Human Practices | HNU-China

Summary

The driving force behind scientific exploration stems not only from the continuous accumulation of knowledge systems but also, more importantly, from the keen insight into subtle aspects of life and groundbreaking thinking. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) — a class of pollutants generated by the incomplete combustion of organic matter — are just like invisible "environmental phantoms", lurking quietly in every corner of the atmosphere, soil, and water bodies. As compounds composed of two or more benzene rings, their toxicity and resistance to degradation increase significantly with the number of rings. Furthermore, they accumulate layer by layer along the food chain, ultimately posing a severe threat to human health and ecological balance.

In our preliminary research, we found that traditional PAH treatment methods have long been beset by bottlenecks: some are too costly for large-scale application, while others fail to completely remove pollutants, leaving potential risks. Although natural pathways for PAH degradation by microorganisms exist in nature, they are limited by low efficiency and single metabolic pathways, making it difficult to meet the actual needs of pollution treatment.

It is precisely this predicament that has directed our attention to synthetic biology — a key technology that may break the deadlock. We envision that if we can systematically integrate the "core capabilities" of different microorganisms in degrading PAHs (such as the ability of Pseudomonas to secrete rhamnolipids to enhance the solubility of pollutants, and the functional gene clusters responsible for the degradation of naphthalene and phenanthrene in specific bacterial strains) and introduce them into the same host microorganism, we will be able to construct a "microscopic pollution treatment plant" with efficient synergy.

Based on this approach, our project focuses on using synthetic biology techniques to design and construct an artificially regulated phenanthrene degradation cycle system. This system will break the limitation of microorganisms' "independent operations" in their natural degradation pathways, providing a low-cost and environmentally friendly innovative solution for PAH pollution control. We look forward to in-depth cooperation with universities, research institutions and environmental protection enterprises to share R&D data and ideas, jointly explore industrialization paths, and make collaborative efforts to overcome technical bottlenecks. Meanwhile, we will establish an exchange platform to discuss technical boundaries and ethical standards with peers, promoting the safe and efficient development of technologies in this field. In addition, through project practice and popular science communication, we will also enhance the public's awareness of such "invisible pollutants", build social consensus, and work together to protect the ecological environment.

Advisor Guidance and Project Formation

From the very beginning of our iGEM journey, we knew that transforming a complex environmental problem into a feasible synthetic biology project required profound expert guidance. Our three advisors, Professors Qiu Ye, Tang Songqing, and Wang Honghui, provided us with invaluable advice that was instrumental in defining our project's core mission, navigating technical challenges, and ultimately shaping Pollumunch.

Phase 1: Defining the Problem and Establishing Feasibility

Our initial project ideas were broad. To narrow our focus, we first consulted with Professor Qiu Ye, an expert in virology and host-pathogen interactions. We sought his opinion on the public health implications of various environmental pollutants and the potential for biological solutions. Professor Qiu emphasized that the persistence and bioaccumulation of chemical pollutants like PAHs pose a long-term, systemic threat to ecosystem and human health, making them a worthy target for remediation.He guided us to think critically about the biosafety and containment of our engineered bacteria from the earliest design stages, urging us to consider genetic safeguards to prevent horizontal gene transfer."Speaking with Professor Qiu shifted our perspective. We learned that a successful project isn't just about efficacy in the lab; it's about designing with responsibility and real-world deployment in mind from day one."

Phase 2: Technical Verification and Pathway Optimization

With a defined problem, we turned to Professor Tang Songqing, whose research on metabolism and inflammatory diseases provided a unique lens through which to view our project.We discussed the metabolic challenges of degrading complex molecules and how cellular systems process xenobiotic compounds.Professor Tang helped us understand that efficient degradation isn't just about the presence of enzymes, but about the fluidity and efficiency of the entire metabolic pathway. He analogized it to a metabolic disorder, where a bottleneck at one step can stall the entire process.This directly inspired us to look for the "bottleneck" in the natural naphthalene degradation pathway, leading us to identify the low affinity of the NahC enzyme as a critical issue to solve."Professor Tang's expertise in metabolic networks was a revelation. It taught us to think like metabolic engineers. We moved from simply assembling genes to critically analyzing pathway kinetics."

Phase 3: Implementation and Expanding the Vision

Finally, Professor Wang Honghui, a pioneer in synthetic biology and DNA nanotechnology, provided the crucial vision for turning our design into a sophisticated and robust system.We presented our initial design of the rhamnolipid and degradation modules and asked for feedback on system integration and innovation.Professor Wang was highly enthusiastic about our use of a biosurfactant to tackle the bioavailability problem, praising it as an elegant "bio-soap" strategy.He challenged us to think of our engineered bacteria not just as a bag of enzymes, but as an integrated and programmable system. He suggested that future iterations could explore incorporating sensor elements to create "smart" bacteria."Professor Wang's guidance elevated our project's ambition. He taught us the true spirit of synthetic biology: to not just copy nature, but to redesign and improve upon it by connecting fragmented mechanisms."

Summary

The collective guidance from our three advisors formed the cornerstone of our project's development, creating a comprehensive mentoring ecosystem: Professor Qiu helped us define a responsible and impactful goal, establishing a solid ethical and safety foundation; Professor Tang provided specialist insights to optimize our core metabolic pathway, enabling our design to break through the efficiency limitations of natural pathways; and Professor Wang inspired us to implement a sophisticated and forward-thinking systems design, elevating our project to new heights of programmable biology.

