In addition to developing our own research plan, we interviewed the Section Chief of the Sericulture Department at the Miaoli Agricultural Improvement Station to modify our research project in order to enhance our understanding of the bee colony's environment and the government's stance on bee-related issues. The Section Chief emphasized the importance of maintaining ecological balance as the best approach for the well-being of honey bees. He also expressed his approval and support for our efforts to improve the survival abilities of honey bees. Through this interview with the department head, we were able to solidify the main direction of our research project and gain valuable insights into various aspects of bee ecology.

Visiting Beekeeper

To gain a precise understanding of the actual living conditions of bees, we conducted interviews with beekeepers. During these interviews, we delved into the economic value of bees and the current challenges they face. The main challenges identified were pesticides and climate change. Pesticide issues were particularly prominent in crops such as rice, chili peppers, and pineapples. Climate change, which was more severe in 2019, was also a major concern for beekeepers.
Through these interviews, we developed a deeper understanding of the survival conditions of bees in Taiwan. This has further fueled our enthusiasm for this project and our commitment to improving the well-being of the bee population in Taiwan.

Taiwan iGEM Exchange Meeting 8/19

We actively participated in the Taiwan iGEM Exchange Meeting, which brought together most of the iGEM teams from Taiwan to simulate the conditions of a jamboree. In addition to presenting our research project, we also had a poster session and engaged in Q&A discussions. This event provided us with valuable experience and allowed us to gather feedback and insights from other teams to improve our project.