Team:JiangnanU China/Human Practices
Human Practices
Bacteriophage infection occurs accidentally under different circumstances, so we made field
investigations among several fermentation industries and got some anti-phage strategies from
experts. We incorporated their suggestions into our design to make it easier and more economical for
industrial application. We optimized it with mathematical model according to the weight data given
by experts, making it more valuable in manufacture practice.
Despite some traditional education activities like science popularization among kids and science day in community, which were direct output to the public, we have organized some other heated activities to get people involved in synthetic biology. We held a heated debate between students from Biotechnology and Humanities School on GM technology, and organized a moot court with students of Law School based on a hypothetical case about “biosecurity accident”. To sum up, the safety, legality and economy of Biotechnology should be fully considered.
Despite some traditional education activities like science popularization among kids and science day in community, which were direct output to the public, we have organized some other heated activities to get people involved in synthetic biology. We held a heated debate between students from Biotechnology and Humanities School on GM technology, and organized a moot court with students of Law School based on a hypothetical case about “biosecurity accident”. To sum up, the safety, legality and economy of Biotechnology should be fully considered.
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Integrated Human Practice
Dupont
“It might be a new application on anti-phage battlefield"
Dupont, founded in 1802, is a scientific enterprise that provides world-class scientific and engineering capabilities to global markets with innovative products, materials and services to help address global challenges.
Dupont, founded in 1802, is a scientific enterprise that provides world-class scientific and engineering capabilities to global markets with innovative products, materials and services to help address global challenges.
Why did we approach them?
In order to make our fresh ideas more suitable for the application in the factory, it's necessary to go beyond the lab. We want to understand the feasibility and practical application value of our project, thus we consult the engineer Sun Jian.
In order to make our fresh ideas more suitable for the application in the factory, it's necessary to go beyond the lab. We want to understand the feasibility and practical application value of our project, thus we consult the engineer Sun Jian.
What did we learn?
Engineer Sunjian kindly showed us the whole fermentaion process, but the actual production environment was quite different from what we imaged. We got the inspiration about the kill switch from engineer Sun. Because the light intensity changes greatly when in the fermentor, so It's better to use a light-induced kill switch. We applied this idea into our biosecurity design in case of genetic modified organism strain release.
Engineer Sunjian kindly showed us the whole fermentaion process, but the actual production environment was quite different from what we imaged. We got the inspiration about the kill switch from engineer Sun. Because the light intensity changes greatly when in the fermentor, so It's better to use a light-induced kill switch. We applied this idea into our biosecurity design in case of genetic modified organism strain release.
What's more, he also mentioned that it's a very interesting idea to use phage-bacteria
interaction
to prevent bacteria from phage instead of cultural rotation. And our biobricks can be uesd in
the
sewage bio-treatment which has more access to phages and will be time/money consuming.
UNION&Hengyuan
"Most of the current methods are to prevent, but usually they are cumbersome."
UNION，the largest citric acid fermentation company of China；Hengyuan member of China biological fermentation industry association.
UNION，the largest citric acid fermentation company of China；Hengyuan member of China biological fermentation industry association.
Why did we approach them?
To understand current approaches to the prevention and control of phage infection in Chinese fermentation industries，we chose factory in different production scale.
To understand current approaches to the prevention and control of phage infection in Chinese fermentation industries，we chose factory in different production scale.
What did we learn?
We went to China's largest citric acid fermentation company UNION, and a local fermentation factory Hengyuan, and have an access to their fermentation process. Consulting the workers and engineers，here are the main approaches：
· Screening of anti-phage strains every half month
· Improving production conditions
· Reduce live bacteria emissions
We went to China's largest citric acid fermentation company UNION, and a local fermentation factory Hengyuan, and have an access to their fermentation process. Consulting the workers and engineers，here are the main approaches：
· Screening of anti-phage strains every half month
· Improving production conditions
· Reduce live bacteria emissions
All the methods have limitation：tiring and money consuming，besides，Phage infection is fast, but the
testing process is tedious. Once infected by phage, the only solution was to give up this fermentor.
Thus, we come up with an idea that insert gfp and mCherry into the genetic circuit, thus we have a
report device, it will save lot of time to do the texting work which can be money saving.
Aminowill
"If you guys want to apply your strain on fermentation industry, you must test it and make it fit for
manufacture."
Aminowill，one of the largest amino acid producers in China.
Aminowill，one of the largest amino acid producers in China.
Why did we approach them?
After we initially constructed the anti-phage strain, we wanted to see if it could actually be applied in fermentation factories. So we went to the plant and conducted with the engineer Jianfei Ning there to get their insights on the future of the anti-phage strain.
After we initially constructed the anti-phage strain, we wanted to see if it could actually be applied in fermentation factories. So we went to the plant and conducted with the engineer Jianfei Ning there to get their insights on the future of the anti-phage strain.
What did we learn?
Engineer Ning told us that the most important thing for the enterprise is the economic benefit. For example: the cost of replacing the strain, the stability of the strain in the later stage and the effect on product quality. So we decided to use a mathematical model to evaluate which strain is more suitable for production. After returning to school, we established the GRA model and conducted the preliminary operation of the program with some parameters provided by the factory.
