Synthetic Biology and Sustainable Development Forum

Bridging Innovation for a Sustainable Future

As the organizers of this university forum, we took great pride and satisfaction in our role. This forum witnessed engaging and enlightening discussions centered around synthetic biology and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We held an online forum for universities

Project Recap: The morning and afternoon project review sessions provided us with a rare opportunity to reflect on the remarkable advancements in the field of synthetic biology over the past decade. The presentations from various universities were captivating, showcasing not only the diversity of projects but also highlighting the power of innovation. Engaging in in-depth exchanges with representatives from other universities during the interactive sessions was incredibly beneficial. Each university shared unique insights and valuable experiences, fostering new perspectives and inspirations through knowledge sharing and interaction.

Awards received by iGEM teams from various universities in recent years
SchoolTimeProject NameAwards
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China2022ChlipidGold Medal + Best Plant Synthetic Biology Award Nomination
2021Deink the DarkGold Medal + Best Entrepreneurship Award + Best New Application Nomination
2020CPD3DSBest Software Award
2019An expired drug solutionGold + Best Hardware Award
BioMaster2.0Gold + Best Software Award
2018Straw-Degrading Energy E.coliGold + Best Energy Award
BioMasterGold Medal + Best Software + Best Product Nomination Award
2017Tobacco degrades soil organic pollutant 1,2,3-TCPGold Medal + Best Biosynthesis Award
2016PlastiValueGold Medal + Best Energy Nomination Award + 4 Patents
BIO101gold medal
2015The Magnetotactic Enzyme (MTE) generates electricitygold medal
MCCAPGold Medal + Best Software Nomination
2014PLANTS VS HCHOgold medal
CRISPR-Xsilver medal
2013IBRICKAsian Silver Medal + Finals Gold Medal
Sichuan University2022ERYbioticBronze Award
2021Vibrio natriegens "Marionette"gold medal
2020RNAlphABAgold medal
2019CORegulaTIN: The Co- fermentation of Cordycepin and PentostatinGold Award, Best Modeling Award Nomination
2018CRISPROGRAMMERSilver Award
2017Rhythmic Production of Melatonin in E.coligold medal
2016RihannaSilver Award
2015E.panguSilver Award
2014lmperial EdictBronze Award
2013none?Silver Award
Northwestern Polytechnical University2022Ligninolytic enzymes: A PAHS killersilver medal
2021A self lysis feed toxinicidesilver medal
2018MitoCRAFTsilver medal
2017Glycerol-based Acrylic Acid Cell Factorybronze medal
2016Blue Leafbronze medal
Wuhan University2021AcneraserGold Medal+Best Measurement Nomination
2020The Negotiatorgold medal
2019Silkeepgold medal
2018Noah's Arkgold medal
2017WOWsilver medal
Zhejiang University2022 Story Lightgold medal
2021ViruGuardTOP10
2020 MagHER2somegold medal
2019PaDctcctorgold medal
2018A Detectorgold medal
2017The Guardian Trichodermagold medal
2016Enigmabronze medal
2015lcrmitc Terminatorgold medal
2014GeneSocketgold medal
2013The Ghost Kitgold medal

SDGs and Synthetic Biology: The discussion on the relationship between SDGs and synthetic biology is important to us. The roundtable discussions provided a platform for university representatives to delve into the contributions of synthetic biology to SDG goals in agriculture, medicine, energy, and the environment. We were deeply intrigued by these discussions as they underscored the immense potential of synthetic biology in addressing global challenges. Through the sharing of case studies and experiences, we gained a deeper understanding of how to harness the power of biology to address SDG issues.

17 SDGs

This forum not only deepened our understanding of the development and applications of synthetic biology but also provided a valuable platform for collaboration and exchange among university representatives. We looked forward to continuing to drive the integration of synthetic biology with SDG goals in the future, contributing more to the realization of sustainable development. This forum has enriched our knowledge and set higher goals for us, inspiring us to continually pursue the vision of scientific innovation and sustainable development.

Synthetic Biology Forum

Exploring Entrepreneurship, Safety, and Responsible Innovation

The discussions on entrepreneurship and commercialization during the forum have provided us with profound insights into the challenges of translating scientific research into practical applications. From conceptualizing projects to marketing, a multitude of factors such as market demand, competitive landscape, and business models need to be considered. While our scientific research in the iGEM competition has been exciting, it has become apparent that focusing more on entrepreneurship and commercial knowledge is essential to truly apply our work to society.

The iGEM Entrepreneurship and Biosecurity Forum introduced many companies started by the iGEM team

Furthermore, safety concerns have been a significant topic of discussion at the forum. The development of synthetic biology may introduce new risks and challenges, making it crucial to ensure research safety. During the forum, I gained awareness of safety standards, regulations, and how to comprehensively address safety considerations in project design and implementation. This will aid our team in conducting research with greater responsibility and caution.

