This year we have successfully built plasmid used to synthesis different ratio of santatol and
sclareol controlled by Blue-ray. It effectively solves high cost for manufacturing different ratio
fragrant base. We have registered all the gene sequences needed to regulate by Blue-ray and
synthesis santatol and sclareol, which is convenient for subsequent team to find these genes and
also provide some information to people who want to expand it. Following is each progeny separately.
Optimized production lines of santalol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Measurement Contribution
In order to measure the concentration of spices produced by yeast under light control, we independently designed and built a rapid detection box to measure concentrations of spices in solution. For details, please refer to the Measurement Box Model interface in Dry Lab. In the long run, this innovative device can benefit subsequent iGEM teams and even more biochemical teams, helping them more conveniently and quickly measure the product concentration of the sample. Unlike the traditional use of chemical methods to measure the concentration of samples, we have used physical methods for concentration measurement. Firstly, we obtained the concentration and light frequency signal correspondence maps through multiple pre experiments, and then compared the concentration of the liquid by irradiating it with a certain frequency of laser. Without the need for chemical reagents, the measurement is convenient and fast, the results are more accurate, and it is also more environmentally friendly. If the future team needs to measure the concentration of similar liquids, they only need to replace it with a laser of appropriate frequency. Of course, thanks to the convenience and freedom of disassembling and assembling our measurement boxes, future teams can also boldly imagine building new components in our measurement boxes to achieve more functions. Lights measure it. Let's measure it!
This year, we introduced the concept of "Whole Process Modeling", extending our model to cover
the entire process of the perfume industry, including research and development, cell factories,
distributors, and customer levels. This approach is applicable to any iGEM team aiming to translate
project outcomes into practical applications. Through our actions, we have set an example. We hope to
inspire future iGEM teams to start with the target audience in mind and guide product development from
an application perspective. This ensures that the products we develop not only meet our expectations but
also align with the expectations of the general public.
Figure 2. Whole Process Modeling
Machine Learning Modeling
With the popularity of large language models (LLMs) and the increasing awareness of machine learning and artificial
intelligence technologies, BIT-China has taken an innovative step by integrating facial recognition,
machine learning, and other technologies into iGEM. We have developed a facial recognition-user
satisfaction evaluation model that guides fragrance product production from the end-user perspective and
utilizes time-series forecasting models to assist in Wet Lab research and development. We believe that
the micro-expression recognition model represents the final piece in bridging the end-to-end modeling
process. We have uploaded our model to GitLab, making it available for all iGEM teams to learn from and
use.
Figure 3. Micro-Expression Recognition Model by Machine Learning
Traditional Modeling
BIT-China has demonstrated remarkable performance in traditional biological modeling this year.
Leveraging the advantages of DryLab, we initiated model development as soon as the gene circuits were
established. Biological metabolic flux simulation calculations and enzyme engineering are relatively
novel areas in synthetic biology. BIT-China excelled in modeling these aspects, setting an example for
future iGEM teams. Additionally, BIT-China integrated traditional models such as growth curve models,
fostering collaboration between Dry Lab and Wet Lab and providing valuable references for future iGEM
teams.
This year, BIT-China provided assistance to the newly established iGEM team from Beijing 101 Middle
School, BJYUAN-China. We aimed to provide them with information about the iGEM competition. Our advisor,
Xuanye Zhao, explained the new gold medal standards' requirements for medals and the focus of various
awards, as well as the schedule of iGEM and reasonable work planning. We introduced each other's team
projects and provided some suggestions and guidance based on the project descriptions. Under the
guidance of our team advisors, we had a more in-depth discussion of the suggestions.
We are very happy to be able to help the newly formed iGEM team and help the "bud" of iGEM to thrive. We hope that every year we can provide assistance for new iGEM teams and other teams in need.
Microorganism Painting Operation Guide
This year, BIT-China attempted to use E. coli with imported fluorescent protein genes to create drawings
on petri dishes. However, this activity was not as easy as we initially thought, and our team faced many
challenges and failures. Therefore, based on our experience, we wrote an operation guide for
microorganism painting to provide reference and guidance for future iGEM teams attempting microorganism
painting. We are also willing to provide hands-on guidance to other iGEM teams. In the future, we plan
to try painting with different types of microorganisms, and we welcome other iGEM teams to join us.
This year, BIT-China designed a board game based on CRISPR-Cas9 technology and provided instructional video for other teams to learn from. Besides ,We have written the board game instructions in detail and translated them into several commonly used languages, including English, German, Russian, French, Spanish, so that other teams can reference and learn conveniently. Any team can expand upon our basic gameplay and create their team-specific images. We will also make our board game-related patents available to all iGEM teams, encouraging them to refer to and promote iGEM's educational initiatives.
Four-Panel Comics
This year, BIT-China created four-panel comics featuring personified yeast and E. coli characters. We provided detailed character design instructions and design concepts in both Chinese and English , including character personalities, heights, weights, and more. In the future, we will continue to create new comics using these personified characters ,even create new cartoon characters. We welcome other teams to use our character designs as references. This year we collaborated with Heidelberg University in this regard and look forward to collaborating with more teams to collectively create a comic book. We plan to donate some of these comic books to remote areas where children do not have access to synthetic biology education, promoting synthetic biology to more children in an engaging way.
eatGEM
This year, BIT-China introduced the innovative eatGEM project（education on applications of technology in Genetically Engineered Machine）, collaborating with teams from multiple universities to record educational videos in a format similar to TED talks and publishing them on the Chinese bilibili platform. We wrote the project plan in detail and carried it out actively.This project was introduced and implemented for the first time, and we plan to contact more iGEM teams to join us in the future , expanding the eatGEM project further. Additionally, we plan to reach out to TED official for TEDx events to gain more professional guidance and a wider reach, promoting eatGEM and synthetic biology education globally.
