Contribution

We developed a modular platform using Npu-DnaE intein to bind sRAGE and allow flexible replacement of the sRAGE protein with antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) or other therapeutic proteins. This system aims to enhance wound healing in diabetic patients by enabling site-specific therapeutic delivery.
Inspired by the 2021 iGEM team CCU-Taiwan, which used a collagen-binding domain (CBD) from fibronectin to anchor proteins onto collagen, we improved upon this idea by replacing the fibronectin-derived CBD with the LRR5-7 domain of lumican, a matrix protein with superior collagen affinity. This innovation provides stronger and more stable anchoring of therapeutic proteins to the wound matrix, potentially increasing the efficacy of diabetic wound treatment.

Our contributions include:

• A new protein delivery scaffold utilizing intein-mediated splicing for targeted therapeutic release.[See the Composite parts]
• Improvement of the collagen-binding module from fibronectin-CBD to lumican-LRR5-7, experimental validation showing enhanced collagen affinity of our improved binding domain.[[See the Basic parts of CBD]]

Through extensive conversations with iGEM teams, we observed a common pattern of recurring challenges. Many teams lack familiarity with iGEM’s complex framework, struggle to access timely mentorship, and face issues with project organization and time management. Navigating critical elements, such as the wiki freeze, judging forms, safety requirements, and medal criteria, can become overwhelming without proper guidance.
These issues not only slow down progress but also increase stress and risk project abandonment. When energy is drained by procedural confusion, the true purpose of iGEM, advancing synthetic biology to make a real-world impact, can be lost.

To solve this, we asked a simple but powerful question: How can we make expert guidance accessible to every iGEM team?
The answer came in the form of a widely adopted tool, ChatGPT. By building a custom GPT specifically trained on the iGEM competition, we created an AI advisor capable of providing fast, accurate, and context-aware responses. Teams can ask a question and immediately receive clear, rule-aligned guidance, freeing up time to focus on creativity and innovation.

Our GPT was designed as a virtual mentor. It integrates:

• Official iGEM documents and judging criteria.
• Rule-aware compliance checking (e.g., ensuring presentation videos are ≤15 minutes or that attribution is properly credited)
• Deadline reminders (wiki freeze, judging form, safety form, etc.)
• Simplified, actionable guidance based on complex rule sets.

This empowers teams to confidently meet requirements while staying focused on the heart of their projects.

The method we used can be adapted by others. Here's a simple framework for reenacting a custom GPT for any purpose:

1. Define the Purpose: Identify the core problem(s) your GPT will help solve.
2. Curate the Knowledge Base: Collect resources (guidelines, expert content, case studies).
3. Integrate Domain-Specific Content: Load the GPT with tailored information (e.g., iGEM rules, teamwork strategies).
4. Customize the Role: Instruct it to act as a mentor, advisor, or peer.
5. Test and Iterate: Use it in real scenarios, identify gaps, and refine it.

Our custom GPT doesn’t just offer convenience, it creates access to mentorship, reduces procedural burden, and amplifies the core mission of iGEM. By shifting focus from administrative challenges to meaningful scientific work, this tool empowers iGEMers to innovate more boldly and complete more impactful projects. In doing so, we hope to foster a more inclusive, efficient, and purpose-driven iGEM community, one where every team has the tools they need to succeed. Visit our ChatGPT: iGEM Rulebook by CCU Taiwan