The experiments were based on Biobits Explorer¹, which we adapted to fit with our project. We started by expressing sfGFP into OnePot PURE which allowed us to teach them about protein expression, as well as cell-free systems. Then, we isolated DNA from banana and strawberry, this simple experiment taught them about DNA and cell lysis. The last experiment was to amplify the banana DNA by RPA, they learned how DNA amplification works and how RPA differs from PCR.

The feedback was very positive, the students were happy to have some independence in their experiments and to observe fluorescent proteins. It was also an enriching experience for us, as it was our first time working as a team and performing in front of an audience. It highlighted our strength and areas of improvement in presentation skills.

As an iGEM team, we presented our project to the public. It was an amazing experience for us as we learned to adapt our speech according to the person's knowledge in biology. Overall, we had very good feedback. The people were interested in our project, as it targets a specific problem: grapevine diseases. They understood how our solution could be applicable in the field and many suggested we turned our project into a startup.

Swissnex is a Swiss scientific network located all around the world. Swissnex Boston contacted all the Swiss iGEM teams (ETH Zurich, UZurich, UniGE and ourselves) to present their project. It is a big opportunity for our team as it will allow us to create a network of investors and possibly continue our project if we want to make a startup out of it.

EPFL organizes two information days dedicated to high schoolers. They will have the opportunity to discover the different study fields that our university has to offer, which will help them choose their paths. We will present the iGEM competition, introduce them to synthetic biology and explain our project, hoping it will inspire these young minds to participate in it in the future.