Summary
Since the start of our project, we have tried to focus on the problems within society. How do we create a product that has a lasting impact on society? To answer this question, we reached out to the public and stayed in contact with them over the course of our project. iGEM Stockholm 2021 has thus, by integrating different parts of society, managed to pitch an idea not simply made in the lab, but an idea that has partially been made by and for society. We have touched upon a wide array of people by updating the HP handbook (made by iGEM Stockholm 2017), getting in contact with different groups of people and collaborating with different iGEM teams.
Our journey started by engaging with the public and getting their opinion on the problems of our world today. When it comes to outreach, we have tried to engage the whole of the community by hosting several digital events, asking for feedback using surveys and by approaching artists and the public, in order to inspire, inform and create art. Our project thus focuses on teaching the public about skin microbiota, as well as normalizing the look of any type of skin! Fun events included the educational package we made for two age categories (6-9 and 10-13 years), our SKINart project and our two collaborative, inspirational sessions with iGEM Uppsala!
Education and Awareness
Education and creating awareness of synthetic biology are important parts of any iGEM project. To make sure to reach out to different groups and types of people, we thought of a variety of projects and events.
Educational package
Who are underrepresented when it comes to scientific knowledge? Children! Generally speaking, science is explained in an advanced way, requiring previous knowledge to build on. So what if you simplified it enough to be understandable for children? They are curious and want to learn, which is why we launched our educational package.
This package contains activities regarding synthetic biology: it was implemented in Swedish schools. We decided to target younger pupils, ages 6 to 9, and 10 to 13, as they usually do not get introduced to synthetic biology.
We provided a schedule and instructions for teachers of the package: we started off the day with a short video explaining what synthetic biology is. We divided the videos into two age groups, to fit the Swedish curriculum in biology. The introductory video was followed by biology charades. Next the pupils learnt about the basics of DNA and how synthetic biology often works - by changing the DNA of bacteria.
To deepen their understanding of the topic, an exercise called 'Create your own Super Bacteria' was next. In this exercise the pupils were given four legos in different colours, each lego representing a biobrick. The pupils were invited to arrange their biobricks in a sequence of their choice and also to choose from which direction their construct was going to be read. Each construct corresponded to a superpower of their bacteria, according to our key. The pupils were invited to draw their bacteria; you can see some of their drawings below! We ended the day with a bacteria related running game and a kahoot summarizing the topics.
All in all, the educational package was used in a variety of different schools, helping to inspire a whole new generation of scientists! We also made it available online so it can continue being a starting point for introducing synthetic biology and other disciplines of biotechnology at earlier ages in Swedish schools and homes. For more detailed information on the feedback we got from teachers and students, visit our Education page.
Figure 1: Some of the artworks created by one of the classes that worked with the educational package
Figure 2: Additional artworks created by students who completed the package
Figure 3: Additional artworks created by students who completed the package
This video was the introductory video shown to children in Swedish schools. We have added English subtitles to make it easier for you to understand
As one of the teachers told us: "The kids realised that any of them could later on become a scientist!"
SKINart
Skin problems have existed at all times, all ages and in different forms. Since our project focuses on skin health, we felt that normalizing skin problems and starting a discussion about the societal pressure to have perfect skin has been one of our duties. According to our skin microbiota survey 79% have had skin problems at some point in their life. 30% have felt pretty insecure about it, whereas 58% of our respondents felt mildly affected by the state of their skin. We believe that the insecurity that comes with skin conditions prevents people from seeking professional help: we want to do our part in breaking that stigma! Therefore we asked the public to send in pictures of their skin, which according to them was flawed. These pictures we passed on to seven local artists to use as an inspirational source in order to create art. The seven beautiful paintings that were created were posted on our instagram for the public to enjoy and to realize the normality of skin problems.
Figure 4: We managed to get seven works of art from very talented local artists. All the art was posted on our Instagram and was displayed during one of our events. We believe this has inspired and helped empower people concerning their skin!
Figure 5: 'Insecurities', by Isabelle Holmer
Figure 6: 'Acne is not a flaw, acne is beautiful', by Patricija Kovaite
Figure 7: 'Genes', by Filippa Bjorck
Figure 8: 'Feeling Myself', by Ida Bjorkback
Figure 9: 'Girl on Train', by Hanna Tebrand
Figure 10: 'Open mind, open up', by Ilva Noa Stellingwerf
Figure 11: 'Nombreux', by Anna Clement
We managed to get 7 works of art from some amazing local artists. All art was posted on our Instagram and visible during one of our events. Hopefully, we have inspired and helped empower people concerning their skin!