Engineer Ning told us that the most important thing for the enterprise is the economic benefit. For example: the cost of replacing the strain, the stability of the strain in the later stage and the effect on product quality. So we decided to use a mathematical model to evaluate which strain is more suitable for production. After returning to school, we established the GRA model and conducted the preliminary operation of the program with some parameters provided by the factory.
EPPEN
“We are looking forward to the day when the strain is applied in normal fermentation production”
EPPEN，one of the top three enterprises in China's fermentation industry and one of the top 500
private enterprises in China's manufacturing industry.
Why did we approach them?
Because the competition time is just one year, but there is still a long way to go before the actual application of the project. We want to seek cooperation from enterprises, in order to get feedback for our project after iGEM, and finally achieve the purpose of really applying it to the daily fermentation production in the factories.
Because the competition time is just one year, but there is still a long way to go before the actual application of the project. We want to seek cooperation from enterprises, in order to get feedback for our project after iGEM, and finally achieve the purpose of really applying it to the daily fermentation production in the factories.
What did we learn?
Luckily, we have an opportunity to go to EPPEN and reached a willingness to cooperate. In the future, our anti-phage strain will be applied in the production of β-aminobutyric acid. They are willing to provide us with the data from the fermentation process, which would help us further improve the bacteriophage resistant strains.
Luckily, we have an opportunity to go to EPPEN and reached a willingness to cooperate. In the future, our anti-phage strain will be applied in the production of β-aminobutyric acid. They are willing to provide us with the data from the fermentation process, which would help us further improve the bacteriophage resistant strains.
Public Engagement
Moot Court
As a newly emerging subject, synthetic biology has a broad application prospect in the field of life
science in the future. However, we can not ignore security and ethical issues that synthetic biology
involves. All the researchers should take responsibility and think about how we can utilize
biological
technology to make our life a better future under the premise of avoiding safety and ethnical
issues.
In June, we exchanged ideas with professors and students in the Law School in Jiangnan
University and organized a moot court together discussing the case of biology security. On one hand, our
team members can master the legal knowledge related with biotechnology. On the other hand, we can
introduce
the knowledge of synthetic biology to students majoring in other subjects through communication with
each
other.
Finally, we found that the current law can not regulate the application of biological technology due to the lag of legislation itself and legislators' lack of knowledge about biotechnology.
For science like biotechnology, there is an important choice between raising standards to avoid the security and ethnical problems and lowering standards to satisfy the current development need. After the event, we discussed on the topic again and got some ideas in our minds.
Finally, we found that the current law can not regulate the application of biological technology due to the lag of legislation itself and legislators' lack of knowledge about biotechnology.
For science like biotechnology, there is an important choice between raising standards to avoid the security and ethnical problems and lowering standards to satisfy the current development need. After the event, we discussed on the topic again and got some ideas in our minds.
Debate
As a new life science, synthetic biology has broad prospects, but also faces many questions.
Whether the techniques involved in synthetic biology are reliable? Whether genetically modified food will
cause harm to human body? Whether transgenic products will have an unknown impact on humans? Whether gene
editing could have serious consequences in humans……These problems are facing us.
In order to improve students' understanding and thinking about the importance of ethical and safety
issues related to biotechnology, on October 13, JiangnanU_China team and the debate team of jiangnan
university's school of bioengineering jointly held a debate competition with the topic "Gene editing tecchnology -
Angel or Devil".
During the debate competition, eight debaters from both sides expressed their opinions and carried out the attack and defense based on different viewpoints. They cited many examples of the application of biotechnology and also imagined the application of biotechnology in the future, contributing to a wonderful and intense competition for everyone.
After the competition, the judges of the debate competition also gave excellent comments, and the students watching the competition also actively discussed. Students' positive thinking and debate also reached the original intention of our debate competition.
As responsible iGEMers, we believe that it is the responsibility of every scientific researcher to think comprehensively and rigorously about the safety and ethical issues involved in biotechnology. Before carrying out experimental work, researchers should weigh the pros and cons, improve their moral level, restrict their behavior and shoulder more responsibilities, so as to avoid the negative effects brought by biotechnology to the greatest extent, so that synthetic biology can bring benefits to human beings to the greatest extent in the future and promote the peace and stability of human society.
During the debate competition, eight debaters from both sides expressed their opinions and carried out the attack and defense based on different viewpoints. They cited many examples of the application of biotechnology and also imagined the application of biotechnology in the future, contributing to a wonderful and intense competition for everyone.
After the competition, the judges of the debate competition also gave excellent comments, and the students watching the competition also actively discussed. Students' positive thinking and debate also reached the original intention of our debate competition.
As responsible iGEMers, we believe that it is the responsibility of every scientific researcher to think comprehensively and rigorously about the safety and ethical issues involved in biotechnology. Before carrying out experimental work, researchers should weigh the pros and cons, improve their moral level, restrict their behavior and shoulder more responsibilities, so as to avoid the negative effects brought by biotechnology to the greatest extent, so that synthetic biology can bring benefits to human beings to the greatest extent in the future and promote the peace and stability of human society.
