Introduction
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was embraced by all United Nations Member States in 2015, presents a collaborative framework aimed at fostering peace and well-being for our planet and its people, both now and for future generations. At its foundation are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), serving as an urgent call to action for every nation, regardless of their development status, to partake in a global partnership. These goals emphasize that the eradication of poverty and the tackling of various forms of deprivation must occur alongside efforts to improve healthcare and education, reduce inequality, and promote economic growth. All of this should take place while simultaneously addressing climate change and working to safeguard our oceans and forests.
As the Patras Medicine iGEM 2024 team, our project “LETHE” is dedicated to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals #3, #4, #5, #8, #9, #10, #12, #13, and #17
#3 GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
To achieve this goal, our team conducted extensive research to provide a solution to a serious problem concerning human health. This problem is memory disorders, specifically Alzheimer's Disease. To promote good health and well-being, as well as to contribute to the elimination of Alzheimer's Disease, we propose a new, innovative treatment using modified exosomes.
We believe that our therapy will be the ideal solution to a complex problem that threatens people and undermines their well-being.The proposed innovative treatment using exosomes offers a promising solution that aligns with global health goals aimed at combating neurological diseases and enhancing people's quality of life.
#4 QUALITY EDUCATION
In order to provide quality and comprehensive education to all age and social groups, we organized a series of activities such as school visits, participation in workshops, and events. In all these actions, our goal was to deliver high-quality education tailored appropriately to the students' level.
Additionally, the creation of card games, role-playing, questionnaires, and quizzes increased interactivity and attracted the interest of children. We believe that the simplified and experiential format of the knowledge we offered helped students deeply understand the complex concepts of Synthetic Biology and introduced them to new fields of science, which can inspire their future and the opportunities that lie ahead.
These interactive learning methods not only enhance understanding but also foster a passion for science and innovation among young learners.
#5 GENDER EQUALITY
Promoting gender equality in all areas of daily life, and specifically in access to science, we created a mixed team consisting of both boys and girls. We have equal roles and share the responsibilities of the team, while everyone's opinion is respected and always taken into account.
Beyond that, we’ve worked to raise awareness about gender equality through our social media accounts. For International Women’s Day (March 8), we leveraged social media to highlight remarkable women in science, sharing their contributions and achievements. Apart from that, we participated in the “Science STEMming from Women” conference, organized by a Pharmaceutical Students' Association of our University. The event focused on the challenges women in science face and explored ways to increase their participation. We had the opportunity to engage with female role models, aspiring female scientists and even government female representatives, with whom we shared ideas on creating a more inclusive future.
Our vision includes advocating for stronger governmental support through awareness campaigns and workshops, for the promotion of equality and the reduction of stereotypes. We emphasize the need for better access to parental and personal support, such government-funded childcare facilities and leadership/mentoring programs for women. Through these efforts and by setting an example ourselves, we aim to build a fairer society with equal opportunities for all.
#8 DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
In alignment with the principles of sustainable development, we are committed to achieving Goal 8, which aims to promote decent work and foster economic growth. Within this framework, our project places a strong emphasis on contributing to the economic advancement of our country. Our initiative is vital in supporting research in Greece and enabling the production of therapies that are in high demand globally. In this regard, we actively foster scientific progress and encourage innovation as a core mission of our project.
Our primary objective is to meet a significant therapeutic need through the creation of an innovative product, establishing ourselves as leaders in this domain within our nation. Our strategy targets sectors known for their high added value and labor-intensive processes, which will serve as incentives for attracting investments to the country. With the aim of launching a spin-off company in the healthcare sector, we seek to generate new job opportunities. Our commitment extends to providing opportunities for individuals from various backgrounds, regardless of gender, age, or nationality, enabling them to enhance their financial well-being.
We envision a workplace that upholds workers' rights and promotes safe and healthy conditions for all employees. In this way, our approach will bolster investor confidence and significantly contribute to the sustainable development of our country.
#9 INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
In our country, Greece, where there is a considerable lack of adequate infrastructure and research tools, implementing Goal 9 is crucial. Our project, which is a research initiative aimed at discovering a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, underscores the urgent need for funding to develop infrastructure that will enable the responsible conduct of necessary experiments, ultimately leading to significant discoveries. By concentrating on a novel and innovative therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s, we aim to inspire creative thinking and empower similar projects.
Advancing scientific research and fostering innovation can also enhance the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. As a society, we must recognize the extensive implications of this and prioritize upgrading technological facilities within the industrial sector to promote the development of high-quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure.
In this way, industries can be engaged and transformed to become more sustainable, facilitating efficient resource use and embracing cleaner, environmentally friendly technologies and practices.