Under their joint guidance, we completed our transformation from students to practitioners of synthetic biology—not only learning how to rationally design biological systems, but also deeply understanding the meaning of responsible innovation. This experience perfectly embodies the "Design-Build-Test-Learn" iterative cycle of synthetic biology: our advisors' invaluable suggestions allowed us to complete crucial "learning" before "building," guiding us to design safer and more efficient solutions.

Just as natural degradation systems require multi-faceted collaboration, our project became stronger through the integration of our three advisors' distinct professional perspectives. They were not only guides in knowledge but also transmitters of scientific spirit, inspiring us to continue exploring the infinite possibilities of using synthetic biology to solve complex environmental problems.

Group Meeting

To advance the project efficiently and spark technological innovation, our team has established a regular group meeting mechanism with another participating team from the university. We hold in-depth discussions on a regular basis, focusing on experimental progress, technical bottlenecks, and experience accumulation. During the meetings, both teams systematically sort out phased experimental data and clearly report on the achievement of objectives as well as areas requiring further breakthroughs. When it comes to common challenges encountered in experiments (such as contamination in microbial culture and fluctuations in degradation efficiency) and operational details (such as the accuracy of reagent proportioning and standards for instrument use), we openly share our respective solution strategies and practical "pitfall-avoidance" experiences. Meanwhile, we draw innovative inspiration and gain new perspectives from the differentiated project designs of each other.

In every exchange and discussion, Professor Qiu Ye and other guiding teachers of the team have always been deeply involved in the dual roles of "guide and enabler": instead of directly providing solutions, they guide us to break free from the limitations of single experimental operations and analyze problems from a more systematic scientific logic perspective to derive solutions by putting forward progressive and thought-provoking questions. Regarding the technical schemes we propose, the teachers also accurately point out potential risks and optimization directions by combining cutting-edge research results in the field with practical application scenarios. For instance, when discussing the application value of the phenanthrene degradation system, Professor Qiu specifically reminded us that it is necessary to assess in advance the survival stability, ecological compatibility, and horizontal gene transfer risk of the engineered strains in the natural environment. This suggestion has clarified the key safety research dimensions for the project's subsequent transition from laboratory research to practical application.

This dual-drive model of "student-led communication + expert precise guidance" not only effectively promotes the collaborative resolution of experimental problems between the two teams but also hones our cross-team collaboration capabilities, systematic scientific research thinking, and problem-solving capabilities in the process, laying a solid foundation for the high-quality advancement of the project.

Communication

To break down the barriers to scientific research and innovation among universities and promote cross-boundary exchange and resource sharing in the field of biotechnology, we jointly planned and launched the "Biotechnology Fun Fair" with two provincial universities, Central South University and National University of Defense Technology, under the theme of "Ingenious 'Construction' of Life". Unlike traditional academic seminars, this event adopted a diverse format of "popular science interaction + hands-on experience", building a communication platform that combines professionalism and fun for the research teams of various universities.

At the event site, our team, together with the teams from Central South University and National University of Defense Technology, set up distinctive booths with clear themes respectively. We designed knowledge-rich and interactive experience sessions based on our respective core research directions, enabling participants of all age groups to gain the joy and knowledge of biotechnology through immersive experiences. With "Gene 'Code Splicing'" as the core, we developed an interactive game of lactose operon gene model assembly. By manually splicing simulated gene fragments and building simple gene circuits, participants could intuitively understand the basic principles of gene regulation. The team from Central South University focused on "the Diversity of Life in the Microscopic World", exhibiting animal and plant specimen models made independently by college students. Team members also gave on-site explanations about the habits of the organisms in the specimens, allowing participants to observe biological structures up close. The team from National University of Defense Technology launched a "DNA Extraction Mini-class", explaining the principles of DNA extraction in plain language and guiding children to complete basic DNA extraction operations using simple experimental materials, making abstract biological concepts tangible and perceptible.

This cross-university collaborative exchange event made us truly feel the collaborative power of "1+1>2". Although our team's research on synthetic biology applications, Central South University's research on life form observation, and National University of Defense Technology's research on basic biological experimental technology focus on different directions, they have formed a research matrix with complementary advantages. This collision of research perspectives and sharing of technical experience among universities not only provides new entry points for the breakthrough of each team's projects, but also allows us to see the broad space for the coordinated development of biotechnology in fields such as ecological protection, pharmaceutical research and development, and popular science education, injecting vivid momentum into promoting resource integration and innovative practice in the field.

Social Platform

We continuously expand the breadth and depth of our international communication, and systematically promote our project through multimedia formats on global mainstream platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. On these platforms, we release promotional videos, thematic posters, and other content to vividly and intuitively showcase the project's value, effectively attracting the attention of a global audience and helping more people understand the project's innovative concepts and practical significance.

At the same time, we regard cross-border communication and cooperation as the core driving force for advancing the project. We take the initiative to establish and deepen connections with iGEM teams around the world, gradually building an open, inclusive, and mutually trusted collaborative network. In in-depth interactions with these outstanding teams, we conduct in-depth discussions on cutting-edge topics and common challenges in the field of synthetic biology, and actively share practical experiences and unique insights from both sides in areas such as experimental technology optimization and public science communication.

This cross-regional and cross-cultural collision of ideas not only greatly broadens our international perspective and hones our cross-cultural collaboration capabilities but also enables us to deeply comprehend the "science knows no borders" collaborative spirit and global responsibility inherent in the field of synthetic biology. We firmly believe that only by taking openness as the cornerstone, sharing as the link, and mutual assistance as the support can science truly serve the common well-being of all mankind and help the world work together to address global challenges such as environmental governance and public health.