Notebook
# January
👤 Participants: All members
From January 7th to January 16th, all new members in Fudan iGEM 2023 embarked on a ten-day training centered around synthetic biology and iGEM.
The schedule of the winter training
Knowledge Transfer: Experienced team members from the previous year shared valuable insights, reviews, and summarizations, providing the newcomers with a foundation in synthetic biology and iGEM competition.
Team Bonding: During this period, team members had the opportunity to get to know each other better, which was crucial for effective teamwork.
Project Ideation: The highlight of our training was the brainstorming sessions where we collectively conceptualized potential project ideas, during this session, we developed a deeper understanding of iGEM's scope and potential.
The picture of all new members who participated in the winter training
Through these training initiatives, we ensured the seamless transfer of knowledge and experience from alumni to new members, maintaining the continuity and fostering the growth of our team. We also sought valuable input from teachers, inviting them to offer suggestions on the projects we were brainstorming. Ultimately, our efforts culminated in the development of four well-defined project topics, which were further refined in the subsequent stages of our project planning.
The presentations of four well-defined project topics put forward by new members.
# February
👤 Participants: All members
In February, our team members immersed themselves in extensive literature research focused on the three project topics that had surfaced during our brainstorming sessions in January. These projects included:
- Bioflexible Material for Uric Acid Detection
- Ultrasound Detection of Escherichia coli in the Colorectal Cancer Microenvironment
- CRISPR-Adaptor Electrochemical Sensors for Dermatophyte Detection
Simultaneously, we conducted regular meetings and engaged in iGEM design discussions, aiming to refine the project's design. These collaborative sessions laid the groundwork for the delineation of individual responsibilities within the team. As a result, we began allocating tasks and roles, allowing each team member to take ownership of specific aspects of the project.
We held a series of regular meetings and engaged in design discussions.
# March
👤 Participants: All members
In March, we have already embarked on an extensive literature review focusing on the initial three project topics we had proposed. However, we encountered challenges in identifying significant breakthroughs within these domains. The experimental design limitations associated with these topics left us feeling that they lacked the potential to evoke a "wow" factor. Consequently, we made the decision to temporarily set aside our original brainstorming concepts and turned our attention to the exploration of fresh perspectives.
Our new directions encompassed various exciting areas, such as the utilization of ribozyme, the investigation of bubble-forming proteins, the innovative application of biofilm, and the exploration of a mechanical stress-induced kill switch. To catalyze our exploration, we diligently delved into relevant literature and initiated the design of plasmids within these novel directions, seeking the spark of inspiration to redefine our project.
We had found some new exciting directions through brainstorming.
We searched relevant literature and began the design of plasmids within the new directions we had found.
📅 Date: Mar. 28th
👤 Participants: Yijun Wang, Zhikai Jiang
On the pleasant day of March 28th, we organized a series of engaging activities during the Campus Fair to introduce college students to the world of synthetic biology:
- We disseminated information about Synthetic Biology and the iGEM competition through informative flyers.
- To captivate the students' interest, we offered interactive activities such as DIY balloons featuring synthetic biology elements, assembling genetic circuits from puzzles, and participating in a knowledge quiz with enticing prizes.
- As a token of appreciation, participants who completed origami DNA models (both left and right-handed spirals) received a commemorative badge.
Many students at Fudan were attracted to our captivating activities on the theme of synthetic biology.
# April
📅 Date: Apr. 4th
👤 Participants: Yijun Wang, Siliang Zhan
To delve deeper into our mechanosensitive kill switch project, we conducted an insightful interview with Professor Hattori. During this discussion, we sought his expertise on the utilization of Alpha Fold for predicting protein structures and delved into the intricacies of interpreting the parameters within the files.
This interview was instrumental in equipping us with the proficiency to predict protein structures effectively and offered us a clearer perspective on the practical feasibility of our project idea.
We interviewed with Professor Hattori about the utilization of Alpha Fold for predicting protein structures.
📅 Date: Apr. 20th
👤 Participants: All members
On April 20th, following a thorough screening process, we officially confirmed the composition of the ten-member Fudan 2023 iGEM team. The very next day, April 21st, we conducted the iGEM Design Mix2 meeting. During this session, team members provided updates on their respective progress towards shaping this year's definitive project direction.
