Inclusivity: The bi-directional journey of computer science and synthetic biology.

As a team in the Software & AI track, we have been dedicated to integrating computer technology with synthetic biology, aiming to provide more effective research tools and an excellent research environment. To achieve this, we make efforts in the following areas, striving to eliminate barriers and embrace diversity.

Bridging Disciplines: Communication between biology and computational science

This year, our team comprised 19 members: 8 in the Biology Group, 7 in the Code Group, 3 in the Human Practices (HP) Group, and 1 in the Art Group. At the outset of our project, communication between the software and biology groups was challenging due to differences in our specialized knowledge. However, through ongoing discussions and collaborative learning, the biology group shared their expertise on the project’s research background, while the code group focused on translating this into functional code and implementation.

Over time, this sustained exchange of knowledge helped break down the initial barriers between disciplines, leading to a deeper mutual understanding. Ultimately, this allowed us to successfully complete the project with a stronger grasp of each other’s fields.

Courses held by our advisors Wu Jieke and Wang Chaokun

This collaborative approach highlights the potential of our platform to bridge gaps between different disciplines, fostering the sharing of insights and promoting interdisciplinary integration. We believe this model offers a valuable framework for future projects, encouraging collaborative innovation and the merging of diverse expertise.

Beginner Accessibility: Quick Start and Communication for Beginners

Our platform is designed to be highly intuitive and accessible, allowing users to quickly learn and apply it without any prior background knowledge. By following the tutorials provided, biological researchers can easily utilize the platform’s scRNA-seq workflow and SAM image segmentation model without needing to write any computer code.

Furthermore, our platform includes an academic exchange module where users can share their research experiences and insights, making it a valuable resource for beginners looking to learn from their peers. In this module, users can ask questions, seek advice, and access research papers recommended by others.

While the platform still lacks a dedicated beginner's guide and more comprehensive theoretical explanations, we are committed to continuous development and improvement. In the future, we aim to collaborate with educational institutions to make this platform an essential introductory tool for synthetic biology, opening the door for researchers and students alike to explore this rapidly growing field.

Public Outreach: Promoting Science to a Wider Audience

During the realization of our project, we also aim to educate the public about the biological principles required for our platform, as well as share cutting-edge research in synthetic biology. Through our public account, we use accessible language to convey these advancements, ensuring that the general public can gain a basic understanding of synthetic biology.

User Feedback & Platform Optimization

We understand that an inclusive platform is not just a result of its initial design but also requires continuous improvement and active user participation. To achieve this, we have introduced a user feedback system, encouraging users to share their experiences, difficulties, and suggestions for improvement.

Whether users come from a biology background or a computer science background, we take all feedback seriously and aim to iterate continuously to remove barriers between science and technology. This feedback loop helps us refine the platform, making it more intuitive and user-friendly, lowering the entry barrier for beginners.

We believe that through close interaction between users and developers, the platform will become more comprehensive in the future, providing more efficient research tools and a better user experience for a broader audience.