A Visit to a Local Secondary School

Our team embarked on an exciting journey to engage with young minds at a local secondary school. Our goal was to not only introduce students to the fascinating world of synthetic biology but also to inspire and nurture their curiosity about science and the possibilities it holds.

We had the privilege of interacting with four enthusiastic classes during our visit to the secondary school. We introduced students to synthetic biology through real-world examples. From bioengineered medicines to sustainable bioplastics, we showcased how synthetic biology is shaping the future. To give students a glimpse into the microscopic world, we provided hands-on experience with microscopes. Students observed cellular structures such as chloroplasts after first seeing what they looked like and being able to identify them on their own. They also saw the result of the strawberry DNA extraction experiment we had prepared before our arrival, because the duration of a class wouldn’t allow us to make the experiment from the beginning.

One of the most rewarding aspects of our visit was the engaging Q&A session. Students were curious about various aspects of synthetic biology, and we eagerly answered their questions. We discussed topics ranging from the life of a molecular biology and genetics student, sparking their interest in potential career paths within the field.

Our visit to the secondary school was a fulfilling experience for both our team and the students we interacted with. We hope that our presentations, experiments, and discussions have inspired these young minds to explore the wonders of science further.

Extending our commitment to education and outreach, our team had the privilege of visiting a local high school. With a focus on older students, we have tailored our presentations and activities to provide a deeper understanding of synthetic biology and . For the high school audience, we delve even deeper into the world of synthetic biology. We gave a detailed presentation that explored the basic principles and methodologies of this field. In addition, we explained how the gut and brain communicate and how our project aims to harness synthetic biology and this complex connection to help people who experience depression.

To make the experience hands-on and engaging, we demonstrated some of the equipment commonly used in our laboratory, including pipettes and Petri dishes. We provided students with the opportunity to handle these tools themselves, fostering a sense of curiosity and confidence in their scientific abilities.

Our visit was enriched by a Q&A session, during which we fielded questions about our project, synthetic biology in general, and the iGEM competition. We were delighted to see the students' genuine interest and inquisitiveness, as they sought to understand the real-world applications and implications of our research.

Our visit to the local high school was a great experience, allowing us to connect with older students . We hope that our presentations and interactive demonstrations have inspired them.

1st Panhellenic Conference of Students Bioscientists

Our team was honored to participate in the 1st Panhellenic Conference of Students Bioscientists. This event was a remarkable opportunity for us to not only showcase our work, but also to connect with a wide audience of budding scientists and science enthusiasts. One of the highlights of our participation was presenting our work to conference attendees. The presentation was followed by an interactive Q&A session, through which participants delved into the details of our project and the iGEM competition. It was especially important for us to hear their opinions and questions about our project. Our presentation was accompanied by a video, which we created in collaboration with several iGEM teams. Through this video, we conveyed to the conference participants, in a vivid way, the essence of iGEM through the eyes of igemers. You can watch the video here. We also had the opportunity to meet iGEM members from various iGEM teams and attend presentations of their own projects . We actively participated in networking discussions, and workshops, laying the groundwork for possible future collaborations. These interactions allowed us to exchange ideas, broaden our horizons and strengthen the collaborative spirit that characterizes the iGEM community.

On the 28th of April our team organized a live hands-on workshop on the 1st Panhellenic Conference of Students Bioscientists. The context of the workshop was real-time mathematical modeling of genetic circuits using tools and bioinformatics software that can quantify a system’s behavior.

The workshop started with an introduction on both mathematical and biological concepts, such as central dogma of molecular biology, gene regulation, computational logic gates and ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Hands-On part included design of hypothetical gene circuits, with description of their expected behavior using ODE’s. Google Colab and scientific computational libraries like python’s numpy and scipy, helped the students observe the change in the system’s expression, when changing transcription and translation constants. After students were familiarized with the mathematical background, we moved on to the program “tinkercell”. This software is developed with a GUI, to help design easily, more complex biological systems. Students simulated the behavior of complex gene regulation cases, such as double-positive regulation, plasmid-protein expression and oscillators. At the end, some examples of stochastic simulations were also delivered.

We participated in the 29th Scientific Conference of Greek Medical Students and the 17th International Forum of Medical Students and Young Doctors. Our team had an interactive booth at the conference where we presented our iGEM project to a diverse audience of medical students. Through discussions and information materials, we explained our work and details about the iGEM competition.

A key aspect of our participation was the invaluable help we received from the medical student community. Conference attendees eagerly completed our anonymous survey, providing us with valuable information and feedback to further improve our work, particularly our application development.

During the conference, we had the privilege of connecting with distinguished medical professors. These interactions encouraged us to seek further expertise in the field.

Our participation in the conference was accompanied by exciting collaborations within the iGEM community. iGEM Thessaly proposed a collaboration: the creation of a poster focusing on "Applications of Synthetic Biology in Medicine and Public Health" and invited our team and iGEM Athens to help create it. The poster was presented to the conference participants. It is always a pleasure to get in touch and collaborate with iGEM teams.

In May, the 4th Conference of the Pharmaceutical Students Association of Greece: "Beyond Pharma Degree" took place in the beautiful city of Patras. While we couldn't be there in person due to the distance from our team base, we were thrilled to receive an invitation to this conference.

We curated a pack containing informational materials including iGEM stickers and comprehensive information about our project and the iGEM competition. We also included QR codes that participants could scan to provide us with valuable feedback. Our virtual presence at the conference was driven by a desire to engage, educate and inspire. Despite the physical distance, we really wanted to connect with the conference participants.