Participating in this Entrepreneurship and Safety Forum has been immensely beneficial. We not only learned from the experiences of other teams but also recognized the real-world challenges and opportunities in applying scientific research. We incorporated these insights into our team's projects, injecting more drive and innovative thinking into our journey in the iGEM competition. Moreover, we now have a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and ethics in the field of synthetic biology, and we conducted our research with greater care to ensure that scientific advancements align with societal needs and safety requirements.

We participated in the iGEM Entrepreneurship and Biosecurity Forum
We share our insights on entrepreneurship and biosecurity at conference

CCiC (Conference for China iGEMer Community)

Exploring More Possibilities with iGEMer Community

We also made a speech to introduce our project in CCiC(Conference for China iGEMer Community). The judges recognized our project for it might bring cleaner air and healthier lung in the post-epidemic era. Having extensive discussion with 89 teams, we were surprised to find that there were so many brilliant ideas based on synthetic biology contributing to a better world. All in all, CCiC has spurred confidence and innovation.

The certification of participating in CCiC
The certification of participating in CCiC

Bioremediation Summit

Exploring Diversity, Sustainability, and Ethical Considerations

The Bioremediation Forum provided us with a platform to interact with fellow members of iGEM teams from across the country. Each team took turns sharing their project concepts, research progress, and innovative ideas related to bioremediation. This exchange not only strengthened our team's awareness but also deepened my understanding of the diversity and potential applications in the field of bioremediation. Inspired by the experiences and insights of other teams, we pondered how to incorporate different methods and strategies into our own project.

we participated in the bioremediation forum

Experts shared research findings on topics such as microorganisms, plants, and ecosystems, while discussing the technical and ethical challenges that may arise in bioremediation. We realized that in practical bioremediation applications, we must focus not only on technological innovation but also consider ecological balance, societal acceptance, and long-term sustainability.

Furthermore, bioremediation can have profound effects on ecosystems, so it must be approached with caution in both research and practice. Measures need to be taken to ensure that the remediation process does not create new environmental problems and that sustainable resource utilization and societal benefits are emphasized in project design.

Synthetic Biology Synergy

A Collaborative Exchange with Sichuan University iGEM Team

On August 7, 2023, with great excitement, we engaged in a fruitful exchange with the Sichuan University iGEM team. The objective of this exchange was to share our project ideas, innovative thoughts, and practical experiences, aiming to promote mutual progress in the field of synthetic biology. This inter-team collaboration not only deepened our understanding of bioremediation but also laid a solid foundation for future cooperation.

A group photo of our team and the iGEM team of Sichuan University in front of the Department of Biology Building

During this exchange, we delved into discussions with the Sichuan University iGEM team about our respective project concepts and research directions. We shared our team's project ideas, showcasing not only innovative thinking but also providing targeted suggestions for improvements to each other's teams. This open dialogue injected fresh inspiration into our projects and paved the way for future collaborations. We shared the challenges we encountered in experimental design, data analysis, and more, exchanging solutions to these problems. This sharing of experiences helped us find new perspectives to tackle difficulties and enhance the overall quality of our projects.

Members of the two teams are actively discussing and communicating

Through our interaction with the Sichuan University iGEM team, we not only enriched our own knowledge but also gained valuable creativity and insights. This collaboration was not just a transfer of knowledge but also the beginning of a friendly partnership. We eagerly anticipated future exchanges with more teams to collectively drive the flourishing development of synthetic biology.

iG20 Collaborative Video Project: Inspiring Science Education in Synthetic Biology

We participated in the collaborative recording of project introduction videos and synthetic biology educational videos initiated by iG20, an experience that left us greatly inspired and enriched.

Our team joined iG20 to record popular science videos

First and foremost, the close collaboration with various universities was a profoundly meaningful experience. We were able to harness the wisdom and creativity from different schools, all working together to create educational videos that are truly inspiring. Throughout this process, we not only made new friends but also broadened our horizons, gaining valuable knowledge and insights from our partners from different institutions.

Secondly, the process of recording educational videos deepened our understanding of synthetic biology. Through the preparation and recording of the videos, we not only enhanced our own knowledge but also honed our ability to convey complex scientific concepts in a clear and simple manner to the audience. This experience has ignited a greater passion for and appreciation of science and has boosted our confidence in sharing this knowledge.

Most importantly, our involvement made us acutely aware of the importance of science education. Our videos would contribute to the dissemination of knowledge in the field of synthetic biology, inspiring more individuals to take an interest in this area. The impact of such outreach was immeasurable and serves as a powerful motivator for us to continue contributing to the fields of science education and popularization.

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