As global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, the issue of global warming has become increasingly severe. In response to this challenge, we have innovatively applied the knowledge of synthetic biology to address the climate crisis. We have taken a series of actions, including research, field visits, science popularization, and exchanges and cooperation, to raise public awareness of the severity of the climate crisis. Through these efforts, we hope to inspire more people to adopt environmental protection methods such as bioremediation and join the noble cause of environmental protection, contributing to the sustainable development of our planet.
As the third-generation biomass resources, kelp and other macroalgae exhibit extremely strong carbon sequestration capabilities. Having learned that the kelp farming industry on Nanri Island in Fujian Province is relatively mature, we traveled to Nanri Island to interview local villagers and kelp farmers. Through our conversations with them, we discovered that despite the high yields of kelp farming, earnings are unstable due to factors such as weather and market fluctuations. In recent years, many farmers have faced losses due to market saturation and rising costs, including increased labor expenses. After conducting comprehensive investigations from multiple perspectives, we decided to select kelp as the carbon source for brewing yeast for further modification.
Semi-finished kelp from Nanri Island
Scientific research is not an isolated endeavor; appropriate communication and collaboration also facilitate the smooth progress of projects. To exchange ideas and advance our work, as well as to promote the concept of "innovatively utilizing kelp resources, producing high-value-added bioproducts through the modification of brewing yeast, promoting carbon dioxide fixation, and mitigating the climate crisis," we actively participated in conferences such as the South China Exchange and CCiC, engaging in profound discussions with industry peers to jointly propel this innovative idea that integrates environmental protection and technology forward. At these forums, we gained invaluable insights into the advanced experiences and innovative methods of other teams in biotechnology and environmental protection. These precious knowledge and experiences have infused new vitality into our project, driving continuous technological advancements and optimizations.
South China Conference
CCiC Conference
As we all know, G20 stands for the Group of Twenty, an international economic cooperation forum established on December 16, 1999, in Berlin, Germany. Aiming to seek cooperation and promote international financial stability along with sustained economic growth, the forum addresses critical global economic and financial challenges, contributing significantly to the recovery of the world economy and the reform of the international financial system. By engaging in dialogues and negotiations, the G20 seeks to lay a broad foundation for addressing substantive issues, ultimately promoting global economic stability and prosperity.
Poster of iG20 SDG Meetup
Inspired by the spirit of G20 cooperation, we, together with UM_Macau from the iGEM team of the University of Macau, BNUZH_China from the iGEM team of Beijing Normal University Zhuhai, and NWU_China_A from the iGEM team of Northwest University, decided to jointly hold an event focusing on the "Global Sustainable Development Goals". The iG20 SDG Meetup. This move is not only to express our high respect to the spirit of solidarity and cooperation shown by the G20, but also a clear reflection of our firm belief and determination to pursue a sustainable future together! A total of nine teams from different universities participated in this activity. At 1:30 p.m. on September 7, we opened this exchange through the Tencent Conference. In addition, we specially invited Bao Yuhan, iGEM Human Practice Project Officer and Representative of MICSRGC Isaac Nana Kofi Asare to share their experience. The sharing also made us realize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation to advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. On the road to global environmental governance, there are no bystanders, only participants. Let us go forward hand in hand, on the road of exploration and innovation, and together write a more brilliant chapter for the future of mankind!
To enhance public awareness of the severity of the climate crisis and promote the application of synthetic biology in environmental protection, we have organized a series of science popularization activities tailored for different age groups, aiming to stimulate societal attention and action towards environmental conservation.
Firstly, for university students, we hosted the "Run, Yeast, Run!" orienteering event. This activity not only allowed students from South China University of Technology to experience the joy of sports in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere but also guided them to ponder the utilization of technological means to address the climate crisis through biology quizzes, particularly focusing on the latest developments in synthetic biology.
Running yeast event site
For middle school students, we introduced the "Brewing Yeast Leads You into Synthetic Biology" science popularization activity. In the second biology class at Guangzhou Experimental Middle School, through observing yeast cells under a microscope, understanding the DNA double helix structure through origami games, and participating in synthetic biology drawing sessions, we showcased the charm of synthetic biology to seventh-grade students and inspired them to consider the potential of microorganisms like yeast in environmental protection.
Science Popularization
During our rural education outreach trips, we extended the reach of science popularization to a broader audience. For children aged 6 to 13, we meticulously prepared the "Brewing Yeast Leads You into Synthetic Biology" classroom, where engaging and interesting introductions and drawing activities enabled children to learn about synthetic biology while having fun. We believe that the seeds planted in these children's hearts may sprout and grow into significant forces driving technological progress and world change in the future.
Volunteer teaching and preaching
Furthermore, we leveraged social media platforms such as Bilibili, Xiaohongshu, and Douyin to publish science popularization articles and videos, further expanding the influence of synthetic biology in environmental protection. The content on these platforms not only covered the basic principles and application cases of synthetic biology but also made this field of knowledge more accessible and understandable to the public through vivid language and imagery.
Additionally, to intuitively demonstrate the application of gene editing technology in synthetic biology, we designed a "Gene Scissors" mini-game. This game, which incorporates knowledge from molecular biology, allows players to learn about the principles and operational processes of technologies like CRISPR/Cas9 while enjoying the game's fun, cultivating public curiosity and exploratory desire towards science and encouraging more people to pay attention to and support research and applications of synthetic biology in environmental protection.
Through these science popularization activities, we have not only raised public awareness of the severity of the climate crisis but also showcased the tremendous potential of synthetic biology in environmental protection. We believe that only by enabling more people to understand and support research and applications in this field can we collectively address the climate crisis and protect our shared Earth.