Overview
“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” ——Gro Harlem Brundtland
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations in 2015 aim to address key global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change by 2030, covering the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The core goals include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring quality education and universal health care, achieving gender equality, promoting clean energy and economic growth, reducing inequality, building sustainable cities, responding to climate change, and protecting marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Achieving these goals requires collaborative efforts from countries, enterprises, and individuals to jointly build an inclusive and sustainable future.
What Goals Have We Decided to Achieve This Year?
Our project is closely related to SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG4 (Quality Education), SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG10 (Reducing Inequality), SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG17 (Promoting Partnerships for Achieving the Goals). Our project begins with a high-yield lipopeptide engineering strain as the starting strain, and uses synthetic biology strategies to reconfigure the Fengycin synthase of Bacillus bellespum. First, through CRISPR-Cas9 to delete the competing lipopeptide synthesis cluster and optimize the metabolic flux. Then innovatively reconfigure the spatial position of the key subunit FenE of the Fengycin synthase, replace the COM communication domain, and construct an efficient new lipopeptide synthesis pathway to achieve targeted synthesis and yield improvement of new lipopeptides. Subsequently, we will screen and optimize high antibacterial activity lipopeptide variants, and ultimately construct intelligent microbial pesticides with high yield. These will contribute to "increased agricultural production" and "halving chemical pesticides", providing a biological technology solution for sustainable agricultural development.
SDG2
“The war against hunger is truly mankind's war of liberation.” ——John F. Kennedy
Why Is It SDG2?
The agricultural crisis is an important factor that cannot be ignored in the issue of global hunger. According to UN data, each year, losses of crops due to plant diseases exceed 220 billion US dollars, greatly affecting the grain output and tightening the food supply, leaving more people threatened by hunger. When dealing with diseases, traditional chemical pesticides have their drawbacks. On one hand, 65% of them are ineffective, meaning a large amount of pesticides are wasted. On the other hand, they are difficult to degrade and will pollute soil, water sources, etc., damaging the agricultural ecological environment. In the long run, this is not conducive to the sustainable development of agriculture and stable grain output. Increasing crop yields and global agricultural productivity is urgent. This not only can increase food supply and alleviate hunger, but also reduce reliance on harmful traditional chemical pesticides, fundamentally guarantee food security, and help alleviate the global hunger crisis.
Long-term Impact of HBUT-China
The intelligent microbial pesticide system we have developed has the potential to promote the transformation of agricultural production models in the long run. Its low toxicity and environmentally friendly characteristics can reduce chemical pesticide residues, protect the ecological environment of soil and water sources, and contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture. Additionally, this system enables large-scale production of new lipopeptides, which can stably ensure the effective control of crop diseases, provide technical support for global food security, and also drive the application of biotechnology in the agricultural field. This creates new directions for the development of related industries and serves the goals of "halving chemical pesticides" and ensuring long-term food security.
Our Solution
Our project addresses the reduction in crop yields caused by agricultural diseases and the drawbacks of chemical pesticides. Based on high-yield strains, we use CRISPR-Cas9 to delete the competing lipopeptide synthesis cluster to optimize metabolism, reconstruct the Fengycin synthase to increase lipopeptide production and function. The selected high-antibacterial activity lipopeptide variants can effectively manage crop diseases, replace some traditional chemical pesticides, reduce waste utilization and environmental pollution, and at the same time promote grain yields. This offers a biological technology solution for addressing the agricultural ecology and food security crises.
Impact
Positive Long-term Impacts
Helping to achieve food security and SDG2: By effectively controlling plant diseases and steadily increasing crop yields, we can alleviate the global shortage of food supply and directly address the hunger problem caused by agricultural crises, providing technical support for SDG2 "Eradicating Hunger and Ensuring Food Security."
Promoting the transformation of agricultural production models: Using low-toxicity and environmentally friendly microbial pesticides to replace traditional chemical pesticides can reduce soil and water pollution, protect the agricultural ecosystem, contribute to sustainable agriculture, and promote the realization of the "Halve Chemical Pesticide Use" goal.
Possible Hazards
Due to the large differences in crop varieties and climates in different regions, if they are not fully adapted, it may lead to the waste of resources.
