Human Practices

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a highly prevalent and debilitating psychiatric condition that imposes a significant burden on individuals and societies worldwide. It is characterized by persistent and pervasive feelings of profound sadness, anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure in activities), psychomotor disturbances, disruptions in sleep and appetite, impaired concentration, and a range of emotional and physical symptoms. However, it is important to note that the primary treatment approach for depression is medication therapy, despite its associated toxicity and the presence of varying degrees of side effects in most drugs available on the market. Consequently, this questionnaire aims not only to investigate people's understanding and perspectives on depression but also to gather information about the challenges faced by individuals who are currently experiencing depression or those who have recovered from it during the treatment process.

The use of serotonin in the treatment of depression

We first introduced Dr. Jiang to our team's research project: using serotonin to treat depression. The project aims to extract TPHPE genes from four different organisms and compare their functions and activities to select the strongest gene for purification and testing. In addition, they consider the safety of adding other diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. This approach considers serotonin to be one of the important neurotransmitters in depression, and it can increase a patient's serotonin levels to improve symptoms.

The role of tetraaminidase in the treatment of depression

The catalytic processes of tetraaminidase (TPC) and tetraaminidase (TCPD) and their roles in the treatment of depression are discussed. The advantages and challenges of selecting different biological species of TPC or TCPD for research were mentioned. At the same time, how to choose the appropriate method to ensure the therapeutic effect and patient safety was also discussed. In addition, Director Jiang also introduced the development of drugs for the treatment of depression in recent years, such as selective acid-free receptor blockers, serotonin and catecholamine receptor blockers.

The role of drugs in the treatment of psychological problems

Director Jiang introduced the treatment of depression, anxiety and psycho-psychological problems in North American pharmaceutical factories, especially drugs such as NMDA that target the serotonin receptor. The relationship between sleep and anxiety and depression, as well as the role of drugs in improving sleep quality were also mentioned. Treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's disease were also discussed. Finally, the concept of the suicide system and the assassination gene of arabinose was mentioned, and its role in clinical application was explored.

Application and significance of arabinose in biological research

The research and application of biofouling are discussed. The speaker emphasized that the definition of biofabrication should be clear and not generalized, otherwise it may lead to counterproductive or even disastrous consequences. At the same time, we also mentioned that the application of biotechnologies such as gene editing has certain ethical and legal issues that need to be carefully considered. In the end, we put forward some small-scale and controllable experimental schemes during the discussion, and emphasize that attention should be paid to comprehensive data collection and analysis during the experimental process.

Research and ethical challenges of TGBT AI

When discussing research on gene editing and AI technologies, the need for scientists to pay attention to human health and safety and avoid harm to humans was highlighted. At the same time, it was mentioned that scientists should pay attention to the correctness of methods and ideas, as well as the feasibility and safety of research when conducting research. In addition, it also mentioned the importance of creativity, and believed that only with creativity can the development of scientific research be promoted.

Minnie: We want to use serotonin to treat depression. The rate-limiting step in the serotonin biosynthetic pathway is that the enzyme triamine-hydroxylase catalyzes tryptophan to serotonin. In turn, the tryptophan hydroxyltryptophan catalyzes the formation of serotonin. This is the general process of our project, and we expect that the colonization of E. coli expressing TPHE in the intestine of patients can provide patients with 5-hydroxytryptophan, so as to increase the content of 5-hydroxytryptophan in the body, so as to achieve a purpose of treating depression.

Minnie: The first question is, in the treatment of depression, what is the key role of serotonin? And what do you think of our approach of linking serotonin biosynthesis to depression?

Director Jiang: At present, from the perspective of neurotransmitters, serotonin is considered to be the neurotransmitter that is closely related to depression. Well, of course we might talk about other neurotransmitters sometimes, but from a primary point of view, that's serotonin. Of course, serotonin is not just low or high in the blood volume of patients, but it is thought that the amount of serotonin receptors and its function are reduced between the neurites. In this case, there are also some studies that have shown that when the blood enters the neurites, the concentration of serotonin is high and it stimulates the function of the neuroreceptors and its growth. This theory is often used to treat depression in clinical practice.