# May
📅 Date: May. 3rd
👤 Participants: All members
On May 3rd, we convened our iGEM Design Mix3 meeting, during which we collectively presented our ongoing advancements and took the significant step of confirming team captain, acknowledging all team members, and solidifying our roster of advisors.
The Power Point of our iGEM Design Mix3 meeting
📅 Date: May. 13th
👤 Participants: Yijun Wang
Under the guidance of previous year's team members, Yijun Wang successfully conducted an instrument calibration laboratory session as part of the Interlab program (opens new window).
📅 Date: May. 21st - May. 26th
👤 Participants: All members
On the evening of May 21st, we convened an in-person meeting aimed at evaluating the feasibility and novelty of our brainstormed project ideas. Following four months of rigorous brainstorming and extensive data research, we reached a consensus to kickstart our project journey with a focus on the unique microbial structure of biofilms. During this meeting, we delved into discussions about potential application scenarios and use cases for biofilms.
On May 26th, our team continued the discussion, focusing on the application scenarios of bacterial membranes. Drawing inspiration from Earth's primary succession processes, we noted how lichens, in environments initially devoid of vegetation, secrete organic acids to expedite rock weathering, thereby facilitating soil formation and community succession.
As we explored the structural intricacies of lichens and their underlying mechanisms, we envisioned potential applications not only on Earth's barren landscapes like sand dunes, volcanic rocks, and glacial mud but also in outer space environments.
To delve deeper into our project's feasibility, we took the proactive step of drafting a project description and reaching out via email to teachers with expertise in ecology and microbiology. Our objective was to glean insights into Earth's primary successional processes and the unique characteristics of lichens
We have made a lot of research on the potential applications of biofilm.
# June
📅 Date: Jun. 1st
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Zhenmao Ye
Prof. Fang is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, China. He has long been engaged in research on soil carbon and nitrogen cycles and their regulatory mechanisms, the impact of global climate change on soil ecosystem processes, and soil ecological models. We had a pleasant conversation with him about our symbiotic system design. Prof. Fang made a detailed explanation of the composition of lichen.
📅 Date: Jun. 4th
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Zhenmao Ye, Siliang Zhan
Prof. Quan is a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, China. He has long been engaged in research on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of comammox and its role in the ecosystem. As a lecturer in microbiology, he has extensive knowledge of microbes under extreme conditions. We interviewed Prof. Quan and during the interview, Prof. Quan mentioned many microbes adapting to extreme living conditions, which greatly inspired us.
Our team members with Prof. Quan
# July
📅 Date: Jul. 8th - Jul. 10th
👤 Participants: Qingying Yang, Yijun Wang, Chenye Li, Zhiyue Chen
We attended the China iGEM Community Conference(CCiC), an annual conference initiated by the China iGEM team. Participating in CCiC allowed us to witness the remarkable development of synthetic biology in China. We are committed to strengthening inter-regional ties, expanding territorial boundaries, and taking the initiative to establish the iGEM Alliance of the Yangtze River Delta. The consortium, which consists of renowned institutions such as Shanghai University of Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Zhejiang University, Peking University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, represents a unified regional community dedicated to advancing synthetic biology. In addition, we have cooperated with the Shanghai Genetic Society. To date, the schools in the alliance have collaborated to produce a series of educational picture books for children. With our joint efforts, we are confident that the iGEM Alliance will leave a deep and lasting mark on the future landscape of synthetic biology in China and beyond."
At CCiC, we showcased our project and led the establishment of the iGEM Alliance of the Yangtze River Delta.
📅 Date: Jul. 14th
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Qingying Yangs, Yijun Wang, Zhenmao Ye
We hosted a one-day summer camp tailored for middle school students, introducing them to the captivating realm of synthetic biology. Beginning with the central dogma of genetics, we employed relatable analogies, likening cells to factories, organelles to workshops, and enzymes to workers, to elucidate the core principles of synthetic biology.
