, and improve patient symptoms. Advancements in endoscopic techniques have also enabled early diagnosis and disease monitoring.

(2) In drug therapy, in addition to traditional anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant agents, the use of biologics and small-molecule targeted drugs has become mainstream. These new medications can more precisely target various stages of the inflammatory response, thereby improving treatment efficacy and reducing side effects.

(3) New Therapies: Utilizing synthetic biology, engineered probiotic systems can be developed for personalized and highly targeted treatment of IBD. Director Ji believes that as long as the mechanism is appropriate, new therapies are worth in-depth exploration.

3. Surgical Treatment

It has been found that medical treatment is highly effective in controlling the symptoms of mild IBD patients, so the proportion of surgical treatment has gradually decreased. However, for patients with poor disease control after medication, or those with complications such as perforation, bleeding, or obstruction, or when medical treatment is ineffective, surgical resection may be necessary.

For patients requiring surgery, we need to clearly explain their condition to them and alleviate their psychological stress. Especially for those undergoing extensive bowel resection, we need to prepare them in advance for potential postoperative complications, as intestinal resection can affect the absorption process and accelerate the elimination process, leading to increased bowel movements.

Surgical treatment has seen significant advancements in recent years, one of which is the minimization of invasiveness. In the past, open surgery was required, which was highly traumatic, with incisions over 20 cm long, severe postoperative pain, and the risk of wound infections. In recent years, with the application of laparoscopic and robotic surgery, our procedures can be performed mostly through a 3-5 cm incision to retrieve the specimen. Compared to traditional surgical treatment, the advantages are: 1) minimally invasive; 2) fewer postoperative complications, especially fewer wound-related complications, less pain, and reduced trauma, making it more acceptable for patients.

4. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treatment

In 1932, Dr. Crohn and his two colleagues discovered Crohn's disease (CD) as a type of inflammatory bowel disease, while in TCM, ulcerative colitis (UC) is categorized under the scope of "diarrhea," "dysentery," and "intestinal obstruction." The main pathogenic factors are congenital deficiency and acquired spleen and stomach dysfunction. The disease primarily involves the large intestine, affecting the spleen, stomach, and kidneys. The key pathological mechanism is the stagnation of pathogenic factors in the intestines, impaired intestinal qi flow, and damage to the intestinal membrane and vessels. The treatment principles should address both the root cause and presenting symptoms. During flare-ups, the focus is on clearing heat, resolving dampness, regulating qi and blood, and supporting the spleen. During remission, the focus is on strengthening the spleen, boosting qi, and nourishing the spleen and kidneys. Prescriptions like Taohe Chengqi Tang and Baiheyuanjiang Tang are still commonly used clinically.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology, commonly seen in young and middle-aged adults, and falls under the TCM categories of "abdominal pain," "diarrhea," "intestinal obstruction," and "accumulation." As recorded in the Suwen·Jutong Lun of the Huangdi Neijing, "Cold qi invading the space between the intestines and stomach, under the membrane, prevents blood from dispersing

5. Nursing

(1) Nurses in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) need to master pathophysiology, IBD assessment, endoscopy and laboratory testing, management of acute IBD patients, medication knowledge, surgical knowledge, health promotion, and education. The content should be tailored to the different levels of nurses.

(2) Existing issues: First, the nurse-to-patient ratio for IBD specialists is insufficient to meet patient needs. Second, the workload is heavy, leading to burnout. Additionally, work-life imbalance, lack of continuous education and training, heavy outpatient workload, and insufficient recognition of IBD specialist nurses by management are problems in the development of IBD specialist nurses. In China, there is a lack of entry standards, training models, and role clarity for IBD specialist nurses. Therefore, establishing a training system for IBD specialist nurses in China is crucial to improve patient outcomes and nursing quality.

(3) IBD management: IBD chronic disease management involves a multidisciplinary team, and nurses are an important component that can improve the overall quality of IBD management and patient health outcomes. IBD nurses and IBD specialist nurses play a vital role.

6.Prevention

(1) Dietary prevention

① The general principle for the diet of IBD patients or IBD prevention is a healthy diet.

② Studies have shown that those who consume more fruits, vegetables, and fish/meat have a 53% lower risk of developing Crohn's disease. Therefore, patients should be educated to avoid junk food, reduce intake of highly stimulating foods (such as chili peppers), avoid long-refrigerated food, and limit processed foods. They should consume more vegetables, fruits, and high-quality protein. High-sugar foods, high-fat diets, meat, and low-fiber foods can significantly increase the risk of IBD. Eating more vegetables, fruits, polyunsaturated fatty acids (olive oil), fish/meat, grains, and nuts can reduce the risk of IBD.

