2024 Taiwan iGEM Seminar

TGEM, which stands for Taiwan Genetic Engineering Machinery, is a seminar and mock competition held from August 24 to 25 at Kang Chiao international school Linkou Campus in Taiwan, that aims to become a prominent academic event in Taiwan's field of synthetic biology. TGEM brought together a diverse array of experts, scholars, and students from various fields to explore and discuss the frontiers of synthetic biology and other cutting-edge topics related to iGEM.

In the previous year, we held the 2023 iGEM Seminar, in which we invited various schools including National Chung Hsing University, National Tsing Hua University, National Chung Cheng University, Washington High School, Chung Shan Medical University, Kang Chiao International School Linkou, and Xiugang Campus.

Fig. 1. Teams discussions in science fair.

Fig. 2. Q&A session.

This year, once again, we invited various top universities and high schools iGEM teams such as National Taiwan University, National Tsing Hua University, Chung Shan Medical University, National Chung Hsing University, National Chung Cheng University, Formosas 101, Xiugang Kang Chiao and Linkou Kang Chiao. With more than a 100 attendees, TGEM also featured esteemed guests, who are all professionals in the field of synthetic biology, including Dr. Allen Lien, Professor Deng Win-Ping, Professor Lee Kung-Ta, and many more. During our two-day seminar, these special guests offered their expertise and valuable feedback into our discussions and interactions. By means of the event, we enhanced our knowledge and understanding of synthetic biology by bringing together experts, scholars, and students from various disciplines, in which offers the participants an opportunity to share and discuss the latest findings, innovations, and other issues concerning synthetic biology. Through interdisciplinary communication and cooperation, TGEM aims to stimulate genetic engineering and synthetic biology research within Taiwan and establish new heights for academic excellence in this fast-evolving field.

Besides recruiting the country’s best brains in synthetic biology, TGEM has also attracted the attention of many sponsors and biotechnology firms, thus pointing to recognition and awareness of the event. Notably, the Institute of Biochemical Science & Technology at National Taiwan University has expressed their willingness to collaborate with us as a guiding institution, showing their enthusiastic interest and support of the event. Furthermore, we have also collaborated with several other reputable organizations as co-organizers, including European Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, and Acer Medical, among others. In addition, we have committed to expanding our network of connections, in hopes of ensuring more supporters and enhancing the recognition and awareness of our growing iGEM community. This approach aims to promote the collaborations and interactivity of academia, industries, and innovations in synthetic biology.

The preparation process of TGEM has been proven to be a heavy and overwhelming but yet rewarding experience. Filled with many difficulties and conflicts, the preparation process has been one of the most challenging tasks that our team has ever encountered. Another major challenge that we experienced was time management in which we were tasked to balance the workload of TGEM while attending to other responsibilities at the same time. Juggling multiple assignments and tasks, we discovered that effective communication and teamwork became crucial on top of learning to properly manage our time and schedule.

However, one of the most valuable lessons, which we learned through the preparation process of TGEM, was the perseverance and determination of never giving up even when things deviate from planned. Throughout the preparation process, we came across barriers and obstacles that seemed impossible to overcome, in which we faced rejection, doubt, and discouragement, in addition to the issue of time management previously mentioned. However, we did not view these setbacks as failures but rather saw them as learning opportunities for growth and development. We perceived these setbacks and rejections as a chance to learn from our shortcomings and improve. We further developed a determined and united mindset as a team with the goal of pursuing the best expectations and results. Therefore, we have a clear conscience in stating that our team has dedicated our best efforts into the success of TGEM despite the face of opposition. And our team has emerged to be stronger, more resilient and united than before.

Eventhough we have a strong foundation of experience from last year’s iGEM seminar, this year, however, we have implemented multiple significant changes from last year's schedule and format. The initial day of TGEM commenced with a science fair session where participants have their own team booth and may freely share their projects, facilitating the exchange of ideas and feedback. Following the science fair, we had a experience sharing lecture by Ms. Lora, who is an experienced participant of iGEM in previous years. And to call it a day, our last event was a panel discussion, in which we invited team leaders, PIs, and teachers to come up to the stage for further academic discussions and engagements among participants.

Fig.3. Digiworm team photo.

Fig.4. Experience sharing.

Fig.5. Science fair discussion.

Fig.6. Panel discussion.

Fig. 7. Science fair discussion.

Fig. 8. Science fair discussion.

Fig. 9. Science fair discussion.

Fig. 10. Team leader panel discussion.

Participating in the science fair and panel discussion has been proven to be an incredibly enriching learning experience. Throughout fruitful discussions and interactions with fellow iGEM teams and experts, we were able to gain valuable insights into innovative scientific ideas and methods. The exposure of a variety of new projects and studies within peers has successfully fostered interdisciplinary thinking and the inspiration of new ideas. Overall, both the science fair and panel discussions have allowed us and participants to gain a deeper understanding of the interconnection of various scientific fields and how it may be applied to real-world problems.

