Team:CSU CHINA/Partnership
NUDT_CHINA
Overview
An in-depth communication is enough for us to learn about other teams, however, we want assistance from close partners in the long term, which can continuously help us broaden our minds and perfect each other’s projects. Not only can we provide each other with suggestions on experiment and modeling, but also allow us to conduct social activity and ponder public feedback jointly for obtaining more valuable insights in human practice.
We established a partnership with NUDT_CHINA after Central China iGEM Project Meetup. Then we established a partnership with ShanghaiTech_China after CCiC, sharing each other with the technology and data about embedding technology.
Timeline
July 24th 2021 Central China iGEM Project Meetup
August 24th Online Meetup
September 17th Science Popularization Day
October 5th Offline Meetup
October 5th Laboratory Visit
October 8th Publicity Activities in Middle School
October 16th Project Assessment
2021 Central China iGEM Project Meetup
Both CSU_CHINA and NUDT_CHINA took active part in 2021 Central China iGEM Project Meetup which gave an opportunity for two teams to know each other and to discover a few similar characteristics between two projects, mainly reflected on designing the blue light as our system’s switch.
We agreed on each other’s potential for further collaboration.
Online Meetup
After establishing a partnership, we had our first online meeting with great enthusiasm. Through this communication, we have got a preliminary understanding of experimental progress and difficult points of both sides, also conceived the next steps in the direction of collaboration.
In terms of experiment, NUDT_CHINA inspired CSU_CHINA to consider the secondary effect of blue light, and CSU_CHINA mentioned that we should put the blue light intensity into our consideration.
In terms of HP, we have developed a multi-dimensional joint science education plan. At the same time, both teams exerted their own advantages. CSU_CHINA would provide NUDT_CHINA with an online platform to popularize, while NUDT_CHINA would provide CSU_CHINA with integrated questionnaire data processing.
In terms of modeling, the two sides exchanged models and discussed the issues in detail. NUDT_CHINA would help CSU_CHINA adjust the parameters of the model, while CSU_CHINA would help with animation of the model.
At the same time, we had close discussions on other parts.
Science Popularization Day
In the field of education, we took part in the “Science Popularization Day” together, which aimed to impart the knowledge of synthetic biology to community residents.
The content of the activity mainly includes the explanation of synthetic biology and light control components, the display and operation experience of experimental instruments, the labyrinth game of protein combination, and the distribution of survey questionnaires. Through the combination of personal explanation and animation, video and games, it brought a new popular science experience to the public.
NUDT_CHINA was responsible for contacting the Association for Science and Technology and the Bureau of Science and Technology to obtain the right to participate before CSU_CHINA followed them to join the activity. With the games and picture books provided by XMU_CHINA, the members of two teams started to communicate with children. The blue light installation used by both teams attracted many visitors. Taking this opportunity, we introduced both teams’ optical control components to them. After spending a pleasant day together with community residents, members of two teams worked together on the questionnaire data gotten from community residents.
(For more details, please click education)
Offline Meeting
After a series of joint educational activities, we wanted to review the experiences as soon as possible in order to analyze the feedback collected from the public. Additionally, we hoped to ask each other questions and to come up with solutions in terms of experiment, modeling and human practice in a direct and effective way. Therefore, with these expectations, we held an offline meeting at Central South University.
A group photo with NUDT_CHINA at the offline meeting
We gave each other gifts.
