The iGEM Greater Bay Area Synthetic Biology Industry-Academia-Research Forum
What is IGBA The iGEM Greater Bay Area Synthetic Biology Industry-Academia-Research Forum is a regional exchange event for relevant enterprises and teams, jointly initiated by iGEM teams from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The forum mostly focused on iGEM teams and industry experts from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region, aiming to promote the integration of the two parts with each other. And it also set up a platform for iGEM teams from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region to communicate and cooperate.
During the preparation phase, Lychee Guardians actively take part in preparatory works. And we also deeply exchanged ideas with plenty of teams, mostly focused on personal placement, project progress and development prospects. We present our project to numerous iGEM teams with some meaningful and effective feedback and suggestions. At the same time, the pioneer of iGEM from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region share their precious experience to us, which concentrate upon their understanding of synthetic biology and how to make our teamwork high-efficient.
Beyond that, the host that Hong-Kong university also organizes some additive workshop and through which we obtain a deeper insight into iGEM and synthetic biology
Engaging with the Synthetic Biology Community at the 12th CCiC
What is CCiC?
The Conference of China iGEMer Community (CCiC) stands as one of the largest and most influential youth academic gatherings in China's synthetic biology field. It serves as a vital platform for resource sharing, experience exchange, and collaborative innovation, attracting hundreds of iGEM teams, researchers, industry experts, and enthusiasts from across the nation. This annual event, featuring poster displays, project presentations, and in-depth discussions, allows teams to showcase their work, learn about cutting-edge technologies, and foster connections within the community.
Our Lychee Guardians team was thrilled to participate in the 12th CCiC. The conference was an invaluable opportunity to engage with leading professors, connect with fellow iGEM teams, and lay the groundwork for future collaborations.
Our Experience and Engagement
Poster Session: Sparking Dialogue and Gaining Insights
Our poster presentation became a hub of activity, drawing a crowd of students, teachers, and experts. The sessions were filled with lively discussions, where the sparks of curiosity and innovation truly ignited. We enthusiastically shared our project's core concepts, technical challenges, and vision for extending the shelf life of lychees.
The feedback we received was both encouraging and critically insightful. The thought-provoking questions from the community pushed us to think more deeply about the practical implications and potential hurdles of our project. Among the most inspiring inquiries were:
"Might an overly strong promoter impose an excessive metabolic burden on the bacteria?"
"If the engineered bacteria enter the lychee fruit, could their wax secretion affect the taste?"
These questions were instrumental in refining our design considerations and deepening our overall comprehension of the project's complexities.
5-Minute Presentation: Sharing Our Vision
On the main stage, we delivered a concise 5-minute presentation that captured the essence of our "Lychee Guardians" project. We outlined the inspiration behind our mission, along with key achievements and future plans for our Wet Lab, Dry Lab, and Human Practices efforts. The presentation was met with high praise from both the judges and fellow iGEM teams, validating our approach and boosting our team's morale.
Key Takeaways and Future Collaborations
For the Lychee Guardians, CCiC was a profoundly significant experience. We not only gained valuable recognition for our innovative approach to extending fruit shelf life but also broadened our scientific horizons. The interactions with other brilliant teams provided us with new perspectives on biotechnology applications. More importantly, we established strong connections and reached preliminary agreements to pursue collaborative efforts, truly embodying the spirit of community and shared progress that defines iGEM.
Forging Connections at the 9th iGEM Southern China Regional Meeting
Hosted by the iGEM team of Shenzhen University, the iGEM Southern China Regional Meeting is a distinctive annual event held since 2017. It aims to provide a platform for iGEM teams in South China to cooperate, communicate, and learn from each other, thereby promoting knowledge sharing and innovation in synthetic biology. The 9th meeting in 2025, themed "iGEM Galaxy: Navigating the Stars of Synthetic Biology," attracted 22 teams, including our own Lychee Guardians.
Project Presentation: Sharing the Lychee Guardians' Vision
During the project presentation session, our team vividly shared the core framework of our project with great sincerity. The subsequent Q&A session was incredibly dynamic, with participants raising insightful questions and generously contributing their wisdom. Our members answered each question thoughtfully while carefully documenting the valuable suggestions, which have since become a powerful driving force for the optimization and upgrading of our project.
Interactive Booth: Fun, Games, and Synbio
Our booth became a lively hub where teams from across southern China gathered to discuss our project. To make the exchange more engaging, we designed two interactive activities:
Synbio "Telephone" Game: A group of five students participated in a game of "telephone." The first person was given a key concept about lychee preservation and synthetic biology. They then passed the information on to the next person based on their understanding, until the fifth student shared the final version. This fun activity perfectly illustrated the challenges and importance of clear science communication.
Interactive Lychee Dolls: We created custom lychee dolls equipped with sensors. A simple tap would cause the doll to light up, successfully sparking curiosity and providing a tangible, memorable way to engage with our project theme.
Valuable Takeaways and Future Collaborations
This meeting was immensely rewarding. The encouraging feedback from teachers and peers significantly boosted our confidence, especially as we were in the early stages of our project design. The suggestions we received provided a wealth of inspiration and were of great help to our subsequent work. Most importantly, we established strong connections with other iGEM teams, opening the door for follow-up communications and future collaborations.
Mentoring and Mutual Learning with the BloomSensei High School iGEM Team
Fostering the next generation of synthetic biologists is a core value of the iGEM community. In this spirit, our Lychee Guardians team hosted an exchange session with the BloomSensei high school iGEM team. The event was designed to be a platform for mutual learning, where we could share experiences, discuss project strategies, and grow together.
A Deep Dive into iGEM Projects
The session began with both teams presenting their projects. We introduced our multifaceted approach to lychee preservation, detailing our work on melatonin treatment, wax coating, and pH sensor technology. In turn, the BloomSensei team shared their innovative project, providing us with a fresh and inspiring perspective.
Our discussions went beyond simple presentations. We delved into the core aspects of executing a successful iGEM project, including:
- Scientific Thinking: We shared our experience in formulating hypotheses and designing experiments with robust controls.
- Integrating Disciplines: We suggested they explore combining AI tools with their biological components, drawing from our own Dry Lab experiences.
- Project Management: We exchanged insights on teamwork, time management, and effectively balancing Wet Lab, Dry Lab, and Human Practices efforts.
- Safety and Responsibility: We emphasized the importance of safety protocols and considering the ethical implications of our work.
Impact: A Two-Way Street of Inspiration
This exchange was a powerful reminder that education and collaboration are intertwined. Both teams gained immensely from the experience:
- For BloomSensei: The high school students gained valuable exposure to university-level synthetic biology research, inspiring them to think more critically and scientifically about their own project.
- For Lychee Guardians: We benefited from the fresh perspectives of a younger team. Their questions and ideas prompted us to reflect on our own project's strengths and weaknesses, leading to new avenues for improvement.
Ultimately, this activity highlighted the vibrant, supportive, and collaborative spirit of the iGEM community. By sharing knowledge and mentoring emerging teams, we not only contribute to their journey but also enrich our own.