Stakeholders
1.Hu Hongqing - Professor of Agricultural Resources and Environmental Soil Science at Huazhong Agricultural University
After communicating with Professor Hu, we learned that soil is the foundation of agricultural production, and its health directly determines the yield and quality of crops. However, traditional pesticides not only damage soil structure and kill beneficial microorganisms, but also spread through the water cycle and material cycle of the ecosystem to areas such as the atmosphere and water sources. Their harmful effects are far beyond the agricultural field and may cause chain impacts on the balance of the entire ecosystem. Therefore, promoting the development of low toxicity pesticides, environmental protection, and high efficiency is the key to ensuring sustainable agriculture and an important part of maintaining the stability of the global ecosystem.
2.Farmers
Through communication with farmers, we learned that in China, currently, pesticide spraying on farmland is mostly carried out via drone. Farmers only need to report the area of the land and pay the fees, and the subsequent spraying process is handled by professionals. They can directly feel how the pesticides currently in use have low toxicity to the land and are effective in preventing diseases and pests. However, they are not aware whether the pesticides used are "biological pesticides." So, we went to visit a pesticide factory company.
3. Pesticide Factory
After communicating with the staff of the pesticide factory, we learned that the pesticide industry has undergone a major transformation. The highly toxic and polluting chemical pesticides are gradually being withdrawn from the market and replaced by safer, more environmentally friendly biological pesticides. From the technological orientation of production and research to the changes in market application demands, it is clearly indicated that the substitution of traditional chemical pesticides by biological pesticides has become an inevitable trend in the context of agricultural green development.
SDG3
“Health is the crown on the well person's head that only the ill person can see.” ——Robin Sharma
Why Is It SDG3?
Traditional chemical pesticides pose a serious threat to human health and well-being. Due to accumulation through the food chain, or accidental ingestion, they can cause acute poisoning, multiple organ failure and other critical illnesses, increase the risk of chronic diseases, and also pollute water and soil, disrupting the ecological balance. On the other hand, biological pesticides have the advantages of strong targeting, no residues, and easy degradation. They can precisely control pests and are safe for both humans and animals. This can solve the safety and pollution problems brought about by chemical pesticides. Therefore, promoting biological pesticides is crucial for ensuring food production and safety, and protecting the ecosystem.
Long-term Impact of HBUT-China
The intelligent microbial pesticide system developed in this project replaces traditional chemical pesticides with biogenic antibacterial lipopeptides, thereby reducing toxic pesticide residues at the source. This lowers the risk of pesticides entering the human body through the food chain, reduces the triggers of chronic diseases, and directly safeguards human health. At the same time, this system is environmentally friendly, can alleviate soil and water pollution, and maintain ecological balance and biodiversity. Its wide application promotes the green transformation of agriculture, provides safe food and a livable environment for humans, and improves overall well-being long-term.
Our Solution
This project focuses on the target of human health and well-being through the green development of agriculture. It upgrades the production of antibacterial lipopeptides from Bacillus belis through a four-stage technical route. First, high-yield mutant strains are obtained through ARTP mutagenesis, and the three key regulatory genes are identified. Then, the gene functions are analyzed using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, and single mutant strains are selected as the basis. Next, the NRPS pathway is reconstructed through synthetic biology, and competing gene clusters are knocked
Out and key modules are optimized to achieve high production of lipopeptides and functional upgrading. The constructed intelligent microbial pesticide system is broad-spectrum, low-toxic, and environmentally friendly. It can effectively control crop diseases in a green manner, reduce the health risks of chemical pesticide residues entering the human body through the food chain, and provide solutions for "halving chemical pesticides" and sustainable agricultural development. This safeguards food safety and human health.
Impact
Positive Long-term Impacts
From a health perspective, the development of intelligent microbial pesticides in this project replaces highly toxic chemical pesticides to significantly reduce the chemical pesticide residues in agricultural products, lower the risk of humans contracting diseases such as cancer and neurological damage due to the intake of residues through the food chain, and ensure food safety and human health. From the perspective of environmental well-being, its broad-spectrum and low-toxicity characteristics can reduce water and soil pollution, safeguarding ecological balance. At the same time, it can help achieve the goal of halving chemical pesticides, promoting sustainable agricultural development, providing security for global food security, and enhancing the long-term quality of life and well-being of humanity.
Possible Hazards
The bioactive components may be sensitive to environmental factors such as ultraviolet rays, humidity, and temperature, which can lead to a decrease in the efficacy of the medicine.