The second day of TGEM started off with a mock competition, where each team presented a 15 minute presentation on their iGEM project. The mock competition aims to enhance the learning experience of all participants by enabling students to apply their knowledge in dynamic scenarios, simulating the finals in Paris while promoting healthy competition. Moreover, judges will provide professional and precious feedback to each team and even provide essential questions in the followed-up QA session. Furthermore, we have also invited non-iGEM participants to join us on the second day of the seminar, where they may observe and contribute to a thorough discussion of incorporated topics. Following the presentations, we arranged two meeting room sessions where each team may engage in discussions and interactions with professors of their choice in their very own classrooms.

Fig. 11. Digiworm team presentation.

Fig. 12. CCU-Taiwan team presentation.

Fig. 13. Q&A session.

Fig. 14. Digiworm team presentation.

Fig. 15. Heartwarming group hug.

Fig. 16. End of presentation and QA session.

Fig. 17. CSMU-NCHU meeting room session.

Fig.18. Professor Hsuan-Chen Wu’s meeting room discussion

Fig. 19. Digiworm team reflection.

Fig.20. Professor Win-Ping Deng’s meeting room discussion.

Fig. 21. 2024 TGEM group photo.

The presentation, QA, and meeting room sessions have been an invaluable learning opportunity as participants were able to stimulate the final stage in Paris and further receive feedback from peers and experts. The presentation session has allowed teams to enhance their public speaking and presentation skills while effectively utilizing visual aids. The QA session has challenged teams to think critically while deepening their understanding of their overall project as they address tough questions proposed by the judges. Lastly, the meeting room session allows in depth discussions for teams to take advice and feedback from experts and professors. Overall, the second day of TGEM has been a challenging day for all participants, however, it has allowed each team to reflect upon their performance and project to better prepare and improve for the upcoming final stage in Paris.

First of all, TGEM has been dedicated to promoting synthetic biology. As an emerging field, synthetic biology has huge application potential that may cover fields such as biotechnology, medicine, environmental protection, and agriculture. Therefore, TGEM has explored the application areas, challenges, and future developments of synthetic biology.

We have promoted interactions and exchanges of resources between highschools, universities, and even professors. By allowing teams from different grade levels to meet up and discuss topics of synthetic biology, we have increased the collaborations between different learning groups, in which high school students may have the chance to use university laboratory equipments and technologies. With all of that said, we have further fulfilled the goal of cultivating scientific literacy and enhancing practical skills among highschool students.

Initially, we have aimed to enhance the competitiveness of Taiwanese iGEM teams on the global stage. And throughout TGEM, we have successfully fulfilled this goal by promoting healthy competition with peers and facilitating experience and knowledge exchange, thus increasing Taiwan's visibility and competitiveness for the final stage in Paris.

We were successful in fostering interest and passion for the field of synthetic biology. By inviting both iGEM and non-iGEM participants throughout TGEM, we have promoted and encouraged the exploration of synthetic biology, in which we have received several feedback showing interest in the general field of biology and even participating in future iGEM competitions.

Participating in the preparation, organization, and execution of TGEM has been a significant learning experience for our team. This experience not only added to our understanding of the frontiers and applications of synthetic biology but also helped us build critical teamwork, time management, and communication skills.

Throughout our interactions with various experts and professors, we’ve had the chance to reflect and improve on various aspects of our project, including our QA session, emphasis on project highlights, and presentation skills.

The QA session was beneficial to our team since it offered a chance to discover where improvements were required based on the comments and recommendations of experts and professors. The questions and comments raised by the judges made our team think more critically about the method, procedure, and overall understanding of the project. This made it possible for us to point out the weaknesses and flaws in our project and correct these shortcomings immediately and even attempt to improve them. Furthermore, this session helped us prepare for the upcoming rigorous judging session in the finals by anticipating potential questions from the judges. Therefore, we were able to enhance the quality of our work and our understanding of our project by addressing these difficult questions and comments. Hence, the QA session was crucial to enhancing our project and ensuring that it meets the highest standards.

One of the most significant reflections we gained from the comments of judges and experts was the emphasis on key highlights and elements of our project. Before our reflection, our team wasn't very effective in emphasizing the major highlights of our project, which made the presentation less compelling to our audience. But after our changes, we were able to effectively communicate the notable elements of our findings and emphasize the significance of our work. By showcasing the most important and impactful aspects of our project, we were able to catch the attention of our audience and set a strong voice for the value of our research.

After giving consideration to the feedback on our presentation, we’ve made adjustments to time allocation, speaking pace, and overall delivery. First, we prioritized the most essential information in our presentation while minimizing the time spent on less critical information and slides. Second, we made adjustments to maintain a steady pace throughout our speech. By avoiding rushing through content and information, we were able to maintain a steady pace without losing the audience’s attention. Additionally, we focused on delivering our speech confidently, helping us communicate in a more professional manner. Reflecting on all the presentation skills mentioned above, these tips will allow our team to deliver even more impactful and engaging presentations in the future.

TGEM has been a memorable experience that pushed us out of our comfort zone to face challenges and adversities we had never experienced before. Working with teams, schools, and organizations from different backgrounds has improved our communication skills and opened us to various new perspectives. Furthermore, as we encountered setbacks and challenges, we discovered the strength and importance of teamwork and commitment, as we accomplished things that once seemed impossible. In conclusion, this journey has been a fascinating experience as it has enhanced our problem-solving skills and fostered personal development along with academic growth. This intriguing experience has taught us skills that will undoubtedly be crucial in our future endeavors.