40th Primary School of Patras

On May 8 2023, we visited the 40th primary school of Patras. Our team introduced the IGEM synthetic biology competition to students and talked about Biology and Synthetic Biology respectively. Additionally, we presented our research project, the research course, our goals, and concepts such as what is DNA, peptides etc. We explained to them how important it is to create a biological biocide with eco-friendly materials (as of course the peptides we use) and effective for cleaning marbles.

40th Primary School of Patras

Children were very excited by what they heard and asked us many questions, which we answered one by one. Also, to introduce them to the world of biology, we did a biological experiment which they liked very much. Specifically, we isolated DNA from banana and gave them the opportunity to do it themselves and observe it. In the end, their pleasure was our pleasure, and we are sure that through our presentation, our answers to their questions and the experiment that they learned a lot about Biology!

Archaiolab Patras

On July 14 2023, we visited Archaeolab, an archaeology and art laboratory that designs and implements educational programs on archaeology and art. The central action of the laboratory is the simulation of excavation. Experimental archaeology and art workshops are also held. There we met young students and briefly adapted the subject of our project to the student’s knowledge. We made an introduction to synthetic biology with activities that included photographs, clay and then we presented our project M.ER.CURE 2.0 and explained to them what iGEM is.

Archaiolab Patras

Then, we made a presentation about DNA and we constructed DNA models with clay. What attracted the most interest was the experiment that involved isolating the genetic material of a banana using simple materials (water, ethyl alcohol and a piece of banana). The aim of our visit was to communicate the science of biology to younger students and through our project they understood how biology can save the ancient marbles, which they have knowledge of through their participation in the educational programs of Archaeolab.

Department of History and Archeology of the University of Patras

On October 11, 2023, we presented our project to the Department of History and Archeology of the University of Patras, to Assistant Professor Panagiota Pantzou and her 2nd year students and shared the exciting experience of synthetic biology and the iGEM competition. Our theme, which focuses on combating bioerosion, was particularly aimed at these students, many of whom are pursuing future careers in heritage management and protection. Our project bridged the gap between culture and synthetic biology, fostering interdisciplinarity and interest between these two important fields.

1st Station: Varda

Specifically, at the Varda school, we constructed a “volcano”, by mixing vinegar (acetic acid) and soda (base). We talked them about the chemical reactions and explained why the neutralization reaction produces this foam (salt).

2nd Station: Gastouni

At Gastouni , we explained the importance of photosynthesis to them and immediately after that we placed flowers near to windows so that the children could observe that the shoots turn towards the sun. After days, the teachers informed us of the excitement of the children when they saw the plants.

3rd Station: Vartholomio

At Vartholomio we planted with kids, lentils in glasses containing wet cotton and told them to observe them every day and if necessary, add a few drops of water. Additionally, we did an experiment to determine starch in potato tubers. We used potato tubers and iodine. The children watched the changes that took place and the blue violet colouring.We felt blessed to make them happy and teach them a lot of information through interactive teaching methods,Synthetic Biology is for everyone. Children are the hope of tomorrow and the future scientists!

Seminars at Center for Creative Activities for Children and Persons with Special Abilities (CCAC PSA) "PROSVASI" – Metamorfosi-Lykovrisi-Pefki

Some of our actions that we will always remember were those at Center for Creative Activities for Children and Persons with Special Abilities (CCAC PSA) “PROSVASI”, which means access. This CCAC is a Model Center for Creative Employment of People with Disabilities. The CCAC PSA “PROSVASI” was founded in Larissa in 2019. This was followed by the establishment of three other CCAC PSA with the same name, in Metamorfosi, Komotini and Karditsa. One of our goals is to open the horizons of people with special needs so that they have self-confidence, trust in their strengths and have equal rights and opportunities to participate in the community. This is why we decided to start 2 cycles of seminars (entitled "Learn and Create Synthetic Biology" and “Shaping…Biology”) at CCAC PSA in Metamorfosi.