SDG4
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”——Nelson Mandela
Why Is It SDG4?
Public perception is crucial for the sustainable development of biological pesticides and synthetic biology. Through communication with farmers, we found that the general public has a limited understanding of biological pesticides. Therefore, it is imperative to increase awareness and knowledge about synthetic biology and biological pesticides.
We have conducted targeted research and outreach efforts covering various groups, including children, teenagers, college students, local residents, and even special groups such as hearing-impaired children. At the same time, we have proactively opened up multiple social media channels to diversify the dissemination of biological pesticide knowledge.
Long-term Impact of HBUT-China
Our project not only deepened the public's understanding of biology and biological pesticides, but also ignited the enthusiasm of various groups for this field, laying the foundation for the popularization and application of related technologies. We conducted research and outreach activities on biology and biological pesticides for special groups including children, teenagers, college students, local residents, and hearing-impaired children. The contents of these outreach activities covered what biological pesticides are, their scientific principles, application value, and their connection with synthetic biology. They encouraged participants to understand and accept green agricultural technologies. By improving public scientific literacy, our project helps create a society that supports innovation in biological pesticides and focuses on sustainability, ultimately helping to achieve the goal of universal high-quality popularization.
Technology has opened up new doors for the dissemination of knowledge. Our team has opened multiple social media channels to break down barriers to information and provide diverse learning experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds. By promoting the widespread dissemination and sharing of knowledge on biology and biological pesticides, our project helps bridge the cognitive gap and ensures that the public has fair and equal access to relevant information.
Our Solutions
Our team combined offline education promotion with social media activities to enhance the public's understanding of synthetic biology and sustainable agricultural development. To achieve this, we carefully produced a range of educational materials including promotional videos, brochures, and bookmarks. We creatively incorporated fun games to explain the scientific principles of synthetic biology in an easy-to-understand way and illustrate the practical significance of green agriculture to the general public. These measures effectively stimulated people's interest in green agriculture and the field of biology, cultivating public confidence in the concept of green and sustainable development.
Through various media such as videos, manuals, bookmarks and posters, we have transformed professional knowledge into easily disseminable public educational resources public educational resources. These materials continue to circulate after the event, forming a "event – materials - re-distribution" loop. This especially provides long-term learning support for students in remote areas and promotes the fair improvement of scientific literacy. Our educational practice focuses on building a social cognitive foundation that supports sustainable development, guiding the public to think about the practical applications of synthetic biology in areas such as environmental protection and food security. In the long run, this helps to create a virtuous cycle between research, policy and public awareness, laying the foundation for promoting responsible innovation and socially sustainable development.
We conducted a questionnaire survey on the ethics and morality of synthetic biology. In relation to the issue of gene transfer, 91.49% of the respondents believed that genetically modified organisms could potentially transfer exogenous genes to other microorganisms, resulting in unpredictable changes. Only 8.51% held a negative view. Regarding the concern of preventing this technology from being misused or maliciously used to develop biological weapons, the public’s focus, according to frequency analysis, included "technology," "regulation," "law," and "ethics." This highlights the necessity of strengthening international cooperation, formulating laws and regulations, and establishing an ethical framework to ensure biological safety. In terms of innovation and balance, words such as "nature," "design," "human," and "biological" stood out, reflecting the public's thoughts on transitioning from "discovering" nature to "designing" nature. This shift involves paying attention to the division of boundaries, and considering multiple dimensions such as natural laws, ecological security, and ethics.
Question 1: Gene transfer: Is it possible for genetically modified organisms to transfer exogenous genes to other microorganisms, leading to unpredictable changes?
Question 2: Ethical Issues: How can we prevent the misuse or malicious use of this technology to develop biological weapons, which could pose a global biological security threat?
Question 3: Innovation and Balance: Are we transitioning from an era of "discovering" nature to an era of "designing" nature? Where should we draw the boundary between the two?
SDG8
“Poverty is not created by poor people. It is created by the system we have built. We need to build a system that ends poverty by creating shared prosperity.” ——Muhammad Yunus
Why Is It SDG8?
