Education & Collaboration

1. Promote synthetic biology, breast cancer, and lab related knowledge through multiple social media platforms.

The discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, the decoding of the genetic code, the discovery of restriction endonucleases, the invention of PCR technology and a series of other major molecular biology achievements have given rise to genetic engineering technology and officially opened the door to synthetic biology. In today's era of surging technological waves, Synthetic Biology is emerging with an unstoppable momentum as the core force to rewrite the future. As a team composed of high school students, YiYe-China fully understands the significance of exploring various fields and the difficulty of making such an important decision.

Studies show that globally, breast cancer accounts for approximately one-third of all malignant tumors in women, and its mortality rate makes up about 15% of the total number of confirmed cases. Due to the complex interaction among multiple factors such as genetics, environment and lifestyle, the epidemiology of breast cancer varies greatly across regions. The incidence of breast cancer in high-income countries is usually higher than that in low - and middle-income countries.

However, because patients in high-income countries have better access to early screening and treatment, their mortality rates are often lower. Therefore, we realize that it is very important to enhance people's awareness of early breast cancer prevention. This is also the aim of our project. We have promoted our project on multiple social media platforms both at home and abroad.

We are a team consisting of professors, doctors and students passionate about biology. We not only have a solid background in biology, but also rich practical experience. Our goal is to utilize these resources to enhance people's understanding of diseases and health, prepare them for the occurrence of any disease, and lead a positive and optimistic life.

Thus, we devoted much effort to diminishing the learning barrier and information failure.  In the meantime, we were determined to invite more adolescents to enjoy the beauty of biology.  To expand our influence and increase the availability of knowledge (breaking the boundary between countries), we used four different social media, including WeChat, Rednote and Bilibili.

 

1.1 WeChat Official Account

According to statistical data, WeChat users have reached 1.37 billion worldwide. Therefore, we opened a WeChat official account of our team to promote our program. We published articles, photos, videos, etc., on synthetic biology and BC-relating knowledge through the WeChat official account to address health issues and support science popularization in China.

Figure 1. Frontpage of the WeChat official account of YiYe-China.

 

We held several promotional activities in high schools in various areas of China, including Beijing, Wuhan, etc. During these activities, we introduced our project to high school students. We’ve pointed out the seriousness of Breast Cancer, hoping to raise the audience’s awareness of early Breast Cancer diagnosis. We also released the interviews with professors and doctors and shared our thoughts on the account.

 

1.2 Bilibili Official Account

According to an article in Nature, a cancer diagnosis has experienced a younger trend. Therefore, we decided to open an official account on Bilibili, a popular platform among Chinese Gen-Zs.

Figure 2. Frontpage of the Bilibili official account of YiYe-China.

 

1.3 Rednote official account

 

We have also created our official Rednote account to release the progress of our work and popularize knowledge about breast cancer, helping people enhance their understanding, treatment and diagnosis of this disease. Our team member, Aoxiang Li, created a popular science brochure on methods for preventing breast cancer and posted it on this account.

Figure 3. Frontpage of the Rednote official account of YiYe-China.

 

2. Public Awareness

Although social media is a powerful way to promote scientific knowledge. But at the same time, we also hope to have "face-to-face" conversations with people. This not only improves communication efficiency but also enhances our deeper understanding of synthetic biology and breast cancer. Most importantly, we can directly communicate with people from different regions and languages around the world, promoting our project globally.

 

2.1 Culture Construction and Promotion

As a team, we designed our own logo and uniform. Our team logo contains three main elements. The first element is a mother rabbit and her child, which Symbolize connection, protection, and the impact of breast cancer on families. The pink ribbon is the symbol of universal breast cancer. It looks like a hug, representing safety and unity. At the bottom of the logo, the letter “I” represents our team’s name and also refers to the helix structure of DNA.

Figure 4. Our team’s logo and uniform.

 

We’ve also designed and printed booklets, posters and fans to promote our project and some related knowledge of Breast Cancer.

 

Figure 5. Education Booklets and Notebooks.

 

2.2 Hubu Lane in Wuhan, Hubei

Hubu Lane is a famous tourist attraction in Wuhan. This made it a perfect place for us to promote our project to more people. To make our project more memorable and attract more people, we designed fans that had our logos and printed posters. At Hubu lane, we set up our poster, distributed our fans, and explained our project to locals and tourists. The crowd learned facts about Breast Cancer prevention, realized the importance of on-time medical examinations, and became well-acquainted with our project.

Figure 6. The promoting activity in Hubu Lane, Hubei.

 

3. Collaborations

3.1 China’s IGEM Community CCIC conference

From August 5th to 7th, 2025, our team members went to Beijing to participate the 12th China iGEMer Community Conference (2025 CCiC Conference). We actively engage with the synthetic biology community. At the meeting, we fully presented our project and exchanged and shared with dozens of teams from all over the country.

Figure 7. Team members presented at the CCIC meeting.

 

During the project presentation session of the CCiC, the YiYe-China team led by YiYe Academy confidently showcased their meticulously prepared research project for the 2025 International iGEM Competition: A CRISPR/Cas9-based Knockout of TEAD4 Enhances Breast Cancer Therapy. Our team members presented the scientific background, innovative design ideas and comprehensive social practical considerations of the project to the participating teams through elaborately designed posters, clear and fluent speeches and detailed data. 

Figure 8. Team poster presented at the CCIC meeting.

 

During the CCiC meeting, we gave a detailed explanation of our poster to the team from XiJiao-Liverpool University team and had in-depth exchanges and connections with them about the project. And we promoted and exchanged ideas at their poster booth to learn from diverse perspectives and foster mutual understanding for Breast Cancer. 

Figure 9. We exchanged ideas with XJTLU team at the poster booth.

In the process of communication, we found that the projects of several universities overlap or have common concerns with our team's projects in research objects. Both of us shared the key technical experience of cell experiments and discussed the potential cooperation direction in the future.

 

3.2 Breast Health Exercises

To promote awareness of breast health, we have designed this set of educational exercises. The movements combine gentle stimulation of the breast area and foot reflexology points with lymphatic massage and full-body stretching, aiming to enhance lymphatic drainage and systemic blood circulation. We believe that maintaining healthy circulation is fundamental to overall wellness—a principle aligned with our team's commitment to advancing disease prevention through innovative biotechnology. Through this initiative, we hope to empower individuals to actively participate in their own health journey. The complete video can be obtained through the following link: “乳腺健康科普舞蹈”戚芷瑜 YiYe-China Health Education Dance Program_哔哩哔哩_bilibili

Figure 10. Breast health exercises.