Project Reveal Night
To reveal the topic of our project, a Gather town was made. Gathertown can be used to have an interactive but Covid-safe event. During the event, the topic for this year's project was revealed: a rapid skin test to discern imbalances in skin microbiota. A variety of different rooms were used to allow for interaction between the public and team members in specific roles. The reveal night was a big success: many of the participants asked a bunch of great questions and provided input on the usability and necessity of the proposed product. We even recommended Gather town as an interactive platform to some other iGEM teams we interacted with, to help them organise dynamic events at a distance!
Figure 12: All different rooms in the town had a function of their own. Here, you can see the very popular wet lab room. Gathertown was the ideal platform to answer all of the questions and interact with our visitors!
All different rooms in the town had a function of their own. Here, you can see the very popular wet lab room. Gathertown was the ideal platform to answer all of the questions and interact with our visitors!
Market Analysis Survey
A large part of the people in our surroundings suffer from skin conditions. To find out what number exactly, and how this affects day to day life, we set out a survey. This survey included some questions on our project, the rapid skin test, to get a better idea of the usability of MIKROSKIN. The survey results thus gave us some great insights for the business plan. It also created an awareness of the presence and influence skin issues on daily life. You can see the results of our survey below.
Figure 13: The ratio of people experiencing skin problems
Figure 14: How skin made our participants feel
Figure 15: The vast majority overwhelmingly said that they wanted to know how skin condition is linked to skin microbiota, which helped us feel confident in our project
Figure 16: People believed knowing if the microbiota is causing their skin condition would be helpful, which again reaffirmed our project choice
Figure 17: Finally, we were happy to see that people reported that they would, or would likely, use our product if it was available to them
Second GatherTown Event
To update friends, family and interested people on the progress of our project, we organized a second event using Gather town. For this event, we updated the town using our SKINart. Like last time, the team leaders gave an introduction to our progress, after which there was more than an hour for interaction, questions and comments from the public. Again, the event helped us (re)gain a better perspective on the usability of our product and the effect it would have on different stakeholders, as well as the implications on ethics and safety that come with our idea.
Other Outreach
Student paper "Kanalen"
Two of our members were interviewed for the chemistry chapters student paper. In this interview, questions related to iGEM were posed. What is iGEM, and what has our experience been this year? The chemistry chapter at KTH consists of over 1000 international bachelor and master students studying for example Biotechnology and Chemical engineering. The interview will be a part of the coming issue of the Kanalen student paper and hopefully will help enthuse a new generation of iGEM'ers!
Nyhetsmorgon on national Swedish TV
We might have the opportunity to continue the tradition of previous iGEM Stockholm teams by attending Sweden's largest morning show called Nyhetsmorgon. Here we will be able to talk about iGEM and our project in particular. This show has more than five million views per week, a very wide reach thus! The date for the visit has not been set, but we remain in contact with the producers.
Association lunch - Organ Lunchen
iGEM Stockholm participated in the association fair organised by the chemistry chapter at KTH. This fair is particularly targeted towards first year bachelor's and master's students. During this event we addressed questions regarding iGEM, importance of synthetic biology, project topic for 2021, previous teams and contributions, etc.
Figure 18: Our team speaking to Swedish students in Stockholm
Figure 19: Some more students being recruited to next years team!
Amphiox Games
Similar to KTH, Karolinska Institute organised a fun filled event at Vasaparken for their first year bachelor's and master's student called the Amphiox games. We received an overwhelming participation from the students who visited our stand where iGEM Stockholm had planned some interesting biotechnology-based activities. During this event we addressed questions regarding iGEM, importance of synthetic biology, project topic for 2021, previous teams and contributions, etc.
Figure 20: A selfie from our team leader Intisar, showing a group of KI students dressed up for the Amphiox games
Master Kickoff at KTH Royal Institute of Technology
iGEM Stockholm was invited to present about the team and the competition to the first year master's degree student during their program kickoff session. We also addressed questions during and after the presentation.
Figure 21: Our team leader Intisar, dry lab member Simon, and wet lab member Joel, presenting to master students at KTH
Karolinska Institute Master Kickoff
iGEM Stockholm was invited to present about the team and the competition to the first year master's degree student during their program kickoff session. We also addressed questions during and after the presentation.
Figure 22: Our team leader Intisar presenting to master students at KI
Collaborations
To see our collaborations with other iGEM teams and more, please look at this page