(2) Exercise perspective

① For IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) patients, exercise can be an effective adjunct treatment to help alleviate symptoms and promote health recovery. For example, aerobic exercises like running and cycling can improve cardiopulmonary function, while low-intensity exercises like yoga and Tai Chi can help relax the body and mind without overstimulating the intestines.

② Due to differences in individual disease conditions and physical states, IBD patients are advised to adjust and customize their exercise types and intensity based on personal feelings and doctor's recommendations.

(3) Psychological prevention

Mental health experts remind us that IBD patients often face significant psychological stress, with anxiety and depression being common. Therefore, psychological intervention and emotion management are equally important for improving patients' quality of life. Through psychological counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other methods, patients can be better equipped to cope with the psychological challenges brought by the disease.

(4) Self-management

In addition to what doctors have emphasized, the importance of patient education and self-management should not be overlooked. Through regular health education, patients can gain a deeper understanding of the disease and master self-management skills. Furthermore, good dietary management, regular lifestyle habits, and appropriate exercise are all key factors in promoting disease recovery.

Experts agree that with the increasing awareness of this disease and improvements in diagnostic methods, there has indeed been a rising trend in the number of IBD patients visiting outpatient clinics in recent years. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which has an unknown cause and is currently incurable, requires treatment that goes beyond just medication; it needs a comprehensive management strategy. Treatment plans are often tailored to the individual, focusing on precision therapy. Common approaches include not only medication and surgical intervention but also methods like fecal microbiota transplantation, anti-inflammatory immunotherapy, and a combination of traditional and Western medicine. Of course, given the long course of IBD, we also need to intervene in the patients' dietary habits, lifestyle, and mental state.

The Inner Voice of the Patient

After being diagnosed with IBD, patients not only struggle with the disease itself but also go through significant changes in their lifestyle, mental state, and social roles.

First, in terms of lifestyle, patients have to pay extra attention to their diet and nutrition, which greatly limits their food choices, making life more routine and monotonous. At the same time, regular nutritional assessments and supplements add to their medical visits and check-up burdens. This change in lifestyle inevitably brings some inconveniences to their work and daily life. Regarding physical and mental health, since IBD often involves cycles of flare-ups and remission, patients face long-term medication treatments and potential surgeries, as well as psychological and emotional issues related to the disease. Ongoing pain and digestive discomfort severely impact their physical condition, making it hard to focus on work and life. Meanwhile, anxiety and depression frequently trouble patients, significantly diminishing their quality of life. This dual burden on both the body and mind undoubtedly presents huge challenges in their lives. In terms of social interactions, patients often have to decline invitations to social activities, further shrinking their social circle and leaving them feeling lonely and helpless. They also worry that their condition might lead to discrimination and prejudice from others, which makes them more inclined to avoid social situations. This restricted social life undoubtedly affects their relationships and adds psychological pressure. Lastly, on the family front, patients' family members inevitably take on a lot of caregiving responsibilities, such as accompanying them to medical appointments and managing their diets, which clearly places a heavy burden on family life.

It’s important to note that addressing these issues faced by IBD patients requires not only medical intervention and treatment but also social and psychological support. Hospitals should provide more professional and humane medical services, focusing not only on the disease itself but also on the patients' mental health, offering more emotional care and support. Doctors and nurses should enhance health education for patients and their families, increasing their awareness of IBD and guiding them in developing good self-management habits. Moreover, society as a whole should work to increase understanding and empathy towards IBD patients, eliminating discrimination and prejudice, and creating a more inclusive and supportive social environment for them. We also hope that the government and relevant departments will introduce more targeted policies to provide assistance and support for IBD patients in areas like daily life and healthcare, alleviating their life pressures. Only through the combined efforts of the medical community and society can IBD patients better cope with the various challenges posed by their condition and regain confidence and hope in life.

Project Contribution

Regarding our project, experts and professors unanimously recognize its innovation and feasibility. Progress is being made in the treatment of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) through the development of engineered probiotic system therapies. As this technology continues to mature, we hope to offer patients safer and more effective treatment options in the near future. Currently, our research team is working hard to optimize the fecal microbiota transplantation process to ensure its standardization and normalization in clinical applications.