In traditional agriculture, the health risks posed by highly toxic chemical pesticides and the low-yield model do not align with the concept of "decent work." The low toxicity and low residue characteristics of biological pesticides can improve the safety of farmers' operations. Additionally, their compatibility with green agriculture practices can elevate the quality and value of agricultural products and prompt practitioners to shift from "high-risk low-income labor" to "safe and dignified income growth."
At the same time, the development of biological pesticides can give rise to a complete industrial chain encompassing "research and development - production – service." Research in this field requires highly skilled talents, while production and promotion can drive small and medium-sized enterprises and county economies. By following the path of "innovation in technology → industrial upgrading → economic vitality" we can promote inclusive and sustainable growth.
Long-term Impact of HBUT-China
This project focuses on using synthetic biology technology to construct a high-yield intelligent microbial pesticide system. It focuses on the two core dimensions of "decent work improvement" and "economic growth empowerment", forming a sustainable value transmission effect.
In order to improve the "decent work" level of agricultural practitioners, the project results directly address the challenges of traditional agriculture. The microbial pesticides developed by this project have low toxicity and environmentally friendly characteristics. They have the potential to completely change the high-risk working conditions that farmers have endured for a long time, due to the use of highly toxic chemical pesticides. By addressing these issues at their core, the project aims to reduce health risks for farmers. At the same time, this pesticide meets the needs of green agriculture and can be used to cultivate agricultural products that are more likely to meet safety standards, helping farmers connect to high-end markets. This is similar to the Belsis spore bacteria pesticide, which has been effective in increasing crop yield and improving farmers' income, leading to the transformation of agricultural work from "low-income high-risk labor" to "safe and dignified income growth", aligning with the fundamental principles of SDG8 for workers' rights and work quality.
To drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth, the project harnesses industrial momentum through technological innovation. Specifically focussing on synthetic biology technology, its research and development stage requires highly skilled talents in fields such as biotechnology and genetic engineering. Furthermore, the production and promotion can stimulate the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and county economies, establishing a complete industrial chain of "research and development – production – service." With the large-scale implementation of the system, it can not only fill the market gap for efficient biological pesticides, but also empower different production areas through technology diffusion. This helps narrow the development gap and create more productive job opportunities in the agricultural sector, providing stable support for achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Our Solutions
We actively communicated with teachers from the Career Planning and Employment Center to understand the development trends of this field, its impact on future employment directions, and its role in economic growth. At the same time, we also communicated with the staff of Microbiome Company, focusing on exploring the current situation of the employment market in this field and the specific requirements for enterprise recruitment.
Stakeholders
1. Zhang Zhen - Career Planning and Innovation Entrepreneurship Teacher at Hubei University of Technology
After communicating with Zhang Zhen, we learned that the employment prospects in the field of biology are already very broad. Career choices in this field are no longer limited to the traditional research path. In addition to the chemical and fine chemical industries, the demand for biological professionals in the field of biological pesticides is particularly prominent. Whether it is screening active ingredients in the research stage or optimizing processes in the production stage, there is an urgent need for practitioners with interdisciplinary capabilities, providing diversified development directions for talents.
Based on the current job market trends, the field of biology is in a period of significant development and growth. Synthetic biology, as a core branch, provides key technical support for the efficient research and development of biological pesticides, making it a popular industry trend. In the global pursuit of green development, the industrial application of biological pesticides aids in the transition to sustainable agriculture and promotes the upgrading of the industrial chain, playing a key supporting role in achieving sustainable economic growth. The future development potential of biological pesticides continues to be unleashed.
2. Wu Nan - Economics and Management Professor at Hubei University of Technology
After communicating with Professor Wu, we learned that the development of any discipline is inseparable from deep integration with the industry. Among them, life science and even synthetic biology, which are closely related to human survival and development, are top priorities for promoting industrial upgrading and economic development.
Biological pesticides are a representative industrial application direction. It relies on technologies such as synthetic biology to precisely target pests and diseases, thereby reducing chemical pollution. Biological pesticides support green agriculture development and also fill the market gap left by traditional pesticides. Currently, there is an extreme shortage of professional talents who are skilled in the research and production technologies of biological pesticides. The continuous expansion of the biological pesticide industry not only drives the transformation of the agricultural industrial chain but also serves as a key driving force of green economic growth and promotes sustainable development.
SDG10
“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” ——Franklin D. Roosevelt
Why Is It SDG10?
