The Conference of China iGEMer Community (CCiC) is a national exchange event initiated by iGEM teams in China, aimed at providing a platform for sharing resources and promoting collaboration among young synthetic biology enthusiasts. Since its inception in 2014, CCiC has grown into one of the largest academic conferences for university students in China, facilitating discussions on project designs, advancements, and featuring expert lectures. In 2024, CCiC will be held in Suzhou under the theme "SynBio Nexus," organized by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and the National Biotechnology Innovation Center, with support from various academic and professional organizations. The conference will gather young researchers, educators, and practitioners in synthetic biology to explore how this interdisciplinary field can connect fundamental innovation with real-world impacts and future applications, addressing global challenges and shaping the long-term socio-economic landscape.

The collaborative project between Squirrel-CHN and CGE aims to provide a comprehensive health management solution by combining the advantages of probiotics and plant metabolites. Squirrel-CHN has developed a probiotic system based on genetically modified E. coli that can secrete GLP-1 to suppress appetite and promote fat metabolism while incorporating Bimagrumab to protect muscle and ensure safety. Meanwhile, CGE focuses on enhancing the flavonoid content in cucumbers through genetic modification, leveraging the multiple health benefits of these natural metabolites, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular protective effects. The combination of these efforts not only enhances metabolic and weight loss effects but also improves muscle protection, immune regulation, and blood sugar control, reducing the risk of obesity-related diseases and providing a safer, more effective health management solution.

During this conference, participating groups presented their innovative research in the field of synthetic biology. Squirrel-CHN introduced a probiotic designed to help obese patients lose weight by secreting GLP-1, while also promoting muscle gain through a Bimagrumab secretion system, ensuring safety. Bioplus-Shanghai focused on synthesizing precursors for rosmarinic acid to reduce costs and increase yield, highlighting its potential applications in treating cardiovascular diseases. IGEM-CGE utilized transgenic technology to enhance flavonoid content in cucumbers and explored public acceptance of genetically modified foods. Hangzhou-SDG engineered E. coli to purify heavy metals from water, addressing societal acceptance and economic viability. Pompell concentrated on research related to Pompe disease, raising awareness of orphan diseases. JIASHU-SHANGHAI showcased an anti-aging face mask containing natural ingredients, emphasizing its market competitiveness. Squirrel-Shenzhen employed biosensors to detect copper ion pollution in water, focusing on microbial selection. Squirrel-CHI-II developed a home testing tool for hepatitis B virus, overcoming the limitations of traditional testing methods. This exchange not only facilitated collaboration and feedback among teams but also laid the groundwork for future project optimizations.

We held a seminar with the JIASHU-South China and JIASHU-Shanghai teams on the theme "Female's Power in STEM," aimed at showcasing our research on women's participation in the scientific field and calling for more action to promote female STEM education. The conference covered the current status of women in the STEM industry, reasons for their underrepresentation, measures to support women's development, our team's efforts, and concluded with a group discussion.

During the group discussion, we identified future directions and decided to conduct more offline activities, along with innovative measures to promote education for women in STEM. We hope that these activities will attract more girls to develop an interest in STEM fields and encourage them to courageously pursue their scientific dreams.

These collaborative activities have provided our team with valuable experiences and insights, enhancing our awareness of interdisciplinary cooperation. Through exchanges with other teams, we not only broadened our horizons by learning about different research directions and methods but also stimulated innovative thinking that propelled project optimization and improvement. Additionally, these activities strengthened our team cohesion and increased our influence in the field of synthetic biology, allowing us to better grasp the importance of health management and social responsibility, thus laying a solid foundation for our future research.