Overview

ALKALI

Sintetibacteria

Visual novel

Workshops

Symposium

Overview

Our goal as part of Science Communication is to inspire the new generations of thinkers to find their place in the world of science. In addition, we seek to show how synthetic biology can be the solution to numerous current issues. We seek to publicize the research and innovation that is carried out in these disciplines, as is achieved in iGEM’s vision.

Our purpose is to break the knowledge barrier that exists between people who are not dedicated to any area related to synthetic biology through scientific dissemination. We envision a world where the general population is able to understand synthetic biotechnology and other related areas for themselves, with these topics becoming common knowledge.

ALKALI

Researching the needs of a community is relatively straightforward, but presenting and addressing them is a greater challenge. The real complexity comes when interacting with community members, getting to know their real needs and understanding their perspective. The ALKALI project has been instrumental in validating and analyzing the problem from the stakeholders' point of view.

ALKALI is an academic and community initiative dedicated to improving the water quality of the Arroyo Seco, a key tributary of the Santa Catarina River Sub-basin in Monterrey, Mexico. In the project, more than 15 water quality parameters are monitored at 7 different points, involving more than 55 people, including students, neighbors and organizations such as Sié Waka, SOSAC and Distrito Tec. This collaborative effort allows the collection of more than 25 water samples per month. Sié Waka provides its AquaCitizen platform and Epicollect app for real-time data collection, while SOSAC offers its expertise in environmental sampling and Distrito Tec provides institutional and community support.

Look for 'Arroyo Seco, Monterrey, Nuevo León' to see some historic data points of the collaboration

In the first steps of the project, the iGEM team accompanied SOSAC on their water cleanup excursions and immersed themselves in our community's environment. Understanding the approach of these water bodies would be crucial for the implementation of the ALKALI project. A pilot sampling was conducted in one of them.

iGEM's objectives are reflected in this initiative, as we seek to promote the advancement of sustainable biotechnological solutions, encourage active community participation and share knowledge to address global water challenges, prioritizing social and environmental well-being

The implementation of our project for bioremediation allows for efficient and sustainable disposal of EE2. Through the use of accessible technologies and collaboration with the community, the ALKALI project is replicable in other water bodies, encouraging citizen participation and environmental protection. In addition, ALKALI raises awareness about the use of new technologies in wastewater treatment, laying the groundwork for continued work on sampling for EE2 and other emerging contaminants in the future.

Sintetibacteria

This project aims to develop a coloring book by the name of Sintetibacteria, which combines artistic elements with fundamental concepts of synthetic biology. Through detailed and cartoonish illustrations and concise descriptions, we seek to visualize and simplify complex biological processes, promoting understanding and learning of the discipline.

This project seeks to have an educational impact for greater understanding through the visualization of illustrations that simplify complex concepts. In addition, it gives extra motivation to encourage interest in science in young people and students, to generate that approach to science and promote scientific culture, causing an interest in research and motivation.

The public to be corrected and quite versatile, originally planned for a children's audience of 10 to 12 years old, this project can be used as a work tool for science teachers who wish to use the book as a teaching resource. In addition, the vocabulary used was simplified so that anyone curious about synthetic biology could understand.

The project had a development time of 9 months by other attributors.

The methodology followed to create this book began with research on background and similar inventions to identify areas of opportunity and establish a target audience. Consequently, research began on scientific literature for the accuracy of the illustrations and descriptions. The illustration designs were created with the styles of 3 university artists passionate about biotechnology and art. The text writing was designed to be dynamic and fun, so that both children and adults can understand the terms used.

There are lecturers of educational agents from different professions and universities in the country, such as PhD. Rosalinda Gutiérrez Hernández, PhD in sciences and teacher of the academic unit of health, PhD. Noemi González Rios of the academic unit of psychology, PhD. Nydia Leticia Olvera Castillo, distance education responsible, and PhD. Alejandra Ariadna Romero Moyano, research teacher of the academic unit in Education, all of them work in the “Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas” in Mexico, they reviewed the content and educational impact at different school levels; as part of the Tecnológico de Monterrey, PhD. Mariana Martínez Ávila adjunt researcher in the departure of Emerging Food Tecnologies and Nutraceuticals, PhD. Angel Iván Hernández Aguirre, director of the department of Bioengineering and Chemical Processes, and Master Francisco Adrián Castillo Escalante, did the lectures to review the form and content of the project.

Currently, the project is seeking to be published through the editorial house "Astra editors".

'Un nuevo amanecer'

“Un nuevo amanecer” is a visual novel video game, the story focuses on a near future where a biotechnology student must solve the disappearance of species from aquifers due to what they once called “emerging contaminants.”

The game is aimed at young people in late primary and early secondary school (11-13 years old), however, it can also be shared with the rest of the public and is available to anyone who wants to try it. The Project was developed for 6 months.

Early education is important to ensure a future where people no longer have mythologized topics such as biotechnology, genetic engineering and synthetic biology. This game seeks to help young people get closer to what synthetic biology is in a friendly and easy-to-understand way to promote a taste for science.

The activity consists of a visual novel type video game in which participants can obtain different endings depending on their choices within synthetic biology projects. The game was made with the help of the Ren'py and Visual Studio Code software, using the Python programming language. The video game is currently in the pilot phase seeking to reach a publication of the video game in the form of a mobile or desktop application.

Workshops in campus

Together with the Centro de Biotecnología within the Tecnológico de Monterrey, a series of workshops were held in laboratories, involving different tools applied in synthetic biology so that students become familiar with these processes. The latter include students from the area of chemical bioprocess engineering and from different semesters.

We also had the opportunity to collaborate with expert professors in the area of biotechnology, like Ernesto Palacios and Francisco Castillo.

The workshops imparted were the following:

February 28th - In Vitro culture
April 3rd - Bioprinting
April 17th - Electroforesis
September 18th - Art with microbes

Biocluster symposium

In the symposium we aimed to bring together scientific experts, panelists and students of different levels to discuss key topics in the fields of synthetic biology and biotechnology. This space wanted to foster an environment that encourages collaboration, where everyone can engage directly with researchers and encourage their curiosity

We hope that, by uniting stakeholders from various sectors, we build a stronger scientific community in Monterrey and nearby regions, where academia and industry can work together addressing challenges in biotechnology and society.

See the photos in the Biocluster social media!