In order to carry out scientific projects, it is crucial to have interactions between different groups and people; the exchange of culture, knowledge, experiences and ideologies make up the universe of innovation. Taking part in the IGEM editions is an opportunity to get in touch with different teams from around the world and to network globally, meeting students, professors, researchers and entrepreneurs from various fields in different parts of the world. In this way, the varied worldviews help to build theories and solutions that go beyond the traditional ways.
Biostyvia
Biostyvia is the first high school team to take part in the IGEM Design League in Brazil. Made up of Brazilian students, the team is based in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, in the state of Paraná, Brazil and is composed of young people who integrate in activities of various areas for personal development and preparation for the work environment. are interested in different areas with activities for the personal development of young people to participate in the stages of research
The team was created at the end of 2022 and, in early 2023, with the help of the UNILA-LatAm team (SynFronteras), developed the DDColi project: bioremediation of aquatic bodies with high rates of fecal coliform contamination, with the aim of creating a microorganism capable of detecting and destroying pathogenic bacteria present in the organic matter dumped in the Monjolo River.
Teaching Synthetic Biology
In 2022, the UNILA-LatAm team carried out the extension project entitled “SynFronteras.club: disseminating Synthetic Biology through education”, with the aim of disseminating, educating and preparing students around the pillars that make up synthetic biology, by preparing theoretical discussion meetings and activities in various areas, in order to promote the expansion of scientific knowledge and an understanding of its importance in a multidisciplinary context.
In this way, we started activities with the Bertoni PRO school, seeking high school students interested in participating in the meetings and activities proposed by SynFronteras.club. The activities in 2022 with the BioStyvia team began from the visit and presentation of UNILA_LatAm team member Giulio Mendes Bratz, participant of the IGEM Global edition in 2021 in the Biopank project, Advisor of the MHETYGUÁ project and current IGEM ambassador in Latin America, that aimed to share their trajectory in the competition and the possibilities of creating basic research from scientific tools and educational spaces, as well as the personal and academic benefits when participating in competitions. The activities with the students of Bertoni Pro throughout 2022 were carried out multilaterally, from application of games, explanation of the concepts of synthetic biology and organizational help for the formation of a new team.
The SynFronteras.club project saw an increase in the level of achievement of the participating members by linking the realization of activities that favored learning and encouraged the realization of projects that collaborate, providing positive impacts on society. To help with the learning process, the UNILA-LatAm team held several meetings with high school students to understand and identify the greatest difficulties in understanding the applicability and dimension of Synthetic Biology. It was therefore decided that a good way to collaborate on a project would be to mentor students and accompany them in the development of their research.
Image 1. Giulio Bratz presenting in february 2022 at Bertoni Pro School
Taken by SynFronteras team
Image 2. UNILA-LatAm student leader presenting in october 2022 at Bertoni Pro School
Taken by SynFronteras team
Mentorship
From March to October 2023, the UNILA-LatAm team carried out weekly follow-ups for the development of the DDColi project on various team fronts, allowing the creation of a multidisciplinary and welcoming environment for the exchange of knowledge between the higher education and secondary education academic communities, helping the team's participation in the IGEM Design League in 2023.
Dry Lab
For the high school students, the biggest difficulty in developing the DDColi project for the IGEM Design League 2023 edition was the scientific process that the Dry Lab encompasses. As such, the UNILA-LatAm team's initial assistance was more related to defining the problems and choosing the chassis, holding several meetings, doing research and talking to experts in the field in order to steer the theme.
In addition, several computational tools were presented, such as SBOL, Benchling and Alpha Fold, as well as techniques for navigating databases that would be crucial in order to expand the knowledge and scope that the project encompasses, thus enabling the construction of the genetic circuit and the development of the structural modeling of the chimeric protein related to the project developed.
Image 3. Nisin structure and maturation. Modified operon of lactococcus lactis chassis on SBOL
Made by Biostyvia
The genetic circuit built by the students who make up the Biostyvia team has undergone several suggestions for alterations by the members of the UNILA-LatAm team, but always respecting each member's space for knowledge and freedom of creativity, creating a welcoming environment for scientific processes and innovation.
Human Practices
When the monitoring process began in 2023, we started the Human Practices activities by helping to define regional problems that were aligned with the theme of the Biostyvia team's project for the IGEM Design League in the 2023 edition. Over time, through research and conversations, we saw the need to work on revitalizing rivers and lakes in the city of Foz do Iguaçu to reduce the concentration of aquatic pollutants in the water bodies that make up the city and drive tourism, the economy and local culture.
The Monjolo River is an urban water resource in Foz do Iguaçu (PR). Its source is in Jardim Central, a neighborhood in the city, and it is currently a municipal park, called Parque Monjolo, a potential for the development of tourism and leisure activities and is at level 4 of impropriety in terms of water quality, according to CONAMA (National Environment Council), as are other rivers in the perimeter of Foz do Iguaçu. The table below shows the conclusion of the water quality analysis:
Image 4. polluted rivers in the urban perimeter of Foz do Foz do Iguaçu
Made by CONAMA
The Biostyvia team organized ``D DAY: A date to value and care for the environment'', with the aim of encouraging the government to carry out the necessary maintenance in the park, cleaning up the river and disseminating science to the community, including gymkhanas and a tour with important regional information and how to align yourself with technological and innovative projects, assisted by members of UNILA-LatAm. The event also had the help of the city's administrative and legislative bodies, as well as a fair organized by local traders.
Image 5. Biostyvia team during D-Day with two UNILA-LatAms’ members
Taken by SynFronteras team
Communication
The collaboration of the UNILA-LatAm team on the communication front was specific to the promotional video for the IGEM Design League 2023, suggesting video editing platforms and the creation of automatic subtitles, as well as accompanying the members during the recordings, helping them to handle the equipment.
In addition, we helped organize and document the processes to facilitate the writing required of the JOGL, encouraging them to manage their research and follow up on what has been done and how to continue, emphasizing the importance and possibility of helping the scientific community with the writing during the development of the project.
References
- GRELLMANN, A. Foz do Iguaçu: rios no perímetro urbano poluídos. Disponível em: