Collaboration with University of Macau iGEM Team
Introduction
On September 4, 2025, our team engaged in an enriching international collaboration meeting with iGEM Pui Ching Macau. The dialogue centered on the intersection of sustainability, bioremediation, and preservation—showcasing how synthetic biology can contribute not only to environmental health but also to cultural conservation. Both teams shared presentations detailing their respective projects, with meaningful exchanges on technical design, outreach, and long-term vision.
International collaboration between IISER Berhampur and Pui Ching Macau focusing on sustainability and bioremediation.
To exchange insights on biological systems for water detoxification and heritage conservation.
Project Overviews
The session began with both teams introducing their projects, each addressing a distinct yet complementary environmental issue. Our project, POSEIDON (Phytoprotein-Optimized System for Environmental Ion DetoxificatiON), focuses on tackling heavy metal contamination in water bodies using biopolymer-based filters embedded with plant-derived metal-binding peptides. These biodegradable filters provide a low-cost, reusable solution for water purification, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
The University of Macau team, on the other hand, presented their project on Heritage Preservation. Their innovative approach aims to protect culturally significant monuments from environmental degradation caused by acid erosion and salt efflorescence. Through a bioengineered protective biofilm, their project integrates prevention, repair, and adhesion strategies to safeguard historical structures.
- Bioremediation Focus: Both projects utilize biological systems for environmental restoration—ours for detoxifying water, theirs for preserving cultural heritage.
- Sustainable Design: A shared goal of replacing chemical-intensive methods with biological and eco-friendly alternatives.
- Innovation through Biology: Both teams emphasize how biology can provide scalable, sustainable, and context-driven solutions.
Discussion Highlights
A major part of the meeting revolved around the technical challenges and collaborative problem-solving efforts. Both teams discussed expression optimization, biomaterial stability, and reproducibility in experimental design. The Macau team shared their insights into improving biofilm adhesion and ensuring long-term resilience under environmental stress, while we elaborated on protein immobilization and metal-ion selectivity in our system. This mutual sharing of strategies fostered a stronger understanding of applied biosystems engineering.
Exploration of biomaterial design, protein expression, and experimental reproducibility challenges.
Cross-learning on adhesion stability and bio-based filtration design.
- Technical: Stability of biomaterials under environmental conditions and optimization of protein activity.
- Logistical: Fundraising, resource management, and experimental scalability.
- Educational: Bridging the gap between technical communication and public understanding.
Shared Vision for Sustainability
Beyond science, both teams resonated deeply with the principle of bioinspired sustainability. We exchanged ideas on integrating traditional environmental wisdom into modern biotechnological practices, and emphasized the global need for green innovation that respects both nature and culture. The discussion reaffirmed our shared mission—to develop solutions that are ecologically safe, socially inclusive, and scientifically advanced.
Shared community engagement methods and discussed global science communication strategies.
Both teams committed to developing sustainable, culturally aware biotech outreach models.
- Exchanged outreach models for connecting synthetic biology with public education.
- Discussed public trust-building for novel biological technologies.
- Explored collaborations for global awareness campaigns.
- Identified creative approaches for storytelling in science communication.
Outcomes and Future Prospects
The meeting concluded with both teams expressing a strong interest in continued interaction. We proposed future cross-team initiatives such as joint educational modules, co-authored outreach articles, and open-access knowledge exchange. The dialogue with iGEM University of Macau exemplified how scientific diversity, cultural heritage, and shared sustainability goals can coalesce to drive positive global impact.
Strengthened cross-cultural understanding of sustainability and innovation.
Plan for collaborative knowledge exchange and global outreach integration within the iGEM network.
Through this interaction, we realized that environmental biotechnology not only protects nature but also preserves the identity and memory embedded within it. Such collaborations strengthen the iGEM community and reaffirm that sustainability—whether ecological or cultural—is best achieved through cooperation, creativity, and compassion.