Team:SZU-China/Public Engagement
Education
&
Public Engagement
This year, we developed an applet called GREEN Hunter, and we hoped to build a platform to interact with the public as well as improve our project. This platform can enhance our communication with the public, and let them slowly access to cutting-edge science, technology, and synthetic biology through some short science articles. At the same time, we also wanted to introduce our team's project this year through this platform, as well as the protagonist of this year's project - invasive alien species Mikania micrantha. At the same time, we launched some public participation activities through this platform. We invited students, teachers and some other people to visit the world of iGEMers as well as the field of synthetic biology. We designed a series of Education & Public Engagement based on the different kinds of people using our applet.
The head of the 2019 summer camp contacted our school. They wanted to visit the biological research laboratory of the Life Science and Oceanography College. Our University chose to let us show the lab to the high school summer camp students from all parts of China. On August 6, 2019, we received students from summer camp. We chose this year's contest as the background to take them to try biological experiment operation and understand the harm of Mikania micrantha. Because the students at the summer camp come from different grades, many students have not visited the biological laboratory, nor have they known about Mikania micrantha. In order to improve their interest in synthetic biology and awaken their consciousness of killing chamomile and protecting the environment, we chose to introduce the general operation of biological experiments and the harm of the invasive species to the environment.
Many of the students present contacted with the biological laboratory for the first time. Our experiment content is very novel to them. They first saw so many experimental equipment, first ground the leaves of Mikania micrantha, and first learned the method of agar gel electrophoresis. From the conversation with them, we can know that the biological experiment is a fun thing for them.
We introduced Mikania micrantha to the summer camp students. Moreover, we explained that it was an invasive species that caused other plants to die by winding up the climbing plants and secreting allelochemicals. Then we introduced how to accurately identify Mikania micrantha so that they can later distinguish whether the plant in front of them is Mikania micrantha. After learning about the end of the Camomile, the students at the summer camp were surprised by the terrible invasion of our species. They expressed their wish to sacrifice their efforts to remove this invasive species. Therefore, we recommend our applet, which called GREEN Hunter, to them. (click here to see more details about applet) We taught them to use it to help them accurately identify Mikania micrantha in their future life.
Fig.1 Grinding Mikania micrantha leaves
Fig.2 The Photo of Summer Camp
After a day's visit, the students at the summer camp felt that biological experiments were an exciting thing, and some people also wanted to be in the biological industry in the future. Through our introduction, they built a general understanding of our project. Also, they indicated that they would continue to use our GREEN Hunter after their summer camp. They would help us to draw the map (click here to see more details about the map) of Mikania micrantha in the invaded area. This map can help Mikania micrantha prevention and control work is more simple and effective. At the same time, they were very impressed by the destruction caused by Mikania micrantha to the environment, as well as the vigorous vitality of it. And we introduced our project this year to them, which they all thought it was amazing and frightening. When we told them that we applied synthetic biology to produce Micrancide, an RNAi-based herbicide for M. micrantha, they were extremely excited about synthetic biology and full of expectations.
Fig.3 Feedback on the Summer Camp
The invasion phenomenon of Mikania micrantha in Shenzhen University is severe. However, the students in the school did not realize this problem, and we intend to let the students understand the harm of Mikania micrantha through volunteer activity. At the same time, Mikania micrantha can be removed from the campus. We worked with the Volunteer Union of Shenzhen University and planned volunteer activities with the theme of “Fight GREEN for More Green.” Due to the spread of Mikania micrantha in the city and surrounding areas has been very extensive. Once it planted in a suitable place, it will wrap around the top of the canopy by its high reproductive capacity and adaptability. This feature prevents its photosynthesis from dying. Therefore, to protect the ecological environment of the campus, it is very urgent to eliminate the situation of Mikania micrantha. At the same time, students can experience the harm of Mikania micrantha throughout this activity. And they would also know the trouble of pulling out Mikania micrantha manually. Based on these, we introduced our Micrancide this year to them, and they easily understood our motivation for developing Micrancide. Through our products, they came to know synthetic biology, and through the comparison of two methods to remove Mikania micrantha, they could feel the advantages of synthetic biology.