When it comes to building engineered probiotic systems for treating IBD, Director Ji Rui from the Department of Gastroenterology said, “The causes of this disease are currently difficult to pinpoint, and the mechanisms of onset are unclear. I believe traditional drug treatments, including medications and biological agents, have reached a therapeutic bottleneck. Therefore, intestinal anti-inflammatory therapy may be the way forward. Unlike antibiotics, engineered probiotics, as a newly modified type of microorganism, have fewer side effects as drugs, especially oral bacterial medications, which are more gut-friendly. They inhibit the proliferation of other pathogens through competitive inhibition, prevent pathogens from colonizing in the intestines, maintain the balance of gut microecology, and simultaneously train the immune system to alleviate intestinal inflammation by adjusting immune inflammatory factors, enhancing the immunity of intestinal tissues, and promoting gut health. This idea is very innovative, and I am full of expectations for the anti-inflammatory therapy mediated by engineered bacteria. I also believe that through your continuous exploration and practice, IBD will soon be conquered and no longer be a problem for patients and doctors.” Director Jiang Lei from the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery pointed out, “I think this direction is quite good. There are many clinical patients, but it has not received enough attention. Many people think it’s just simple diarrhea. In the future, we could establish multidisciplinary discussion groups for IBD in hospitals or set up specialized outpatient clinics for IBD, concentrating on treating this group of patients, which could yield great results.”

On the road ahead, we will face many challenges, including the need to evaluate the long-term effects of engineered bacteria-mediated anti-inflammatory therapy, control potential side effects, and standardize treatment protocols. However, we firmly believe that with ongoing scientific research and technological advancements, we can overcome these challenges and bring a brighter future for IBD patients

During the planning of the IBD popularization activities, the team distributed questionnaires to most provinces in China, collected the public's understanding of inflammatory bowel disease and their expectations for the popularization of inflammatory bowel disease, and provided valuable data for the project's popularization. Based on the questionnaire data, we wrote a research report that confirmed the urgent public demand for the popularization and education of inflammatory bowel disease.

Figure27.Questionnaire (fill in by scanning the QR code on WeChat)

Figure28.Regional distribution of questionnaire data

Figure29.The amount of questionnaire data

Figure30.The gender ratio of the interviewees

According to the data table, the number of valid respondents who participated in the survey is 500. The age distribution is relatively balanced, with males accounting for 49.8% and females accounting for 50.2%.

Figure31.The interviewees' level of awareness

The data table shows that most respondents are not familiar with inflammatory bowel disease, with 46.2% having never heard of it and 40.4% having some vague recollection but no clear understanding. Only 13.4% of respondents stated that they have heard of the disease. Given this situation, it is recommended to conduct more targeted health promotion and education activities to increase public awareness of inflammatory bowel disease, thereby promoting early prevention and diagnosis.

Figure32.Channels of awareness

The proportion of respondents who learned about inflammatory bowel disease through TV shows, movies, and books is relatively high, at 52.4% and 52.6%, respectively, indicating that audiovisual and literary works have a certain influence in disseminating disease knowledge.

The proportion of community or medical institution-led public education is 48%, which, although not as high as audiovisual and literary sources, is still a relatively effective means of promotion. It is recommended to further increase efforts in this area.

The proportion of those who learned about inflammatory bowel disease through online platforms is 33.6%. In the current information age, the influence of online platforms cannot be underestimated, and expanding promotional channels on these platforms can be considered.

The proportion of those who learned about the disease through contact with patients is 28.6%. This first-hand experience also has a certain educational effect, and it is recommended to encourage more patients to share their experiences.

The awareness through school education and other channels is relatively low, and it is worth considering strengthening the promotion and education in schools and other channels to further improve the public's understanding of inflammatory bowel disease.

Figure33.The necessity of public education on inflammatory bowel disease

According to the data table, 57.6% of respondents believe that it is necessary to promote public education on inflammatory bowel disease, 16% believe it is unnecessary, and 26.4% believe it is optional. It is recommended to strengthen the public education on inflammatory bowel disease in society, to raise people's awareness and understanding of the disease, and to promote public health awareness and prevention. For those who think it is unnecessary or optional, more direct and easy-to-understand methods of public education can be used to make more people understand the importance of inflammatory bowel disease.

Figure34.Scene at the Bowel Alliance meeting

Purpose:

To broaden the team's knowledge of inflammatory bowel disease and better integrate the team's research into clinical practice, guided by the principle of responsibility towards IBD patients and the world, our team participated in the Gansu Province Inflammatory Bowel Disease Specialist Alliance Launch Meeting, the Gansu Province IBD Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines Learning Session, and the 9th Gansu Province Intestinal Disease Forum and IBD Youth Forum, hosted by the Gastroenterology Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou University on August 9-10, 2024.

