Contribution

PlasMission has made a remarkable amount of contributions to the iGEM community by creating new parts in the registry, pulling sponsors to understand and support us in changing the world with synthetic biology, innovating past projects’ drylab models, and most importantly enhancing the idea of synthetic biology through education to our accessible audience. PlasMission contributed to parts collection through Beta-lactamase inhibitory protein (BLIP), BLIP-I (bliA) BBa_25UKW3O4 and BLIP-II (bliB) BBa_25FDG6R4. Drylab models were also adjusted and created from past iGEM projects for conjugation, optimizing conditions for our research, and possibly the research for future iGEM teams. Additionally, numerous companies including Ton Yen Hospital, Taiwan IVF group, Taiwan J Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Tuopu Education Technology, and MedChemExpress were solicited into sponsorship after our demonstration of motivation and project goals. Furthermore, we developed multiple educational approaches targeting audiences aged 4 to adults, visiting kindergartens through high schools and local communities to spread public health awareness and introduce the core concepts of synthetic biology.

To view our biobricks, please visit this page.

We envision future iGEM projects building upon the foundation established by our work. We see the vision of future projects built upon this foundation. One of the ultimate goals in our complete design cycle was the development of a conditional survival circuit. With the design of BLIP under an inducible promoter, this system could serve as an effective conditional survival mechanism for β-lactamase-producing antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Beyond applications in biocontainment, therapeutic bacteria, industrial fermentation, and environmental biosensors, BLIP can be explored not only as a tool to combat antimicrobial resistance, but also as a programmable self-destruction mechanism to safely terminate engineered cells after their intended use.

Team PlasMission has carried out extensive outreach programs across various schools and institutions, spreading awareness about Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and the core principles of synthetic biology. Throughout these activities, we created original teaching materials to guide and support learning. These resources were not designed for a single school, institution, or nation, but rather for anyone interested in learning and contributing to the growing field of synthetic biology.

To reach learners of different ages, we developed different materials and activities tailored to each age group. Despite their differences, all of these projects share one key feature: they are easy to recreate using simple materials commonly found in classrooms or households. This accessibility allows children and youth to experience how synthetic biology can inspire real-world change from an early age. Although this educational branch does not directly contribute to the iGEM technical community, it plays an important role in cultivating awareness and curiosity among younger generations, unlocking the potential of future scientists and innovators within our local and global communities.

In addition to school visits, PlasMission also engaged with government agencies, including the Hsinchu County Health Bureau, to raise awareness of the growing threat of AMR. The bureau shared valuable feedback and affirmed our efforts, drawing on their own experiences in public health to support our initiatives. Furthermore, through collaborations with international experts, we gained real-time insights into the global impact of AMR from various perspectives, further highlighting its social, economic and medical implications.

For further details about our education work, please visit this page.

Most of the sponsors that supported us for this project had never previously been involved with past iGEM related initiatives. However, through our active outreach and presentation, many have been inspired to join and support our mission in resensitizing AMR.
Companies such as Ton Yen Hospital, Taiwan IVF group, Taiwan J Pharmaceutical co.ltd, Tuopu Education Technology, and MedChemExpress have not only contributed to the iGEM community through financial and material support to our project, but with strong affirmation of our cause and core iGEM values.
We see great potential for future collaborations with these institutions and companies, further strengthening the bridge between the scientific community and industry in advancing synthetic biology and promoting iGEM values.
For detailed information please visit this page.

1. Conjugation Model
Inspired by a model created by UFlorida 2021, [1] we developed a refined mathematical model that builds upon their work to simulate plasmid conjugation dynamics. This model focuses on horizontal gene transfer between donor and recipient bacterial populations. By quantifying how conjugation efficiency changes under different parameters, it provides a predictive framework for optimizing plasmid mobilization systems.

Our model represents basic bacterial conjugation using a set of simplified ordinary differential equations (ODEs). It is designed to be clear and straightforward, serving as a conceptual foundation for understanding plasmid transfer dynamics. While using simple mathematical formulas, it can be adapted by other teams as a starting point for modeling conjugative plasmids, RP4-based systems, or bacterial communication networks.

2. BLIP Expression Model in COPASI
We developed a BLIP expression and inhibition model in COPASI to describe the relationship between BLIP concentration and β-lactamase activity. Using irreversible rate laws, Michaelis–Menten kinetics, and relevant data obtained from literature, the model predicts how variations in BLIP expression levels influence antibiotic resistance within a bacterial population.

This model contributes to the iGEM community by providing a quantitative framework for evaluating protein-based inhibition strategies against antibiotic resistance enzymes. Future teams can adapt or expand this model to investigate other inhibitor–enzyme systems, or to simulate protein expression tuning under different promoter and ribosome binding site (RBS) strengths.

Team: UFlorida/Model - 2021.igem.org. iGEM.org. https://2021.igem.org/Team:UFlorida/Model (accessed 2025-10-04).