Education
As an undergraduate iGEM team, our goal was not only to tackle real-world problems with synthetic biology, but also to promote synthetic biology and the iGEM competition through our activities. As we recognized that effective communication and knowledge-sharing were valued by iGEM judging criteria, we set out to promote the iGEM competition in a high school summer camp, as well as through club activities in our university..
We wanted to showcase how synthetic biology could address global challenges and would like to promote the iGEM competition as a platform for innovative solutions. Our outreach spanned various demographics, from high school students to research associates. We were motivated by the conviction that synthetic biology and iGEM held the promise of creating a positive change. We were dedicated to extending these possibilities to others through our actions.
High School Summer Camp
Grateful for the guidance of our PI Linfeng Huang, we had the incredible chance to participate in DKU's scientific summer camp. Here, we shared knowledge about synthetic biology and showcased our project, through collaboration with XJTLU. During an enlightening session, we engaged with approximately 60 Chinese high school students, discussing the advancements in bioscience, explaining the concept of synthetic biology, and highlighting its transformative potential in our world.
We covered the following topics in our activities:
1. The definition and categories of synthetic biology: We began by explaining the very definition of synthetic biology and its various categories wanting the students to understand that synthetic biology is all about designing and engineering biological systems to solve real-world problems.
2. The Design-Build-Test (DBT) cycle, and standardization in synthetic biology: We delved into the Design-Build-Test (DBT) cycle, a fundamental concept in synthetic biology. We stressed the importance of standardization in the field, emphasizing how it enables scientists to work with biological parts in a predictable manner.
3. The role of DNA in synthetic biology: We continued by digging into the ever-lasting plasmid vs genome debate in synthetic biology. Through introducing this debate, we were able to explain to the students the structures and functions of DNA in cells. In addition, we introduced several widely-adopted DNA editing techniques.
4. The role of modeling in synthetic biology: We highlighted the role of mathematical modeling in synthetic biology. We showed the students how computer simulations help predict the behavior of engineered biological systems before they are built.
5. How synthetic biology was applied to tackle real-world problems: To demonstrate the real-world impact of synthetic biology, we presented case studies of how this field has been applied to address various global challenges, such as environmental sustainability, medicine, and agriculture. These examples showcased the potential of synthetic biology to make a positive difference in the world.
6. How our project was designed and what real-life problem will it tackle: We shared our own iGEM project and explained how it was designed to tackle a specific real-life problem. We walked the students through the project's objectives, methodologies, and potential outcomes. This gave them a glimpse into the kind of innovative research that takes place in the iGEM competition.
We structured our activities to cover a wide range of topics, making sure they were engaging and educational. As a finale to our summer camp session, we organized an interactive Slido quiz. This quiz allowed the students to test their knowledge on the topics we had covered during the camp. It was not only fun but also a great way to reinforce their learning.
Our interactions with the high school students were very inspiring. This gave us a sense of accomplishment, knowing that we had played a part in spreading awareness and fostering scientific curiosity among the next generation.
In conclusion, our participation in the high school summer camp was a fulfilling experience that allowed us to share our passion for synthetic biology and iGEM with younger audiences. We viewed it as a significant achievement if we were able to ignite the academic enthusiasm of these students. We look forward to further opportunities to promote iGEM and synthetic biology to as many people as possible, as we believe in the potential of this field to address pressing global challenges.
Within DKU
Biweekly Journal Clubs
Starting 2021, the iGEM Club of DKU has been holding biweekly journal clubs for like-minded students to share academic advances, and we continued this tradition this year. For the year, 12 students presenters engaged in our paper sharing sessions, sharing 15 papers and covering topics ranging from SHERLOCK nucleic acid detection to self-assembled protein capsules. These regular club activities allowed us to expand our impact and form a synthetic biology community from which we organized our iGEM participant group of this year.
SynBio Traning Sessions
On top of biweekly journal clubs, we have also held bioengineering techinique workshops in collaboration with DKU iGEM club in the past year. The workshop covered the topics of plasmid design, RNA interference and primer design. Our workshops aim at providing students with hands-on experience with synthetic biology and train them for basic techniques to engage in synthetic biology research.
Conclusion
Throughout this iGEM season, we prioritized education and communication, tailoring our approach to engage diverse audiences, including high school students and university club members. Our discussions spanned the science of synthetic biology and broader topics like agriculture and sustainability. We're grateful for the valuable insights gained from these interactions. We extend our thanks to mentors, advisors, and participants who supported our efforts. This journey has been a fulfilling opportunity for personal and intellectual growth. We are dedicated to imparting our knowledge and contributing to a more enlightened and socially responsible society through the pursuit of science.