At TRACER, every design choice was guided by one principle: science shaped by people, envisioned for a future without cancer.
From the beginning, TRACER was designed with one guiding principle: our project must be shaped not only by scientific innovation, but also by the people whose lives it touches. Cancer relapse is not just a biological challenge, it carries profound social, ethical, and clinical implications.
To understand these dimensions, we engaged widely with stakeholders: oncologists and doctors who treat cancer, researchers exploring new frontiers, patients and advocacy groups who live the reality of relapse, and alumni who offered perspective on translation and outreach. Beyond expert consultations, we reached out to the public through school workshops and awareness activities, ensuring that our work connected with diverse communities.
These conversations highlighted critical themes: the need for safety and reliability in clinical practice, accessibility across healthcare systems, ethical use of biological data, and the importance of clear communication. Guided by this input, we iteratively refined TRACER improving our detection strategy, strengthening biosafety safeguards, and shaping our deployment model to be more equitable and realistic.
Human Practices was not an add-on to TRACER; it was the framework that guided every stage of development. By embedding stakeholder perspectives into our design, outreach, and future vision, we ensured that TRACER is not only scientifically rigorous but also socially responsible, ethically sound, and prepared for real-world impact.
From the beginning, TRACER was designed with one guiding principle: our project must be shaped not only by scientific innovation, but also by the people whose lives it touches. Cancer relapse is not just a biological challenge, it carries profound social, ethical, and clinical implications.
To understand these dimensions, we engaged widely with stakeholders: oncologists and doctors who treat cancer, researchers exploring new frontiers, patients and advocacy groups who live the reality of relapse, and alumni who offered perspective on translation and outreach. Beyond expert consultations, we reached out to the public through school workshops and awareness activities, ensuring that our work connected with diverse communities.
These conversations highlighted critical themes: the need for safety and reliability in clinical practice, accessibility across healthcare systems, ethical use of biological data, and the importance of clear communication. Guided by this input, we iteratively refined TRACER improving our detection strategy, strengthening biosafety safeguards, and shaping our deployment model to be more equitable and realistic.
Human Practices was not an add-on to TRACER; it was the framework that guided every stage of development. By embedding stakeholder perspectives into our design, outreach, and future vision, we ensured that TRACER is not only scientifically rigorous but also socially responsible, ethically sound, and prepared for real-world impact.
Cancer relapse remains a leading cause of mortality, presenting not just a biological challenge, but profound human, social, and clinical consequences. Early detection is critical, yet current methods often fall short, leaving patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems under strain. Developing TRACER as a cell-based diagnostic raises complex questions of safety, ethics, accessibility, and regulatory compliance, making Human Practices central to every stage of our project. By grounding our work in patient experiences, clinical insights, and community perspectives, we aim to create a tool that is scientifically robust, socially responsible, and ethically guided.
Our Human Practices process began by identifying key stakeholders who could provide valuable insights into the practical, ethical, and societal dimensions of TRACER. These stakeholders include:
Throughout our iGEM journey, Human Practices work has been integral in shaping TRACER, guiding not only our scientific decisions but also our ethical, social, and educational strategies. Interactions with clinicians, cancer researchers, alumni mentors, patients, and students validated the relevance of our project while highlighting real-world constraints.
Despite our progress, we recognize the limitations inherent to an undergraduate competition: while TRACER demonstrates a promising proof-of-concept, full clinical translation—including in vivo validation, regulatory compliance, and large-scale deployment—remains beyond the current scope.
Enhancing Specificity: Refine CD147-based detection with complementary biomarkers to improve predictive accuracy.
Clinical Translation: Evaluate TRACER in in vivo models, ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance.
Advanced Functionalities: Explore GFP imaging to localize tumor relapse and investigate theranostic applications.
Education & Outreach: Expand public engagement programs to foster scientific curiosity and inclusivity.
At its heart, Human Practices is about stepping outside the lab and tuning into the world around us.
This project emphasized maintaining an open mind, asking questions, and listening to both professionals and enthusiasts. These conversations reminded us that science exists to serve people.
We learned what makes solutions truly useful: fitting into people's lives and responding to real needs. We realized impact means building trust, showing respect, and including unheard voices.
Meaningful change happens when people participate. These lessons will guide how we approach science and innovation with humility, purpose, and commitment to people at the heart of every breakthrough.
TRACER represents more than a synthetic biology project; it is a vision for early, precise, and patient-friendly cancer relapse detection that bridges laboratory innovation with societal impact. The lessons learned through Human Practices, from stakeholder feedback to public engagement, have reinforced our commitment to responsible, equitable, and transformative science. As TRACER evolves, we aim to translate this vision into tangible clinical and educational outcomes, empowering patients, clinicians, and communities alike.