HUST-China
In 2021, Huazhong University of Science and Technology comes back to iGEM after the gap of 2020. But we didn't stop researching in the gap year. As a result, participating iGEM are two teams: HUST-China and HUST2-China, which work in different areas. The two teams are inextricably linked. All of our team members are schoolmates. We started our cooperation with HUST-China at the very beginning, and the close relationship continued throughout the whole process. Our achievements are partly the result of cooperation.
Team building
During the team building phase, our sister team shared their experience in information acquisition with us, such as competing procedure, official requirements, project designing and so on, which made it more smooth for our brand-new team to participate in iGEM.
Modeling
HUST-China helped us with modeling of BLP-7 and showed how it dig holes on the cell membrane, which gave us a visualized understanding of how it works. Our dry group also gained their precious experience in modeling to support the subsequent works so that we can carry out modeling independently.
Figure 1: HUST-China and Our group photo with HUST-China
Experiment
At first, the elder members of HUST-China supported us at basic experimental training such as transformation of bacteria and pure cultivation of bacteria. We also shared part of our experimental supplies, which was precious especially during the initial phase when we were short of some indispensable things.
In the middle and later periods, we kept sharing experimental experience. For example, we shared the protein purification method with them.
In the process of experimental communication, we also comprehended the significance of cooperation to scientific research. In the last stage, we encouraged each other to push forward the experiment seriously and to stick to the last moment, which made us feel very warm as a new team.
Human Practice
We cooperated in a serial lecture facing undergraduates in HUST, during which we took turns to teach lessons once a week for one month. In the early stage of preparation, we discussed how to better carry out the courses , how to make it more closely related to synthetic biology and how to design experiments so that non-biology students can understand the practicality of our project.
During Central China Regional Exchange Conference,we attended together like twins and shared our ideas with other teams from central China. During this exchange conference, we were amazed by the ideas of other teams, which not only inspired us how to better improve our project, but also revealed how important our cooperation is for the iGEM competition to improve the scheme.
We went to HZAU together for the Bioethics Week and had a friendly debate competition with HZAU-China and cooperated in Online lecture on Synthetic Biology.
This has prompted us to think about bioethics. How can bioethics better fit with the current development of science and technology? Where is the boundary of bioethics? At the same time, we also believe that iGEM's policy on safety and ethics is essential to promote the development of synthetic biology.
Figure 2: HUST-China and Our group photo with HUST-China
We also cooperated in promotion and many other fields. The close and warm collaboration which continued in the whole process is precious experience for both of us. It is learning from each other and absorbing the good ideas that make what we are and help us achieve the results. We expect the friendship of us to be carried forward forever.
WHU-China
Figure 3: The first online meeting of the Skin League
The friendship between WHU and HUST has been a long-standing tradition for decades since both our campuses are located in Wuhan. This year we were surprised to learn that WHU-China also focused on acne. The similarity further expanded the basis for our cooperation. So, at the beginning of the process,we immediately established our partnership with WHU and formed Skin League, which expanded and absorbed two other teams later.
In the whole process, we also cooperated in many other fields listed below:
Modeling
Figure 4: The first online meeting of the Skin League
At first, we were not very familiar with the principles and requirements of modeling, so we had an online communication with WHU-China, from which we were inspired. In this exchange, we felt the similarities and differences between the two teams' modeling ideas to a large extent. The communication between the dry groups of our two teams helped us have a better understanding of each other's projects so that we could join hands to improve our projects.
Our modeling group found that we can use the pathogenic bacteria growth model of WHU-China for reference to develop our AMP bacteria-inhibition model, and the modeling idea of flow balance is also worth learning. We also noticed that the functions and other equations need some rational theoretical support.
Experiment
We explored together the method of anaerobic cultivation of Propionibacterium. acnes(P.acnes) and they offered us helpful advises on P.acnes culture. We specially thank WHU-China for sharing with us the strain, P.acnes and some lab supplies which laid a solid foundation for subsequent antimicrobial experiments.
Figure 5: Cooperation with WHU
Human practice
Since we have similar subject, we cooperated carried out various human practice.
We cooperated in Online lecture on Synthetic Biology which aims to introduce synthetic biology to undergraduates and built up Skin League which was consists of four teams that focus on skin, and cooperated in ICII,an organization devoted to disseminating synthetic biology in different cities based on iGEM teams distributed all around China.
To better grasp the status quo of cosmetics industry and relevant laws and regulations, we helped each other to contact companies in relevant fields.
WHU-China contacted Ascentage Pharma and invited us to have an online communication together with the chairman, during which Mr.Yang gave a positive comment on our design and suggested that our two teams may visit their company in the future.
Figure 6: Dr.Yang, chairman of Ascentage Pharma
We contacted BestCare-Bio and had a meet-up with them. We also invited WHU to participate in the meet-up because their project is also related to acne, so that the meet-up could be doubled benifitial. HUST-China, BestCare-Bio and us were all inspired. We all believe that there will be a better therapy for acne in the future.
Figure 7: group photo of BestCare-Bio, HUST2-China and WHU-China
In conclusion, it's a surprise for both of us that we were interested in the same topic. For the whole process, we carried out close cooperation in modeling, experiments and human practice. We shared our experience, and offered each other opportunities to communicate with company workers. We exchanged our ideas, and learned from each other, achieving a win-win relationship.
HZAU-China
HUST has been keeping a close relationship with HZAU as well. HZAU-China is one of our most tightly linked partners. Cooperation in various aspects were carried out.
On June 13th, We were invited to Huazhong Agricultural University together with HUST-CHINA to join the Bioethics Week and had a friendly debate competition by which we had a more comprehensive cognition of bioethics and biological safety. During the activity, we communicated on anaerobic cultivation and reached deeper cooperative intention.