Inequality is a prominent phenomenon in society. It seriously eroded the essential foundations of society and hindered the formation of social cohesion and overall progress. For this reason, our team has focused on groups such as hearing-impaired children, with the hope of improving their situation. Simultaneously, our project is dedicated to alleviating income inequality by enhancing the economic benefits of crops.
Long-term Impact of HBUT-China
Our team adopted an engaging approach to let deaf children feel the unique charm of science. Furthermore, our project is committed to increasing the yield and activity of antibacterial lipopeptides, thereby promoting the development and application of biological pesticides and further enhancing crop yield and economic benefits.
Our Solution
We used science popularization videos and engaging games to enable hearing-impaired children to experience the charm of synthetic biology. This project aims to systematically increase the production and function of antibacterial lipopeptides, while also helping to build an intelligent microbial pesticide system with high yield and efficiency. Additionally, it seeks to contribute to improving the crop system and economic benefits, and help reduce economic inequality.
The entire activity provided children with the opportunity to establish a vivid initial understanding of synthetic biology in a relaxed and pleasant environment. A return visit a few months later showed that the children still cherished the paintings they created at that time, and even had carefully pasted the NRPS and flower stickers that we made during the activity on the books. These details not only represented the success of the activity but also created warm memories for the children about synthetic biology.
Disabled People
Hearing-impaired Children:
We have created a unique science popularization activity for deaf children. Firstly, through cute animated videos, children can intuitively understand how synthetic biology protects the health of flowers. Then, our self-designed interactive games fully ignited their enthusiasm for participation. In the final creative painting session, children even used their brushes to paint the image of NRPS from their imagination. The entire activity provided children with the opportunity to establish a vivid initial understanding of synthetic biology in a relaxed and pleasant environment.
Feedback:
The director of the hearing rehabilitation center highly praised our activity. What surprised us even more was our return visit a few months later. We found that the children still cherished the paintings they created at that time, and even had carefully pasted the NRPS and flower stickers that we made during the activity on the books. These details not only represented the success of the activity, but also created warm memories for the children about synthetic biology.
Economic Inequality
This project focuses on the production and functional improvement of antibacterial lipopeptides in Bacillus subtilis belesii, using the technical route of "random mutagenesis - directed modification - metabolic engineering - synthetic biology reconstruction." Through ARTP mutagenesis to obtain high-yield mutant strains, we used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to analyze gene functions and lock in the optimal mutant basis. We then reconstructed the NRPS pathway through synthetic biology, ultimately building an intelligent microbial pesticide system.
This system is broad-spectrum, low-toxic, and highly targeted. It is capable of efficiently controlling crop diseases, directly reducing yield losses, and improving the overall system. Its environmentally friendly characteristics make it suitable for green agricultural needs, can reduce planting costs, increase farmers' income, and are easily applied on a large scale. In the long-term, it helps to narrow the efficiency gap between different production areas, providing technical support to alleviate economic inequality and enhance agricultural economic effects.
Positive Long-term Impacts：
This project has multiple positive impacts on SDG 10 "Reducing Inequality" from both social and economic perspectives. In terms of social inclusivity, it opens the door to science for deaf children through engaging science education activities. The paintings and stickers left by the children serve as evidence that the activities have transformed into warm memories, effectively filling the gap in science education for special needs children and promoting educational equity. In the aspect of gender equality, our on-site research presents the current situation of blurred gender divisions of labor in the context of agricultural technology development, promoting gender equality awareness. In terms of economic equality, the developed intelligent microbial pesticide system can improve the crop system and reduce planting costs. Through large-scale application, it can narrow the efficiency gap between production areas and increase farmers' income, providing technical support for alleviating economic inequality.
Possible Hazards：
People in remote areas may not benefit from it, and the scope of benefits needs to be further expanded.
SDG12
“We don't need a handful of people doing zero-waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” ——Anne-Marie Bonneau
Why Is It SDG12?
Currently, resources are becoming increasingly scarce as the population continues to grow. Throughout history, economic growth and social progress have largely relied on agriculture. United Nations data shows that the annual loss of crops due to plant diseases exceeds 220 billion US dollars, and traditional chemical pesticides have many drawbacks such as 65% ineffective utilization and environmental pollution. In this context, biological pesticides play a crucial role in addressing agricultural pollution and optimizing resource production, providing strong support for achieving sustainable consumption and production.
