Collaboration is a core part of iGEM, ensuring that projects are not developed in isolation but strengthened through shared efforts. This year, NAU-CHINA worked with teams at home and abroad to achieve common goals in both research and outreach.

Our collaborations focused on three areas:

• Scientific exchange, improving the feasibility and optimization of our technical design.

• Educational co-design, creating joint materials and activities to expand public engagement.

• Cross-cultural initiatives, linking synthetic biology with diverse cultural contexts to promote inclusivity.

Through these activities, we not only advanced our own project but also contributed to the broader iGEM community, demonstrating that collaboration drives both scientific progress and social impact.

The Synthetic Biology Industry Conference & Exhibition (SBC) is a platform that brings together researchers and iGEM teams from China and abroad to share advances in synthetic biology through keynote talks, technical discussions, and networking.

Figure 1 | On-site photos of SBC venue

Our Purpose: At the early stage of our project, before finalizing our research topic, we joined SBC to gain inspiration from cross-team communication and industry perspectives.

Shared Learning:

• Learned how R&D of biological materials must balance environmental properties with industrial adaptability.

• Understood common pain points in industrialization, which inspired us to connect bacterial cellulose with the textile industry.

• Gained awareness of ethics and biosafety standards, which later guided us to consult the Quality Inspection Institute for compliance.

Project Impact: SBC broadened our perspective beyond a single technical focus and emphasized the importance of aligning research with real-world needs. It gave us early guidance that shaped our topic selection, safety planning, and industry-oriented design.

Figure 2 | Professor Xu Jingliang shared his research on the high-value biotransformation and utilization of all components of fibrous biomass

Figure 3 | Members communicating with other teams in SBC

NNU-China is an iGEM team from Nanjing Normal University, with whom we shared geographical proximity and complementary project focuses. This provide a strong foundation for establishing frequent exchanges and continuous collaboration throughout the season.

Our Purpose: We conducted in-depth exchanges with the NNU-China team to address shared challenges in project R&D and explore ways to link synthetic biology research with practical implementation.

Shared Learning:

• Both sides shared strategies for refining research directions and solving practical difficulties in project advancement.

• In preparing for CCiC, we exchanged defense materials, presentation skills, and feedback, helping each other improve project delivery.

• During the development of the ICII web platform, we co-designed content and section layouts, integrating traditional culture and synthetic biology into accessible narratives.

Project Impact: This continuous collaboration—from early project exchanges to CCiC preparation and ICII construction—not only clarified the optimization paths of both teams but also demonstrated the value of long-term partnerships in iGEM. It showed how sustained cooperation could enhance technical design, outreach content, and the overall impact of synthetic biology communication.

Figure 4 | NAU-CHINA and NNU-China sharing project with each other

Figure 5 | A group photo with NNU-China

The Conference of China iGEMer Community (CCiC) is the largest annual academic and communication platform for iGEM teams in China. It provides opportunities not only to present projects but also to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and build connections across teams nationwide.

Our Purpose: As a key step in advancing our project, we actively participated in CCiC to both present our research and engage in cross-team exchanges.

Figure 6 | Members from different groups demonstrating our project in CCiC

Shared Learning:

• Showcased our work on temperature-controlled one-step synthesis of colored bacterial cellulose, attracting feedback from judges and peers.

• Exchanged experiences with teams nationwide on topic selection, experimental challenges, and Human Practices design.

• Discussed industrialization of microbial materials, learning how other teams addressed market demands and cost control.

• Improved our approach to data visualization and chart design by learning from peers' presentation skills.

Figure 7 | Members sharing experiences and communicating with different teams

Project Impact: CCiC broadened our perspective and helped us build trust-based relationships with multiple teams. These connections laid the groundwork for the later construction of the ICII web platform, as many teams we met at CCiC later contributed content and perspectives. The conference thus became not only a platform for presentation but also the starting point for long-term, community-driven collaboration.

Figure 8 | Some group photos with teams we had communicated with

The HKU-HongKong team brings strong international resources and expertise in microbial engineering. Our collaboration, initiated by NAU-CHINA, was carried out in a hybrid online-offline format: offline at the University of Hong Kong, and online via Zoom, connecting participants across regions. This unique setting not only removed spatial barriers but also laid the groundwork for a close and sustained partnership.

