INTRODUCTION


The use of cannabidiol CBD has gained increasing recognition in contemporary medicine, driven by scientific evidence that increasingly attests to its effectiveness in the treatment of various conditions such as: epilepsy, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, depression and anxiety. However, obtaining authorization for its use in many countries, including Brazil, is highly complex due to legal restrictions on substances derived from Cannabis sativa, the plant from which CBD is extracted. In this scenario, we propose to explore synthetic biology to circumvent regulatory barriers and produce CBD without the need for the plant, aiming to simplify the population's access to this substance that has therapeutic potential in various treatments.



DATA COLLECTION


First, we recognized that, just as essential as the scientific part of our project, was to understand how it would impact the local community. Thus, we chose to carry out an initial data collection in our city to better understand how the local public perceives both our project and the theme in question, for this we set up a forms with the following questions:



Fortunately, the data collection was successful and surprised us positively. As a result, we obtained that 79.6% of the people interviewed were in favor of the use of CBD as a medicine, 18.6% who did not know much about it and preferred to learn more about the subject before expressing a definitive opinion and only 1.8% of the people interviewed were against the use of CBD as a medicine. See more at our 2023's wiki

Graph 1. View of cannabidiol as medicine.

View of cannabidiol as medicine, positive feedback

We were very impressed with the positive feedback regarding our project and the topic of our research. In Addition, we were able to visualize, more clearly, how the reduction of costs and legal obstacles related to CBD are fundamental issues to ensure accessibility to the population.



EDUCATION


Projects After the initial analysis of the data, it was evident that certain groups had a limited understanding of synthetic biology or science in general. Therefore, we feel the need to develop initiatives to disseminate knowledge in these fields, through Education. She is an engineer. In 2023, we partnered with our educational institution to develop the "Elas na Engenharia" project, whose objective is to bring high school students from cities near our campus to show the importance of female representation in engineering.

On the first day of the "Elas na Engenharia" event, we held an introduction to synthetic biology, using resources such as books, research and materials from our Synthetic BiologyClub. During the presentation, we addressed the fundamental concepts of this emerging area, in a didactic and practical way, including definition, objectives, areas of application, practical examples, limitations, risks and basic concepts, specifically aimed at public school students. This activity aimed to promote knowledge about synthetic biology in different spheres of society, encouraging the generation of new ideas and reflections.

The combination of theoretical and practical classes had a significant impact on the learning process and encouraged them to pursue a career in engineering. During the event, we proposed an interactive activity to arouse interest in genetics, an area often considered complex and demotivating for some students.

Thus, we took the students to the laboratory to perform DNA extraction in fruits, to instigate the interest of those who had little or no previous contact with a biology laboratory environment. Finally, we also held a conversation circle with the female members of theSynthetic Biology club in whichInformation about admission to USP, student permanence programs was discussed.



OBBS


Another project carried out by our team in 2023 was a collaboration with theUSP-Brazil Team, for the realization of the Brazilian Synthetic BiologyOlympiad, a project that aims to disseminate and draw the attention of high school students to this innovative and interesting science, in addition to encouraging scientific research in the country. The Olympiad stands out in the country mainly for its focus on the development of logical reasoning and critical thinking, thus avoiding a content-based test that would require students to have extensive prior knowledge. In this way, the test becomes more attractive and inclusive to students interested in science and self-development.

With this in mind, our team thought and developed 25 questions that aimed to lead elementary and high school students to acquire knowledge from an investigative and playful stimulus. This collaboration was extremely productive for us, as we contributed to the advancement of Synthetic Biology research in our country and had the opportunity to deepen our knowledge in essential topics related to General Biology. For our team, it's not just about academic knowledge; it is about caring deeply about the dissemination of Synthetic Biology and being committed to the education and inclusivity of Brazilian students.

This partnership allowed us to reach 4269 applications, of which 42.7% were public school students, and the inspiration of young minds to explore the exciting world of biotechnology and biology in a practical and interactive way, ultimately helping to shape the future of science in Brazil.




STAKEHOLDERS


In the development phase of our project, we brainstormed ideas by analyzing how our research could impact various sectors potentially involved. Each stakeholder plays a vital role in understanding the societal impact of our project. The following is a summary of the key stakeholders identified:


Patients and Medical Community: Patients benefiting from CBD treatment and healthcare professionals are directly linked to the CBDynamics project. Their well-being depends on access to high-quality CBD, and the medical community plays a critical role in prescribing and administering these treatments.


Pharmaceutical Community: The project has the potential to impact the pharmaceutical industry by enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of CBD production. This could lead to new market opportunities and partnerships.


Researchers and Academia: CBDynamics offers an innovative approach that could be groundbreaking for countries with complex regulations surrounding CBD. The project’s advancements in modeling could serve as a valuable resource for future research on CBD and its metabolic pathways.


Government: Our project could facilitate improved access to cannabidiol, potentially shaping public health policies by providing an alternative means of CBD production without Cannabis.