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13th Panhellenic Central Conference of Panhellenic Union of Bioscientists (P.U.B.): "A new era for Biology: Opportunities and Challenges in the post COVID era” 

Our team had the opportunity to participate in the 13th Panhellenic Central Conference of P.U.B: "A new era for Biology: Opportunities and Challenges in the post COVID era”, which was held in Thessaloniki, Grrece on the weekend of 9-11 December 2022 by the Panhellenic Union of Bioscientists in collaboration with various Biology departments - and similar ones - in Greece. There, we had the honor to present our project, which seemed to move and excite the audience, and as a result we received many questions from students and renowned scientists alike. This conference was attended by both student groups and groups of scientists, who presented their projects and spoke to us about a variety of topical issues in the field. This three-day scientific gathering was an unparalleled experience for our team, as it allowed us to show the value of our work, enrich our team ‘s resume, connect and discuss with great scientists in the field of biology, and broaden our intellectual horizons as future scientists.

3rd International Conference TMM-CH Transdisciplinary Multispectral Modelling and Cooperation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage

We had the great honor to attend the “3rd International Conference TMM-CH” , which was held in Eugenides Foundation Athens, Greece on 20-23 March 2023 . The conference was organized by the National Technical University of Athens in cooperation with the Technical Chamber of Greece, under the patronage of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Ms Katerina Sakellaropoulou, with benedictions bestowed by His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I of Constantinople, and His Beatitude Archbishop Hieronymus II of Athens and All Greece. The topic of the conference was “Recapturing the World in Conflict through Culture promoting mutual understanding and Peace” and the participants were scientists all over the world, specialized in the conservation and the preservation of cultural heritage, so we had the opportunity to present our project M.ER.CURE 2.0 to scientists relevant with it and learn their opinion. Their response was very motivating, as they found our approach, to use Synthetic Biology to protect the marbles from bioerosion, very interesting and innovative and they encouraged us to keep working towards our project.

1st Panhellenic Student Conference of Bioscientists

Our team had the opportunity to participate in the 1st Panhellenic Student Conference of Bioscientists, which was held in Alexandroupolis, Greece on 28-29-30 April 2023. This conference was organized entirely by a group of students from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics of Alexandroupolis. There, we had the honor to present our project, which once again seemed to move and excite the audience, and as a result we received many questions from both students and renowned scientists. The First Panhellenic Student Conference of Bioscientists was attended by many IGEM student groups from Greece who presented their project, a multitude of distinguished scientists in the field of biology who spoke to us about various topical issues of the field as well as members of the Panhellenic Union of Bioscientists who informed us about various current problems affecting our field. This three-day scientific gathering was a unique experience for our team, as it gave us the opportunity to show the value of our work, to enrich our team’s CV, to meet renowned people in our field and to broaden our intellectual horizons as future scientists.

SymBioSE 2023 / Koper, Slovenia

SymBioSE is a pan-european symposium, aiming to broaden the horizons of the participating students by lectures and excursions, to share information about current university matters, and to connect people by discussions and cultural exchange. It was held in Koper, Slovenia on 23-29 July 2023 and PatrasBio couldn't miss it. We managed to present our project M.ER.CURE 2.0 to Biology students from different European Universities. The audience was excited with our project and everyone was curious to know more about iGEM. Αt SymBioSE, we had a fantastic time meeting fellow students from different countries, exchanging ideas and introducing them to the world of Synthetic Biology.

Athens Science Festival 2023 / Technopolis Gazi, Athens

At the Athens Science Festival, we presented our project the M.ER.CURE 2.0, at the experimental workstation focused on isolating microorganisms from marble. During our presentation, we discussed the procedures and technology we employed to achieve this isolation, and we also showcased the application of synthetic biology in our work. Visitors displayed a keen interest in the topic, as they had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of isolating microorganisms from marble and the application of synthetic biology in this field. Our presentation at the Science Festival was an opportunity to share our enthusiastic research with the wider audience and promote scientific understanding.