Education

During the session with the middle school students, we focused on addressing the topic of general pollutants in the environment. Additionally, we provided a concise overview of our project. The students from the middle school displayed an extraordinary level of curiosity and enthusiasm.
Their inquiries ranged from the intriguing possibility of combining genes from animals and humans to exploring the notion of sweating hydrochloric acid through the skin. These thought-provoking questions underscored their eagerness to delve into the complexities of synthetic biology and genetic engineering. The session with the middle school students was marked by their inquisitiveness and their readiness to explore the boundaries of scientific possibilities.

To take our education a step further, we have collaborated with India Literacy Project (ILP). This non-profit organization aims to enable children in government schools to acquire grade-appropriate skills and career opportunities.
We translated our middle school educational content on "Chemicals in Daily Use Products" into a regional language, Kannada, which will be integrated into their syllabus as additional content and be taught at almost 14,102 schools across India. This gave us a chance to spread awareness about the presence of harmful chemicals in personal care products among the local community.

Our team visited an underprivileged primary school to inspire students and cultivate their interest in science. Upon asking about their future aspirations, many students appeared uncertain or expressed a desire to become cricketers. We introduced the idea of pursuing careers as doctors or scientists while not discouraging their present ambitions, and then we explained our ongoing project, highlighting its fascinating aspects.

10/10/23

After our first visit to Sri Krishna Mandir, we were keen on interacting with the students again. We went back to them and engaged in interactive activities. Our activity booklet was handed out to them and they enjoyed the coloring, crossword, etc. We also distributed the Tricky Triclocarban comic strips which helped them get an understanding about the presence of harmful chemicals in daily use products and how synthetic biology can be applied to remove them.

In NSAM school, we delivered the concept of synthetic biology and genes in simple terms to over 200 primary school students. They took keen interest in the topic and were interactive with us. We discussed the concept of genes carrying hereditary information and modification of organisms using restriction enzymes or "molecular scissors". After the session, when asked the same questions to the students, they were able to answer it implying that they had gained an understanding of the topics. Followed by this, we handed out crayons and our specially curated activity booklets titled "Under the Sea" to the students that contained four activities- colouring, crossword, maze puzzle and word search. The students actively engaged in these activities and also told us that they enjoyed it a lot. It was a heartwarming experience to spark this enthusiasm about science in them at such a young age.

Our unique and personalized comic strip titled “Tricky Triclocarban” has two parts, wherein the first part explains the effects of TCC on the environment. In contrast, the second part focused on how synthetic biology could solve this problem effectively. By using attractive graphical illustrations and simplifying scientific terms, we aimed to use this comic strip as a means to educate primary school students about synthetic biology in general and our project idea; this turned out to be a massive success as they stood awestruck looking at the comic and trying to get an understanding of the same while we explained it to them bit by bit!

GMOs are frequently faced with mistrust, so to demystify and explain the science behind it in the most approachable way possible, we set out to create an activity booklet for children. It involves various activities that the students can engage in like coloring, maze puzzle, crossword, odd one out and word search. It is an interactive way to convey the concept of water pollution to them

We organized a series of Lab Safety sessions to equip the second years of MIT Manipal pursuing a B.Tech in Biotechnology with valuable laboratory safety knowledge and hands-on experience. In order to ensure that they have some basic background knowledge before going to the lab, we conducted a theory session on general lab safety and Good Lab Practices (GLP) on the 5th of September[1]. Following this, we conducted lab safety sessions with them. These sessions took place on the 14th, 18th and 19th of September, 2023, with two half-hour sessions each day, accommodating five students per session to ensure the lab remained spacious and manageable.
The primary objective of these sessions was to familiarize them with essential safety protocols and equipment, equipping them with a solid foundation for the upcoming years. The sessions were structured as follows:

1. Introduction to Lab Safety: We delivered a comprehensive briefing on Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Safe Laboratory Practices (SLP) to instill a strong awareness of safety in the lab environment.
2. Laboratory Tour: Subsequently, we conducted a guided tour of our lab, providing explanations for the various pieces of equipment we utilized; this included demonstrations and explanations of our centrifuges, shaker incubators, -20°C and 4°C refrigerators, fume hood, weighing balance, pH meter, gel electrophoresis and SDS-PAGE setup, and the thermocycler.
3. Interactive Sessions: To maintain engagement and foster hands-on learning, we demonstrated how to work within the Laminar Airflow hood, operate the pH meter, and use the UV spectrophotometer. We also showcased how to visualize gels under the UV Transilluminator. We also emphasized the importance of wearing gloves while preparing and working with gel and adding dye (SYBR et al.) as a neurotoxin.
4. Autoclaving and Decontamination: The final segment of the session centered on the crucial processes of autoclaving and decontamination, emphasizing their significance in maintaining lab hygiene and safety.