The Long-term Impact of HBUT-China:
Our project's system promotes a biological pesticide system that can reduce the ineffective utilization and pollution caused by traditional chemical pesticides. It also helps alleviate the excessive consumption of environmental resources in agriculture, and aids in achieving efficient recycling of agricultural production resources. At the same time, its characteristics which are adapted to green agriculture will prompt agricultural products to develop towards safety and high value. This will guide the market to prefer sustainable agricultural products, and promote the transformation of consumption and production models in the agricultural field towards a more environmentally friendly and efficient sustainable form.
Our Solution:
Our project is centered on synthetic biology technology. We us random mutagenesis to screen high-yield strains, and then utlize CRISPR-Cas9 technology to directly modify genes and reconstruct synthetic enzymes. This allows us to construct a high-yield and efficient intelligent microbial pesticide system. This system can effectively control crop diseases, replace highly polluting chemical pesticides, and has a more reasonable resource utilization in the production process. It reduces environmental impact from the production end, and provides technical support and product guarantees for sustainable consumption and production in agriculture.
The core advantages of the high-yield Fengycin antibacterial lipopeptide project:
1. Microbial Pesticide System
Fengycin antibacterial lipopeptides, as microbial-derived products, are the core of constructing an intelligent pesticide system. They serve as the "natural defense line" against plant pathogens (such as Pseudomonas) and can efficiently control various crop diseases, reducing grain losses due to diseases. In addition, they possess low toxicity and environmentally friendly characteristics. Compared to chemical pesticides, they pose significantly less harm to microbial communities, water bodies, and human health. This reduction in potential harm minimizes the damage to the ecosystem caused by chemical pesticides at the source.
The current agricultural sector is facing challenges such as soil compaction, pesticide residue exceeding standards, and ecological imbalance caused by the excessive use of chemical pesticides. At the same time, farmers are experiencing increased costs due to the unstable effects of pesticides and the need to frequently change them. Meanwhile, consumers are showing an increasingly urgent demand for "green agricultural products" that are safe. Our project has developed a scalable microbial pesticide by increasing the yield and stability of Fengycin, addressing the environmental and safety issues of chemical pesticides and reducing the frequency of farmers' pesticide use through its broad-spectrum antibacterial properties. Additionally, it provides consumers with safe, low-residue agricultural products, breaking the traditional agricultural cycle of "high pollution - low quality."
This pesticide development model centered on microbial metabolic products deeply aligns with the circular economy concept of SDG12. By utilizing the natural metabolic capabilities of microorganisms and replacing the energy-intensive and pollution-intensive chemical synthesis production method, it achieves a sustainable closed loop in agricultural production that "maximizes resource efficiency - minimizes pollution." At the same time, the project has entered into a cooperation agreement with Microbiome Company, leveraging the industrialization resources of the enterprise to accelerate the transformation of technology into practical applications. This will further advance the upgrading of agricultural production models towards sustainability, and effectively support Target 12.a "Supporting developing countries in strengthening scientific and technological capabilities to move towards more sustainable consumption and production models."
2. High-yield Strains and Efficient Synthesis Technology
(1) For Producers
The selection and modification of high-yield strains directly reduce production costs. The mutant strain HMBY-106 obtained through random mutagenesis using ARTP has shown an approximately two-fold increase in lipid peptide production compared to the wild type. Subsequently, the relA single-mutant strain constructed using CRISPR-Cas9 technology further enhances the efficiency of lipid peptide synthesis. Under the same fermentation scale, producers can obtain more target products and directly reduce the raw material consumption and energy consumption per unit product. This advantage is highly consistent with SDG 12.3 "Reducing losses in production and supply chains", by improving strain yield, avoiding inefficient utilization of raw materials during the fermentation process, and reducing resource waste in production.
On the other hand, technological adaptability reduces the cost of industrialization transformation. The modified strains do not require complex nutritional conditions and can adapt directly to conventional microbial fermentation equipment and processes. Producers do not need to invest additional funds to upgrade their production lines, shortening the transformation cycle from "laboratory technology to industrial production." At the same time, the precise application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology (such as knocking out competitive lipopeptide gene clusters like Surfactin) reduces the generation of competitive metabolic products during the fermentation process, and lowers the subsequent separation and purification costs. This complies with SDG 12.4 "Managing chemicals and waste in an environmentally sound manner", helping to avoid the additional burden on the environment caused by the disposal of by-products.