Fig.4 Mikania micrantha in the Shenzhen University
On the day before the activity, SZU-China came to the distribution area of Mikania micrantha on campus. We needed to guarantee there are no poisonous snakes nearby. Also, we contacted school security personnel to participate in this volunteer activity to ensure the safety of volunteers on the day of the activity.
Fig.5 Security Guards are Protecting the Safety of Volunteers
On the day of the event, SZU-China first introduced the identification characteristics and hazards of Mikania micrantha to the students participating in the volunteer activity and told them some safety precautions. Then, the students were divided into three groups to carry out the Mikania micrantha clearance activity. We provided technical guidance in the activity. We could answer the problems encountered in the cleaning of Mikania micrantha. After the removal of Mikania micrantha, SZU-China centralized the treatment and inactivation of Mikania micrantha to avoid its re-growth and spread.
Fig.6 Volunteers are using our applet GREEN Hunter
We randomly interviewed several students who participated in the volunteer activity at the start of it. We asked what they knew about Mikania micrantha and what expectations they had for our activity. They think that Mikania micrantha is just a common invasive species and can be removed after a simple extraction. However, after the activity, we interviewed these students again. Everyone has a deeper understanding of Mikania micrantha. They felt that the damage caused by Mikania micrantha is much worse than they imagined. They also felt that it was tough work to remove Mikania micrantha artificially. During the activity, they removed a lot of Mikania micrantha and enjoyed the joy of giving their strength to protect the environment.Through our interview, we raised many volunteers interest in synthetic biology. At the same time, many volunteers expressed the hope that more mature synthetic biology products could go to the market and improve people's lives.
The students said that even after the volunteer activity ended, they would pull Mikania micrantha out when they saw it someday. What is more, they would join us in promoting the importance of the extraction of Mikania micrantha for protecting the environment. This promise has enabled us to publicize the hazards of Mikania micrantha and call on people to work together to eliminate it. We are further away from the goal of protecting the environmental diversity of the areas invaded by Mikania micrantha. At the same time, SZU-China has also obtained many new coordinates of Mikania micrantha at Shenzhen University. These coordinates can help us draw the distribution map of Mikania micrantha in Shenzhen University, to control Mikania micrantha more pertinently. Knowing that volunteers were interested in synthetic biology and supported our product, Micrancide, we were extremely excited. We hope that through our unremitting efforts, more and more people will be interested in synthetic biology, support the development of synthetic biology, and even join in our team so that we can work together for a better future for mankind.
Fig.7 The Photos of Volunteer Activity
Fig.8 Lecture with SZPT-China
Fig.9 Bull session with the freshmen
Every year, Shenzhen University organizes corresponding environmental volunteer activities in the group of teachers. When we learn about this, we feel that this is a volunteer activity closely related to the significance of SZU-China's project this year. Because the teachers of Shenzhen University have a vast knowledge reserve, we choose to inform the teachers of Shenzhen University of our ideas. At the same time, they understood the concept of synthetic biology. Then, they could develop new opportunities to include more people in shaping synthetic biology.We offered a theme for their environmental volunteer activities this year.
After that, SZU-China explained to the teachers about the harmfulness of Mikania micrantha, and we emphasized that it was an invasive plant. Then we suggested that the theme of this year's environmental volunteer activities could be the removal of Mikania micrantha. Then we recommended our applet to help teachers identify and remove the environmental volunteer activities Mikania micrantha, to better complete this environmental volunteer activity. Finally, the teachers adopted our proposal and carried out this year's environmental volunteer activities on the theme of eliminating Mikania micrantha.
Teachers carried out activities to remove plant killer Mikania micrantha and garbage in Yantian Binhai Greenway. They identified and labeled Mikania micrantha using the applet made by SZU-China, and then removed it to provide accurate data for the specific distribution of Mikania micrantha. The results of this activity collected 386 identification confirmations and saved 83 new coordinate points. We obtained many distribution data of Mikania micrantha.