Heated debate
Community
Our team members came to the community to carry out some activities for dissemination of science. We
introduced the knowledge of microbiology to young kids by doing some relevant games and sent them
presents such as bookmarks and postcards afterwards. Besides, we explained our project to people by
showing our panel and poster and taught them about the application of synthetic biology in daily
life.
We tried our best to popularize the basic knowledge of synthetic biology because we wanted it more than
just be a subject studied in the lab but a technology that can be accepted by public and make our life a
better future.
Kindergarten
We went to the kindergarten and shared a pleasant and meaningful morning with the children there.
We made an elaborate powerpoint and a video to explain the concept of what is virus and what results can
virus bring to human bodies to young kids, and stressed the importance of personal hygiene to the kids.
After that, we encouraged children to use their imagination and draw the images of virus in their minds.
We also helped them finish the puzzle that has an image of virus .
The children took an active part in the activity and showed strong interests in the knowledge we taught them. Even though they might not have a deep understanding of synthetic biology, they can still learn something from this activity. What’s more, we got a profound understanding during the process of preparing this activity.
The children took an active part in the activity and showed strong interests in the knowledge we taught them. Even though they might not have a deep understanding of synthetic biology, they can still learn something from this activity. What’s more, we got a profound understanding during the process of preparing this activity.
Academic Exchange 5.29
Professor Chun Li，the director of the 2018 gold medal team from Beijing institute of technology came
to our school for an academic exchange. He expounded his view on synthetic biology profoundly. At
the same time, after each team displayed, he reviewed one by one and made the project optimization
of overall. And he also gave us some useful advices on our team building about how to select team
members and how to discover personal potential.
Synbio Lecture Week6.19-6.23
As a brand-new iGEM team, we attended the synbio lecture week held by our school during the summer
holiday.
There we listened to lectures given by foreign experts in synthetic biology, and tried to get some inspirations. We consulted the professor about our experimental problems: the effect of the anti-protein AbpA and AbpB we had searched from papers now was not very good. The professor advised us to get mutant strains and screening anti-protein by ourselves. After this lecture week, we developed the program of screening experiment and implemented it.
There we listened to lectures given by foreign experts in synthetic biology, and tried to get some inspirations. We consulted the professor about our experimental problems: the effect of the anti-protein AbpA and AbpB we had searched from papers now was not very good. The professor advised us to get mutant strains and screening anti-protein by ourselves. After this lecture week, we developed the program of screening experiment and implemented it.
Meet up
Jilin Meetup7.20
All iGEMers are supposed to achieve more in collaboration with each other, so here comes our Jilin
meetup. Jilin_China and JiangnanU_China made a meetup and had invited members from NJTech_China,
NEU_CHINA and NEFU to participate in.
Opening ceremony&Presentation
At the opening ceremony, each team will introduce their team and project in turn, including the
background, principle, system, parts and HP of each team's project. Each team will have 30min to share.
Panel session
The next day we brainstormed. We got together and put forward our ideas on synthetic biology and the
project, and we had a heated discussion. The team, Jilin_China, suggested us to apply the heat-sensitive
suicide mechanism in our project, which is more suitable for using in fermentation tanks. Previously, we
were thinking about an optically controlled suicide switch.
The end
This short but rich meetup gave us new ideas and made new friends on iGEM's way. We have established a
cooperative relationship with Jilin_China and formulated a specific cooperation plan in the future. And
We later visited the campus of Jilin university.
This is our schedule:
This is our schedule:
The email
To verify authenticity, this is an email we send to other teams after meetup, which can also
be seen on other teams' wikis.
CCiC
On August 20, 2019, the 6th international genetic engineering machine competition (iGEM) CCiC
(Conference of China iGEMer Community) was held in the institute of synthetic biology, shenzhen
institute of advanced technology, Chinese academy of sciences.
Eight members of our team attended the meeting, which lasted for 4 days. We got to know many
excellent iGEMers, benefited from their presentations, posters and some project ideas, and we also
provided some inspiration for
other iGEMers during the poster presentation. After seeing our project, the judges suggested that we can
combined the two anti-proteins to enhance the effect. They proposed the guidance that was relevant to
our project and we enjoyed the process of knowledge collision.
We also established cooperative relationship with OUC-China. They found us with a picture of their abnormal mediums, and let us help them figure out if they were infected by the phage. They also asked us about ways to prevent phage contamination in the lab. Thus, we made the Laboratory Safety Booklet，hoping to help more teams.
We also established cooperative relationship with OUC-China. They found us with a picture of their abnormal mediums, and let us help them figure out if they were infected by the phage. They also asked us about ways to prevent phage contamination in the lab. Thus, we made the Laboratory Safety Booklet，hoping to help more teams.
iGEM Shanghai Reginal Conference4.13
Our team went to Shanghai to participate in the conference, in which Dorothy attended, ambassador of Asia
region, in NYU Shanghai. There were 13 teams participated in, some of them introduced the 2018 iGEM
competition content and briefly explained the 2019 project ideas and achievements.
At this meeting, we exchanged ideas and shared project inspiration with other teams.
At this meeting, we exchanged ideas and shared project inspiration with other teams.
