After neovio dye took shape, we were still hesitant about which fabric to choose for dyeing. Ideally, it should be well colored and suitable for our product form, so we contacted m-seen, a domestic company focusing on sustainable materials, research and development and promotion. Thanks to Mr. Wei of Bio-Loop for participating in the meeting and discussion. We would like more advice on sustainable fabric options such as mycelium and bacterial cellulose. The company was very interested in our use of mycelium dyeing and recommended to us more sustainable materials such as hemp, seaweed leather, and they pointed out that their mycelium production is more architectural applications, such as the leather produced by SynMetabio, which is more suitable for our project needs.

Our pre-experiment found that mycelium became dry after high temperature sterilization and was not suitable for wearing. Mr.Wei suggested that we use microwave sterilization, ultraviolet sterilization and other methods, and he mentioned that there was no need to worry about spores, molds, eggs and other problems, because these things would be removed when industrial production of mycelium.

Fig 3 Video conferencing with Wood and Bio-loop

Chen Ming is a professor of bioinformatics at the School of Life Sciences at Zhejiang University. After listening to our topic selection this year, he said that he was looking forward to the final product by Neovio Dye, but he also reminded us that this was a huge project, especially the design of memory module was very risky in practice. In terms of design, he proposed the idea of biological color palette, "If microorganisms can realize the collocation of various colors through gene circuit regulation just like the color palette, it will be very impressive". In terms of human practice, he affirmed the social significance of Neovio Dye. It's not just about a synthetic biology project, it's about environmental responsibility and cultural heritage, and those are the things we should focus on.

We took down his suggestion and tried to make K-12 strains dye a variety of matching colors, which was reflected in our subsequent projects as the regulation of the light-induced regulation of the ratio of purple to green. At the same time, we also tried to fulfill more social responsibilities in the activities of human practice.

We contacted a senior student who graduated from Zhejiang University, and her undergraduate graduation project was related to biological dyeing, so we discussed with her the choice of dyed fabrics and the aesthetic possibility of Neovio Dye. She mentioned that many biological materials have their own color and then it is difficult to color, so we could try bamboo fiber textiles or silk, which are more environmentally friendly and easy to color. This broadens our understanding of fabric.

When we were doubting ourselves about the Neovio Dye project, we met Professor Xu during a rehearsal for a UNIDO-themed event. Her presence reaffirmed our determination to continue.She mentioned that as long as the speaker is confident, the audience will not question their stance. After hearing about our project, she gave it high praise and expressed her hope to see Neovio Dye contribute to both environmental protection and culture. She also provided suggestions on how to help achieve the SDGs. For more details, refer to the Sustainable development page.

Figure 2 photo with Xueyin Xu

We participated in the 10th China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair, showcasing Neovio Dye at the UNIDO Themed Day booth. During the event, we presented the design of the Neovio Dye project and its potential to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Attendees included alumni from Zhejiang University and professionals from various industries. They all agreed that it was an interesting project and looked forward to seeing its implementation in the future.

Figure 3 We share projects live on theme days.

One of our team members visited a cultural heritage artisan in Jinhua, Zhejiang, and introduced Neovio Dye. The artisan warmly guided us through various unique tie-dye products and explained the steps of the tie-dyeing process. They also collaborate with vocational schools and universities to offer courses and provide employment pathways. Through this interaction, we gained a deeper understanding of the current state of traditional culture, how it has evolved to adapt to modern times, and how it continues to thrive. We hope that the promotion of Neovio Dye will allow more people to see and appreciate this cultural heritage.

Figure 4 photo with intangible cultural heritage.

We participated in CCIC（The 11th Conference of China IGEMer Community）and won the Best Project Presentation Award. During this gathering, team members experienced traditional lacquer fan culture, exchanged project insights with teams from Hainan University, Wuhan University, and others, and even performed a crosstalk comedy routine, strengthening our connections with many teams. We received a lot of feedback—people noted that the Neovio Dye project is complex and will require significant effort to implement, and they encouraged us to manage our time efficiently.

He mentioned that current fabric printing techniques mainly involve water-based printing and digital printing. While water-based printing is traditional and more affordable, it's labor-intensive and causes significant pollution. Digital printing is gradually replacing it, but for special textures like tie-dye, traditional methods still look better. He suggested we dive deeper into understanding various printing techniques, such as water-based printing, reactive dyeing, tie-dyeing, and digital printing, to better engage with the industry. Additionally, he explained that fabrics go through processes like singeing, bleaching, setting, sizing, and drying before being dyed, which clear up our confusion about post-dyeing treatment for mycelium. However, we still need to experiment with pre-processing mycelium to achieve optimal dyeing effects, as some fabrics are more suitable than others.

Professor Yu pointed out that while the technology behind Neovio Dye is relatively simple, the key challenge lies in connecting the technology with the market. He recommended that we target a more specific group—infants, a clearly defined demographic that is easier to reach compared to the environmental enthusiasts and trendsetters we initially identified. Professor Yu suggested that although these three groups are stakeholders, they may not necessarily be the ones buying the product. Focusing on providing sustainable clothing for China’s 42 million infants would be a more concrete approach. Additionally, he mentioned that Neovio Dye’s business model need not be limited to traditional online and offline channels; community-based sales might be a better fit for such a product. He also introduced us to the "Nature Partner" program, an open global initiative guided by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's education center, which fosters environmental awareness and public engagement. We hope to collaborate with the Nature Partner program in the future.

