Our team was invited to Danfeng High School to participate in an interview for their Life Technology and Repurposing course, aimed at introducing and promoting our SAC Project to high school students. During the course, we introduced the students to the SAC Project, mainly focusing on how biotechnology can treat wastewater and produce spider silk materials using microorganisms as a sustainable alternative to chemical fibers. We emphasized the environmental benefits of this material and its potential to reduce pollution.

The students showed great interest during the activity, actively participating and asking numerous questions about our project. We addressed their inquiries regarding biotechnology, wastewater treatment, and the applications of spider silk materials. We also highlighted the importance of scientific research and innovation in solving environmental issues, hoping to inspire the students' passion for biotechnology and environmental protection. This interview activity allowed us to promote the SAC Project and engage with the younger generation, sparking their interest in environmental protection and technological innovation

The Linkou Kang Chaio International School (KCISlk) iGEM Team visited our lab to discuss and share about their project, which focuses on developing a device to reduce blood clots. Specifically, their device uses sensors on the hand to detect signals, which then trigger a retainer to release an enzyme that dissolves blood clots. Their current challenge lies in selecting suitable materials for this device.

We provided the KCISlk team with a detailed introduction to our SAC project, highlighting the exceptional properties of spider silk, such as its strength, high flexibility, and biodegradability. We also discussed the potential applications of spider silk material in their blood clot reduction device. In response to the KCISlk team's challenges with material selection, we suggested they consider using spider silk. Spider silk's high strength and excellent biocompatibility make it highly suitable for their device. This suggestion piqued their interest considerably. The KCISlk team expressed significant interest in our suggestion. Both teams discussed potential future collaboration and planned to engage in more in-depth technical exchanges to explore how spider silk material could be applied to their blood clot reduction device.

This visit facilitated a deep technical exchange between our teams, laying the foundation for future collaboration. We appreciate the KCISlk iGEM team's visit and active participation, and we look forward to potential collaborations that could bring breakthroughs to both projects.

Our team collaborated with 5+ Student-led Environmental Clubs from Taipei American School and 501(c)(3) NPOs to participate in the Earth Day Fair held at Tianmu Square. This event aimed to promote environmental awareness and showcase our SAC project, which focuses on replacing chemical fibers worldwide to reduce pollution.

At this annual Earth Day event, we introduced the SAC project to the public through interactive exhibitions and live presentations. The event attracted many community residents and students, who showed great interest in our solution of using biotechnology to synthesize spider silk as a replacement for chemical fibers. We incorporated three approaches in the event: interactive exhibition, live presentation, and Q&A sessions. We displayed the experimental results of the SAC project, explaining to the public how we use wastewater resources to produce environmentally friendly spider silk fibers; our team members introduced the current state of global chemical fiber pollution to the participants and explained how our solution could effectively reduce environmental pollution; and the audience enthusiastically asked questions, gaining a deeper understanding of our technical principles and future applications.

This Earth Day event enhanced public awareness of environmental protection and helped more people understand our SAC project. Through events like this, we hope to attract more attention and support, jointly advancing the cause of environmental protection and achieving our goals.

We conducted several lectures at the National Changhua University of Education, discussing spider silk production technologies, the application of artificial intelligence in spider silk manufacturing, and the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts of this technology. There are also scholar participants from Thailand, providing valuable international perspectives on our project. This event deepened academic exchange in the field of synthetic biology and expanded possibilities for international collaboration.

This meeting was held by the NTU-Taiwan team in collaboration with researchers from the Agricultural Policy Research Center of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The aim was to explore effective ways to recycle agricultural waste and to analyze the cost-effectiveness of our SAC project in utilizing these wastes for regeneration.

We discussed the current status of agricultural waste management with the researchers, including the disposal of straw, corn stalks, and fruit peels. The researchers shared existing waste management strategies and potential areas for improvement.

We introduced how the SAC project uses these agricultural wastes for the production of spider silk and presented an initial cost analysis report. The researchers provided professional advice on our plan and pointed out potential cost savings and ways to enhance benefits.

To increase awareness of SAC and explore its applications, we presented our project at Academia Sinica’s Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center (ABRC). In addition to discussing our work on synthesizing spider silk through biotechnology, AI, and wastewater utilization, we also shared insights on the iGEM competition, emphasizing its importance in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative solutions.

During the event, we provided a comprehensive overview of SAC, highlighting its potential to produce sustainable spider silk as an alternative to chemical fibers. We also discussed the techniques for using bacteria to make natural products and complex proteins, focusing on applying spider silk production processes to agricultural plants.

