Introduction

An essential part of science is building upon the knowledge of those who came before you. The SDU-Denmark 2024 team has gained valuable insights throughout our project and wishes to share these in the form of a guide to make educational materials for future teams and growth optimization results for Human Endometrial Stromal Cells (HESC). We present a guide with steps on how to target a specific audience when preparing educational materials and organizing events, which can be applied to any project or topic. Additionally, we present our results and work process for optimizing the growth of HESC cells.

Preparing Educational Material for a Target Group

When creating educational materials or presentations, it is crucial to consider your audience to ensure the content is engaging and effective. The following step-by-step guide outlines key considerations to help tailor your material to your Target Group (TG).

  1. Define the Lesson Goals: Start by identifying the knowledge or skills you want to convey.
    1. List your learning objectives: Clearly outline your learning objectives. This list will guide the creation process and allow your audience to assess their understanding.
  2. Identify Your TG: The most critical step is understanding who your audience is. A presentation on bioluminescent algae, for example, should differ greatly depending on whether you are speaking to kindergarteners or STEM students.
    1. Identify the age of your TG: The age of your TG impacts the complexity of the material and the relevance of topics.
    2. Assess their knowledge base: Understanding what your audience already knows helps you focus on relevant points. For student groups, contacting teachers can provide insight into what has already been covered.
    3. Evaluate their language proficiency: Effective communication requires a shared vocabulary. Adjust your language, whether scientific or general, to match the audience’s understanding.
  3. Refine Your Goals Based on the Audience: Once you know your TG, revisit your objectives. Some may no longer be necessary, while others may need to be added.
    1. Consider the timeframe: Match your objectives to the available time. Whether it is a workshop, presentation, or video, ensure the content fits within the time constraints. It is better to include less and not overwhelm your audience.
    2. Prioritize essential content: Eliminate non-essential material, even if it is personally important to you, to ensure the most critical points are given enough focus.
  4. Develop the Material: With your TG in mind, begin creating the content. Choose the appropriate format - presentation, workshop, video, etc. - based on your audience and timeframe.
    1. Create an outline: Structure your material around the learning objectives to ensure logical flow and coverage of key points.
    2. Edit thoroughly: If possible, seek feedback from representatives of your TG before the first presentation. Aim for a finished solid, polished product rather than perfection.
  5. Gather and Apply Feedback: After presenting, gather as much feedback as possible. Ask for one positive aspect and one suggestion for improvement to encourage constructive feedback.
    1. Revise based on feedback: Use the feedback to refine your material, especially if you plan to present it again.

HESC Optimization

Our team has contributed valuable insights into optimizing the growth and cultivation of HESC, which are notoriously challenging to maintain in culture. Through systematic experimentation with various media formulations, we identified conditions that significantly improve the proliferation rates of this cell line.

The optimization process has led to key findings about the impact of different growth supplements, media types, and serum components on HESC viability and expansion. By testing and comparing a range of media, including DMEM-based and EmbryoMax-based formulations, we were able to identify conditions that reduce the time to reach a confluency between 70-90%, from over a week to less than two days in some cases. This is a significant improvement for any future team who may work with these cells, as it reduces the time required for preparation and allows for more efficient experimentation.

By sharing these results, protocols, and methodologies, we provide future iGEM teams with a foundational framework for cultivating HESC effectively. This contribution not only facilitates the use of HESC in iGEM projects but also opens up for new possibilities for research into reproductive health and disease modeling using these cells.

Our work thus advances the broader scientific community’s understanding of HESC culture conditions, enabling more precise and optimal experimental workflow and offering a template for future optimization efforts.