Public Organizations: NGOs could benefit from the project by leveraging its discussions around making CBD more accessible to the public. This is especially important for the treatment of diseases like epilepsy.


Local Community: CBDynamics was designed with our community in mind. Through surveys, conversations, and lectures, we identified the main challenges faced by individuals relying on CBD. The project aims to offer a high-purity, less bureaucratic CBD alternative, ensuring adequate treatment for all.


Each of these stakeholders contributes to our project's success by engaging with the project, promoting innovation, accessibility, and social responsibility, while advancing the public understanding and adoption of CBD-based therapies.




PROJECT MISSION, VISION AND VALUES


It is also important to remember the MVV that we followed during the past year and that continues to guide us towards the fulfillment of our goals and values.


Mission:


Our mission is to develop and produce cannabidiol (CBD) through synthetic biology, using recombinant gene technology, in order to provide an innovative and safe alternative for the treatment of epilepsy, and in the future of other chronic diseases. We seek to facilitate access to high-quality medicinal therapies, contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of patients in Brazil and around the world.


Vision:


Our vision is to be recognized as an example in the production of cannabidiol via synthetic biology, driving research and development of innovative therapies for epilepsy. We aim to be a reference in pharmaceutical technology, providing an affordable and effective treatment for patients who need this care.


Values:


  1. Innovation: We are committed to seeking innovative and technologically advanced solutions to produce CBDsynthetically, overcoming scientific and regulatory challenges.

  2. Responsibility: We value the safety and effectiveness of our research, prioritizing quality at all stages of production and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

  3. Accessibility: We believe that all patients have the right to access quality treatments , seeking to make CBD moreaccessible and available to those who need it.

  4. Ethics: We guide our actions by ethics and integrity, acting transparently and respecting ethical standards and guidelines in medical and pharmaceutical research.

  5. Social Impact: We work with a greater purpose of improving people's lives, especially those suffering from epilepsy and other chronic diseases, positively impacting society and public health.

With the commitment of these values, we aim to achieve our goal of producing synthetic cannabinoid efficiently and safely, providing a promising and viable alternative for the treatment of epilepsy. We seek to contribute to a future in which access to this type of treatment is facilitated, helping to improve the quality of life and well-being of patients. To Remember other important steps in our trajectory, just check our last wiki!




EDUCATION


Following the initial analysis of our data, it became evident that certain groups had a limited understanding of synthetic biology and science in general. This highlighted the need for initiatives aimed at disseminating knowledge in these areas, with a focus on education.

In 2023, we partnered with our educational institution to develop the "Woman in Engineering" project, whose objective is to bring high school students from cities near our campus to show the importance of female representation in engineering. On the first day of the "Woman In Engineering" event, we held an introduction to synthetic biology, using resources such as books, research and materials from our Synthetic Biology Club. During the presentation, we addressed the fundamental concepts of this emerging area, in a didactic and practical way, including definition, objectives, areas of application, practical examples, limitations, risks and basic concepts, specifically aimed at public school students. This activity aimed to promote knowledge about synthetic biology in different spheres of society, encouraging the generation of new ideas and reflections. The combination of theoretical and practical classes had a significant impact on the learning process and encouraged them to pursue a career in engineering. During the event, we proposed an interactive activity to arouse interest in genetics, an area often considered complex and demotivating for some students. Thus, we took the students to the laboratory to perform DNA extraction in fruits, to instigate the interest of those who had little or no previous contact with a biology laboratory environment. Finally, we also held a conversation circle with the female members of theSynthetic Biology club in whichInformation about admission to USP, student permanence programs was discussed.

In partnership with the Marie Curie organization at our college, we conducted “EducaSynBio”, activities aimed at promoting early exposure to science and technology for students from low-income backgrounds. Our initiative included two activities: one for elementary school students and another for high school students. We provided an introductory class on the basics of synthetic biology, showcasing our Synthetic Biology Club and iGEM. To engage the students, we simplified the content and used interactive elements, such as an award-based dynamic, where students were rewarded for participating with candies, regardless of the accuracy of their answers.

In 2023, our team collaborated with the USP-Brazil Team to develop the Brazilian Synthetic Biology Olympiad. This initiative aimed to engage high school students in the fascinating field of synthetic biology and promote scientific research across the country. The Olympiad is distinctive for its focus on fostering logical reasoning and critical thinking, avoiding a purely content-based approach that demands extensive prior knowledge. By doing so, the competition becomes more accessible and appealing to students with a keen interest in science and personal development.

Our team contributed by designing 25 questions that encouraged elementary and high school students to approach scientific knowledge through investigative and playful methods. This collaboration was not only productive but also enriching, as it allowed us to contribute to the growth of synthetic biology research in Brazil while deepening our understanding of essential biological concepts. The partnership resulted in 4,269 participants, with 42.7% coming from public schools. Through this initiative, we helped inspire young minds to explore the exciting realms of biotechnology and biology in an interactive and practical way, shaping the future of science in Brazil.

To remember other important steps in our trajectory in education, just check the 2023's Education page.