Figure 9 | Group photo with HKU-HongKong offline and online

Our Purpose: We aimed to broaden our international perspective, learn from a team with complementary expertise, and explore joint outputs that could combine technical depth with science communication.

Shared Learning:

• Exchanged project progress through a full English presentation and defense, simulating the Jamboree format, which helped us refine our communication and presentation skills.

• Discussed data interpretation, technical challenges, and Human Practices planning, drawing inspiration from each other's methodologies.

• Both teams used E. coli as a chassis organism, which led to deep discussions on biosafety considerations and collaborative development of an E. coli popular science handbook.

Figure 10 | NAU-CHINA and HKU-HongKong sharing project with each other

Project Impact:

• Jointly developed an E. coli popular science handbook, tailored to middle school and university audiences, and published in both Chinese and English. This helped break public misconceptions about E. coli while expanding accessibility to international readers.

• Established a long-term communication mechanism, agreeing to bi-weekly online meetings to continuously follow up on progress and share updates.

• Expanded our collaboration to an international scale, showing how cross-regional teamwork can drive both scientific exploration and outreach inclusivity.

The UM-Macau team is dedicated to applying synthetic biology in innovative ways, such as pest control. Our collaboration was carried out through an online exchange, which created a friendly yet focused atmosphere for academic sharing and practical discussion.

Our Purpose: We aimed to learn from each other's project logic, exchange ideas on experimental challenges, and explore opportunities for mutual support in Human Practices and industrial connections.

Figure 11 | An online group photo with UM-Macau

Shared Learning:

• NAU-CHINA presented the Temperature-controlled One-step Synthesis of Colored Bacterial Cellulose project, receiving feedback on experimental challenges and application scenarios.

• UM-Macau introduced their work on developing termite control agents, highlighting how their design stemmed from industry pain points.

• Both teams engaged in open Q&A, gaining new perspectives on optimizing project strategies and linking research to applications.

Project Impact:

• UM-Macau recommended bio-based fabric companies in Shenzhen, helping us identify valuable industrial references for our HP work.

• In return, NAU-CHINA connected UM-Macau with Nanjing-based termite control companies, supporting their project's implementation pathway.

• This mutual resource exchange transformed academic discussion into tangible outcomes, while building a trustful foundation for future long-term collaboration.

Figure 12 | NAU-CHINA and UM-Macau sharing project with each other

The Into China, Into iGEM (ICII) platform, initiated by NAU-CHINA, was conceived as the “Modern Silk Road of Synthetic Biology”. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Silk Road, a legendary chapter in China's diplomatic history, and our project on Temperature-Controlled One-Step Synthesis of Colored Bacterial Cellulose, we saw a strong parallel between the cultural exchange of the past and the innovation in synthetic biology today. This vision led us to create this year's ICII, a platform that connects traditional Chinese culture with cutting-edge synthetic biology, forging the "Modern Silk Road" for scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Figure 13 | ICII by NAU-CHINA: Building a Dialogue Spanning Millennia — The Modern Silk Road of Synthetic Biology

Our Purpose: We aimed to build a shared platform where iGEM teams across China could showcase both their scientific projects and their local cultural identities, promoting cross-regional collaboration and inclusivity.

Shared Learning:

• The platform features three major sections:

  • ICII Panorama: map-based exploration of projects from different cities, linking regional culture with scientific innovation.

  • Dialogue Gallery: showcases how traditional crafts, medicine, and cultural heritage intersect with synthetic biology solutions.

  • Silk Road Forum: an open space for cultural stories, scientific exchange, and future directions.



Figure 14 | The three core sections — ICII Panorama, Dialogue Gallery, and Silk Road Forum

• 14 teams from 11 cities (from Xinjiang to Hainan, including Nanjing, Wuhan, Beijing, and more) contributed their projects and cultural perspectives.

• Collaboration was both technical (content co-creation, section design) and cultural (integrating local traditions into narratives).

Project Impact: ICII became a nationwide collaboration platform, breaking spatial barriers and combining scientific insights with cultural narratives. By merging the contributions of 14 iGEM teams, the platform exemplifies the spirit of openness and inclusiveness:

• Promoting diverse cultural representation in synthetic biology.

• Encouraging mutual learning across regions.

• Offering the global community a window into China's cultural and scientific diversity.

Note: All photos released in this page have been approved by the individuals involved.