Significance:

Figure35.Group photo of the attendees

This meeting was mainly composed of expert lectures, classic case sharing, and case discussions. The content was rich and compact, and the learning atmosphere was strong. We realized the importance of enhanced exchange and learning. Promoting multi-disciplinary collaborative development is crucial for inflammatory bowel disease. After carefully listening to the case studies and experience sharing by experts and scholars, the team members have gained a new understanding of the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and nursing of inflammatory bowel disease.

The "Intestinal Health Alliance" is co-hosted by the LZU-China team from Lanzhou University and the Tsinghua team from Tsinghua University.

Figure36.Gut League online networking conference

Joining hands to create the future, writing a new chapter in intestinal health.
1、Gut health insights, big health secrets

The intestine, known as the "second brain" of the human body, is not only responsible for nutrient absorption and waste excretion, but also participates in regulating immunity, affecting emotions, and overall health.

2、Cross-campus, cross-domain, building a healthy gut barrier together

The establishment of the "Intestinal Alliance" will break down the boundaries between regions and schools.We hope to accelerate the research process of intestinal diseases through resource sharing, knowledge exchange, and technological cooperation, and open up new avenues for developing new treatment methods and improving patients' quality of life.

3、Boundless communication, infinite cooperation

We will adopt an online work mode, use video conferencing, cloud platform and other tools to ensure efficient information flow and seamless cooperation.

4、Profound significance, far-reaching impact

The "Gut Health Alliance" aims to:

Advance the academic field: Promote depth and breadth in gut disease research, accelerate scientific discoveries.

Support the medical community: Provide the latest research findings to clinical doctors, optimize treatment plans, and enhance patient outcomes.

Influence society: Raise public awareness of gut health, advocate for healthy lifestyles, and reduce the incidence of gut diseases.

We sincerely invite more like-minded partners to join us in exploring the unknown and safeguarding human intestinal health.

Figure37.WeChat public account article cover image

Figure38.A network-like coverage landscape of seven schools

Purpose:

Lanzhou University, in collaboration with Beijing Institute of Technology, Sichuan University, Jilin University, Hainan University, Nanjing University of Technology, and Zhejiang University of Technology, has launched an iGEM sign language science communication activity. Through cooperation with universities in specific regions, the aim is to form a comprehensive network coverage model from east to west, south to north, and center, thereby expanding influence and promoting the enhancement of science popularization and innovation awareness.

Significance:

This activity showcases the spirit of cooperation among universities. Through this collaboration, the participating universities hope to stimulate broader social attention and interaction, and contribute to the dissemination of science and technology.

Figure39.Two schools' students jointly produced podcast content

Purpose:

Since the beginning of human practice, Lanzhou University and Beijing University of Chemical Technology have established close cooperative relations, deeply exchanging and sharing professional knowledge and the latest research results in the field of synthetic biology, promoting academic integration and cooperation upgrade between the two schools. In the middle of practice, we started from synthetic biology and our respective project themes, recorded audio content in the form of Q&A, hoping to stimulate people's strong interest in synthetic biology through this vivid and interesting form, and then promote the development of synthetic biology in practical applications.

Significance:

This collaborative recording activity has built an academic communication bridge between the two schools, enabling them to fully integrate their advantageous resources, achieve a strong alliance, and jointly explore the unknown mysteries of the field of synthetic biology. The podcast content in the form of Q&A can clearly and accurately disseminate professional knowledge, allowing the audience to better understand complex scientific concepts, and make a positive contribution to the popularization of disciplines and science education.

Figure40.This volunteer auntie is explaining IBD knowledge to the public

Figure41.Group photo of team members and volunteers

Purpose:

The team has done solid theoretical research on IBD in the early stage, and has a relatively comprehensive understanding of its pathogenesis and prevention strategies. Therefore, we have compiled an IBD knowledge handbook, and we are carrying out popular science propaganda in the community to help the public correctly recognize IBD.

Significance:

Our work not only raised the public's awareness of IBD, but also emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment. By eliminating the public's misunderstandings and biases about IBD, it has promoted social support and understanding for patients. In addition, we also encourage the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle to facilitate the early prevention of IBD. These efforts will help reduce the overall incidence of IBD in society and alleviate the social medical burden.

During the series of activities and interviews with numerous stakeholders, the team members will promptly summarize the meaningful content (in both Chinese and English) and then publish it on various online platforms in the form of tweets or videos for public education. As of September 25, 2024, the total viewership across all platforms has exceeded 10,000.

This season, the team has released the following content:
24 posts on the WeChat public account platform.

9 videos on platforms such as Douyin, Bilibili, and Xiaohongshu, including 6 popular science experiment videos, 2 interview videos, and 1 sign language video.

Figure42.Some WeChat public account tweets

Figure43.Some popular science videos on various platforms