ABRC researchers showed significant interest in our project and offered valuable suggestions regarding cloning techniques. The event also included a Q&A session where participants inquired about technical details and the practical applications of our work. This exchange led to discussions about potential collaboration opportunities with ABRC researchers.

Furthermore, we engaged with interns from various schools, introducing them to the iGEM competition and inspiring interest in synthetic biology. This event raised awareness about the SAC project and the iGEM competition, generating interest and opening doors for future collaborations.

We were invited to participate in a biotechnology camp organized by the Department of Biochemical Science and Technology at the National Taiwan University. Our participation was to introduce high school students to the core technologies of SAC: the bioreactor, spinning process, and tensile testing to enhance their understanding of synthetic biology, sustainable materials, and the production and application of spider silk, fostering greater awareness of sustainability issues.

During the event, we explained in-depth how we use bioreactors to produce spider silk. This technology is efficient and environmentally friendly, as it utilizes wastewater as a nutrient source, effectively reducing environmental pollution.

Following this, we demonstrated the spinning process, showing how the produced spider silk is processed into textiles. A live demonstration showed Students the transformation from liquid silk protein to solid fibers.

Lastly, we conducted tensile tests on the spider silk, showcasing its remarkable toughness and high strength. Students participated in these tests, gaining firsthand experience with the superior performance of spider silk in various applications. Through these activities, we aimed to give students an in-depth understanding of the SAC project and stimulate their interest in synthetic biology. We strive to continue promoting biotech education and SAC, contributing further to environmental protection and sustainable development technologies.

To strengthen collaboration and share insights within Taiwan’s iGEM community, we hosted an exchange meeting with the NYCU-Formosa iGEM team. The primary objective was to discuss progress and challenges in key project areas, including Wetlab, Drylab, Human Practice, and Software development while exploring potential team collaboration opportunities. During the meeting, we introduced our advances in using wastewater to produce spider silk, highlighting the innovative technologies we’ve developed. The NYCU-Formosa team shared their data modeling and hardware design work, providing a comprehensive overview of their Drylab progress. Both teams also discussed their experiences in societal engagement, focusing on how biotechnology can address real-world issue

The exchange extended to software development, where we demonstrated our automated analysis tools to enhance experimental efficiency. The NYCU-Formosa team presented their challenges in developing an E. coli biosensor, which led to a collaborative discussion on improving biosafety measures using spider silk materials. By offering targeted suggestions and addressing specific queries, we fostered a productive dialogue that enhanced our respective projects and laid the groundwork for future collaboration. This meeting successfully deepened the mutual understanding between our teams and underscored the importance of ongoing cooperation in advancing Taiwan’s biotechnology sector.

After completing our rehearsal, we participated in the TGEM competition, where we presented our project, computational models, and human practices to a panel of judges and various iGEM teams from Taiwan. After our presentation, we engaged in discussions with other teams, exchanging ideas and insights about each of our projects. During these conversations, we discovered that many were particularly intrigued by our AI prediction model for recombinant spider silk protein sequences and showed great interest in the unique properties of spider silk.

The feedback and questions we received from the judges made us realize the importance of emphasizing that our spider silk production process is an eco-friendly, net-zero carbon emission product. We also highlighted how we used wet lab experiments to verify the accuracy of our AI-predicted spider silk sequences in meeting our specific requirements. Additionally, we had the honor of sharing our project with Professor Deng and Professor Liao. Their constructive feedback and valuable insights, particularly regarding the biomedical applications of spider silk proteins and the challenges of large-scale production, were immensely helpful.

Overall, our participation in the TGEM competition helped raise awareness about our project and facilitated meaningful exchanges with both other teams and academic experts. We received overwhelmingly positive feedback, and our project was awarded first place by the judges.

As part of our iGEM human practices outreach, our team recently met with city officials from Manado, Indonesia, to discuss our innovative project aimed at producing spider silk using wastewater. The primary objective was to present our project and explore the feasibility of implementing it in the local context of Manado. The discussion began with an overview of our project, which leverages synthetic biology to convert wastewater into valuable spider silk fibers. We emphasized the environmental benefits, such as reducing wastewater pollutants and generating sustainable biomaterials. We also highlighted the potential economic impacts, including job creation and the development of a new bioindustry in the region.

The Manado officials were intrigued by the project’s potential to align with the city’s sustainability initiatives and goals to improve urban wastewater management. They shared insights into the local infrastructure, detailing existing wastewater treatment capabilities and the logistical challenges that could affect project rollout. This knowledge was invaluable in assessing the practical aspects of implementing our project in the city.