(2) For Consumers
From a safety perspective, the microbial-derived Fengycin lipopeptides eliminate the risk of chemical pesticide residues at the source. When consuming agricultural products that have been controlled by this pesticide, consumers can reduce the intake of chemical toxins and ensure "safety on the tip of the tongue." This is a direct manifestation of SDG 12.4, which aims to "reduce the adverse effects of harmful substances on human health."
After reconstructing the NRPS pathway, the lipopeptide variants have greately improved stability in terms of ease of use and effectiveness. They are less prone to degradation under field lighting, temperature fluctuations, etc., and have a longer duration of efficacy. This means that consumers, especially farmers, do not need to frequently spray pesticides, which not only reduces labor costs but also avoids the problem of ineffective control due to rapid pesticide degradation. At the same time, the broad-spectrum antibacterial properties can cover various diseases in vegetables, fruits, and cereal crops, reducing the hassle for farmers in changing pesticides according to disease types, and indirectly reducing consumption costs. In addition, when combined with product packaging and promotion in the future, consumers can better understand the advantages of "microbial pesticides", further promoting the green consumption concept, and aligning with SDG 12.8, which aims to "enhance awareness of sustainable lifestyles."
(3) For Society
The technical system developed by the project directly promotes the green transformation of agriculture and helps the implementation of China’s national policy of "halving chemical pesticides." The reduction in the use of chemical pesticide can reduce discharge to the soil and water bodies, alleviate soil acidification, water body eutrophication and other environmental problems. It can also protect the balance of the agricultural ecosystem, and at the same time reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in the production and transportation of pesticides. In doing so, it meets the dual requirements of SDG 12.5 "Reducing waste generation" and SDG 12.4 "Reducing pollutant emissions."
Through cooperation with Microbiome Company, the project will establish a complete industrial chain of "technology research and development - large-scale production - market promotion." This initiative can generate related employment opportunities such as microbial pesticide production and agricultural technology services, as well as improve the quality of agricultural products, help build green agricultural brands in the region, boost value of agricultural products, and increase farmers' income. In addition, the technical achievements of the project can serve as a model of sustainable agricultural development through technology promotion, farmer training and other methods, to convey the concept of "technology empowering green agriculture" to society. It can strengthen public awareness of sustainable consumption and production, and provide practical support for SDG 12.8 "Promoting awareness of sustainable development."
3. Efficient Utilization of Technology and Resources throughout the Industrial Chain
(1) Application of the Technology System
The project adopts a full-chain technology route of "random mutagenesis - directed modification - metabolic engineering - synthetic biology reconstruction." Through the closed-loop process of "modification - verification - feedback - optimization" at each step, the technology ensures efficient implementation. For instance, ARTP mutagenesis quickly yields high-yield strains, CRISPR-Cas9 precisely analyzes gene functions and constructs mutant strains, and synthetic biology reconstructs the NRPS pathway to enhance synthesis efficiency. This multi-technology collaborative model avoids the limitations of a single technical path, significantly improving the efficiency and stability of strain modification, and providing reliable technical support for the large-scale production of microbial pesticides.
The application of this technology system directly aligns with SDG 12.1 "Implementing a framework for sustainable consumption and production models." By strategically designing alternatives to traditional "trial-and-error" research and development process, it reduces resource waste (such as the cost of cultivating ineffective strains.) At the same time, the replicability and adaptability of the technology facilitate its promotion in various regions and production scenarios of different scales. This is especially beneficial for regions with relatively weak agricultural technology. Through technology output, the local microbial pesticide production capacity can be enhanced, which is in line with SDG 12.a "Supporting developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capabilities."
(2) Optimization of Metabolic Resources Allocation
The project uses CRISPR-Cas9 technology to knock out competitive lipopeptide gene clusters such as Surfactin and Iturin, eliminating metabolic competition, and prioritizing the allocation of microbial carbon and nitrogen sources to Fengycin synthesis, achieving "precise utilization of resources." This metabolic engineering approach avoids "ineffective consumption" in the microbial metabolic process, improves resource utilization efficiency, and reduces the production of fermentation by-products, which meets the requirements of SDG 12.5 "Reducing waste through prevention and reduction."