The students expressed their gratitude for the informative and engaging sessions, and they enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to familiarize themselves with laboratory safety protocols and equipment. These sessions provided them with valuable knowledge and an inspiring introduction to the exciting world of scientific research within our team.

Organizing a debate workshop on "Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology Ethics" with LDQ (Literary, Debate, and Quiz Society), a student cultural club at MIT, Manipal, has allowed our iGEM team to take a proactive role in promoting science communication and education. This workshop not only provided us with a unique platform to discuss bioethics but also allowed us to facilitate meaningful conversations among participants.

The workshop discussed the ethical considerations surrounding vaccine development, offering a timely and relevant starting point for our deliberations. This discussion encouraged us to delve into the ethical dilemmas associated with the rapid development and distribution of vaccines, setting the stage for the broader exploration of ethical principles in science.

One of the central lessons from the workshop was the exploration of utilitarian principles and dual-use research concerns. Understanding utilitarianism prompted us to consider the greater societal good and the potential consequences of our scientific endeavours. We emphasized the importance of scientists' responsibility to ensure their work does not inadvertently lead to harmful applications, highlighting dual-use research concerns.

Our round-table discussion on gene therapy to enhance human functions further broadened our understanding of bioethical issues; this allowed us to explore the ethical boundaries of human enhancement and the nuanced considerations that come into play when we manipulate our genetic makeup.

Throughout the workshop, the subjectivity of ethics emerged as a critical theme. We emphasized that ethical judgments can vary among individuals and cultures, underlining the need for open dialogue and considering diverse perspectives when making ethical decisions.

We ended the workshop with a British Parliamentary-style debate on the motion, "This house would restart research and development in bioweapons." In summary, the workshop reinforced that scientific, ethical decisions are often complex and demand thoughtful consideration of potential consequences. It underscored the importance of engaging in open dialogue, respecting diverse viewpoints, and effectively communicating complex ideas.

Our team conducted an educational program aimed at college students, providing them with a comprehensive introduction to various critical topics related to synthetic biology and biotechnology. The sessions covered a wide range of subjects, including research methodologies, hardware and software components of scientific projects, in silico modeling, the importance of research in projects, guidelines for human practices, and the significance of interconnectivity among projects worldwide. To assess the student's understanding and application of these concepts, we designed a series of tasks, some of which are listed below:

Task 0: Basics of Biotechnology

• This task served as a refresher, briefly covering fundamental biotechnology concepts and requiring citations or resource links for answers.

Task 1: Research Paper Analysis

• Students were tasked with selecting a research paper related to synthetic biology or biotechnology and summarizing its critical features in 800-1200 words.

Task 2: In-Depth Understanding

• Students were required to produce a detailed 2500-word report on essential topics:
• Understanding proteins and their significance in living organisms.
• Profound comprehension of protein structures and alternative classification methods.
• Study of RNA, its functions, different RNA types, and exploration of unfamiliar RNA variants.
• Utilizing translation and back-translation tools for a specific DNA sequence.

Task 3: Innovative Human Practices Ideas

• For each chosen field of Biology, they proposed innovative Human Practices (HP) ideas aligned with sub-categories such as Community Engagement, iHP, Education, Outreach and Science Communication, Entrepreneurship, and Inclusivity.

