Team:Nanjing NFLS/Collaborations
Since NJTech_China lacked experience in homology modeling, we told them the method of analyzing the result of homology modeling. We told them that they could build a three-dimensional model of their protein via the online server (http://servicesn.mbi.ucla.edu/SAVES/). Therefore, they could analyze the results of homology modeling with the WHATCHECK module and the PROCHECK module. They used the WHATCHECK module to report the difference of the model protein and the conventional structure protein; they also compared the input protein parameters with the standard parameters to judge the quality of the homologous modeling results with the help of PROCHECK module. In short, we offered effective assistance for them in modeling.
We set up a bioethics discussion group with XJTLU-CHINA and UCAS-China in the Conference of China iGEMer Community. After extensive communication, all of us recognized the significance of bioethics issues. Therefore, we decided that each team sought out local hospital ethics committees or bioethics professors and acquired their opinions on bioethics and applications of synthetic biology in therapeutics. With rich results from 3 teams, we could better think about the future plan and notice potential ethical problems. We recognized that we should choose Adeno-Associated Virus Vector instead of Lentivirus Vector to carry the plasmids to prevent the DNA sequence from being integrated into the host’s cells’ genome, thereby not triggering the controversy towards human gene editing. We also want to deliver the values to the younger generation so we organized seminars in NFLS and lectures in elementary schools.
Guanyu collaborated with Jing Long from CPU_CHINA to deliver the hTERT promoter (BBa_K2624000) to team CSU_CHINA and Jing Long also provided them with sequence information and instructions on how to save and use it. We used hTERT in pCDNA6.2-hTERT-HBsAg-EmGFP-miR-HBsAg (HBsAg Expression system). Their team characterized a gene circuit which potentially enable a highly efficient therapy of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). They screened a large number of TNBC-specific promoters including the part we provided, a cancer specific promoter.
This year, we built extensive collaboration with CPU_CHINA.
Tripartite collaboration with CPU_CHINA and NJTech_China.
hTERT promoter(BBa_K2624000) is a tumor-specific promoter that is useful in both tumor diagnosis and therapeutics. This year, team CPU_CHINA, Nanjing_NFLS, and NJTech_China cooperated to conduct experimental characterization of this part and determined the best protocol. We all characterized this part in HEK293T and HepG2 cells via dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Besides, we used different DNA concentration ratios of firefly luciferase and renilla luciferase from 10:1 to 1:1 to transfect cells in order to find the optimal condition of gene transfection. Experimental data, we found the transfection at the ratio of 10:1 is better than the other ratio for characterizing hTERT promoter.
Lecture in NFLS (our school)
We helped CPU_CHINA to organize a lecture on synthetic biology and iGEM at Nanjing Foreign Language School (NFLS). They introduced the concept of synthetic biology and what to do for participating in iGEM. They also showed the comic book to make students better understand the values of synthetic biology. Student's thoughts gave them many insights to the future application of their project. We are also glad to see iGEM and synthetic biology are getting more and more popular in our school through the strive of NFLS and CPU iGEM teams.
Tripartite collaboration with CPU_CHINA and NJTech_China.
hTERT promoter(BBa_K2624000) is a tumor-specific promoter that is useful in both tumor diagnosis and therapeutics. This year, team CPU_CHINA, Nanjing_NFLS, and NJTech_China cooperated to conduct experimental characterization of this part and determined the best protocol. We all characterized this part in HEK293T and HepG2 cells via dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Besides, we used different DNA concentration ratios of firefly luciferase and renilla luciferase from 10:1 to 1:1 to transfect cells in order to find the optimal condition of gene transfection. Experimental data, we found the transfection at the ratio of 10:1 is better than the other ratio for characterizing hTERT promoter.
Lecture in NFLS (our school)
We helped CPU_CHINA to organize a lecture on synthetic biology and iGEM at Nanjing Foreign Language School (NFLS). They introduced the concept of synthetic biology and what to do for participating in iGEM. They also showed the comic book to make students better understand the values of synthetic biology. Student's thoughts gave them many insights to the future application of their project. We are also glad to see iGEM and synthetic biology are getting more and more popular in our school through the strive of NFLS and CPU iGEM teams.
6th CCiC
Meng Chen, Anrui Liu and Ruitian Hu attended the 6th Conference of China iGEMer Community (CCiC), the largest iGEM team meetup at Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Experts in synthetic biology, former iGEMers and 70 iGEM teams from different universities and high schools gathered in Shenzhen from Aug.19th to Aug. 22th. We introduced our project in presentation and poster session and exchange ideas with other teams on cancer therapy.
Through extensive discussion, we received valuable suggestions from judges and other teams. We build up collaboration relationship with XJTLU_CHINA. iGEM Asia ambassador Nan Zhang gave us useful advice on integrated HP. The lecture sessions led by predecessors in iGEM were also of great help. We learned more about the current and future development of synthetic biology.
Through extensive discussion, we received valuable suggestions from judges and other teams. We build up collaboration relationship with XJTLU_CHINA. iGEM Asia ambassador Nan Zhang gave us useful advice on integrated HP. The lecture sessions led by predecessors in iGEM were also of great help. We learned more about the current and future development of synthetic biology.
3rd Nanjing Regional meetup
May 18th, Meng Chen, Jiayuan Sheng, Guanyu Chen, Yuewei Zhou and Chuanyang Jin participated in the third Nanjing Regional meetup held at China Pharmaceutical University. 12 teams attended the conference, including CPU_CHINA, Nanjing-China, USTC, Tongji_China, NAU-CHINA, Nanjing_NFLS, and SHSSIP-CHINA. We present the design of our project: Cancer Immunotherapy with Trojan Horse Antigen and exchanged ideas with judges and other iGEMers. CPU_CHINA provided constructive advice for us on tumor-priming promoters and “Trojan horse” antigen selection. We also gave advice on project selection to SHSSIP-CHINA.
Saint Joseph
We participated in “Cooking with iGEM” competition held by Saint Joseph iGEM team. In this competition, we call on all the NFLS baking enthusiasts to make various cookies with us. We drew our logo and iGEM’s logo on it to bring this great event to more people. After making the cookies, we post the picture on Instagram and sent to Saint Joseph’s email. It’s a fun collaboration! ;)
UAlberta
We wrote the questionnaire from the UAlberta iGEM team. They are interested in investigating the age, sex, gender, and race demographics of iGEM teams, to examine if there are any inclusion disparities in iGEM teams, and learn more about iGEMers experiences so that any issues can be remedied.