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Inspired by the 2025 introduction of oral semaglutide tablets (Rybelsus®) in China, our GlucoXpert project applies synthetic biology to develop long-acting GLP-1 drugs. We design engineered microbial communities that colonize the intestine and release GLP-1, offering a novel approach to blood glucose management and weight control.
An important mission of our work is to advance public understanding of synthetic biology, including its principles, methods and potential for solving health challenges. A key barrier we face is the public's limited familiarity with synthetic biology-related knowledge. Many lack basic awareness of its mechanisms, safety or relevance to health, which makes the field seem abstract and directly weakens the acceptance of synthetic biology-related projects. We aim to leverage education to address this gap, using accessible resources like community workshops and simplified materials to correct misconceptions and build foundational public knowledge.
On November 15, 2024, we held an iGEM Sharing Session to promote the competition and share our practical experience with university students from relevant majors at Zhejiang University who are interested in participating in iGEM.
iGEM is a competition that balances inheritance and innovation. As the baton passes from 2024 to 2025, we were also recruiting new team members for the upcoming year. To help more students learn about synthetic biology and iGEM, as well as to draw them into this global community, we held an iGEM sharing session for students of biology-related majors and explained how to build cell factories using existing or newly identified orthogonal biological elements.
From winter break brainstorming sessions, to selecting final topics before the semester begins, to the continuous iteration of Human Practices and finally to the intensive wet and dry experiments over the summer, this period will witness the steady growth of iGEMers, nurture innovative ideas to take root and flourish.
Many students showed strong interest during the session. They actively asked questions about project design, team collaboration and experiment implementation, and some even expressed their eagerness to join the team. Through such activities, we hope to pass on the ethos of the iGEM, broaden more students' perspective on synthetic biology, as well as foster interdisciplinary integration and deep friendships within HiZJU-China!
Figure 1. HiZJU-China held an iGEM Sharing Session
On February 11th, we went to a primary school in Huzhou, Zhejiang, and carried out two science popularization education activities integrating "theoretical explanation" and "hands-on practice" for primary school students.
Figure 2. Members of HiZJU-China explained knowledge about tea aroma to the children
To integrate synthetic biology concepts into students' learning and daily lives at an earlier stage and inspire teenagers' interest in exploring this field, we carefully designed and implemented two science popularization education sessions. Through visualized teaching, complex scientific knowledge was transformed into something tangible and perceivable.
The first session focused on "protein synthesis and transport" and centered on the construction of cell structure models. We guided students to build cell structure models with their own hands. During the process of assembling structures such as the nucleus, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, they gradually unraveled the pathway of protein synthesis. This "learning by doing" approach enabled students to intuitively understand the importance of proteins as key biological macromolecules and helped them clearly grasp the complex mechanisms of protein synthesis and transport.
The second session explored the theme of "tea", a cultural symbol deeply woven into daily life. We introduced traditional tea knowledge while creating meaningful connections to core concepts in synthetic biology. Starting with tea processing techniques, we demonstrated how steps like fixation, rolling and drying shape the final flavor profile of tea. An interactive tasting session followed, allowing participants to experience the distinctive aromas of different tea varieties. We detailed the natural bioactive compounds in tea leaves, such as tea polyphenols, highlighting their function as essential inducer molecules within the engineered bacterial sensing systems used in synthetic biology research. Throughout the session, students showed remarkable enthusiasm, actively sharing their familiarity with teas including Longjing, Pu'er and white tea. Many volunteered personal connections, mentioning how "my grandparents drink tea every day" or "I appreciate tea's gentle aroma". These interactions underscored tea's unique role as a bridge between cultural heritage, daily practice and scientific innovation.
The kids showed great enthusiasm for synthetic biology during the activities. It was through this combination of "synthetic biology knowledge" and "tea culture elements" that our team made abstract scientific content more connected to daily life.
This educational activity fully demonstrated that integrating complex biomedical concepts with students' daily life experiences significantly enhances the public's understanding of synthetic biology, particularly among teenagers. It helped participants clearly recognize that synthetic biology is not an abstract science unreachable, but a creative tool that can utilize common daily substances to solve practical problems and address global health challenges.
Figure 3. A group photo of HiZJU-China team members and students from a primary school in Huzhou
On April 7th, at the Popular Science Sharing Class which held at Zhejiang University, we conducted a science popularization session themed "Synthetic Biology and Human Health" for Zhejiang University students. Through real-life examples and vivid metaphors, we explained to the audience how synthetic biology offers innovative solutions to complex health issues by designing and modifying biological systems. Our goal is to help these non-specialist students understand the close relationship between this field and human health.
We began with the core concept of synthetic biology, illustrating how it redesigns genes and metabolic pathways in a manner similar to building with blocks. Cells can be thought of as tiny factories and genes as the components that control production. By modifying and rearranging these components, cells can be engineered to produce beneficial substances that they don't naturally synthesize.
Using our current project as an example, we highlighted the application of synthetic biology in addressing obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We explained how engineered bacteria serve as carriers to precisely synthesize and release GLP-1 (a short peptide that regulates blood glucose and appetite) in the intestines. Furthermore, the "AND gate" sensing mechanism in the project functions like two switches that must be turned on simultaneously to activate a device, only when specific substances are present together in the intestine will the bacterial system initiate the synthesis of GLP-1, ensuring precise and controlled action (avoiding unnecessary activation or excessive peptide release).
Finally, we addressed the safety measures of this technology. The survival of the engineered bacteria is controlled by a suicide switch, which allows them to function effectively within the body and ensures they are safely eliminated afterward, eliminating risks of long-term colonization or unintended ecological impact.
This Popular Science Sharing Class was not only about knowledge sharing but also aimed to demonstrate the potential of synthetic biology in disease treatment. It can overcome the limitations of traditional drug therapies, offering more efficient and safer solutions for managing chronic diseases. With its broad application prospects in the field of health promotion, synthetic biology deserves our continued attention and exploration.
Figure 4. Members of HiZJU-China introduced our project in the meeting
HiZJU-China's educational initiatives center on making synthetic biology accessible and engaging to diverse groups, ranging from primary school students to university peers and the general public. To achieve this, we design targeted sessions that connect abstract scientific concepts to daily life and real-world health challenges. The positive direct feedback from all groups collectively confirms that these initiatives have gradually broken down the field's abstraction, made synthetic biology more approachable, and effectively sparked sustained interest across different audiences.
These efforts enable audiences to grasp the practical value of synthetic biology and spark their interest in the discipline. Looking ahead, we will continue developing such relatable educational programs to further bridge synthetic biology with everyday experiences, aiming to inspire more individuals to explore this innovative field. We will also expand the scope of education to deepen public understanding of synthetic biology-based solutions helping to reduce skepticism and enhance acceptance of these innovations. In doing so, we can lay a solid public foundation for the application of synthetic biology, driving its sustainable development in addressing global health challenges.