Overall, the tasks were designed in a way that idea creativity was encouraged, yet at the same time, basic concepts were strengthened. Therefore, our educational program engaged college students in a multifaceted synthetic biology and biotechnology exploration. The tasks we designed aimed to educate and assess their comprehension and application of the knowledge acquired. Through these tasks, we strived to foster a deeper understanding of the field and encourage creative thinking while maintaining academic rigor and ethical research practices.

summary of content taught at one of the sessions

clipping of the online classroom to track submissions and ensure that the students were engaging actively in a two way dialogue

Our Team Leader, Aditi Balasubramani, visited a meeting hosted by the Rotary Club of Coimbatore Metropolis. There, she gave a gist of the project and a basic overview of synthetic biology in a way that was easy to understand for everyone present there. There were around 20 members in the audience; they were Rotary members who were business people, mainly aged 40-60. They were very interested in the synthetic biology aspect of bioremediation. However, there were mixed opinions on the idea of genetically modified organisms and concerns about the accidental release of our modified organisms. They were satisfied with the explanation of a kill switch and biocontainment strategies. Some felt that GMOs were the future, while others were staunchly against it but were willing to listen and understand more. This visit exposed the public’s opinions towards GMOs and bioremediation.

In an attempt to gauge the understanding of working professionals about synthetic biology, GMOs, and bioremediation, a few of our team members conducted personal interviews with their family members. They asked them basic questions about the same. We recorded their responses and conducted an online education session based on the topics that needed more clarity and awareness.

The interview sessions entailed four major questions including “What is synthetic biology?”, “What are GMOs?”, “What are your thoughts on GMOs?”, and “What do you understand by bioremediation?”. Coming from various regional and educational backgrounds, our families’ answers varied a great deal. They ranged from them having no idea about it to detailed descriptions. Some of them even pointed out applications of synthetic biology and GMOs. One thing that remained more or less common across everyone was the fact that they were open to the implementation of GMOs if and only if proper safety measures were followed.

What stood out to us from these sessions was the fact that our participation in iGEM had helped our parents and siblings get a better understanding about certain scientific terms. A few of their answers mentioned that they had heard these terms from us or seen it in our Project Promotion video. Our main goal with these sessions was to ensure that education begins at home and spreads across the local community!

We held an education session that was geared at working professionals. A thorough introduction to iGEM and synthetic biology was given throughout the session, with special emphasis placed on the issue of triclocarban (TCC) accumulation in the environment and our proposed solution, which involves using synthetic biology to modify bacteria for eco-friendly TCC degradation. This initiative was aimed at fostering a welcoming environment. The Q&A session was a high point because it allowed us to address a wide range of queries, such as those regarding the containment of their solution, the project's scalability, and cost analysis for the bioreactor. To guarantee that the guests departed with a better knowledge about the complexities of the project, we addressed their questions in plain words.

The Bioremediation Conclave hosted by iGEM MIT-MAHE in collaboration with iGEM IIT-Delhi was an initiative by both teams to promote synthetic biology in bioremediation. It was a 3-day event where the first two days had two esteemed speakers from various universities and start-ups. In contrast, the third day was an opportunity for iGEM teams under the Bioremediation track to showcase the technical aspects of their project to the audience. This event helped us reach a larger audience and spread knowledge about synthetic biology in bioremediation.
Both the teams have collated a report on this event:

In order to target a broader range of society and make our project accessible to all, we published an article in a local Hindi newspaper called “Naidunia” (meaning New World), popular in Central India. The article comprised the basics of synthetic biology, followed by an introduction about iGEM as a competition. It also briefly explained our project, “CarbanEl,” while explaining the harmful impacts of triclocarban (TCC) on the environment.

Through our online blog, we published five articles on Medium to promote dialogue in synthetic biology:

1. Big Data Challenges in Genomics and Proteomics: Explored the complexities of managing large datasets, providing insights for researchers

We collaborated with Green Yatra to conduct a talk shedding light on the presence of hazardous chemicals, such as Triclocarban (TCC), in our personal care products. Green Yatra, a prominent environmental NGO in India, is dedicated to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through tree planting, urban biodiversity preservation, water body restoration, sustainable solutions, and environmental research and awareness.
Mr. Anmol Valiyare graciously co-hosted this enlightening #SustainableSaturday session alongside our Human Practices Co-Head, Shreya V. The discussion commenced with an introduction to synthetic biology, iGEM, and our current project for iGEM 2023.

