Overview

In the diagram above, we present how Chitinator et al. tackles two critical agricultural and environmental challenges: the growing accumulation of crustacean-derived chitin waste and the heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers. Both problems lead to severe consequences; environmental pollution, loss of valuable bioresources, soil degradation, financial strain on farmers, and the long-term unsustainability of current farming practices.

Our project integrates synthetic biology, stakeholder engagement and environmental innovation into a unified solution. Using E. coli as an engineering platform, we validated and optimized constructs expressing endo- and exochitinases. These enzymes, when paired with the natural glucosaminidase activity of Bacillus subtilis 168, establish a complete enzymatic cascade for chitin degradation. The final process is being developed in a bioreactor setting with B. subtilis, a GRAS chassis suitable for safe, large-scale, and efficient production. This design is supported by the combined efforts of our Wet Lab and Dry Lab, ensuring rigorous modeling, testing and optimization.

Beyond the lab, our team prioritizes social awareness and real-world relevance. We engage with farmers, agricultural cooperatives, fertilizer companies and local authorities to evaluate the impact of our solution and gather feedback. These discussions confirm that Chitinator et al. is not only scientifically feasible but also practically valuable for agriculture. While the project shows clear commercial potential, the entrepreneurship pathway remains under planning and is not part of our current focus.

From this integrated framework, two tangible outputs emerge:

1. Liquid Bioactivator for Crops – nutrient-rich fractions (chito-oligosaccharides and monomers) that can be applied directly to plants, supporting soil vitality and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
2. Nutrient Feedstock for Engineered Microbes – residual fractions that can be repurposed to support microbial systems designed for environmental applications, such as bioplastic production or microplastic degradation.

Together, these outputs converge toward a single goal: building a Circular Bioeconomy, where waste is transformed into value, agriculture regains sustainability, and biotechnology generates real-world impact.

Our Human Practices work followed the Human Practices Cycle provided by iGEM, ensuring that every step of our project was designed, evaluated, and refined with responsibility and real-world impact in mind. By integrating this cycle, we ensured that Chitinator et al. was not just a laboratory project, but a solution developed with society and the environment at its core.

Throughout the cycle, we:

• Built a diverse team that combined expertise in molecular biology, bioinformatics, outreach, and policy.
• Explored the context by engaging with farmers, environmental scientists, and local stakeholders to understand the agricultural, economic, and ecological challenges linked to chitin waste and chemical fertilizer use.
• Brainstormed broadly to identify innovative ways synthetic biology could valorize chitin and reduce fertilizer dependence while remaining safe, scalable, and impactful.
• Documented our progress and critically reflected on how stakeholder input shaped our design decisions.
• Integrated insights by adapting our Wet Lab and Dry Lab work, improving both the biological system and its deployment strategy.
• Closed the loop by testing how our outputs, biofertilizer enhancers, and nutrient feedstock for other microbes align with the principles of Circular Bioeconomy and address the needs of those most affected by these challenges.
• Presented evidence through outreach campaigns, stakeholder meetings, and transparent reporting, ensuring our work remains accessible and actionable.
• Connected and shared with the broader community to promote sustainable, biology-driven solutions beyond iGEM.

By following this structured approach, our Human Practices framework ensured that Chitinator et al. is a responsible, sustainable, and community-driven project, built not only to solve pressing issues but to integrate seamlessly into the real world.