We attended the Summer School hosted by iGEM Startups, where we learned about essential tools for creating a business plan, such as the Business Model Canvas and SWOT analysis. Previous iGEM participants shared their experiences, and we realized that taking scientific innovations to the market requires a significant amount of effort and resources. It’s crucial to effectively communicate the product’s story to the audience.

figure 5 Proof of our participation.

We visited Shaoxing Qiyu Textile Company to investigate the industrial process of fabric dyeing and explore what improvements Neovio Dye would need for industrialization. Shaoxing, particularly Keqiao, is a major hub for China's textile industry, with a complete supply chain. During the visit, we observed various processes such as fabric flattening, dyeing, sampling, and shaping. Xuxu, our contact at the company, explained how different types of fabrics (e.g., white blanks, black silk, and elastic fabrics) require specific treatments like steaming for stabilization before dyeing, which helps achieve even color distribution. We realized that industrializing Neovio Dye would involve a lot of intricate design and processing. Additionally, Xuxu provided valuable feedback on our business strategy, highlighting that Neovio Dye lacks a clear market positioning. She emphasized the importance of identifying the product’s core competitive advantage, which could be the concept of biological memory storage within the dye. This unique idea could help Neovio Dye stand out and grow rapidly in the market. Based on this feedback, we plan to adjust our business model and refine Neovio Dye’s industrialization strategy.

We participated in a project exchange event organized by the Bioplus-China high school team in Hangzhou and shared our project. Experts advised us to focus on experimental progress, especially for a project with promising industrial applications like Neovio Dye. They also emphasized the importance of competition with existing products and the challenges of successfully commercializing the project. This exchange provided us with valuable insights and connections within the synthetic biology community.

We asked whether we should prioritize the scientific integrity of synthetic biology or the core competitiveness of the product in our entrepreneurship efforts. Ms.Zhang pointed out that the two are not mutually exclusive. In the entrepreneurship phase, the focus should naturally be on the commercial value of the product. However, this does not mean abandoning the scientific principles behind it; the two can coexist. You can develop new technologies while also selling good products. Regarding challenges in the experiment phase, Zhang Nan noted that if Integrated Human Practices (iHP) isn't progressing, the project itself will stagnate. iHP isn't just about reaching out to external experts to solve experimental problems but also about reflecting on the project’s goals, concerns, and values. Her advice helped us break through our bottleneck, showing us that iHP can be flexible and evolve with the project’s needs.

Figure 6 photo with Nan Zhang.

One of our team members conducted research in the sandlands of Ningxia, which provided an excellent example of SDGs in practice. This model of ecological restoration inspired us, showing that environmental protection and economic development can coexist and even reinforce each other. The definition of a project should not be single. Neovio Dye could not only have a bright commercial future but also serve as a helper in transforming the fashion industry’s dyeing processes.

During a professional internship, one of our team members visited Yibaisheng Bio-Engineering in Yinchuan, a company focused on health food, cosmetics, and biotechnology products. Yibaisheng's main product is a sheep placenta supplement, targeting people with nutritional deficiencies, especially the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. The company’s marketing strategy combines health tourism with product sales, offering guided tours and cultural exhibits to attract customers. This innovative model, which blends product promotion with social responsibility, inspired us to consider similar approaches for Neovio Dye. Integrating tourism with our product could enhance the cultural experience, allowing visitors to witness the dyeing process firsthand and connect with the historical significance of the craft.

Figure 7 Ningxia landscape record.

We participated in the Shenzhen Synbio Challenges in August, where three days of exchange deepened our understanding of synthetic biology. The judges acknowledged the innovative and practical potential of Neovio Dye but highlighted the need to further verify its feasibility. Moving forward, we plan to focus our experiments on three key areas: memory, randomness, and protein optimization, starting with a more thorough validation of the memory module.

Figure 8 Photo in Synbio Challenges.

As part of a summer social practice, one of our team members visited the FAW Jiefang Engine Plant in Wuxi, where they gained insights into the company's efforts to incorporate environmental sustainability into its operations. As a leader in China’s internal combustion engine industry, FAW Jiefang has integrated sustainability into its corporate culture and operations by promoting cleaner production methods, reducing emissions, and implementing circular economy practices. The company’s approach to sustainability inspired us to think about how Neovio Dye can contribute to the fashion industry's environmental goals.

We visited Aerospace New Meteorology Company to explore how Neovio Dye could align with sustainability initiatives. This company focuses on meteorological observation and prediction, and we hoped to gain a deeper understanding of how dyes might impact climate. Aerospace New Meteorology’s innovations, such as solar-powered meteorological stations, emphasize reducing traditional energy consumption while maintaining high data accuracy. Their environmental management system, which includes ISO 14001 certification, offers a model for us to consider when developing Neovio Dye. We aim to minimize pollution and energy consumption in our microbial dyeing process by adopting similar monitoring and management systems.