Subsequently, Shreya delved into the concealed risks associated with harmful chemicals in our personal care products (PCPs). These products often incorporate antimicrobials to inhibit microorganism growth. However, more frequently than not, these additives threaten our health and cast shadows over the delicate ecosystems surrounding us. She then focused on TCC, emphasizing its troubling persistence over extended periods, leading to bioaccumulation – a process in which the chemical accumulates in aquatic organisms. The accumulation of TCC disrupts their hormonal systems, adversely affecting reproduction, development, and overall population dynamics. These effects ripple through ecosystems, causing shifts in biodiversity, altering food chains, and ultimately compromising human well-being.
Shreya discussed how we can drive change through informed decisions, sharing a comprehensive approach to guide us toward a more sustainable future. She emphasized the importance of educating ourselves about the chemicals used in products, carefully reading labels before making purchases, supporting responsible brands, and exploring safer alternatives. Informed and conscientious consumers can encourage manufacturers to prioritize using safer ingredients, adopt sustainable manufacturing practices, and reduce their environmental footprint.

We thank Green Yatra for granting us this valuable platform to voice our concerns and promote sustainability. This session gave us a chance to reach the general population and raise awareness about the presence of harmful chemicals in our PCPs.

Comic strips showcase our creativity while explaining basic biological concepts to the community in simple terms. We put up a series of three comic strips on our Instagram handle to interact with our audience and attract their interest in this field. It added a fun element to our education approach while keeping our audience's interest alive.

In order to reach our audience uniquely, we posted an "Applications of SynBio" series on our Instagram. We showcased three unique advances in synthetic biology, thus opening people's minds to the importance of SynBio and further development; this was our way of taking a step toward raising awareness about the applications of synthetic biology in the community.

Episode 1: Chimeric Antigen Receptors T-cell therapy is a newfound form of cancer immunotherapy that acts as a personalized living drug.
CAR T-cell therapy, a revolutionary living drug, employs customized T-cells to combat cancer. Promising studies, such as one in Spain, show significant remission rates, transforming cancer treatment, particularly for leukemia and lymphoma, with the potential for the word 'cure' to become more common in oncology.
Episode 2: Using Waste from Whiskey Production: How bacteria and Copper nanoparticles are transforming distillery byproducts.
Synthetic biology is transforming waste management by using bacteria to convert copper ions in whiskey production byproducts into copper nanoparticles with applications in dentistry. This innovative approach cleans up waste and produces valuable materials for compost and animal feed, showcasing the sustainable potential of synthetic biology in waste treatment.
Episode 3: The Oldest New Thing We Need
Biochar, derived from biomass, is a carbon-rich substance with applications in carbon removal, soil purification, water treatment, and more. Despite challenges like stability and heavy metal content, it can capture significant CO2 and reduce greenhouse gasses. Nevertheless, biochar has immense potential in addressing climate change, improving agriculture, and waste management with a growing global market. Overcoming technical and regulatory hurdles is critical to its success.

Science and music are intricately intertwined with layers of shared principles and interdependence as they involve elements of exploration, creativity, and analysis. Through this unconventional approach we grasped the attention of many audiences irrespective of their ages, so we identified a software that assigns notes to each amino acid. We set notes to our amidase protein sequence using this software and created a piano sample.
To make it sound more creative and professional, we collaborated with Paras Ahuja, one of the most creative musicians and music producers in Manipal. He composed and produced the whole music track using the piano sample as the primary element and added his own unique, creative, and experimental musical additions. Further, it paved a path for us to educate visually impaired people.

From our survey we inferred that the general public, particularly working class individuals are not as concerned as expected about micropollutants, thus through our handbook we aim to educate those interested on Water Pollution, Understanding Micropollutants, Water Treatment Methods, Prevention and Source Control and Wastewater Management.

MIT-MAHE hosted a “BioArt Competition”, in collaboration with IIT-Delhi, based on the applications of synthetic biology and solving environmental problems using traditional, indigenous and folk art styles. The participants showcased their creativity while also describing the thoughts behind their design. We encouraged them by providing Certificates of Appreciation to all the participating candidates. We also shared their artworks on our Instagram handle to spread knowledge about various concepts in ways other than texts. Through these images we plan to appeal to the creative mind of individuals and leave an impact which cannot be achieved through texts.

We used our instagram platform to spread awareness on organizations working towards the development of safer products. From our survey we were able to identify that many people were not aware of any such organizations that promote safer products and would be interested in learning more about the same. These are not the only organizations working for the aforementioned cause, we hope to find more such organizations and help them spread their word through our social media platforms in the near future.