Parts

Our team used four different proteins(1) to provide functionality to membrane vesicle(MV) and created composite parts to give flexibility to their combinations. In our experiments, we assembled various combinations of surface displayed proteins into plasmid and tested combinations with scaffold proteins(2). These sequences and experimental data will be a valuable reference for future iGEM teams.

For more details about our Basic and Composite parts, please check Parts .

(1) BBa_K5269013 , BBa_K5269014 , BBa_K5269015 , BBa_K5269016 . (2) We used Lpp-ompA and INPNC.

Creating a Database

We discovered a lack of a database listing crops that could potentially benefit from RNA pesticides and the possible RNA pesticides for each crop. This database is necessary to establish MOVE as a robust RNA pesticide platform. It will be beneficial for our future activities, iGEM participants, and RNA pesticide researchers and companies worldwide.

To create a platform for RNA pesticides, we will implement an open database of sequences favorable for RNA interference as a web application.

For more specific details, please see the Software section.

Framework of Human Practices

As a method for managing Human Practices, we used a method based on the “Innovation Management System (IMS)” defined in ISO 56002, adapted to fit the principles and activities of iGEM.

IMS is an international standard for innovation management and provides valuable insights on how to advance Human Practices, focusing not on the content of Human Practices but on how to proceed with them. This system is divided into three parts: principles, team mechanisms, and actual activities. This framework not only serves as a framework for activities but also guides what kind of team building should be aimed for.

We applied this to Human Practices by adding some creative points, and based on this, we advanced our Human Practices and the entire project. For more detailed information on the modifications and specific procedures for iGEM, please refer to the Integrated Human Practices section.

Idea Generation Method

iGEM starts with deciding what to do. Utilizing the knowledge we have cultivated through various idea generation methods in classes, we created an effective idea generation method for iGEM. This process progresses in three stages: “defining the topic,” “creating idea seeds,” and “evaluating the seeds.”

In the first step, “defining the topic,” we conduct brainstorming related to iGEM to come up with topic candidates for generating idea seeds and prioritize the brainstorming. Next, in the “creating idea seeds” stage, we generate ideas along the topics and deepen the ideas using methods such as the KJ method and dwarfs’ work. Finally, in the “evaluating the seeds” stage, we evaluate the ideas from perspectives such as social impact and feasibility and select the final project candidates. By repeating this process, we aim to generate good themes and projects.

For detailed methods, please refer to the Innovation Management section.

Proposal for a New Type of Education

In education for children, experiencing enjoyable events is the best to learn something. iGEM has a history of using methods like science communication through experimental classes and card games. This time, we tried to make synthetic biology enjoyable as an attraction.

“Ennichi” is a traditional Japanese festival where various stalls and attractions are set up in the precincts of shrines, and people of all ages enjoy them. Inspired by this, we planned an event primarily for children, with activities such as ring toss, puzzles, and fishing, resembling the biological reactions from introducing genes into Escherichia coli to protein production.

For specific event content and tools, please see the Education section.