While considering intellectual property issues related to Neovio Dye, we consulted Professor Zhou, who expressed gratitude for our trust and mentioned that intellectual property is only briefly covered in his general economic law course. He recommended Professor Li, an expert with deep theoretical and practical experience in intellectual property and patent rights. With Professor Zhou’s guidance, we later contacted Professor Li for further consultation.

On August 20, we held an online exchange with the VIT-V iGEM team from India, who were also working on a fashion-related project. Their outstanding human practices work helped us clarify the direction of our own project. After the meeting, we planned a joint lecture to introduce synthetic biology knowledge to students from both universities.

Figure 9 Online screenshot of the meeting with VIT-V.

We were dissatisfied with the market analysis and marketing sections of our initial business plan, feeling that they could apply to any product. Therefore, we contacted Professor Xiang from the School of Public Management at Zhejiang University for advice. During our discussion in the lab's study room, Professor Xiang mentioned that market research results from surveys are often unreliable due to their design being misleading. He suggested conducting consumer research offline for the to B aspect and expanding our enterprise surveys beyond Zhejiang for the to C approach. He also pointed out that our competitor analysis lacked a crucial element—cost performance—which is essential whether we are targeting commercial launches, home use, or factory collaborations. Based on his suggestions, we made adjustments to the business plan. Professor Xiang concluded by saying that if Neovio Dye were to be launched in malls for consumer experience, it would be an exciting development.

Figure 10 meeting with professor Xiang.

On August 26, we visited Xuejun High School in Hangzhou, China, for a two-hour presentation and interactive session. We shared details about the iGEM competition and our project with the sophomore students and gave them insights into various majors at Zhejiang University, helping them better understand their future academic paths post-Gaokao. At the end of the session, many students eagerly asked questions, and some continued discussions about synthetic biology with us after the presentation. We were pleasantly surprised and honored to plant the seeds of interest in biology in their minds.

Figure 11 the lecture scene.

At this stage, our software team received data from the wet lab, allowing them to begin analyzing it to provide better guidance for the experiments. However, we encountered some confusion regarding ensemble learning models and data alignment. Therefore, we reached out to Professor Kuang Kun, who helped clarify the critical steps in constructing the ensemble learning model and suggested data alignment and preprocessing strategies. This ensured efficient model operation on a unified data foundation. Additionally, Professor Kuang graciously explained the mathematical theories behind causal diagram structures, making the complex concepts easier to understand. With everything clarified, our software development progressed smoothly.

To enhance the dye adhesion to fabrics, we planned to find a suitable dyeing assistant. However, our knowledge in this area was limited, and there was little literature available on which dyeing assistant would be best for specific dyes and fabrics. Thus, we turned to the market for advice, seeking firsthand information from manufacturers. We searched for environmentally friendly dyeing assistants on the Tmall app, and customer service representatives from several merchants informed us that different fabrics and dyes require different assistants. These assistants work by ionizing the dye and enhancing its polarity, promoting bonding between the dye and fabric. However, there are currently no assistants specifically designed for the purple pigment produced by Chromobacterium violaceum. We also had an in-depth discussion with a technical consultant from Shanghai Wangjie Trading Company, which specializes in fine chemicals for industries like textile dyeing.

Based on these insights, we plan to use high-molecular materials like agar to coat dyed fabrics, creating a film that enhances the dyeing effect.

We got in touch with Professor Li's doctoral student Jenny Chen and forwarded the questions about intellectual property rights to Professor Li through her. Ms.Chen put forward some suggestions on these issues. She said that patent application takes a long time, and although diy is an option for patent application, it is not as efficient as patent agent. Unless there are a lot of people who need to license the patent, the cost of patent application can not be recovered through the license fee, which means that the patent application has a great risk.

We fully took into account her point that rushing to apply for a patent may not be beneficial to the initial stage of entrepreneurship, as the company is still in a fragile nascent stage, so we decided not to apply for a patent at the beginning, and waited for the project technology to stabilize after one year to prepare for patent matters.

When Ms.Zhang was young, she majored in classical philology. Our team leader contacted Ms.Zhang when she did volunteer work in the museum, introduced her to our project, and mentioned that the education part wanted to explore the development relationship between science & technology and art. She said that this is a huge project, and it is difficult for us to go deeper with our strength alone, so it is better to focus on a certain point of research. She suggested that we consult professors in the college of history, which would help us refine the topic.

Figure 12 photo with Ms.Zhang

We talked to Ms.Yang about the relationship between art and technology development, and she affirmed the commercial potential of the project, saying, "If there is such a product, I would love to buy it and try it." But again, she also mentioned the problem of too broad definition, there are many kinds of art, poetry, calligraphy, Chinese painting are art, the definition of technology is different in different dynasties, she suggested that we focus on the project related to the textile fabric or dyeing patterns, many Chinese bronzes, pottery patterns are we can learn from. Focusing on this exploration will make the relationship easier to move forward.