Introduction
Collaboration stands at the heart of scientific progress, driving groundbreaking discoveries and innovations. In this dynamic world of synthetic biology, iGEM not only fosters healthy competition among teams from across the globe but also offers an inviting opportunity to collaborate with like-minded enthusiasts who share a passion for pushing the boundaries of science. Through collaboration, iGEM teams learn from one another, gaining invaluable insights and fresh perspectives that aid their collective quest to engineer biology for the betterment of society.
Yoga Day Collaboration
As part of our commitment to fostering collaboration and promoting well-being within the iGEM community, we extended an open invitation to all participating teams to join us in celebrating Yoga Day. We encouraged teams from diverse corners of the globe to send us videos of their members engaging in yoga sessions. These videos were compiled into a captivating reel, which we proudly shared on our Instagram platform. While it is essential to work, we recognized the importance of focusing on mental well-being and alleviating stress. It is well-documented that activities like yoga and exercise have a positive impact on mental health. This collaborative initiative aimed to emphasize the significance of self-care during our shared journey in this competition. We believe that by nurturing our mental health, we can further enhance our creativity and problem-solving abilities, ultimately contributing to the advancement of science and the betterment of society. You can find the reel on our Instagram page here!
Overcoming the obstacles with
IISER Tirupati
One of the collaborations we had during our iGEM journey was with the dedicated team from IISER Tirupati. They played a pivotal role in our quest for improvement by asking us to share a video detailing the challenges and obstacles we encountered along the way. This act of transparency not only allowed us to gain valuable insights into our project's shortcomings but also provided an opportunity to reflect and refine our strategies. With this introspection, we were better equipped to navigate the complexities of the competition.
IIT Roorkee
Visiting Old-age homes
In our partnership with the dedicated team from IIT Roorkee, we embarked on a multifaceted effort to raise awareness about depression and Alzheimer's disease. Our journey began on August 18th, when we took small video clips of us interviewing patients at the Primary Health Center (PHC). The questions used in these interviews were thoughtfully provided by our partners at IIT Roorkee.
As our collaboration progressed, on August 24th, we engaged in a comprehensive interview session with neurologist Rajesh Patel, enhancing our understanding of Alzheimer's disease from a medical perspective. This exchange of knowledge was instrumental in shaping our awareness initiatives.
On September 27th, our collaboration took the IIT Roorkee team to an old age home in Haridwar, where they conducted interviews with a caregiver of an Alzheimer's patient and an elderly patient suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). These interviews offered unique insights into the experiences and challenges faced by those affected by these conditions.
In the spirit of inclusivity, we shared our student and general public surveys with IIT Roorkee. These surveys aimed to capture a wide range of perspectives and experiences, spanning different age groups and backgrounds. By collaborating in this manner, we underscored our shared commitment to inclusivity and ensured that our collective efforts in mental health awareness were truly representative of diverse voices. Collaboration with IISER Tirupati showed us the spirit of collective learning and growth that defines the iGEM community, reinforcing the notion that together, we can overcome obstacles and pave the way for innovation.
IISER Mohali
-Revamping the Research Repository
Our collaboration with the team at IISER Mohali extended beyond the boundaries of our project with a broader exchange of knowledge and expertise. We were delighted to participate in their manuscript collection initiative, where we contributed a concise yet insightful description to enhance the value of their research repository. This collaborative effort allowed us to know more about other iGEM projects from this year and illustrated the spirit of mutual support and knowledge sharing that is at the core of the iGEM ethos
Michigan
-Speaking at the Global Health Equity Symposium
We had the privilege of speaking at the prestigious Global Health Equity Symposium conducted by the Michigan team, an event that brought together minds dedicated to addressing critical global health issues. This symposium not only served as a platform for sharing our project but also offered us the invaluable opportunity to learn from other teams equally passionate about the intersection of health equity and synthetic biology. Our participation in this event allowed us to emphasize a crucial point: true health equity encompasses both physical and mental well-being. By addressing mental health issues and providing accessible resources, we take a significant step towards leveling the playing field, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive in every aspect of their lives
IIT Delhi
-Jumping across the language barriers
With the IIT Delhi team, we embraced the principle of inclusivity with open arms. We undertook the task of translating their promotional video script into Malayalam, making their content accessible to a broader and more diverse audience. Inclusivity is not just a word but a commitment and this effort showcased our shared dedication to fostering a sense of belonging for all, regardless of linguistic or cultural differences.
McGill
-Good Old Gsα
The talented team at McGill University reached out with a fun collaboration when they asked us to share the details of our favourite protein so that they could add it to their illustrated book of proteins. Of course, we had no choice but to send in the details of the GSɑ protein. By providing our expertise and resources, we contributed to the creation of an educational resource that will benefit students and researchers alike.