Reflection
For iGEM:
We are committed to promoting iGEM's sustainable development and expanding its influence.
In the lab, we designed and shared the genetic codes for TurboPETase and β-CGTase. This provides a basic resource for future teams. We also developed a new way to detect cyclodextrin, which is more reliable and sensitive. It can quickly create a standard curve using a common fluorescence spectrometer. It offers a convenient and efficient tool for cyclodextrin research, helping iGEM technology grow in the future.
Outside the lab, we actively held talks and roadshows. We shared the iGEM idea with the public, especially young people, to raise awareness. We also paid special attention to including underrepresented groups. We organized inclusive activities to ensure everyone can join in scientific exploration equally. This highlights the spirit of inclusion that iGEM values, spreading its core value further.
For the Country and Society:
Our project focuses on everyday life. It tackles the common problem of PET plastic and kitchen waste. By efficiently breaking down these wastes and turning them into valuable glowing materials, our solution does two things. It reduces environmental pressure and recycles resources for economic benefit. This approach offers a new, practical option for waste management worldwide, in both developed and developing countries. It helps improve people's lives, advance society, and support our country's sustainable development.
For the BUCT-China 2025 Project:
This year, with the team's hard work and outside help, we completed the project successfully. We achieved important milestones. However, there is still room for improvement in a few areas:
First, in terms of enzyme engineering, our optimization of CGTase and PETase still relied primarily on conventional approaches. Future efforts could be substantially augmented by incorporating computational-aided design and machine learning methods to improve the efficiency of predicting and enhancing enzyme activity and stability.
Second, regarding the production of phosphorescent materials, although starch and rice were employed as complex substrates to simulate real waste streams, the direct use of raw waste plastics and food residues has not yet been achieved, leaving a gap toward practical application.
These points show us where we can improve and focus future research.
Although we talked to many experts in business development and got valuable advice, our team hasn't yet built a complete business model. Looking ahead, we will keep exploring. We aim to build a business path that is both sustainable and profitable. This will make our idea be reality so that it can truly benefit society and serve more people.
For BUCT-China:
BUCT-China 2025 was made up of four core teams: the lab team, the human practices (HP) team, the wiki team, and the design team. Throughout the project, each team had clear roles. Everyone worked together with a strong sense of responsibility and teamwork. Every member's contribution was essential.
Compared to 2024, our team has improved significantly in project completion and professional skills. We also clearly see that we can work together better across teams. To improve this, in the future, we can hold regular meetings and structured discussions. We will also start systematic training for team members earlier, leaving more time for later work. This will enhance our team's efficiency and project quality.
Finally, we sincerely thank all the students and partner organizations who supported us. Their valuable help was a key part of our success. We express our deepest gratitude to them.
Personal Growth:
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Throughout our iGEM journey, our team's collaborative spirit grew stronger. We learned to work together more effectively, uniting under a shared goal. The sense of achievement we felt when making progress as a group was incredible and deeply rewarding.
Embracing the iGEM Spirit
Our perspective has broadened significantly. Initially focused mostly on the lab work, participating in Human Practices (HP) showed us how to view a project holistically. We now better understand and identify with the core values of iGEM, appreciating its emphasis on integrating science with societal needs.
Personal Development (Team member said)
We have experienced the unique appeal of synthetic biology firsthand. Through comprehensive lab training and conversations with leading professors, we explored its vast potential that starts from a single gene. iGEM provided the perfect platform for this. It taught me that a strong student is not just an inheritor of knowledge, but also a carrier of the scientific spirit.