A key part of the conversation focused on identifying suitable locations for a pilot program and discussing regulatory requirements and potential partnerships with local industries and universities. The officials stressed the importance of community engagement to build public support and ensure smooth project adoption. They also highlighted potential funding opportunities and support from governmental and non-governmental organizations committed to sustainable innovation.

Our meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing enthusiasm for further exploring this collaboration. The insights gained have provided us with a clearer framework for adapting our project to meet local needs effectively. Engaging with the Manado government not only advances our project’s feasibility but also strengthens our commitment to responsible science that benefits both the environment and local communities.

To ensure commercial demand for SAC and explore its potential use cases, we invited Mark Chen, founder of the Chang-Ho group, a leading Taiwanese company in sustainable materials production and textiles, to visit our lab and discuss our project. After an introduction to the wastewater treatment and silk production process of SAC, Mr. Chen expressed keen interest in such a sustainable spider silk-based material.

He proposed applying spider silk to Chang-Ho’s existing products and discussed whether such a collaboration could enhance their products' environmental performance and market competitiveness. Specifically, he emphasized the potential of SAC in the medical field should we decide to pursue a silk-based film or hydrogel as our end product.

We discussed potential future collaboration directions, especially in the co-development of new eco-friendly textile materials. Mark expressed that the Chang-Ho group is very eager to collaborate with us, applying the spider silk material to their product line, and hopes that this cooperation will enhance their products' environmental performance and market impact.

To explore the entrepreneurial potential of SAC, we invited 886 Studio, a Taiwanese accelerator, along with the co-founders of Guitar Hero and Twitch, to visit our lab and provide their insights. The primary objective was to discuss how our technology, utilizing wastewater to produce spider silk, could be commercialized and scaled for market success.

During the meeting, we introduced the core aspects of SAC, emphasizing its potential to contribute to environmental sustainability. The co-founders shared their experiences in entrepreneurship, highlighting the opportunities and challenges of bringing a biotech innovation like ours to market. They offered valuable advice on navigating the global demand for sustainable materials while addressing technology transfer and market acceptance hurdles. The discussion also covered strategies for funding the project’s development, including venture capital, government grants, and strategic partnerships with biotech companies or environmental organizations. They stressed the importance of protecting intellectual property as we progress with research and commercialization efforts.

Finally, the co-founders recommended that we remain flexible in adapting the project to market needs, ensuring that our technology not only advances but also meets the demands of potential customers. This exchange provided us with many insights to guide the future direction of SAC as we work towards making a significant impact in environmental protection and sustainable development.

As part of our iGEM human practices initiative, our team conducted an insightful interview with a doctoral candidate from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at National Taiwan University. The discussion focused on utilizing wastewater for producing recombinant spider silk and exploring the unique properties of spider silk materials.

The doctoral candidate, with a deep background in materials science, provided a wealth of knowledge on the structural and mechanical properties that make spider silk a highly sought-after biomaterial. Our conversation delved into how the material's remarkable tensile strength, elasticity, and biodegradability make it an attractive alternative to synthetic fibers.

During the interview, we presented our project, which aims to harness synthetic biology to produce spider silk proteins using wastewater as a substrate. The candidate offered valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of integrating waste-derived substrates in bioproduction, highlighting potential impacts on the quality and consistency of the silk produced.

A significant part of the discussion centered around the characterization techniques needed to evaluate the properties of lab-produced spider silk. The candidate emphasized the importance of advanced microscopy and spectroscopy methods to understand the microstructure and performance of the silk fibers, ensuring they meet industrial standards. Additionally, the conversation provided guidance on potential applications of spider silk in various sectors, from biomedical to textile industries, and underscored the importance of sustainability in material innovation.

This interaction not only enhanced our understanding of the scientific principles underlying spider silk's extraordinary properties but also guided us in refining our project's design to optimize material performance and sustainability. Engaging with experts in the field helps us align our synthetic biology innovations with practical applications, ensuring that our project contributes meaningfully to both scientific advancements and environmental solutions.

Human Practices are a crucial aspect of our iGEM project, focusing on the intersection of science, community, and industry. Recently, we had the opportunity to engage in a fruitful discussion with Vice President Luo Wenxin of Huaide Fermentation Company, a leader in the fermentation industry.

During our conversation, we explored the significance of fermentation in sustainable practices and its role in wastewater treatment. Vice President Luo emphasized that fermentation is not just a method for producing valuable metabolites but also a powerful tool for addressing environmental challenges. By employing fermentation processes, Huaide is able to convert organic waste into useful products while simultaneously treating wastewater.

