- Achievement Overview -
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.
- Medal Evaluation -
· Bronze Medal Criteria
Based on past work and submissions, our self-assessment indicates that we have met the criteria
for the bronze medal.
- Deliverables
- Attributions
- Project Description
- Contribution
· Silver Medal Criteria
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.
· Gold Medal Criteria
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.
- Special Prizes -
· New Composite Parts
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.
· Hardware
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
· Entrepreneurship
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.