SUSTAINABILITY
Overview
The cosmetics industry plays a major role in everyday life but often hides a serious problem: many products contain harmful chemicals that can damage health and the environment. In Kazakhstan and around the world, counterfeit cosmetics and poorly regulated ingredients pose risks such as skin irritation, allergies, and long-term health effects. People with disabilities or limited access to information are especially vulnerable, as they cannot always verify what is safe to use.
Our iGEM team set out to address this issue by developing a biosensor that can detect hydroquinone, a toxic chemical found in some cosmetics. Using synthetic biology, we aim to create an affordable and accessible tool that helps consumers make safer choices. Alongside this, we promote science education and inclusion through interactive workshops, Braille translations, children’s books, and community events that make scientific knowledge available to everyone.
Our work connects directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. By combining innovation, education, and inclusivity, we hope to make the cosmetics industry safer and more sustainable for all. Through our project, we aim to build a future where beauty and health go hand in hand with responsibility and equity.
Our Focus: Key Sustainable Development Goals
Our project directly addresses four critical UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Good Health and Well-Being
Developing a biosensor to detect hydroquinone and other toxic chemicals in cosmetics, protecting consumers from harmful substances and reducing health risks.
Quality Education
Providing accessible STEM education through workshops, summer camps, children's books, and educational videos reaching diverse communities across Kazakhstan.
Reduced Inequalities
Creating Braille translations, multilingual materials, and inclusive educational programs to ensure equal access to product safety information and scientific knowledge.
Partnerships for the Goals
Building collaborations with iGEM teams, educational institutions, NGOs, and cosmetics companies to amplify impact and share knowledge globally.
Relevant UN SDG Targets
Our project aligns with specific targets within each SDG:
| SDG | Target | Description |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3 Good Health |
3.9 | Reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution by 2030 |
| 3.d | Strengthen early-warning and risk-reduction systems | |
| SDG 4 Quality Education |
4.1 | Free, equitable, quality education for all |
| 4.3 | Equal access to affordable technical and higher education | |
| 4.7 | Knowledge and skills for sustainable development | |
| SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities |
10.2 | Promote social, economic, and political inclusion for all |
| 10.3 | Ensure equal opportunity and reduce discrimination | |
| SDG 17 Partnerships |
17.7 | Promote development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies |
| 17.16 | Enhance global partnerships through knowledge, technology, and resources |
Problem-Solution Framework
We identified four key challenges and developed targeted solutions:
| SDG | Problem Identified | Our Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Many cosmetics (especially counterfeit) in Kazakhstan and globally contain hydroquinone and other toxic chemicals. Consumers cannot verify safety before use. | Biosensor Development: Created an affordable hydroquinone detection biosensor using synthetic biology to enable consumer safety verification. |
| 4 | Consumers and students lack accessible, practical knowledge about how cosmetics affect health and the environment, and synthetic biology's role in solutions. | Educational Outreach: Delivered workshops, summer camps, children's books, educational games, and 9 YouTube videos reaching diverse age groups across Kazakhstan. |
| 10 | People with disabilities and non-English speakers often lack equal access to product information, science education, and safe cosmetics. | Inclusive Materials: Created Braille labels for 87 products, translated materials into 5 languages, and included team members with disabilities to ensure accessibility. |
| 17 | Scientific and policy challenges require multi-stakeholder collaboration; Kazakhstan needs access to advanced biosafety tools and partnerships. | Strategic Partnerships: Built collaborations with international iGEM teams, cosmetics companies (TELLI ÖNDIRIS), schools, and experts to share knowledge and resources. |
Our Contributions by SDG
Our project delivered measurable impact across all four target SDGs:
| Biosensor Development | Developed an affordable biosensor using synthetic biology to detect hydroquinone in cosmetic products, enabling consumers to verify product safety before use. |
| Activity | Reach | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Visits | 80 children | Visited 2 kindergartens in Turkistan teaching about safe product use and bioengineering's role in protecting health. |
| High School Sessions | 50 students | Educational sessions at Ziyatker School in Shymkent explaining cosmetic ingredient risks and promoting health awareness. |
| Summer Camp | 2 weeks | Organized camp for students from rural and urban areas (grades 9-12) teaching synthetic biology, microbiome, biosensing, and sustainable cosmetics. |
| YouTube Channel | 9 videos | Published educational videos covering synthetic biology, cosmetics, biosensors, and AP biology. |
| Expert Workshop | 3 days | Hosted workshop featuring published researchers, Olympiad medalists, and STEM startup founders. |
| TEDx Event | Grades 7-12 | Held TEDx at NIS Karatau to promote awareness about cosmetic products. |
| Model UN Session | 1 session | Organized session on "The Role of Biotechnology in Controlling Toxic Substances in Everyday Products." |
| Children's Books | 2 books | Created educational books: one about skincare/safe habits (ages 6-11) and "Mia and Magic Mirror" combining storytelling with biology. |
| Educational Game | 1 game | "Cosmetic Inspector" game teaching recognition of unsafe cosmetic products. |
| Business Day | Event | Developed collaborative event promoting critical thinking through real-world problem-solving. |
| Mentorship Program | 5 interviews | Interviewed past iGEM participants to provide mentorship and guidance for new learners. |
| Initiative | Impact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Braille Product Labels | 87 products | Donated 87 labeled skincare items with Braille stickers enabling visually impaired consumers to understand ingredients and product information. |
| Multilingual Translation | 5 languages | Translated "Mia and Magic Mirror" children's book into 5 languages to reach diverse linguistic communities. |
| Braille Material Development | Accessible | Translated cosmetic descriptions into Braille so visually impaired consumers can understand ingredients independently. |
| Inclusive Team Composition | 1 member | Included team member with cerebral palsy to foster inclusivity in science and teamwork, demonstrating that STEM is accessible to all. |