This dual benefit aligns with our project's goals of promoting environmental sustainability and innovation. We learned about various microbial strains used in their fermentation processes, specifically adapted to break down pollutants in wastewater, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. Furthermore, Luo discussed the importance of integrating biotechnology with traditional fermentation techniques to improve both productivity and resource recovery.

Our interaction highlighted the critical need for collaboration between academic research and industry practices. Vice President Luo encouraged us to consider real-world applications of our research, emphasizing that scientific advancements should ultimately serve community needs. This perspective has inspired us to refine our project with a focus on practical outcomes and to engage with local stakeholders to ensure our solutions are viable and impactful.

Overall, our dialogue with Vice President Luo not only enriched our understanding of fermentation and wastewater treatment but also reinforced our commitment to responsible and community-oriented research.

Our project closely aligns with Professor Kung-Ta Lee's extensive experience in medical enzyme industrial purification and fermentation science. During a recent discussion, we shared our idea of using wastewater as a carbon source to produce spider silk. This project integrates the concept of sustainability, aiming to address current environmental challenges through resource recycling and utilization.

Specifically, wastewater contains a rich supply of organic matter, which can serve as a carbon source for the growth and metabolism of microorganisms. Our SAC project leverages these organic compounds in wastewater to provide bacteria with the necessary carbon source to produce spider silk proteins with high strength and toughness. This not only helps reduce the burden of wastewater treatment but also lowers the reliance on traditional carbon sources, such as fossil fuels, in the production of spider silk, thereby achieving true resource recycling.

Professor Lee’s expertise in enzyme purification technologies could offer valuable guidance, particularly in optimizing the fermentation conditions and purification steps in spider silk protein production. This would help enhance both the yield and quality of the product, bringing our project closer to practical application.

Our team had a discussion meeting with Professor Yen Yi-Guang from the National Taipei University of Technology, focusing on the applications of biomaterials and automated manufacturing processes. The main objective was to explore ways to enhance the technology and application scope of our SAC Project.

Professor Yen and his lab successfully assisted us in developing an automated process for extracting silk from bacteria. This advancement improved production efficiency, significantly reduced labor costs, and stabilized product quality. We concentrated on discussing automated silk extraction equipment. Professor Yen pointed out that such a computerized system could dramatically reduce labor costs while ensuring consistent product quality, representing a critical technological breakthrough for our SAC Project.

Looking ahead, we plan to further collaborate with the National Taipei University of Technology labs to explore more application scenarios for biomaterials and expand automated manufacturing technology into broader production applications. This discussion with Professor Yen gave us new insights into automated manufacturing processes.

We had the unique opportunity to engage in a discussion with MIT Professor Markus J. Buehler and Wei Lu about the application of artificial intelligence to spider silk sequences. The conversation was incredibly enlightening, as both Professor Buehler and Wei Lu provided novel insights that expanded our understanding of how AI can be utilized in biomaterial research.

One particularly intriguing concept they introduced was the idea of using chemical kinetics to identify motifs within the spider silk sequences. By applying principles from chemistry, it becomes possible to analyze and predict the behavior of certain components within the silk structure, which could lead to more efficient methods of understanding and potentially replicating its properties. This approach is not only innovative but also showcases how interdisciplinary thinking—bridging chemistry, biology, and AI—can unlock new possibilities in materials science.

This meeting also pushed us to consider the broader implications of AI in bioengineering. The potential to design and manipulate materials like spider silk, which is known for its remarkable strength and elasticity, could revolutionize industries ranging from medicine to construction. The conversation left us inspired to explore how AI can further contribute to this field and opened our eyes to the importance of combining knowledge from different scientific disciplines to tackle complex challenges.

As part of this year’s iGEM project, our team had the honor of collaborating with Professor Deng from Taipei Medical University. Professor Deng, who holds a PhD in Cancer Biology from Harvard University, is a distinguished scholar in the fields of stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, tumor biology, and cancer biology. Currently a professor at the Research Center for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, his groundbreaking research has significantly advanced the understanding of cancer development and therapeutic strategies. With his extensive academic achievements and global recognition, Professor Deng continues to make impactful contributions in regenerative medicine and cancer research.

Professor Deng's feedback and expertise were invaluable in shaping our project's development. He provided insights on how spider silk could potentially be applied in regenerative medicine and cell therapy, drawing from his vast experience in the field. We discussed potential avenues for using bioengineered spider silk in tissue engineering and wound healing, areas where the material’s strength and compatibility could have transformative impacts.