This activity provided SZU-China with much data to understand the growth and distribution of Mikania micrantha and accumulated a lot of pictures and coordinate materials. It also made teachers understand the environmental harm caused by this invasive plant, Mikania micrantha.
Teachers were shocked to see the "horrible green" scenes of Mikania micrantha twining around various plants. They felt that it was tough to clean up the Mikania micrantha. It not only needed to remove the Mikania micrantha completely but also could not hurt its epiphytic plants. This job required a circle by circle to unravel the Mikania micrantha. Chrysanthemum is entangled and carefully separated from its epiphytes. Teachers also needed to pick out and collect the omitted Mikania micrantha to prevent its re-emergence. The teachers who involved in the cleaning up thought it was a significant environmental protection activity. After consultation, they decided to continue the theme of eliminating Mikania micrantha. They wanted to achieve the ecological balance of Shenzhen by keeping carrying out the environmental protection activities of eliminating Mikania micrantha. At the same time, they were very surprised by Micrancide. They are very optimistic about our product prospects and promise to help if we need help.
Fig.10 Collaboration request online
Fig.11 One of the E-mails from the publicMikania micrantha and using our applet
Fig.12 One of the E-mails from the public
We were surprised by the results and excited about the project that started this year but not ended this year. We look forward to more people participating in it, not only to help us, but also to help themselves and protect the local ecological environment.
Through this activity, more and more people understand the harm of Mikania micrantha, which is a step closer to our ultimate goal of "clearing the Mikania micrantha in China." We believe that the protection of the ecological needs the collective efforts of everyone, and hope that more and more people will join us and fight for our beautiful living environment. Let’s Fight GREEN for More Green!
In the process of CCiC communication, SYSU-CHINA Shenzhen-SFLS and SZU-China had the honor of communicating with each other. The three teams decided to work together to hold a lecture for senior high school students in Shenzhen Foreign Languages School.
The event was held at Shenzhen Foreign Languages School. Through publicizing the iGEM competition and the participating projects of various teams in 2019, more people will know and understand the iGEM competition and synthetic biology, and may even make efforts to this end in the future.
Before the beginning of the activity, we sent out a questionnaire to the students attending the lecture. This questionnaire mainly about whether they had a general understanding of synthetic biology and iGEM competition, their attitude towards synthetic biology, and some small questions about the content of each team. We can understand the level of understanding of them for this lecture toward this questionnaire.
Fig.13 Questionnaire Screenshot
Fig.14 Questionnaire Screenshot
Fig.15 Questionnaire Screenshot
At the beginning of this lecture, SZU-China introduced the project. Before this introduction, some students from Shenzhen Foreign Languages School did not have the corresponding knowledge base. Combining the questionnaire situation, SZU-China first explained the relevant knowledge of RNA and microRNAs to all the students present, to ensure that students can better understand our competitions. SZU-China has brought them the introduction of the gene silencing method for eliminating Mikania micrantha. Its main principle is to design the corresponding DNA sequence, then make it cyclized into cyclic DNA, and use it as a template to transcribe the corresponding shRNA. When shRNA enters Mikania micrantha, it will be cleaved into siRNA by Dicer in Micrantha micrantha cells.
Moreover, it can combine with the corresponding RNA to make it lose its function — the effect of gene silencing. After learning about SZU-China's project this year, the students of Shenzhen Foreign Languages School expressed their amazement at this ingenious molecular method. As residents of Shenzhen, they also have a profound understanding of the invasion of Mikania micrantha. They think that SZU-China's project this year is significant for the governance of Mikania micrantha in Shenzhen.
