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Although the final decisions are ultimately determined by the iGEM judges, we believe that conducting a self-assessment of our project will facilitate deeper reflections and a more thorough understanding of our accomplishments as well as areas for improvement. On this page, we have compiled pertinent information regarding the evaluation criteria for the awards.

Based on past work and submissions, our self-assessment indicates that we have met the criteria for the bronze medal.
In addition to bronze, our self-assessment further substantiates our compliance with the silver medal criteria, as we successfully achieved engineering outcomes and implemented human practice initiatives.
Moreover, we assert that our project exemplifies excellence in synthetic biology. Below, we present three links that we believe validate our adherence to the gold medal criteria.

Our team has contributed six new composite parts to the iGEM Registry, each designed to offer novel and valuable functions. Among these, we have uploaded two composite parts specifically for tagatose synthesis pathways, which can be used to achieve efficient production of tagatose in Escherichia coli. Additionally, we have introduced four different composite parts for CRISPRi, which effectively truncate competing metabolic pathways to promote the accumulation of fructose-6-phosphate. All parts adhere to iGEM and Registry submission requirements and will serve as valuable resources for future iGEM teams developing related biosynthetic projects. For more information about our composite parts, please visit our Part page. Our hardware contribution is a low-cost, small-scale fermentation device designed for educational use, particularly for high school students and early-career researchers. This device replicates the essential functions of a standard laboratory fermenter, such as temperature control, stirring, pH adjustment, aeration, and feeding, at a fraction of the cost (1,298 RMB). At the same time, we wrote a handbook on what you should buy on Alibaba and how to build it, and provided some usefully information on how to use it.
At the same time, when we used it we found some kinds of disadvantages, so that we changed it. By a better control on temperature, on air supply, and on automated pH control.It is compact, easy to assemble, and user-friendly, providing hands-on experience in microbial fermentation. This affordable and accessible tool not only supports practical training in synthetic biology and bioengineering but also serves as a model for developing other low-cost bioreactors for educational and small-scale research purposes. Please visit our Hardware page We have successfully used E. coli as a chassis strain and synthesized D-tagatose from the inexpensive substrate glucose. It has been approved as a new food ingredient in both the United States and China. D-tagatose is widely accepted among people with diabetes, for cavity prevention, weight loss, and for promoting a healthy gut, and it has no side effects when consumed over a long period compared to other sugar substitutes on the market. Therefore, developing D-tagatose as a low-sugar beverage and low-sugar food to reduce the proportion of the obese population has broad application prospects.
At the same time, we have developed a comprehensive business plan to bring our tagatose product to market. This plan is backed by our HP in market research to understand consumer acceptance and preferences regarding sugar substitutes. Our research indicates a growing demand for healthier, low-calorie alternatives, particularly among health-conscious consumers and those managing conditions such as diabetes.
By combining scientific innovation with a strategic business approach, we aim to accelerate the introduction of tagatose into everyday use, providing a beneficial alternative to traditional sugars. We believe that with our team's dedicated efforts, tagatose can play a significant role in promoting healthier dietary habits and addressing public health challenges related to sugar consumption. Our goal is to make tagatose a widely accessible option, ultimately contributing to improved overall health and well-being in society. Please visit our Entrepreneurship page.