At the
beginning of the semester, SCU-ACMA(Sichuan University-Architects Competition of
Microorganism Application) which is organized by the SCU-China competition team, was held at
Sichuan University.
1.5.1 Background
The name of
this competition is SCU-ACMA, Sichuan University-Architects Competition of Microorganism
Application. Sponsored by the College of Life Sciences of Sichuan University and organized
by the iGEM Association of Sichuan University, it is an academic theoretical design
competition with the purpose of broadening academic horizons and cultivating students'
ability of independent scientific research. Among them, six teams were able to enter the
final. After the final defense, there is one first prize, two second prizes, and three third
prizes.
There are two
tracks in this competition: "Natural Product biosynthesis" and "basic gene Circuit Design of
synthetic Biology".
Natural
products in the "natural product biosynthesis" track refer to the components or metabolites
of animals, plant extracts or insects, marine organisms, and microorganisms, as well as many
endogenous chemical components in human and animal bodies, which are collectively referred
to as natural products, including proteins, amino acids, nucleic acids, flavonoids,
antibiotics, and other naturally occurring chemical components. It covers a wide range of
areas, including drugs and some industrial products. In actual production, after hundreds of
years of continuous exploration and development, the technology about microorganisms
biosynthesis has gradually become mature. Some difficulties have been overcome. For example,
after several evolutions at the molecular level, they discovered that plant natural products
play an important role in metabolism with their diverse and unique molecular structures.
They not only play physiological roles such as signal transduction, nutrition, stress
resistance, and defense in their hosts but also have a variety of pharmacological activities
in heterologous sources, which is an important source of drug research and development.
For the
"basic gene circuit design of synthetic biology" track, the popular topic in synthetic
biology is to design gene circuits using various regulatory elements, so as to realize the
reprogramming of gene expression in chassis organisms and to reach certain target. For
example, by designing the gene circuit, we can regulate the spatio-temporal expression and
activity of proteins more accurately than the constitutive expression strategy. By this
means, we can further optimize the ability of host cells to express target protein.
In the
process of design, we should not only have a basic understanding of the relevant elements
that control gene expression but also be able to interpret the properties of these genetic
elements from the perspective of modeling. In addition, it can also be designed at different
levels of gene expression, such as transcription, translation, post-transcriptional
regulation, post-translation processing, and so on.
1.5.2 Purpose and significance of the activity
- This activity focuses on extending students' understanding of life science, especially
synthetic biology, exploring the intersection of biology and other subjects, and also
expanding the horizons of science while creating an academic atmosphere at the same
time.
- It helps students to understand the application of microorganisms in industrial
production and let them experience the importance of microorganisms in our production
process and daily life.
- Through this competition, we can cultivate students' ability to innovate independently
and use what they have learned to solve problems in real life, enrich students' way of
learning, and provide students with a new platform for academic exchange and mutual
learning.
- We also take this opportunity to promote the iGEM competition, so that more students
participate in our events and have the opportunity to learn more about the competition.
1.5.3 Activity timeline
Figure 7. Activity timeline of Sichuan University-Architects Competition of Microorganism
Application
1.5.4 Scoring criteria
The weighting
of each criterion
- Feasibility 30%
- Innovation 25%
- Completeness 25%
- Application prospect 10%
- Presentation 10%
The total
score of the subject defense part is 100, and the quantitative scoring scheme is
adopted.
1.5.5 Introduction to the project of the award-winning team
You can see
the details of the subject in the section of attachment.
Figure 8. Sichuan University-Architects Competition of Microorganism Application
