Bronze Medal Criteria

Competition Deliverables

• Wiki
• Presentation Video
• Judging Form
• Judging Session

Project Attributions

• In our Attributions page , we detail the contributions of each team member and the external support we received. We summarize the roles of members in each part of the project.

Project Description

• By visiting our Project Description page , you can learn more about the challenges in implementing RNA pesticides and our solution to these challenges—the “MOVE” project.

Contribution

• Our team has provided many resources that future iGEM teams can learn from and utilize, such as creating new BioBrick parts and a database system for RNA pesticides, developing a method for brainstorming and project administration, and offering educational materials on RNA pesticides. For more details, please see the Contribution page .

Silver Medal Criteria

Engineering Success

• On the Engineering page , you can see how we applied the DBTL (Design-Build-Test-Learn) cycle in the development of the PIA-MVP system and the optimization of RNA encapsulation into membrane vesicles. We improved the project by leveraging the insights gained from each cycle.

Human Practices

• The Integrated Human Practices page showcases how we engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders—including farmers’ associations, pesticide companies, and agricultural authorities—to ensure our project meets real-world needs and complies with safety and regulatory requirements. We incorporated valuable feedback obtained from these dialogues into our project.

Gold Medal Criteria

Integrated Human Practices

We aimed not only to solve social issues using synthetic biology but also to deeply understand the impact of our technology on society and people to create the greatest positive effect. To achieve this, we conducted our project management and human practices based on the “Innovation Management System (IMS)” defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Details of Activities

1. Identification of Issues and Concept Creation
   • Through brainstorming and expert interviews , we clarified the potential and challenges of RNA pesticides in the agricultural sector.
   • Proposed the concept of improving the stability of RNA pesticides using membrane vesicles (MV) and verified its feasibility through dialogues with experts.
2. Concept Verification and Reconstruction
   • Identified issues such as durability, cost, and selection of target diseases in the practical application of RNA pesticides, and revisited the project direction through further discussions with stakeholders.
   • Based on feedback from various stakeholders such as agricultural organizations, pesticide manufacturers, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries , we expanded the project’s focus to solving overall implementation challenges of RNA pesticides .
3. Development of Solutions
   • Established a new concept called MOVE (Modules for Optimized Viability and Efficacy of RNA pesticides) and developed specific methods to improve the durability and cost-effectiveness of RNA pesticides.
   • Aimed to assess implementation feasibility and promote the technology by building economic models and developing an RNA pesticide database .
4. Solution Deployment and Evaluation
   • Examined the impact and challenges of implementing MOVE in society through dialogues with safety testing companies and major pesticide manufacturers .
   • Incorporated feedback from agricultural organizations to formulate strategies for practical product development and market introduction.

Outcomes and Reflections

• Integrated on-the-ground needs and concerns obtained from stakeholder dialogues into the project, leading to technical improvements.
• Deepened our understanding of safety and regulatory compliance , incorporating appropriate testing and evaluation into our plan.
• Considered social and environmental impacts at each stage of the project, aiming to contribute to sustainable agriculture.

For more details, please visit the Integrated Human Practices page .

Entrepreneurship

Our team aimed to develop the RNA pesticide platform “MOVE” to provide innovative solutions to significant challenges faced in agriculture. As part of this effort, we participated in the Lean Launchpad (LLP) program at the Tokyo Institute of Technology for three months to acquire practical entrepreneurial and business skills.

Details of Activities

1. Business Model Construction and Validation
   • Through the LLP program, we enhanced our business model and commercialization potential by repeatedly testing hypotheses in the real market.
   • Gained a deep understanding of the needs of target customers such as farmers and pesticide manufacturers, and proposed products and services based on this insight.
2. Market Analysis and Strategy Formulation
   • Clarified the issues faced by the agricultural industry and analyzed the market size and growth projections for RNA pesticides.
   • Defined MOVE’s value proposition and identified differentiation points from competitors.
3. Revenue Model and Business Plan Development
   • Constructed a multifaceted revenue model including product sales, licensing, and customization services.
   • Developed short-, medium-, and long-term product development plans and risk management strategies, clarifying our funding plans.
4. Stakeholder Engagement and Networking
   • Actively engaged with various stakeholders such as farmers, agricultural organizations, regulatory authorities, and investors to gather feedback.
   • Won the top prize in a pitch competition within the LLP program, recognizing the validity of our business model.

Outcomes and Reflections

• Created a concrete roadmap toward commercializing our technology and built a sustainable business model.
• Formulated a product strategy that considers market needs and economic viability , aiming to contribute to the agricultural sector.
• Cultivated an entrepreneurial spirit and enhanced our social impact by providing sustainable agricultural solutions .

For more details, please see the Entrepreneurship page .

Model

Our team developed a comprehensive mathematical model to support the development and optimization of the RNA pesticide platform “MOVE.”

Overview

To support various aspects of the project, we developed the following models:

1. RNA-mMV Model : Simulated the production of shRNA and m-MV in Escherichia. coli, the encapsulation of shRNA into m-MV, and the field efficacy of MOVE.
2. Surface Display Model : Utilized AlphaFold, AutoDock Vina, and HADDOCK 2.4 to confirm that surface display proteins function properly without being affected by the SpyCatcher/SpyTag system.
3. Continuous Cascade Bioreactor Model : Performed Metabolic Control Analysis (MCA) and parameter scans to optimize the production system for large-scale manufacturing of MOVE.

Impact on the Project

Our modeling efforts provided critical insights, including:

• Feasibility and optimization of MOVE production
• Predicting the pesticidal efficacy of MOVE under various environmental conditions
• Assessing the scalability and economic feasibility of the production process

Conclusion

The developed models were indispensable for the design and optimization of our project. They enabled us to predict outcomes, optimize parameters, and make informed decisions throughout the development process.

For more details, please visit the Model page .