Minnie: The second question, we selected the TPHE gene of different biological species, so what is the role of this biodiversity in the study? What are its advantages and challenges?

Director Jiang: I'd like to know why you chose these four different organisms. Logically speaking, as for serotonin itself, when we use it clinically, it seems that so far there are no so-called different organisms that will produce different effects. So if you consider that it is a need to find out the gene, and then use the gene to cultivate the protein body, it must be taken into account that the immune response of animals and humans is different before giving it to patients, and it is still not the same challenge.

Minnie: The next question, we choose to use arabinose to turn on the suicide system to prevent biological contamination. Can you explain its importance in biological research and clinical practice?

Director Jiang: This is the first time I have heard about the arabinose suicide system. From a personal point of view, when it comes to biological contamination, we need to figure out what is the definition of biological contamination? I think from a clinical perspective, it is very important. If it does work, but if it's very non-specific, then you're talking about using it to inhibit biofabront. Then I feel that the definition of bifouling has to be very clear. I can only say from a more scientific point of view, relatively more principled point of view. To give you an answer like that, we know. What our goal is, it's very specific. Then we can, if it is a meal, then we have to be very careful, that is, in the process, we will not bring too much reaction, and the reaction may be. It's a terrible ending.

Minnie: Last question, do you have any suggestions for how we can make this study a success in clinical practice while ensuring patient safety?

Director Jiang: First of all, we have to have ideas. You can't be scared because of the so-called doubts. This is the only way we must go when we fully enter a scientific research. When you decide to do this subject, you need a lot of literature to support you. When other professors come to you with questions, you can argue with them, and you can make your hypothesis stand up. Of course, you must have advantages, but whatever it is, it must have its disadvantages. But if you have considered all the disadvantages and all the directions of things, then you can move on. The most important thing for you to do research is to be creative. Without creativity, nothing can happen again.

Miao has worked in academic institutions such as the Center for Higher Education at the University of Pennsylvania the International Student Office of the University of Maryland (No. 1 in U.S. News Best Student Counseling Programs in the U.S.), the Federal State Court of Maryland, and Siam Think Tank. * Academic guidance at Gaston Middle School, Veridas Middle School, and Fudan High School in the United States.

Han Wu: How does depression affect a person's appetite, sleep, weight, or other physical illnesses?

Dr. Miao Wei: From the perspective of the students we have come into contact with, students with depression generally have a greater difference in their daily routine in comparison with normal students.

Whether it is sleep, diet, or normal study and life, they will all be greatly affected. Some students may even have some disorders with hormones or other normal physiological conditions due to exposure to some drug treatments. For example, they may gain weight, and then they may not sleep well. We have all encountered situations where they rely on drugs to sleep when needed. There are also extreme cases where they need to be cared for under surveillance.

As for the specific effects, it still depends on the medical expert's advice. Some students may only have some shallow effects such as a bad mood, eating less, or having sleeping problems for a period of time, but some more severe students may need medication or isolated treatment, which are all what we observed in previous students we met.

Han Wu: What kind of lifestyle will help treat depression?

Dr. Miao Wei: Then the second question is what kind of lifestyle will help treat depression?

Our advice may only apply to daily student management instead of individual doctors’ viewpoint. First of all, you need to be positive and optimistic and be more willing to communicate with friends and colleagues about your inner thoughts, and this can build an interactive environment. Some problems may seem troublesome to individuals, but if you share them with some of our teachers or colleagues who are more experienced, it may not be a big deal at all. You should interact more instead of trapping yourself in the room and thinking wildly of all the negative sides. Additionally, when we encounter difficulties, we may need to formally say “I may need the help of a doctor”. Some traditional Chinese students and families may draw an equal sign between psychological problems with mental illness.

In a way of speaking, many people have psychological problems. I have many PhD friends in the US and have many colleagues with this PhD. There is an interesting statistic that around 70% of PhDs have had psychological problems. Does that mean all PhD students are psychopaths? The answer is obviously no. Everyone will feel tense and nervous, and their psychological state makes them unwilling to speak up. However, as long as we face the difficulty directly, and receive professional and proper counseling with doctors, nothing will be a big deal. All these diseases have a reason (of course, there may be some diseases that humans cannot overcome yet), but we need to believe in science. There must be a scientific method to solve all of the problems.