📅 Date: Jul. 15th
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Xiaohan Jiang, Chenye Li, Qingying Yang
Prof. Li is now an associate professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, China. In the past ten years, she has done excellent work about the origin of life catalyzed by natural sulfide minerals and the interaction between microorganisms and minerals. Recently, she has been interested in the process of matter and energy cycling catalyzed by minerals on the surface of early Earth and Mars. On account of distance and time, we interviewed Prof. Li online on July 15th. She described our project as an interesting and daring innovation in the academic field and was generous with professional advice.
Online interview with Prof. Li
📅 Date: Jul. 19th - Jul. 25th
👤 Participants: Chenye Li, Zhiyue Chen
Nestled in an area blessed with a pristine starry sky, the Shizuishan School provided an ideal backdrop for our “Tianwen Program”, a week-long summer camp blending astronomy and biology. Collaborating with [the Fudan University Astronomy Association, we organized immersive experience included captivating stargazing sessions, an introduction to synthetic biology and its captivating potential within space exploration. We firmly believe that the interdisciplinary fusion of synthetic biology with other scientific disciplines can open new avenues to engage a wider audience in the wonders of synthetic biology.
📅 Date: Jul. 20th
👤 Participants: Qingying Yang
In collaboration with Fudan University's Colorful Cloud Association, we offered online science education in synthetic biology and space sciences to left-behind children in Suining, Sichuan Province. The enthusiastic response from these children encouraged us to send them iGEM souvenirs as a token of appreciation.
📅 Date: Jul. 20th
👤 Participants: Zhikai Jiang, Yijun Wang, Zhenmao Ye, Siliang Zhan
We began the preparatory work related to molecular cloning experiments.
📅 Date: Jul. 22nd
👤 Participants: All members
We actively participated in the "Decoding Life": excellent high school student summer camp organized by the School of Life Sciences at Fudan University. During this event, we engaged in insightful discussions with high school students hailing from the Yangtze River Delta region.
We focused on stimulating students' interest and love of synthetic biology in the communication with them.
📅 Date: Jul. 24th - Aug. 4th
👤 Participants: Xiaohan Jiang, Yijun Wang
Inspired by the rich folk poems and songs of Yongping County, Yunnan Province, we discovered intriguing parallels between collage poem and modular design in synthetic biology, both involving artful combinarion of elements—imagery in poetry and genetic components in synthetic biology—to achieve desired outcomes. Therefore, with the support of Fudan University's Department of Materials Science, we hosted a poetry festival, encouraging students to create collage poems to grasp synthetic biology's fundamental logic. The students' imaginative and poetic interpretations of life left a profound impression on us.
📅 Date: Jul. 27th
👤 Participants: All team memberss
The iGEM Technology hosted a space webinar entitled Synthetic Biology in Space: Achievements and Possibilities. In collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), leading experts were invited to discuss the fascinating intersection of synthetic biology and space exploration and to elaborate on the challenges they had faced. On July 27th, our team members participated in the webinar and benefited a lot. Reviewing previous iGEM projects related to space, both Dr. Christiane Hahn and Dr. Rodrigo Coutinho de Almeida spoke highly of the symbiotic system consisting of yeast and cyanobacteria.
📅 Date: Jul. 28th
👤 Participants: Zhikai Jiang, Yijun Wang, Zhenmao Ye, Siliang Zhan
We began molecular cloning experiments, after receiving the first shipment from Twist (opens new window) and the second from IDT (opens new window).
# August
📅 Date: Aug. 8th
👤 Participants: Zhikai Jiang, Yijun Wang
Team ShanghaiTech iGEM 2023 (opens new window) provided us with plasmids containing the SacC and CscB genes, as well as a strain of cyanobacteria. This greatly facilitated our molecular cloning experiments and bacterial cultures. What's more, XMU iGEM 2022 (opens new window) sent us the plasmids and the sequence for INPNC. We are very grateful for their assistance in our wet lab experiments.
📅 Date: Aug. 12th
👤 Participants: Qingying Yang
Collaborating with Fudan University's Expedition Community (opens new window), we connected with Li students, who belong to a minority nationality in China, in Hainan Province. Recognizing the cultural differences between the Li and the Han people, we integrated elements of Li culture into our course content. Additionally, we provided iGEM souvenirs as gifts. Many students shared post-class reflections about their understanding of synthetic biology and their expectations for its future applications.