Then SYSU-CHINA introduced their project. This year, SYSU-CHINA used the microRNA expression profile to detect the prognosis of colon cancer and then used the oncolytic virus to identify and kill cancer cells. The experimental design constructs the required adenovirus vector through the design of the microRNA Sensor, the design of the microRNA target, the insertion of the reporter gene, the introduction of the Tet-on regulatory system, and the construction of adenovirus vector. And then predicts the effect of virus invasion through mathematical modeling. The final product is treated with a suppository from the colon and rectum and topical administration.
Finally, Shenzhen-SFLS, the host, brought us a method to produce bio glue based on mussel mucin. Mussel mucin was extracted from the foot silk gland of marine mussel and purified by industrial chromatography to obtain a single protein with high purity. It has the functions of promoting cell adherence and creeping, promoting wound healing, inhibiting pruritus, broad-spectrum adhesion, and forming a water-resistant protective film. Because of its high strength, degradability, toughness, waterproofing, non-toxicity, and biocompatibility, MFP can be used as an industrial wood adhesive instead of chemical glue, reducing the presence of harmful substances, natural analgesic: blocking the signal transmission between biological cells, etc.
After presenting all the projects, Shenzhen-SFLS brought us a brief introduction to iGEM competition. Shenzhen-SFLS gave a general introduction of the time of iGEM's establishment, the concept of communication, and the fields involved. Many students were very interested in it, and then asked us a lot about the content of the competition.
Fig.16 The Team Member of SYSU-CHINA was introducing iGEM
At the end of the whole lecture, we also sent out questionnaires to them again. The primary purpose is to know what they know about the competition of iGEM and their attitude towards the possible products of iGEM after listening to this lecture. The final results are surprising to us. Most people express their willingness to try to believe and accept iGEM projects.
After the lecture, we held a free talk salon to let them speak freely about our projects or iGEM competition. In this salon, we received Shenzhen-SFLS tea for us. In this happy atmosphere, we raised many questions, such as how to recognize Micrantha micrantha accurately with UAV, whether mussel mucin will be used in surgical suture after surgery. We felt that we were very interested in this lecture. In the salon, we also exchanged social accounts with some students who were extremely interested in iGEM, so that we could answer more questions for them later.
Fig.17 They Had Tea Prepared by Shenzhen-SFLS before Salon
Fig.18 We were Talking Freely in the Salon
This activity let more people know about the iGEM competition and the related content of synthetic biology. It extended synthetic biology to the high school students of Shenzhen Foreign Languages School, and let them have a comprehensive understanding of the project contents of SZU-China, SYSU-CHINA, and Shenzhen-SFLS. Not only that but also many high school students who attended the lecture expressed their interest in biology. In the future, they may choose to devote themselves to scientific research in the field of biology and make their contributions to synthetic biology and human beings.
SZU-China popularized the harm of Mikania micrantha and the necessity of our management in this lecture. It has received support from the high school students. Moreover, they were also willing to use our applet to identify Mikania micrantha, which provides some coordinates and data for the progress of our project.
SYSU-CHINA has popularized how their viruses act on cancerous cells and inhibit cancer, giving many people more confidence in the cure of cancer.
Shenzhen-SFLS has successfully promoted their project this year so that more people have more expectations about the application prospects of mussel mucin. They also publicized their team recruitment and encouraged more students from Shenzhen Foreign Languages School to join the Shenzhen-SFLS team by 2020.
Participants in this lecture had a comprehensive understanding of the iGEM competition and have a preliminary understanding of synthetic biology. Moreover, through the understanding of the three-team projects in 2019, many students have aroused their interest in synthetic biology. Some students said that they would go to the field of biology in the future to explore the mystery of life.
1. This lecture scheduled from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Students can not communicate with us more deeply because they have to go to class later. In the future, we will choose the time for both sides to give our lecture and answer more questions for those who are interested in our projects and iGEM competition.
2. The number of schools invited is relatively small, so we can not perceive more projects. In the future, we will invite more schools to participate in the lecture, which will bring them more exciting projects and answer more of their confusion.