Han Wu: What should depression patients do when they encounter an emergency situation? For example, if a patient has suicidal thoughts, what measures should the patient and their family members take?

Dr. Miao Wei: This question is actually quite sharp, because we may not have complete data yet, but it gives us the feeling that this is the first time we tend to lack preparation when the patient overreacted for the first time. Take students as a specific example, I’d say that we should expand on educating students about these areas, and let everyone view this in a passive way. When you find that people have some behaviors that could harm themselves, we should first physically separate them from the dangerous environment and equipment, and keep them from sinking into their emotions. Then we should find professionals to treat this circumstance professionally, so this is why we believe that the first time that this kind of thing happens will be more important. Later on, if the patient has symptoms of depression and receives suggestions from doctors, then there may be some medical treatments or regular psychological counseling. I believe Chinese experts already did very well in this field. They will definitely have a good interaction with us students, teach them methods to help themselves, what measures should be taken, who should I contact, when do I need friends to assist me, or should I just go to the hospital.

If I were to suggest, we could pay more attention to some second and third-tier cities or rural areas where medical resources and knowledge are not yet very developed. I think this group of people should be our main focus, and I believe that you are also focusing on this topic in order to help more people, which is our shared goal. I suggest that you consider focusing more on this audience.

Han Wu: As it is difficult to diagnose depression objectively, how should we determine whether or not a patient has depression?

Dr. Miao Wei: First of all, it seems that there is a fixed standard in medics, but if we expand the scope of depression to the entire group of mental sub-health states, I think first we will have some regular psychological assessments, questionnaires, and also some scales, which these kinds of third-party standards can be used to determine this.

Secondly, when you are in a long-term state of mental sub-health, you can feel that your friends are not in a stable state. So this is when we will need to care for her more. Therefore, I suggest that on the one hand, there should be regular monitoring of such value in data, and on the other hand, caring between friends is also important.

Since China is still a humane society, we may say that this concern between friends may be more effective.

Han Wu: What are the more common treatment options for treating depression today?

Dr. Miao Wei: The suitable plan should still be drug treatment. The students I have come into contact with may already have high exam pressure, due to family reasons, their parents' marital problems, or if they have been introverted since childhood, and the way to fix this is mainly based on drugs. Regular interaction with doctors and some counseling, including adjustments to their lives is also another way. Practicing more healthy and positive activities or sports to release stress is also another popular way

Han Wu: Why are there many people now who are unwilling to cooperate with the treatment of depression?

Dr. Miao Wei: Fundamentally this is still a perception and mindset issue. For example, some traditional Chinese concepts still believe that psychological problems are mental illness, and people do not want to correlate themselves with this as there are still prejudices about it. Moreover, people may still choose not to cooperate with treatment even if they have “common” diseases.

Overall, this is still a psychological construction issue, but I believe that related issues are decreasing as the new generation grows up and more psychological education is present in schools. Times have changed, are people are more willing to understand and explore some issues they face. We need to use a rigorous perspective to define what are psychological problems because even scientific and medical standards are constantly changing. If you think about bloodletting therapy in the Middle Ages, it was still relatively advanced at that time. Viewing from the status quo, there are a lot of symptoms and problems that cannot be scientifically explained yet, but as technology develops, there will be solutions that can entirely solve this problem.

Modernly there are a lot of factors that cause depression such as genetics, acquired factors, or pathological factors, but all we need to do it to face it correctly.

We met up with several other teams in China and had a discussion about our projects. In this process, we used various lenses to explore the world and identify enhancements in society that each team aimed to improve on through synthetic biology. This was a very insightful chance for us to communicate our thoughts with our peers. We heard different innovative ideas from other teams' projects and felt really fascinated by their topic. For example, Shanghai Team 1 focused on heavy metal pollution in the soil. They addressed multiple negative impacts of this issue on the status quo, such as poisoning the food we eat and accumulatively causing serious health problems. Additionally, we also received valuable feedback on how we can improve our project description and speaking skills. Our team members need to have a more thorough overview of the experiments we conducted since different students completed different sections, so we need to communicate the processes and results with each other in an understandable and efficient manner.