📅 Date: Aug. 14th
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Zhikai Jiang, Yijun Wang, Siliang Zhan
"Intern Researcher" is program featured cooperation between the Shanghai Natural History Museum (opens new window) and universities, which provides high school students with the opportunity to gain insights into real research and engage in short-term independent projects under the mentorship of experienced seniors. This year, we hosted the Lab Experience Day for the 2023 Intern Researcher in partnership with Shanghai Natural History Museum. Our day began with an engaging workshop titled "Navigating Scientific Challenges", where we introduced the scientific research process, emphasizing problem-solving and research literature exploration. We also initiated a lively discussion on synthetic biology and our iGEM project. Prior to the workshop, these high school students had already undergone safety training according to Fudan University labs safety regulation. Following our workshop, we ensured an additional layer of safety by providing students with a comprehensive lab safety lecture. With parental consent and voluntary signing of a safety guarantee letter, the students were invited into our laboratory, where they received guidance from four experienced members of the team.
We provided ongoing guidance and answered students' questions throughout the experiment.
📅 Date: Aug. 16th
👤 Participants: Zhiyue Chen, Chenye Li
We organized a biology seminar for fourth-grade students in Cangnan County, Zhejiang Province. By drawing connections between their understanding of individual traits and the link between genes and traits, we stimulated their curiosity and creativity. Students were encouraged to brainstorm and design their own "synthetic biology projects". Their innovative ideas served as a source of inspiration, reinforcing our belief that education is a mutual learning process.
# September
📅 Date: Sep. 4th
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Xiaohan Jiang, Zhenmao ye, Mingfang Zheng, Siliang Zhan
The experimenters continue molecular cloning and characterization experiments. The artists design the picture book and finalize with a public preview. We design and placed an order for team uniforms.
Anti-UV Module Verification
📅 Date: Sep. 10th
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Yijun Wang, Qingying Yang
We established a partnership with the Shanghai Astronomy Museum (opens new window), which is recognized as the world's largest astronomy museum, drawing approximately 6,000 daily visitors in China. Leveraging this partnership, we orchestrated the Star Exploration Camp, a dynamic initiative aimed at imparting fundamental knowledge in biology and Mars exploration to children and their parents.
We inspired the children to share their ideas and creations to others on the platform and encouraged parent-child interaction.
📅 Date: Sep.12th
👤 Participants: Qingying Yang, Yijun Wang
Graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, America, Dr. Mingjun Zhang is an expert in biological philosophy and environmental ethics and is working on evolutionary game theory. He considered our project as a relatively positive action for the benefit of all mankind. He argued that it was our duty to explore and understand the planet we want to transform as much as possible. Although there is little chance of life existing on Mars, our team should be responsible for the entire universe as well as human civilization.
Our team members with Dr. Mingjun Zhang
📅 Date: Sep. 13th
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Yijun Wang, Qingying Yang, Siliang Zhan
We conducted a concise lecture titled “Unlocking the Mysteries of Synthetic Biology: Exploring iGEM” , which covered the basics of synthetic biology, introduced iGEM, showcased excellent iGEM projects in the high school track, and shared our own competition experiences.
The online lecture about synthetic biology
📅 Date: Sep. 13th
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Xiaohan Jiang, Qingying Yang, Chenye Li
During this comprehensive open house event, we initiated the collaboration with iGEM teams: ShanghaiTech iGEM 2023 (opens new window), XJTLU iGEM 2023 (opens new window), and Fudan iGEM 2022 (opens new window).
- Visit to the Tan Jiazhen Museum: Honoring Mr. Tan, a renowned biologist who pioneered life sciences education in China.
- Fireside Chat: Fostering dialogue between iGEMers and high school students to brainstorm developments in synthetic biology.
- Interactive Workshop: Conducted by Fudan with other iGEM teams' assistance, including project introduction, gene circuit overviews, sharing of literature retrieval methods, and a DIY activity of crafting origami DNA structures.
The open house enhanced high school students' appreciation of synthetic biology and encouraged their future participation in iGEM competitions, fostering cross-team cooperation and learning.
We invited other teams to share their iGEM projects and held a series of activities including crafting origami DNA structures.
