Human Practices

In iGEM, projects are about more than just science — it's about responsibility. Human Practices ask us to look beyond the lab and think critically about how our project fits into the real world. How does it impact people, ecosystems, laws, and infrastructure? What challenges might it solve, and what new ones could it create? Human Practices help teams make informed, thoughtful decisions by integrating ethics, policy, public needs, and sustainability into the design process.

We believe our project addresses a very important issue, and we aimed to examine it from multiple perspectives. Throughout the project, we explored the problem and its potential solutions. We researched legislation on wastewater treatment and lithium battery life cycles and consulted experts in the field to optimize our Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) design. To raise awareness and engage with the local communities our team conducted multiple outreach activities: international summer school, workshops during fairs and science festival, infosessions about study opportunities in synthetic biology in Estonia and abroad.

Wastewater and Lithium Regulation and Legislation in Estonia and the European Union

Our project is focused on developing a yeast-based microbial fuel cell (MFC): a bio-battery that can simultaneously generate electricity and treat wastewater. The project's main objective is to utilize natural yeast metabolic pathways in order to create a biocompatible setup that would be able to produce renewable energy by using wastewater as an energy source. For successful realisation of our idea and potential future integration of the MFC into publicly available wastewater treatments methods, it is crucial to take into account laws and legislations regarding wastewater regulation in Estonia and the European Union..

Renewable energy and wastewater treatment are major environmental and policy challenges across Estonia and the European Union. While traditional wastewater treatment techniques are primarily based on 3 types of processes: mechanical, physical, and biological that require intense energy input, much of which is derived from non-renewable sources, leading to high electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The latest Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive mandates tighter treatment standards, inclusion of nutrient and micropollutant removal, and targets for energy neutrality in treatment plants by 2045.

In Estonia, many large wastewater treatment facilities have adopted some advanced features (for example, the Paljassaare plant is installing a combined heat and power system using biogas to cut electricity usage by nearly 50 % and using produced energy for its own needs, tallinnavesi.ee). However, smaller municipalities often lack financial or technical capacity to upgrade infrastructure or implement more efficient technologies.

Furthermore, since the turn of the millennium, with the rise of dependence of global economies and societies on portable electrical devices, we have become increasingly reliant on Li-ion batteries. Yet, even though their use might seem reasonable and practical, extraction of their core component, lithium, from various ores causes severe damage to the environment. The particular problem regarding mining concerns pollution of clean water, which is yet another critical resource that is becoming scarcer. As an increasing number of people lack access to clean water, the limitations on this fundamental human resource are causing an increasing number of deaths every year. [1] Yet management of supply of clean and fresh water also requires a lot of electrical energy, with up to 5% of electricity produced worldwide being utilized for wastewater treatment. [2]

In order to secure responsible lithium sourcing and limit the effects of its mining on local communities, European Union parliament adopted a regulation in 2023 concerning sourcing and recycling lithium batteries. [3] In particular, this regulation stresses the importance of recycling materials such as lithium in order to be less reliant on sources outside of the EU for them. Furthermore, one of the longstanding strategies of the EU concerns reliance on recycling of materials and this type of aim was reemphasized by the regulation on lithium batteries.

Taking into account the information above, it can be concluded that the demand for innovative “green” alternatives remains high, particularly for low-cost systems that can be installed in remote areas that can help Estonia meet its obligations under the new EU rules and reduce environmental impacts such as nutrient runoff and eutrophication of the Baltic Sea.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a promising dual solution: they can degrade pollutants in wastewater and simultaneously produce bioelectricity. In Estonia, nearly 99 % of urban wastewater is already treated under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) using biological processes including nitrogen and phosphorus removal (https://water.europa.eu/freshwater/countries/uwwt/estonia). However, smaller municipalities often struggle to adopt energy-efficient or novel technologies due to limited resources. Nutrient runoff (nitrogen, phosphorus) remains a key driver of eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. A yeast-based microbial battery could provide a low-cost, decentralized option for these rural communities, helping them meet stricter future standards (including new rules requiring micropollutant removal under the revised UWWTD entering force in 2025, https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/new-rules-urban-wastewater-management-set-enter-force-2024-12-20_en ).

Consultations with experts

During the early stages of developing our battery cells, we consulted with environmental and electrochemistry experts at the University of Tartu. Dr. Ivar Zekker and Dr. Marek Mooste are research fellows in colloidal and environmental chemistry. They gave crucial technical advice, especially on electrode material selection, membrane performance, and experimental setup. They also supplied essential components including carbon felt electrodes and Nafion cation exchange membranes. In addition, Dr. Heiki Erikson and Prof. Kaido Tammeveski offered insights on materials characterization and catalysis, helping us refine our cell design.

Renno Raudmäe is a junior research fellow in computer engineering at the University of Tartu. Although his primary research focus is in robotics, he has strong experience in mechanical and hardware engineering. In our project, we had a series of discussions about material selection and the manufacturing process for prototyping. He prepared acrylic parts for our cells day and night, and helped us achieve functional microbial fuel cells.