Online Event: AI Ethics

The first part of the event ‘It’s all about AI ‘ we organized with Xanthi TechLab, was an online event dedicated to AI Ethics. Exploring the intricate intersections of technology and ethics, the event delved into crucial aspects shaping the digital landscape:

Moral Decision Making: Delving into the ethical dimensions of AI-driven choices, participants examined the moral compass guiding machine decisions impacting our lives.

Reproducing Human Bias: Addressing the unintentional biases embedded in AI systems, the event emphasized the importance of eliminating prejudices for fair and just algorithms.

Privacy and Surveillance: Discussions centered on striking a balance between technological progress and individual privacy, dissecting the ethical boundaries of surveillance in our digital society.

AI and Democracy: The event scrutinized AI's influence on democratic processes, underscoring the need for transparent and accountable AI systems to uphold the essence of democratic societies.

The Future of Employment: Participants engaged in dialogue about the evolving job landscape amidst automation, focusing on ethical considerations in managing workforce displacement and technological unemployment.

Controlling AI: Conversations revolved around ensuring human oversight of AI technologies, emphasizing the implementation of ethical guidelines and regulations to prevent misuse.

The event was not just a discussion but a dynamic exchange of ideas, enriching our collective understanding of the ethical challenges posed by AI.

The second part of the event ‘It’s all about AI ‘ we organized with Xanthi TechLab was the online workshop : Coding Machine Learning Models for Synthetic Biology Purposes.

The objective of this workshop was to demonstrate the potential of leveraging machine learning in the field of biology. We aimed to illustrate how biologists can harness the power of machine learning to analyze and interpret their research data effectively.

During the workshop, we provided insights into the application of various machine learning models, including deep neural networks, k-nearest neighbors (KNN) classifiers, and decision trees, for classification tasks involving biological data. Specifically, we focused on classifying the mutant types of several plants based on key characteristics such as stomata length, stomata width, and their water loss rate.

In our case study, we emphasized the importance of conducting thorough statistical analysis of the data, a crucial step that every synthetic biologist should undertake before embarking on a machine learning task.

In a collaboration between our team and Xanthi Tech Lab, an interdisciplinary webinar was organized that bridged the gap between biological innovation and legal perspectives. In collaboration with the The European Law Students' Association Komotini, the event delved into the complex and evolving landscape of bioethics and its legal dimensions.

The event included four sessions:

Session 1: Cloning and Legal Issues

Session 2: Artificial Intelligence: Its legal dimension

Session 3: Prenatal and preimplantation screening

Session 4: Medically Assisted Reproduction

By learning about the ethical and legal aspects, we are better prepared to steer our research in a responsible direction.The webinar on bioethics and legal implications served as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. We gained a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding biotechnology and law. We hope that this event has not only enriched our knowledge, but also sparked an ongoing dialogue about bioethics and legal implications in the ever-evolving landscape of science and technology.

At the beginning of June, we organized the "City Lab" event. Nestled in a park in the heart of the city, this event is designed to foster a deep connection between all ages and the fascinating world of synthetic biology.

The event included activities for young and old such as strawberry DNA extraction, the Balloon Yeast Experiment, observation of cellular structures with a microscope and mixing colors using Pasteur pipettes, an activity intended for young children.

To provide a deeper understanding of synthetic biology, our team conducted an engaging presentation. We explained the principles behind genetic engineering and its real-world applications, including advances in medicine, agriculture, and environmental conservation. This informative session allowed attendees to grasp the significance of synthetic biology in shaping the future.

The City Lab event gave a sense of excitement and curiosity about synthetic biology among our community. We are happy to have shared our passion for science and technology, sparking the imaginations of participants young and old.

Wanting to highlight the beneficial effect of physical exercise on mental health and well-being, by actively participating in the actions of our region, we participated in the Thrace night race held for the third consecutive year on the beach road of Alexandroupoli. It consisted of 2 running races of 5km and 10km in which runners of various ages took part.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the Night Run was the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with runners and citizens of all ages. We discussed the physical and mental benefits of exercise, shared insights from our iGEM project, and learned about personal experiences with mental health challenges. These interactions fostered a sense of camaraderie and highlighted the importance of open dialogue surrounding mental well-being.

Our discussion with the audience was rounded off by the brochures we created specifically for the race, which showcased these benefits to both mental and physical health. In addition, it listed the recommended time for physical activity according to the World Health.

Organization and there was a diary, in which one could note the days one has exercised. In other words, whoever used it could track the days they exercised until the end of the year, thus setting their goals. Our goal was to create a simple and easy-to-read brochure, which would also have a practical use and could be used by people of all ages.

Finally, we had the pleasure of volunteering to help run the race by handing out water and bananas after the races ended but also by creating a 'human chain' to kickstart the races.

As a team dedicated to community participation and well-being, we participated in a blood drive, which takes place every Sunday. Recognizing the significant problem of blood shortage in Greece, we took action to raise awareness among the younger population and invite them to donate blood through social media posts and posters

We met with blood donors and the doctors there, discussing with them the importance of blood donation and the critical need for blood in Greece. In our interactions, we introduced the concept of the gut-brain axis and explained its importance in mental health. We shared information about our project, explaining how our genetically modified probiotic works and our application and their potential impact on mental health. To express our gratitude to the blood donors, we offered them sweets and handmade items created by our team members.

We believe that by combining efforts to address blood deficiency and promote mental health, we can create a healthier and more informed community.