The following table shows the collaboration we have reached:
| Group | CSU-CHINA FOR NUDT-CHINA | NUDT-CHINA FOR CSU-CHINA |
|---|---|---|
| Experiment Group | (1)Members of the NUDT_CHINA visited CSU_CHINA’s laboratory to learn the basics of both projects and help with experiments. (2)TET-ON system used by CSU_CHINA inspired NUDT_CHINA to introduce other blue light companion. (3)CSU_CHINA inspired NUDT_CHINA to take blue light intensity as a variable to test the effect of reciprocal work. | (1) NUDT_CHINA pointed out that it should be taken two times to blue light, and provided relevant background content. (2)NUDT_CHINA reminded us of the possible adverse consequence of protein complexus accumulation. Therefore, we performed rhythmic experiments and demonstrated that the complexus eventually disintegrated and degraded. (3) NUDT_CHINA helped to interpret the link between Tet-on system and Tet-off system. |
| Modeling Group | (1)In terms of model representation, CSU inspired NUDT to use animation charts or other visualization methods to display animation models. (2)CSU provided evaluation of the integrity of model in the process of modeling and building, as well as two directions of model building. (3)We shared our insights and opinions on debugging model parameters. | (1)We checked the correctness of the model and related parameters with each other. (2)We exchanged literature on providing blue light parameters. (3)We shared methods of data processing and model simplification. |
| Human PracticeGroup | (1)NUDT_CHINA followed CSU_CHINA to address the lecture and organize educational lectures at Changjun Middle School. (2)CSU_CHINA provided NUDT_CHINA with an online promotion platform. (3)CSU_CHINA led the joint production of the questionnaire. | (1)CSU_CHINA followed NUDT_CHINA to participate in Science Popularization Day activities in urban areas. (2)We made display boards and animations together to conduct popularization of science. (3)NUDT_CHINA did a statistical analysis of the questionnaire results for CSU_CHINA. (4)NUDT_CHINA provided photography and video work. |
Laboratory Visit
On October 5, we went to the medical genetics research center of Central South University with some members of NUDT-CHINA team. Mr. Li Jiada welcomed and introduced the laboratory facilities to the students personally and reminded them to pay attention to the details. Then, the students of National University of Defense Technology experienced the laboratory facilities in turn, tried to use the pipette under the guidance of the teacher, and observed the products separated by the centrifuge. After being informed about safety ,the students experienced the laboratory operation under the guidance, which not only helped to improve their experiment skills, but also made the two teams further understand each other's projects.
Students of NUDT experienced pipette, centrifuge and other facilities.
Mr. Li Jiada explained laboratory related matters to the students of NUDT.
Publicity Activities at Changjun Middle School
CSU_CHINA and NUDT_CHINA carried out publicity activities in Changjun Middle school. Consciously, we enlivened the atmosphere and simplified the experimental loop which originally could be so complex for middle high school students. After the lecture, we communicated with these senior high school students and conducted a survey, whose result would be analyzed by two teams in cooperation.
Project Assessment
NUDT_CHINA raised the question of whether the engineering cell system worked only once, and we conducted a second glucose blue light induction experiment in response to this question, and as can be seen in the figure, the concentration of glucose decreased after blu-ray treatment, and the intensity was not significantly reduced comparing to the first time. This proved that our engineered cells can respond and express for a second time.
CSU_CHINA inspired NUDT_CHINA to use blue light intensity as a variable to test the working effect. NUDT_CHINA conducted a relevant experiment because of the inspiration, and their achievement can be seen in the figure.
ShanghaiTech_China
Collaboration summary
To bury the engineered cell under the skin, a carrier of hydrogel is important. Making sure that our cell can work in this hydrogel and the feasibility of using hydrogel to immobilize cells is important for our project. Our team members have excellent cell culture and other experiment skills, but we have spent most of our time with testing our loop and pathway, by the end of August, we have realized that we may not have enough time for hydrogel. Fortunately, we have met ShanghaiTech_China on CCiC. ShanghaiTech_China focuses on treating fractures with synthetic biology method this year, they use hydrogel as a carrier for cell growth to make cells play a role in humoral environment, which is exactly what we came up with, we hit it off immediately and decided that we would have collaboration. In subsequent communication, two teams discussed with each other the feasibility of immobilizing cells in hydrogel culture and what kind of hydrogel culture cells should be used. We provided guidance for the design of drug release experiment for ShanghaiTech_China and completed the drug release experiment in the hydrogel. ShanghaiTech_China also tested the viability of our cells in hydrogel to immobilize cells. In the process of cooperation between two teams, we communicated with each other so that our project moved quickly and well.
ShanghaiTech_China and CSU_China at CCiC Meetup
Thanks to CCiC, we had an offline meet-up with ShanghaiTech_China. We are glad that we have a close friend and make a contribution together in exploring the boundary of synthetic biology.