| Visually Impaired Outreach | 1 school | Visited school for visually impaired students, conducted surveys about cosmetic use, and adapted biosensor concept to their specific needs. |
| Financial Support | All profits | Donated all earned profits from "Business Day" to people from disadvantaged groups affected by unsafe cosmetics. |
| Partner Type | Partners | Collaboration Details |
|---|---|---|
| International iGEM Teams | KCIS Xiugang Taipei, Saint-Joseph | Collaborated on educational materials for children, co-creating content with cross-cultural perspectives. |
| Cosmetics Industry | TELLI ÖNDIRIS | Partnership with GMP-certified cosmetics producer who provided safe products for distribution during educational sessions. |
| Educational Institutions | Schools, Universities | Built partnerships with multiple educational institutions to expand project impact and reach. |
| Community Organizations | NGOs, Mentors | Established ongoing relationships with NGOs and expert mentors to support project development and sustainability. |
| iGEM Network | Multiple teams | Maintained active collaboration network across iGEM teams and institutions for knowledge sharing and idea exchange. |
Incorporating Stakeholder Feedback to Advance Sustainable Solutions
Throughout our project, we actively listened to feedback from diverse stakeholders to ensure our work truly supports SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
| Stakeholder | Feedback Received | Actions Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Schools & Educational Institutions (Kindergartens in Turkistan, Ziyatker School, Visually Impaired School) |
Teachers, children, and parents requested materials that are simpler, clearer, and more accessible for diverse learning needs and abilities. | Simplified educational content; created Braille translations and stickers with short product names for visually impaired students. |
| TELLI ÖNDIRIS (Cosmetics Industry Partner) |
Shared insights about safe manufacturing practices under international GMP standards and labeling requirements. | Connected industry standards with our biosensor concept; received safe cosmetics for distribution during educational sessions. |
| International iGEM Teams (KCIS Xiugang Taipei, Saint-Joseph) |
Suggested collaborative content creation with cross-cultural perspectives; Turkish team contributed chapter on allergies and acne. | Co-created children's book about safe cosmetics and healthy skin with fun, educational content incorporating diverse cultural perspectives. |
| Expert Workshop Participants (Researchers, Olympiad Medalists, STEM Founders) |
Provided technical advice on biosensor design improvements and strategies for expanding outreach activities. | Refined biosensor design based on expert recommendations; enhanced outreach strategy and engagement methods. |
| Model UN Participants (UNESCO Science and Technology Committee) |
Discussed ethical considerations and global policy implications of biotechnology in controlling toxic substances. | Integrated ethical and global policy perspectives into project framework; strengthened understanding of international regulatory context. |
| Dr. Vladimir Khan (Dermatologist) |
Highlighted severe skin effects from counterfeit cosmetics (acne, allergic reactions); noted that professional testing equipment is prohibitively expensive; found biosensor concept practical and affordable. | Strengthened focus on affordability and accessibility; developed sponsor engagement strategy; refined business model to demonstrate commercial viability while maintaining accessibility. |
All this feedback directly shaped our work, from biosensor design to how we teach and communicate science. We worked to ensure our project has a lasting positive effect on people's health, education, and opportunities.
Addressing Long-term Social, Environmental, and Economic Impacts
Our project creates sustainable, measurable impact across multiple dimensions:
| Impact Category | Aligned SDGs | Key Initiatives | Long-term Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social & Educational Impact | 4 10 |
|
Built inclusive STEM education model; students develop teamwork, creativity, and leadership skills for solving health and sustainability challenges. |
| Health & Environmental Impact | 3 |
|
Prevents serious health issues from toxic cosmetics; raises consumer awareness about chemical safety; reduces environmental harm from hazardous substances. |
| Economic & Partnership Impact | 17 |
|
Connects science with cosmetics industry; creates sustainable support system for people affected by unsafe cosmetics; builds global knowledge-sharing network. |
| Innovation & Technology Transfer | 3 17 |
|
Establishes foundation for Kazakhstan's biosafety capabilities; technology can be adapted for other toxic substances; promotes environmentally sound tech development. |
Sustainability Challenges & Learning
Throughout implementation, we encountered and overcame several challenges:
- Braille stickers: Required multiple iterations to ensure readability and durability
- Translation: Careful attention to cultural nuances across 5 languages
- Biosensor development: Addressed contamination and calibration issues with mentor support
- Inclusive communication: Adapted science explanations for visually impaired students
These experiences strengthened our team's resilience, flexibility, and commitment to creating meaningful positive change.
Interactions with Additional SDGs
Beyond our four primary SDGs, our project creates positive ripple effects across other global goals:
SDG 5 Gender Equality
Women are the primary cosmetics users. Ensuring product safety protects their health and empowers informed decision-making about products they use daily.
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
"Business Day" develops students' creativity, teamwork, and leadership through real-world problem-solving, preparing them for future careers.
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Biosensor development and novel approaches to cosmetic safety contribute to industrial innovation and build Kazakhstan's biotechnology infrastructure.
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
Educational activities encourage consumers to choose verified, eco-friendly products, promoting responsible consumption patterns.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our iGEM project brought together science, education, and inclusivity to create real social impact. By developing a biosensor that detects harmful chemicals, we took a step toward safer cosmetics and better public health. Through our educational programs, Braille initiatives, and multilingual materials, we made science more accessible to diverse communities. Collaborations with schools, companies, and experts strengthened our ideas and helped us connect research with real-life solutions. We believe that even small innovations can lead to meaningful change when supported by teamwork and empathy. Our journey showed us that true progress comes from combining knowledge, creativity, and compassion for others.