This collaboration has helped us not only improve the technical aspects of our project but also broaden our understanding of how interdisciplinary approaches—such as the integration of AI, synthetic biology, and regenerative medicine—can pave the way for sustainable innovations with real-world applications. We are excited to continue refining our project with the knowledge gained from this exchange and are grateful for Professor Deng’s guidance and expertise.

Dr. Liao, a distinguished researcher with a PhD in Biological Sciences from Illinois State University and extensive postdoctoral experience at MIT and the University of California, Berkeley, brings a wealth of expertise in cancer studies, molecular and cellular biology, and immunology. Currently a research fellow at the Institute of Molecular Biology, Dr. Liao focuses on immunology and infectious diseases, offering significant contributions to understanding immune responses and disease mechanisms.

In our discussion, Dr. Liao provided valuable insights into our project, which explores the innovative use of AI technology to generate novel spider silk sequences and employs wastewater as a sustainable carbon source for the production of recombinant spider silk. Although her primary research areas differ, Dr. Liao's perspectives are instrumental. Her expertise in molecular and cellular processes can guide us in optimizing our fermentation process and addressing potential challenges in integrating wastewater components.

Furthermore, Dr. Liao’s experience in immunology and disease mechanisms offers a unique vantage point for evaluating the potential use of spider silk proteins as drug carriers in biomedical applications. Her input on the biocompatibility and therapeutic delivery aspects of spider silk will be crucial as we aim to develop spider silk-based systems for drug delivery. Overall, Dr. Liao’s interdisciplinary insights enhance our project’s approach, ensuring a well-rounded and scientifically robust strategy for advancing spider silk technology in sustainable and biomedical applications.

As part of our iGEM human practices efforts, our team had the opportunity to discuss our project focused on spider silk production using wastewater with a professor specializing in wastewater treatment from Laos. This collaboration provided invaluable insights into leveraging underutilized resources for sustainable bioproduction.

The meeting began with an introduction to our project, which aims to utilize wastewater as a resource for producing spider silk through synthetic biology techniques. The professor, with extensive experience in the field, shared an in-depth perspective on the challenges and opportunities associated with wastewater treatment in Laos. We explored the potential of integrating biological processes to not only treat wastewater but also derive valuable materials from it.

During our discussion, the professor highlighted crucial factors, such as the variability of wastewater composition and the importance of selecting appropriate microbial strains capable of thriving in such environments. His insights into local wastewater management practices provided us with a clearer understanding of the regional context and how our project could align with existing infrastructures.

Moreover, we explored the environmental and societal implications of our approach. Utilizing wastewater not only offers a cost-effective substrate for bioproduction but also addresses critical environmental issues by reducing pollution and enhancing resource recovery. The professor emphasized the importance of community engagement and education in promoting sustainable practices, ensuring that scientific innovations benefit local populations.

This dialogue has enriched our project by deepening our understanding of practical wastewater management and inspiring us to integrate localized solutions within our framework. By aligning synthetic biology with sustainable and socially responsible practices, our team is committed to advancing innovative solutions that address global challenges while respecting local contexts.

In our ongoing iGEM human practices efforts, our team had a productive discussion with Marlen Trejo, a doctoral candidate from Mexico at the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney. The meeting focused on the potential of using wastewater as a feedstock for the production of recombinant spider silk, a core component of our iGEM project.

Marlen Trejo’s expertise in chemical and biomolecular engineering provided us with a nuanced perspective on the technical challenges and innovative solutions involved in utilizing wastewater for biotechnology applications. We presented our approach to engineering microbes capable of converting organic compounds in wastewater into high-strength spider silk proteins.

During our conversation, Marlen shared insights from her research on optimizing bioprocesses in resource-limited environments, offering valuable advice on managing the diversity of wastewater compositions while maintaining robust microbial growth. Her experience with large-scale bioproduction systems guided us in refining our process flow and scaling considerations.

A significant topic of discussion was the environmental sustainability and industrial applicability of such biotechnologies. Marlen emphasized the importance of developing efficient purification methods to ensure the quality of the spider silk produced and highlighted potential collaborations with local industries to enhance the practical implementation of our project.

This exchange with Marlen Trejo not only enriched our understanding of the technical dimensions of our project but also aligned our efforts with global sustainability practices. By incorporating her insights into our strategy, we aim to advance our project towards practical applications that address both environmental and industrial needs.

Engaging with experts like Marlen allows us to refine our methodologies and ensures that our innovations in synthetic biology are both viable and impactful, contributing to a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.