📅 Date: Sep. 14th
👤 Participants: Xiaohan Jiang, Yijun Wang, Mingfang Zheng, Zhenmao Ye, Siliang Zhan
Export the promotion video draft, complete the subtitles, recording and video screen adjustment. Complete the design of the picture book. Experimenters continue experiments. Successfully verify the efficacy of anti-freeze and anti-desiccation proteins.
Desiccation Survival Assay
📅 Date: Sep. 5th - Sep. 17th
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Chenye Li, Xiaohan Jiang, Qingying Yang
To foster public engagement and promote synthetic biology awareness, we conducted a series of enlightening street interviews. Our interactions spanned a wide spectrum of individuals, including bio-pharmaceutical professionals, international visitors from Australia, and university students. During these conversations, we introduced synthetic biology and expounded upon our project, while also gathering valuable feedback and diverse viewpoints.
We introduced synthetic biology to university students, bio-pharmaceutical professionals, and international tourists.
📅 Date: Sep. 19th
👤 Participants: All members
We met to discuss the follow-up and took a group photo.
The group photo of Fudan iGEM 2023
📅 Date: Sep. 20th
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Zhenmao Ye, Siliang Zhan
Dr. Zhang is now a young researcher at the School of Life Sciences, Fudan University. He is mainly engaged in the development and industrialization of droplet microfluidic systems. As a senior instructor in entrepreneurship, Mr. Zhang always offers his students extensive and innovative insights into the development of the biological industry. We had lunch with Mr. Zhang and shared our opinions on the industry of synthetic biology. Mr. Zhang pointed out that the subjective agency of living creatures could potentially join hands with synthetic biology techniques. He believed that the combination of artificial BioBricks and the well-evolved genetic system of our chassis would further unleash the potential of synthetic biology. From this perspective, there remains full potential to improve efficiency and reduce the cost in the development of the synthetic biology industry.
Our team members lunch with Dr. Jingwei Zhang and his students.
📅 Date: Sep. 22th
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Zhikai Jiang, Yijun Wang, Siliang Zhan
We conducted validation experiments to prove the efficiency of ribozyme. Developed sedimentation assays for functional analysis. The efficacy of anti-desiccation protein was repeated.
The bottom view of the 96 well plate of bacterial overnight cultures.
📅 Date: Sep. 20th
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Zhikai Jiang, Yijun Wang, Siliang Zhan
We plan to engineer E. coli for oxalic acid production, seeking solutions for altering metabolic pathways while safeguarding E. coli's survival. Therefore, we had extensive online discussions with CAU iGEM 2023 (opens new window), with expertise in this area, regarding the feasibility and operational details of their oxalate module (heterologous expression of obcA and obcB genes under a single promoter and the addition of FpOAR to enhance E. coli's viability in the presence of oxalic acid).
The online meeting between [Fudan iGEM 2023](/) and [CAU iGEM 2023](https://2023.igem.wiki/cau-china/)
📅 Date: Sep. 26th
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Yijun Wang
We reached out to the editor from Same As Child (opens new window) for feedback. Based on the editor's suggestions, we optimized the font size, layout, and text of our picture book: What is gene (opens new window) and Gene editing (opens new window).
📅 Date: Sep. 29th
👤 Participants: All memebers
We discussed with the Promise<Pending> group about the immersive metaverse game which developed by both.
We tested the metaverse game in house.
📅 Date: Sep. 29th
👤 Participants: Zhiyue Chen, Xiaohan Jiang, Chenye Li, Siliang Zhan
We collaborated with Nanjing iGEM 2023 (opens new window) to enhance the user interface, improving user-friendly. Furthermore, we discussed with SCUT iGEM 2023 (opens new window) about using the software for wet lab design, exchanging project ideas and thoroughly understanding their requirements to improve our software.
Online meeting with SCUT-China iGEM 2023
# October
📅 Date: Oct. 1st
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Qingying Yang, Xiaohan Jiang
We invited children to participate in our reading activities, guiding them through the picture books, encouraging them to contemplate the questions, and complete interactive tasks in the books. This approach allowed us to not only promote synthetic biology by distributing our books but also receive authentic feedback from children, which helped us continually improve our books.
We consulted the editor and organized picture book reading activities.
👤 Participants: Zhe Dong, Qingying Yang, Xiaohan Jiang
All members work in lab 24x7.
