Team:GZHS-United/Human Practices
Human Practices of GZHS-United
Fig1. The aim of Human Practices of GZHS-United
While carrying out our project, our team also conducted a series of human practices projects.
We conduct the Human practices project in three different ways: Communicating and Learning, Social Investigations and Social Propaganda.
1.Communicating and Learning
For Communicating and Learning, We aim to understand current cutting-edge coral conservation and restoration measures and the application of synthetic biology. It provides guidance for us to explore the new field of synthetic biology combined with the protection of Marine environment (especially coral).
South China Sea Institute of Oceanology
Fig2. Distribution of coral reefs in world
We first communicated with the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, and we learned the current situation of coral reef. China's coral coast is mainly distributed in Hainan island, South China Sea Islands, the Penghu islands and Taiwan coast. Coral reefs of nanhai zhudao account for 5% of the total area of coral reefs in the world, among which reef-building coral in nansha qundao is the most abundant, with over 200 species, accounting for one third of the reef-building coral species in the indo-western Pacific region.
Fig3. Colorful coral reefs in South China Sea Institute of Oceanology
Coral reefs are complex ecosystems that include coral and algae and their close relationships. The symbiotic relationship between algae and coral and the nutrient replenishment through tides make coral reefs one of the most fertile ecosystems in the world. But recent years, it has shown signs of bleaching around the world: China's coral reef destruction rate reached over 90%. Especially Hainan, which accounts for 98% of the total area of China's coral reefs, 80% to 95% of coral reefs were damaged.
Fig4. Coral collections in Marine Biodiversity Collections of South China Sea
In order to save the coral, researchers have to carry out constant coral restoration projects, which are difficult. At the same time, we have seen many Marine animal specimens that depend on coral for survival in the institute. These specimens are all from animals that the institute found to be unable to save in the rescue.
Fig5. We visited South China Sea Institute of Oceanology
At present, Marine biologists generally use one method：the researchers need to attach iron shelves to the coral at the bottom of the sea, where the prepared splinters are bound with plastic ropes to allow them to grow. They welded metal frames, including used bicycles, into damaged coral areas on the ocean floor. Then they attached the collected coral fragments to the frames. Finally, the metal frame is connected to a power source, because the current can promote the growth of the coral reef. In this way, they have saved endangered coral reefs in many parts of the ocean. Artificial coral shelves have been scaled up. But coral restoration is still a long way off.
Zhuhai Yisheng Bio-pharmaceuticals Co
Fig6. We visited Zhuhai Yisheng Bio-pharmaceuticals Co
In order to better understand and use genetic engineering technology, we contacted Zhuhai Yisheng Bio-pharmaceuticals Co which has a lot of genetic engineering experience. Their responsible personnel showed us around the laboratory and the production workshop. And they told us that by introducing the plasmid with auxin gene into E. coli to form engineering bacteria, the production efficiency of auxin was greatly improved. We communicate our igem project with their project leader and chairman, have a lot of knowledge discussion and exchange, and get their recognition and appreciation to each other to put forward useful suggestions for each other. The broad prospect of genetic engineering technology in the present and future is also discussed.
2.Social Investigations
For Social Investigations, we are eager to know the current public awareness of the protection of the Marine environment. In the highest ideal of Marine conservation, we took the idea from the survey and intended to provide public opinion for other Marine researchers starting from the prevention of coral bleaching.
Investigations of coral bleaching prevention and control technology
Fig7. Figure results of In Investigations
In order to promote the knowledge of Marine coral protection to the society, we have conducted an online and offline investigation of coral bleaching prevention and control technology. In total, we received 6060 responses, and the result showed that 48% of people support the application of synthetic biology to the protection of the Marine environment, only 26% know about coral, and 21% would love to take an active part in Marine protection and science popularization activities, which shows that the knowledge reserve of the public about the protection of the Marine environment is slightly insufficient.
3.Social Propaganda
For Social Propaganda, protecting coral is not a one-man job. It requires cooperation and collaboration between organizations and people. We believe that public awareness of the importance of protecting the Marine environment is essential for future breakthroughs in the field of synthetic biology that we have pioneered. Our publicity aims to arouse the public's potential awareness of Marine conservation and train more researchers to invest in the cause of restraining coral bleaching and protecting the Marine environment.
Sun Yat-sen Library of Guangdong Province and Guangzhou No.6 High School
Fig8. We held activities in Sun Yat-sen Library of Guangdong Province
Fig9. We held activities in Guangzhou No.6 High School
We have carried out the project publicity activities in the Sun Yat-sen Library of Guangdong Province and Guangzhou No.6 High School respectively, which have been enthusiastically participated by the public. We introduced our project and extended this theme to the frontier biotechnology. We let them know about our project, what genetically modified is, the benefits of genetic engineering for human life, and the principles of genetic engineering. They enjoyed our lecture, especially when we introduced the current situation of Marine corals, many people showed their worried faces, which showed that they also deeply understood that corals are facing a serious crisis.