In addition, the by-products generated during fermentation, such as microbial residues, can be treated and reused as organic fertilizers, achieving "reutilization of waste", further reducing agricultural waste emissions. Simultaneously, the adaptability of the strain to conventional fermentation raw materials allows for the utilization of agricultural by-products (such as hydrolyzed liquid from straw) as fermentation carbon sources, promoting the resource utilization of agricultural waste, and forming an "agricultural waste - fermentation raw material - microbial pesticide - microbial residue organic fertilizer - farmland" circular chain, perfectly aligning with the circular economy concept of SDG 12.
(3) Technological Empowerment for Sustainable Agricultural Development
The entire chain of technologies not only increases the production of Fengycin but also provides a technological paradigm for sustainable agricultural development. For instance, the discovery of key genes such as relA and cdaA serve as reference targets for the subsequent research and development of other microbial metabolites. Additionally, the method of reconstructing the NRPS pathway through synthetic biology can be applied in the development of other agricultural inputs such as antibacterial peptides and enzyme preparations. This propels the entire agricultural biotechnology field towards the goal of "high efficiency, low consumption, and environmental protection."
Through collaboration with Microbiome Company, this project will convert the technological achievements into practical products, and through market promotion, cover more farmland and gradually replace chemical pesticides, forming a positive cycle of "technology - product - application - policy." Furthermore, the experience gained during the technological research and development process can be shared through academic papers, technical manuals, farmer training, etc., helping to enhance the scientific and technological literacy of agricultural practitioners.This will especially provide a "microbial pesticide research and application" reference model for developing countries, and effectively supports SDG 12.a "strengthening the scientific and technological capabilities of developing countries."
Our Specific Measures:
1. Support SDG 12.8 (Promoting Sustainable Development Awareness)
2. Assist SDG 12.a (Strengthening the Scientific and Technological Capacity of Developing Countries)
SDG17
“We must go further, faster, and fairer – together.” ——Simon Stiell
Why Is It SDG17?
In today's society, the realization of sustainable development is no longer a goal that can be achieved by a single entity working alone. Only through the collaboration of all parties can all sustainable development goals truly take root. SDG17, "Partnerships for the Goals," serves as the "catalyst" and "fundamental guarantee" for this process. Its core lies in building a multi-party cooperation network that covers the global, regional, national, and local levels. This network integrates resources, shares knowledge and technology through the coordination of different entities, and transforms many forces into a powerful synergy for promoting sustainable development.
The Long-term Impact of HBUT-China:
The core of this project is to provide a reusable "technology + tool" dual foundation for other teams in the same field, significantly lowering the barriers and trial-and-error costs for subsequent research.
From a technical perspective, the project has established a comprehensive technical route, including "random mutagenesis - gene screening - targeted modification - synthetic biology reconstruction." It also identified key regulatory genes such as relA and cdaA. These provide clear targets and verification paradigms for other teams studying Bacillus velezensis or similar microorganisms' secondary metabolism regulation, which helps in avoiding the repetitive work of basic gene mining.
From the perspective of tools, the project's accompanying software can be directly reused. This means that other teams do not need to develop analysis tools from scratch, but instead can use the software to complete high-yield strain genome analysis, CRISPR-Cas9 mutant strain construction simulation, NRPS synthetic pathway rational design, and fermentation performance verification feedback, efficiently advancing the research on increasing the yield of lipopeptides or other microbial active products.
This "technology framework + software tool" open reuse model have the potential to inspire more teams to focus on innovative application scenarios, form a collaborative research ecosystem, and help the industry as a whole break through key technological bottlenecks.
Our Solution:
Our team actively engages in exchanges and cooperation with IGEMers, fully absorbing the valuable experiences of other teams, and deeply understanding various project contents, broadening the project's rationale and vision. We have also had numerous close exchanges with relevant companies and their partners, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s current situation and implementation requirements from the perspectives of market demand and industrial application, providing a strong guarantee for our project to be effectively implemented and successfully transform from the laboratory to practical application.
Other iGEMers
1.Shenzhen Innovation Competition on Synthetic Biology
2.Beijing CCIC Exchange Meeting
Company Partners
1.Professor Jiang Ling - Fruit Tree Researcher at Huazhong Agricultural University
2.Professor Ren Feng - Plant Researcher at Central China Normal University