Later, based on the friendly relationship we have formed, we shared with HZAU-CHINA Escherichia.coli Nissle 1917 wild-type strain as biological chasis. In subsequent phases, we kept our cooperation. For example, when they met difficulties in bacteria transformation, we shared with them our experience in electroporation transformation to help them carry out the subsequent experiments.
Figure 8: bacteria culture tranferation to HZAU-China
ASTWS-China
In the end of July, our dry group cooperated with ASTWS-China. They designed a device to purify sewage with synthetic biology. We provided our suggestion with respect to the criteria for judging the endpoint of the reflection. As for the details, we suggested that the reaction pool should be below the reaction device to alleviate the precipitation. When it came to the way to fix the bacteria, we proposed the adsorption scheme and warned that the bacteria should be prevented from falling off.
This is the first time for us to cooperate with middle school students. We are glad that we have provided with them some useful suggestions to improve their hardware designing. Our experience is also a exploration for us to carry out cooperation between the high-school group and undergraduate group, which is a whole-new cooperation mode for us.
Figure 9: cooperation mode
The Central China Regional Exchange Conference
Together with HUST-CHINA, we held Central China Regional Exchange Conference. In July, in order to exchange our idea about the program and experimental progress, human practice and so on, representatives from Wuhan University, National University of Defense Technology, Central South University, Huazhong Agricultural University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology attended the conference. During the meeting, each team introduced their programs and showed promotional videos to enhance the understanding of each other. After that, we discussed issues of experiment, human practice, promotion, etc. We gave and received sincere suggestions and reached many collaborative agreements in these fields and the intention of follow-up cooperation. For example: We continued cooperation with WHU-China; HUST-CHINA helped us with modeling of BLP-7.
Figure 10: The conference
Figure 11: group picture of the six teams
CCiC and ICII
Into CHINA, Into iGEM (ICII)
ICII is an activity of education and collaboration organized by CPU-CHINA and NAU-CHINA. We hope to have a greater impact on synthetic biology through the promotion of multiple teams across the country. Each team preach in their city about iGEM and synthetic biology and submit the final video. Approaching each city, we can realize the common desire of science popularization and iGEM competition promotion. We tried to make the new technology, new ideas presented in a more vivid form to make it easier to accept and leave a more profound impression on people. At the same time, we hope that through the final video, the world can see the culture of different Cities in China, the power of science and technology of China and the enthusiasm of Chinese for the development of biotechnology, so that the world can know More about China through ICII.
Figure 12: our poster
Figure 13: our poster
The Central China iGEM Consortium (CCiC)
The Central China iGEM Consortium (CCiC) is a national iGEM exchange meeting organized by domestic universities. Its purpose is to promote the exchange and cooperation between domestic iGEM participating teams, and to further promote synthetic biology among domestic universities.
Its also a simulation of the iGEM Giant Jamboree competition schedule. The main form of the conference is team exhibition and team exchange. It provides a platform for the participating teams to share academic and experience on synthetic biology related topics.
In August, we attended an online meeting held by CCiC. Paul Ross of IGEM Engineering Committee was invited to share with us how to make better and more accurate presentation of your data and results. Tessa and Piers from iGEM Safety and Security Committee were also invited to give a lecture on the subject of Synthetic Biology beyond Containment: Application and Prerequisites.
Figure 14: Plouis Ross and Tessa
The CCiC serial activities convinced us that synthetic biology has numerous possibility in the future. At the same time, our communication with iGEM Safety and Security Committee reminded us that bioethics is a must for the development of synthetic biology and the future of human kind.
Online lecture on Synthetic Biology
We jointly organized an online lecture on synthetic biology facing undergraduates together with WHU-China and CAU_China, during which we also disseminated our own projects to expand our influence.
By holding the lecture, we promoted synthetic biology, IGEM, and showed them how Synthetic Biology works. It's fantastic to get positive feedback about Synthetic Biology. We are convinced that they did broaden their horizon. We believe that promotion and publicity is also an important dimensionality of development of Synthetic Biology, which requires joint efforts of researchers around the world.
Figure 15: logo of each team screenshot of the lecturers and the poster of the lecture
Figure 16: screenshot of the lecturers
The Skin League
As stated, Skin League was first constructed by HUST2-China and WHU-China due to the similarity of our projects. Later, NUDT-China and SPZT-China got to know our League and also joined us. The main work in which we cooperated is a brochure that introduces some tips about taking care of skin since we have accumulated much information and experience in the process of relevant research.
The final result we reached is a 12 page exquisite brochure. The brochure was distributed facing the society in Wuhan, Changsha and Shenzhen, which we thought to be a effective access to scientific knowledge about skin care for the public, especially those who suffer from acne.
Figure 17: front cover of the brochure
Figure 18: logo of each team
Figure 19: brochures placed in library of Southern Medical University and Shenzhen Polytechnic
Figure 20: students of ShenZhen Polytechnic are learning the brochure and WHU-China is introducing our brochure in WHU campus
Conclusion:
Throughout the whole process, we developed extensive collaboration and education which is vital for all our achievement. We established close partnership with HUST-China, WHU-China, HZAU-China and ASTWS-China. However, that's not enough for us. What we are pursuing is deep multilateral relationship with synthetic biology researchers, industry delegates, and others who are devoted to life science, so that synthetic biology ideas can be spread to every corner of China. Thus, we attended Central China Regional Exchange Conference to communicate with teams in central China and learn from each other, joined ICII which aims to introduce synthetic biology to middle school students all over China and CCiC that provides a communication platform for young synthetic biology researchers , held the Online Lecture on Synthetic Biology facing hundreds of undergraduates and constructed the Skin League consists of four teams interested in skin. That's what we are: a group of young, passionate and crazy synthetic biology researchers who dream to make difference to the world with our own power.