We firmly embrace the idea that science remains incomplete until it is effectively conveyed. As such, we have dedicated our best endeavors to the art of scientific communication. This facet of our work is vital in not only disseminating knowledge to the broader public but also in fostering the development of scientific communities. In pursuit of this goal, we have shared our insights on combating cervical cancer with the wider population and have encouraged aspiring young scientists to equip themselves for future challenges.We achieved this through the following:

1. We conducted a workshop for informing aspiring students about what synthetic biology is and the overwhelming impact of it in our future. This also served as a means of spreading word about iGEM and the amazing work done by budding scientists in this field. The workshop had a specific focus on imparting knowledge about synthetic biology as a multidisciplinary field to a group of aspiring engineers. Through this workshop, we aimed to challenge the notion that biology solely revolves around cells and organisms. Instead, we aimed to instill in the participants the fundamental principles of biological systems and their application in designing genetic circuits, programmable cells, and engineering complete metabolic pathways, among other aspects.

We elaborated that iGEM holds profound importance for college students as it offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. Engaging in the International Genetically Engineered Machine competition allows students to gain hands-on experience in synthetic biology, honing essential laboratory skills and project management abilities. Ultimately, participation in iGEM empowers students to develop practical skills, inspires a passion for science, and prepares them for future careers in biotechnology and synthetic biology.

The importance of SynBio was highlighted as it offers innovative solutions to pressing global challenges, such as healthcare, environmental sustainability, and food security. SynBio enables the design and engineering of biological systems, leading to the creation of novel biotechnological applications, from advanced medical treatments and sustainable biofuels to biodegradable materials. It also inspires interdisciplinary collaboration, fosters ethical considerations, and drives economic growth by spurring entrepreneurship and innovation. As a catalyst for progress, SynBio empowers us to address the complex issues of our time and chart a course towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.

During the workshop, students had the opportunity to witness our previous years, CRISPRLY, and current year's project, NeuraSense, in order to help the understand the scope of the field.

Social media is one of the most effective ways to reach a large group of people, especially the current generation. Hence, we utilized digital media through articles and surveys to expand our outreach to a broader spectrum of society. We came up with interesting, easy-to-read and informative posts about synthetic biology to get people interested in this wonderful field. We wanted to debunk the myths and demystify the facts around synthetic biology which say its only about the biology. We believe that doing so is vital in order for interdisciplinary research to be encouraged.

Team iGEM IIT Roorkee as part of its extensive Human Practices Outreach conducted a workshop on 11th October 2023 in ABN School, Roorkee on Scientific Communication

The workshop aimed to foster understanding of the emerging discipline of synthetic biology (SynBio) and its extensive potential for addressing local and global challenges through innovative and eco-friendly means.

An enthusiastic team consisting of four of our core team members undertook the workshop and discussed a variety of topics including SynBio, iGEM, Applications of SynBio, Machine Learning and its applications, Our Previous projects, the current problem statement and our solution. Everyone of our team members explained in simple yet informative terms the previously mentioned topics to capture the attention of the students there. We even focused on our current years problems statement, raising awareness about dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. The audience was mainly composed of students from 9th to 12th. During our team's discussions about the contemporary, captivating applications and the future potential and innovative scope of synthetic biology (SynBio), the students were enthralled, and we had their complete attention. We acquainted the students with the exciting SynBio projects in an effort to kindle the flame of innovation in their minds and impress upon them the idea that young people can pioneer this emerging field. In summary, the experience was truly enriching. The school authorities were exceptionally supportive and contributed to the seamless execution of the workshop. The students, in particular, relished the workshop, and their innate curiosity shone through as they posed numerous high-quality, unconventional questions, which our team eagerly addressed.

During the workshop, we sought to challenge the conventional perception that biology is solely concerned with cells and organisms. Instead, we aimed to instill the foundational principles of biological systems in the context of designing genetic circuits, creating programmable cells, and engineering complete metabolic pathways, among other aspects. Students had the opportunity to witness the remarkable progress in technology, particularly in genome sequencing and editing, DNA and protein engineering, which have been the driving forces behind the growth of synthetic biology.

In addition to these core concepts, the workshop delved into the realm of biosensors, a prominent outcome of synthetic biology, and explored their applications in various industries, including food production, diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals. To provide a practical understanding of the advancements in synthetic biology, we also conducted a comparative analysis between the traditional non-directional gene cloning technique and the newer BioBRICKs approach. This comparison shed light on how emerging technologies are addressing the limitations of older methods.

In line with our commitment to cutting-edge research and innovation, our team is currently engaged in an exciting project related to Alzheimer's disease. We have developed a groundbreaking Point of Care diagnostic kit, which is based on the detection of biomarkers in saliva using DNA aptamers. This innovative approach represents a significant leap forward in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and holds the potential to revolutionize how we approach the detection and management of this condition, which was also discussed in the workshop.

We were delighted to have over 125 participants in attendance, and the feedback we received following the workshop was overwhelmingly positive.

Our team participated in the All India iGEM Meet held at IISER BHOPAL, an annual regional conference that gathers iGEM teams from across India. This event provided us with a valuable opportunity to interact with fellow iGEM teams, as well as engage in collaborative discussions.

During the conference, we were able to present an abstract of our project and receive valuable insights and feedback from iGEM ambassadors, experts in the field, and other participating teams. Over the course of the conference, we attended several talks by iGEM ambassadors, synthetic biology experts , fireside talk with IGEM Asia oceania promoter, Sana Jalili and workshop on phylogeny modelling by Dr. Parimal Kar, associate professor at IIT Indore providing us valuable guidance on system design and simulation of biological circuits, and predicting outcomes, feasibility and limitations. We also attended the IGEM startups event which provided a platform for various IGEM teams to pitch their project as a startup in front of entrepreneurs who gave them valuable feedback. On the second day, we had the privilege to attend an amazing session called Navigating the Scientific Landscape: THE IGEM METHODOLOGY by Dr. Lavanya Bhagavatula, founder and CEO of Anvaya Biotech which gave us valuable insights about IGEM through her experience. The line-up truly put a lot of new ideas into perspective for us and left us discussing new opportunities for the weeks that followed.

The judging sessions held significant relevance for our team. Throughout these sessions, we had the privilege of listening to teams from different regions of India as they presented their iGEM project ideas and detailed the extent of their research and experimental progress. Following our presentation, we engaged in an interactive question-and-answer session with a diverse panel of judges.They praised, and reaffirmed a lot of our ideas, particularly for the Wet-Lab portion of our kit. The judges made a lot of emphasis on the importance and social relevance of our kit and gave us the motivation we needed to really push for the execution of our Proposed Integrated Human Practices. During our poster presentation, the judges brought certain aspects of our kit under scrutiny.