Bohdan Fastnakht is an enthusiastic chemistry student. He won a gold medal in the International Chemistry Olympiad, and a silver medal as a member of the Ukrainian team. His great knowledge and experience in electrochemistry has helped us develop our microbial fuel cells, ranging from preparing chemicals to even cutting electrodes.

Summer school

Synthetic Biology and its Applications / Summer School 2025
Photos made by: Undercliff Creative

The international summer school “Synthetic Biology and its Applications”, coordinated by Assoc. Prof. Ilona Faustova, was held at the Institute of Bioengineering from 28 July to 7 August 2025. The course brought together high school and bachelor students, offering them both theoretical insight into the main branches of synthetic biology and critical reflection on its ethical implications.

Students explored the main branches of synthetic biology, along with its potential drawbacks and ethical considerations. In the laboratory, students practiced a wide range of techniques, including molecular cloning (Golden Gate assembly and digest/ligate cloning), PCR, DNA gel electrophoresis, bacterial and yeast transformations, and DNA extraction. They also learned about sequencing methods (Sanger sequencing), Western blotting, live-cell fluorescent microscopy, and FACS analysis.

Beyond technical skills, the course highlighted the importance of responsible research, showing students how synthetic biology is not only about innovation but also about addressing ethical questions.

Learn more about the summer school and Educational activities on our page.

Workshops

Workshop in Narva

As part of our Human Practices activities, our team organized interactive science workshops in Narva, designed to make molecular biology and chemistry accessible and engaging for the local community. The aim was to spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and demonstrate how science connects to everyday life.

DNA extraction. Participants learned how to isolate DNA using simple household materials such as salt, detergent, and alcohol. By breaking down cell membranes, filtering the solution, and precipitating DNA, they were able to see strands of banana DNA with their own eyes. This experiment emphasized that DNA - the basis of life - is tangible and can be explored with simple tools outside a laboratory setting.

Chromatography flowers. In this hands-on experiment, participants explored chromatography - a method used to separate mixtures. Using coffee filters, markers, and water, they watched pigments separate into colorful patterns, which were then transformed into handmade paper “flowers.” This activity combined science with creativity, showing how chemical principles can be applied in fun and artistic ways.

Cells under the microscope. Participants examined two separate microscopic slides – one containing stomata from a green leaf and the other containing blood cells – under a microscope. They learned to handle the microscope properly, focus on the samples, and observe the structures in detail.

Through this hands-on experience, visitors were able to identify stomata openings in plant leaves and explore the shape and arrangement of red blood cells. The activity provided a direct way to see the differences between plant and animal cells, understand cellular organization, and appreciate the complexity of living organisms at the microscopic level.

Through these workshops, we not only shared knowledge but also created an inclusive space where participants of all ages could interact with science in a playful and memorable way.

Researcher's Night in Tartu

“Mystical DNA” interactive workshop. On 26 September 2025, the Institute of Bioengineering participated in the European Researchers' Night by opening its doors to the public with an interactive workshop entitled “Mystical DNA.” The activity invited visitors to step into the role of scientists and help solve a laboratory mix-up, as several DNA samples had lost their labels and needed to be identified.

Participants were introduced to the concept of restriction enzymes, often referred to as “molecular scissors,” and learned how they cut DNA at specific recognition sites. Visitors prepared their own restriction reactions, incubated the DNA, and then analyzed the fragments by gel electrophoresis. Through this process, they could match fragment patterns to known plasmids and restore the DNA database.

The experiment was designed to highlight key molecular biology principles, including how negatively charged nucleic acids migrate in an electric field, why fragment size affects movement in the gel, and how restriction mapping is used to distinguish between DNA constructs. By presenting synthetic biology in an engaging, game-like format, we enabled the public, especially younger participants, to gain hands-on insight into scientific methods, understand the importance of accuracy in research, and experience the excitement of discovery.

ROBOTEX

The Science & Technology Bachelor's program took part in the Robotex event by conducting a one-day DNA workshop for school-aged children and their parents. The workshop provided a hands-on introduction to basic molecular biology techniques and sparked active engagement from participants of various ages. The high level of curiosity and enthusiasm demonstrated by the attendees highlighted the importance of early exposure to science and the role such outreach plays in promoting STEM education.

Infosessions

Riga Skola 2025 (21.02-23.02.2025)

From February 21 to 23, 2025, representatives from our iGEM team participated in the Riga Skola 2025 Education Fair in Riga, Latvia. The event attracted a diverse group of students interested in exploring higher education opportunities abroad. Visitors to our booth expressed significant interest in the Science & Technology Bachelor's program, the Bioengineering Master's program, admission procedures, and the overall student experience in Tartu. Applicants from Latvia consistently show strong interest in these programs and look forward to our presence at various information sessions, as many aim to apply.

STUDIA Education Fair in Helsinki

In November, we visited the annual STUDIA Education Fair in Helsinki, Finland. The event attracted a high number of high school students exploring international study opportunities. Many visited the University of Tartu stand to inquire about the structure of the Science & Technology program, the application process, and student life in Tartu.