I. Core Salon Content: Multi-University Project Sharing Showcasing Diverse Explorations in Biotechnology
The core segment of the salon involved project presentations from the iGEM teams of various universities. Each team, based on their respective research directions, provided a comprehensive presentation of cutting-edge explorations in the field of biotechnology, covering technical principles, practical results, and application value. The presentations included both hardcore technological breakthroughs and highly creative cross-disciplinary attempts.
(I) CAFA-BEIJING Team: R&D and Science Communication on Recombinant Collagen Peptides
As the initiator of the salon, the CAFA-BEIJING team led with a thematic presentation on the "Research, Development, and Application of Recombinant Collagen Peptides." The content was structured around the project's entire workflow, presented with clear logic and accessibility, allowing even audience members without a biology background to quickly grasp the core concepts.
In the section on project background and significance, the team pointed out that with the growing public demand for skin health and anti-aging, collagen peptides have become a popular ingredient in skincare and medical aesthetics. However, traditional collagen peptides face issues such as high extraction costs, insufficient purity, and low absorption efficiency. Recombinant collagen peptides, synthesized artificially through genetic engineering techniques, can not only address the pain points of traditional extraction but also allow for customized peptide chain structures tailored to different application scenarios, possessing both scientific research value and market potential.
During the segment on technological innovation and breakthroughs, the team highlighted key techniques in gene cloning and protein expression. By optimizing the vector construction scheme, they successfully introduced the target collagen gene into engineering bacteria, achieving high-efficiency protein expression.
In the experimental process and results section, the team used clear charts to demonstrate the complete experimental workflow—from gene amplification and engineering bacteria construction to protein induction expression, purification, and detection—and presented key data. Cell experiments showed that this recombinant collagen peptide could significantly promote the proliferation of skin fibroblasts, laying a solid foundation for subsequent applications.
Furthermore, the team specifically included a science communication segment on "Collagen Peptide Absorption Methods." By comparing the absorption differences between "large-molecule collagen" and "small-molecule collagen peptides," they explained in accessible language "why small-molecule peptides are more easily absorbed and utilized by the human body." This helped attendees and audience members establish a scientific understanding and avoid being misled by market misconceptions.
(II) University of Science and Technology Beijing Team: The "Visualization Revolution" of Nucleic Acid Sequences
The presentation by the iGEM team from the University of Science and Technology Beijing focused on their "Nucleic Acid Sequence Visualization" project. This project breaks through the limitations of biomolecules being "invisible and difficult to perceive," perfectly integrating rigorous genetic science with artistic design to deliver highly impactful innovative results.
The team first explained the core concept: gene sequences are composed of the four bases A, T, C, and G. Traditional sequence presentation methods involve monotonous character strings, making it difficult to intuitively reveal their inherent patterns and differences. By using programming techniques, they transformed base sequences into visual images and further applied these to physical product designs, bringing "genes" from the laboratory into daily life.
In the technical principles section, the presenter detailed the core algorithm for sequence conversion: Firstly, through "digital mapping" technology, the four bases A, T, C, and G are assigned corresponding numerical values. Then, based on the GC content differences in the gene sequence and combined with different initial offset values, base images for the RGB color channels are generated. Finally, the three color channel images are merged using the `Image.merge` technique to produce the final composite color image. The team specifically pointed out that since G/C base pairs form three hydrogen bonds, making them more stable than A/T base pairs (which form two hydrogen bonds), GC-rich regions generate "higher values" across multiple channels after encoding and conversion. Consequently, these regions appear as bright colors or even white in the final composite image. This characteristic not only enhances the image's distinctiveness but also subtly reflects the structural rules of the gene sequence.
During the results showcase, the team presented eye-catching physical products – scarves printed with colorful patterns derived from personal nucleic acid sequences (such as fragments of a participant's mitochondrial gene). Each scarf's pattern originates from a unique gene sequence, resulting in rich, layered colors that maintain scientific rigor while possessing high artistic and aesthetic value. The presenter indicated that such "bio-art derivatives" can not only serve as personalized accessories but also be applied in scientific research and teaching, helping students intuitively understand gene sequence differences and contributing to science communication, truly achieving the goal of integrating "research, teaching, and science outreach."
Furthermore, the team highlighted an innovation in sequencing technology: by optimizing sequencing primer design and signal detection methods, they can obtain gene sequence information more rapidly and accurately, providing high-quality data support for the subsequent visualization conversion. Their technical efficiency is approximately 30% higher compared to traditional sequencing methods, further underscoring the project's scientific and practical value.
(III) Lanzhou University Team: The Vision of Integrating AI and Biotechnology
Members of LZU-Medicine-China, drawing on their learning experience at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, used the theme "AI Empowering Biotechnology" to depict a future vision of interdisciplinary integration, offering teams present new technical perspectives and potential avenues for collaboration.
LZU-Medicine-China first pointed out that the current field of biotechnology faces challenges such as "large data volumes, complex analysis, and lengthy experimental cycles." For instance, gene sequencing generates massive amounts of data, making it difficult for traditional analysis methods to quickly extract key information. In drug development, screening candidate compounds requires repeated experiments, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. AI technologies (such as machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing) possess inherent advantages in data processing, model prediction, and process optimization. The integration of AI with biotechnology is poised to significantly enhance the efficiency and precision of biological research.
In the section on specific AI application scenarios, the presenter elaborated through multiple cases: In genetic research, AI can analyze vast genomic datasets to rapidly identify gene mutation sites associated with diseases, providing a basis for precision medicine. In the field of protein structure prediction, AI models can predict the three-dimensional structure of a protein based on its amino acid sequence, addressing the high cost and long duration associated with traditional experimental methods. During the experimental design phase, AI can simulate experimental processes and predict outcomes, helping researchers optimize their plans and reduce futile attempts.
LZU-Medicine-China also shared practical experience from a project they participated in, illustrating the integration of AI and biotechnology: The team used a deep learning model to perform correlation analysis between collagen peptide sequences and their functions, successfully predicting peptide chain structures with higher activity. This increased the efficiency of the experimental screening process by over 50%. This case study allowed the attending teams to appreciate the tangible value of interdisciplinary integration and provided a concrete direction for future collaboration.