#10 REDUCED INEQUALITIES
To achieve this goal, we aimed to create a treatment accessible to everyone. Initially, we worked to reduce the cost compared to other existing therapies so that it would be affordable to more people. To accomplish this, we are aiming for an intermediate solution that incorporates the benefits of personalized treatment but at a lower cost. Our plan is to create an exosome donor bank, where everyone will have access to a personalized solution, reducing side effects while maintaining an affordable cost, thanks to the value of donation.
Additionally, to assist patients who cannot travel to a hospital, we plan to establish a mobile therapy unit. This will serve patients with mobility issues who cannot be transported to the hospital, as well as patients living in remote areas without access to healthcare facilities.
These efforts aim to bridge the healthcare access gap, ensuring that high-quality, personalized medical treatments are available to all, regardless of their financial situation or geographic location. By targeting underserved populations, including those with mobility issues or those living in remote areas, we strive to create a more equitable healthcare system where everyone has the opportunity to receive the care they need.
#12 RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
Environmentally friendly technologies and practices are crucial for reducing the environmental impact of consumption, which includes lowering carbon emissions, conserving natural resources, and minimizing pollution.
To address this, "Lethe" focuses significantly on promoting responsible consumption and production patterns to lessen its environmental footprint. The company has implemented off-the-shelf production methods, which involve a one-time manufacturing process for large batches, thereby eliminating the need for repetitive procedures to customize therapies for each patient.
Lastly, Lethe is committed to adopting practices that align with the principles of the circular economy, such as recycling, reusing, and minimizing the use of resources and materials. We also strive to reduce excess packaging whenever possible, contributing to a more sustainable future.
#13 CLIMATE ACTION
Driven by a deep concern about the environmental crisis and its rapidly worsening consequences in recent years, we undertook actions to contribute in our own way to protecting and preserving our planet.
Initially, in collaboration with a local seniors' group (KAPI) in Patras, we organized a community park clean-up event, where elderly citizens affected by the disease and students worked together to improve the environment.
This action highlights how local communities, even vulnerable groups like the elderly, can contribute meaningfully to climate resilience and environmental conservation. By working together, people can raise awareness and create positive change in their local ecosystems.
Furthermore, we used social media to highlight the significant issue of environmental degradation. On the occasion of World Earth Day, we showcased the substantial environmental impact caused by lab waste and proposed solutions to reduce this impact and make it less harmful to the environment.
Additionally, on World Water Day, we presented the serious problem of water scarcity in many regions of the world. This issue mainly affects developing countries, as well as areas of the planet that have been hit by natural disasters.
We concluded that environmental protection is a crucial element in achieving a good quality of life, which includes access to clean drinking water for everyone.
17 PATNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS
Fostering Global Partnerships: iGEM Teams Unite for Health, Solidarity, and Volunteerism
Understanding the collaborative nature of the iGEM competition, we recognized the importance of cooperation with other iGEM teams and beyond.
To start, inspired by World Health Day, we launched an awareness campaign focusing on unconventional factors that contribute to good health. We invited fellow iGEMers, not only from Greece but from around the world, to share a photo explaining a unique factor that enhances well-being—such as music, hugging, socializing, physical exercise, and more and we combined these factors in one post on our social media to reach a greater audience. This global effort highlighted the diverse perspectives on maintaining good health, fostering a sense of community among teams.
We were also thrilled when other iGEM teams reached out to involve us in their initiatives. For example, iGEM Thessaloniki sent us an orange scrunchie, made by a woman living with multiple sclerosis, and asked us to take a photo wearing it. They later created a collage of different iGEM teams participating in this meaningful gesture of solidarity.
Additionally, for World Volunteer Day, iGEM Ioannina invited us to contribute to a video campaign by recording a short clip explaining why we believe in the importance of donating. These clips were compiled into a collective video featuring contributions from various teams.
Through these collaborations, we strengthened our commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our efforts to engage in and support initiatives beyond our own project demonstrate how teamwork and shared goals can create lasting impacts.
Collaborating with Frodizo: Bridging Science and Compassion for Alzheimer’s Care
In this section on cooperation, we must also highlight the invaluable support of “Frodizo”, a care facility for individuals with dementia. Their assistance allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, helping us to refine our project direction.
”Frodizo” played a crucial role in our exhibition as well, providing us with artwork created by their patients. Through their network, we were able to connect with patients, caregivers, and family members, along with professionals such as psychologists, social workers, physiotherapists, musicians, and more. These interactions gave us valuable insights into non-pharmaceutical approaches that can improve the quality of life for individuals with dementia. This collaboration was instrumental in helping us design our application, ensuring it addresses the diverse needs of patients and their caregivers.
The involvement of Frodizo exemplifies the importance of partnerships in developing holistic solutions that support both the medical and emotional well-being of people affected by dementia.