Fig.19 The Photo of Salon
SZPT-China planned to hold an iGEM team member recruitment for their freshmen this year. Then, we built a collaboration. We wanted to introduce the iGEM competition, leading them to the wonders of synthetic biology. We all know that everything to these new-comers is full of mystery and unknowns. Most of them may be confused about their interests and future. Hence, we aimed to broaden their horizons and settle some of their confusion by holding this lecture.
We wanted to establish a two-way dialogue with the freshmen by discussing public values and the science behind synthetic biology. Hence, we decided to hold a bull session after the lecture. Everyone in this session could feel free to raise the questions, and then we would answer if we knew. Besides, we had prepared some booklets and materials on synthetic biology for them to have a deep understanding of our competition.
In the lecture, we took turns to introduce our projects this year for the freshmen. We talked about how the mechanism of RNA interference technology work in our project as well as the self-cracking mechanism inside the E. coli. Moreover, we showed our applet to them and demonstrated its usage. Most students fed back to us that it was useful but still had some bugs, which helped us to improve our applet. After introducing our products, SZPT-CHINA introduced the iGEM competition, which raised many students’ interests.
During the bull session, the freshmen were extremely active and asked us many questions. They asked us the application of Micrancide, the design of our drone, the mechanism of RNA interference technology, whether yogurt containing antihypertensive peptide will be digested by the intestine, and so forth. Besides, they also consulted the iGEM, so we showed them our previous wiki page, which they thought was extremely cool and showed great interest in it.
Throughout this activity, we showed the freshmen the world of iGEMers as well as synthetic biology and led them to explore more on this field. They told us that they were raring to join us and learn more about synthetic biology to contribute to science. Also, after discussing with them, we had a deep understanding of our projects. We hope that through everyone's efforts, synthetic biology and the iGEM competition can be well-known among more people. From what we have done, we are slowly approaching this goal, and hope that the future of synthetic biology will be brighter.
Fig.20 Lecture with SZPT-China
Fig.21 Bull session with the freshmen
We posted a request online and then were contacted by iGEMers from the ECUST_iGEM team. They told us that they found Mikania growing in Shanghai and wanted to cooperate with us to fight for more green. We were surprised that micrantha was invading Shanghai. It seemed that with the increasing global warming, Shanghai had become a city invaded by Mikania. We thought that through this cooperation, we could call on the public to participate in the investigation of Mikania micrantha from different cities. So we jointly held a photo contest of Mikania with ECUST_iGEM. At present, the best way to solve the problem is to make the public aware of the harm of Mikania micrantha. Through this photographic competition, the citizens could be aware of the harm of the invasive species on the local plants. While looking for Mikania micrantha, they gradually had a deeper understanding of alien plants, which improved the vigilance of the citizens to the alien species. Moreover, it could call on everyone to protect the local ecological environment and embrace the real green.
Fig.22 Collaboration request online
We sent the relevant competition notice through WeChat public account, and the students from the ECUST_iGEM team helped us forward it. At the same time, we introduced the usage of the applet, let the contestants identify through it to make sure that the photos taken are Mikania micrantha. At the same time, it provided us with the coordinates of different cities, through which we could roughly infer the invasion area of Mikania.
We received emails from all over China. Most of the contestants have written introductions for their photo works. At the same time, the background of our app has also received the positioning of many different cities. To our surprise, many of the location points come from cities that are not growing with Mikania micrantha in the literature. And many of the site coordinates of Mikania micrantha come from latitudes higher than its original distribution, which showed that global warming was very serious, and the greenhouse effect caused the distribution of Mikania micrantha to enlarged gradually.
This photographic competition not only let people all over the country know about this invasive plant, but also have a certain understanding of our project this year. What's more, this photography activity gave us a subversive understanding of our living environment and the distribution area of Mikania micrantha. Our living environment has deteriorated more seriously than we thought. We hoped all of us can be more vigilant, enhance the meaning of environmental protection, and strive to protect our homes.
Fig.23 One of the E-mails from the public
Fig.24 One of the E-mails from the public
Fig.25 Some photos shot by the public
