On the evening of April 14, 2025, the iGEM teams from Nanjing Tech University (NJTech-China) and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) held an inspiring online exchange focused on promoting synthetic biology for sustainable development.
The two teams quickly identified a shared mission: addressing environmental challenges through bioengineering. The XJTLU team presented their project on using engineered AHL-producing E. coli1 to control green tide outbreaks, while our team introduced our work dedicated to developing PA54, a bio-based polyamide, as a replacement for petroleum-based materials. A strong consensus was reached regarding their commitment to environmental protection.
On the technical front, our team noted XJTLU's specialized expertise in stabilizing microbial gene expression—crucial for our efforts to optimize microbial cell factories for the co-production of diaminobutane and succinic acid. In return, XJTLU shared technical insights into promoter screening.
Human Practices emerged as a core area for collaboration. Both teams emphasized public science education in synthetic biology: XJTLU needs to explain its marine solutions to coastal communities, while our team is committed to promoting the concept of sustainable materials to industry stakeholders. Consequently, they decided to jointly produce a science picture book to disseminate biological knowledge, believing this initiative can spark interest among younger audiences and help bridge knowledge gaps.
This exchange culminated in a shared vision: to amplify the role of synthetic biology in environmental action through technical synergy and collaborative outreach.
The NJTech-China team gathered with other iGEM teams from the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region at XJTLU for a dynamic exchange, fostering in-depth collaboration and project optimization.
At the "iGEM Innovation Bazaar," our team presented our project details, experimental results, and cultural merchandise, establishing connections with over ten teams, including those from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Fudan University. We exchanged team souvenir stamps, shared project ideas, and collaboratively solved problems.
Expert lectures provided profound insights. Dr. Bao Yuhan, an iGEM Human Practices Coordinator, emphasized that outstanding Human Practices should reflect a team's "complete journey—including external feedback and real-world impact," inspiring us to re-evaluate how we document our project's interactions with society. Advice on team management from seasoned practitioner Zhang Xiaohan also helped us optimize our workflow.
Our representatives, Zhu Chuning and Zhou Chenxi, presented the project's progress, sparking productive discussions. Feedback from other teams regarding prototype scalability and expert suggestions on data analysis directly influenced our subsequent planning.
Through this activity,we not only build new partnerships but also communicate creative ideas. this spirit of collaboration, fueled by shared feedback, will continue to drive us forward.
On March 30, 2025, the 3rd Synthetic Biology Conference & Exhibition (SBC) was held at the Nanjing Yangtze River International Conference Center. The conference was held under the theme "New Momentum, New Knowledge, New Quality in Synthetic Biology."
A key highlight was the iGEM University Project Exhibition Zone, which facilitated industry-academia-research linkages. Our team collabrate with teams from Nanjing Agricultural University and XJTLU, exchanging professional insights and exploring potential future collaborations. We also showcased our iGEM project to visitors, detailing its design rationale, technical roadmap, and application scenarios, garnering widespread attention and critical feedback that helped optimize our competition strategy. This conference served as the initial platform to bring our project into the public eye, achieving effective promotion.
Furthermore, we consulted experts on the potential for developing our PA54 material into downstream manufactured products. Their practical advice clarified our downstream development pathway, providing new directions for the project's advancement.
From August 6th to 8th, the 12th annual conference of the China iGEMer Community (CCiC), an affiliate of the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, was held at Beijing Zhongguancun. As a nationwide exchange event independently initiated by iGEM teams from China, the conference brought together numerous university teams.
At the event, participants presented their own projects and attentively listened to detailed explanations of the technical solutions and application prospects of various teams' competition entries. These projects focused on two main directions: bio-manufacturing and bioremediation, demonstrating the application of synthetic biology in industrial production and environmental management.
The presentations attracted the attention and guidance of on-site experts, who provided constructive comments and suggestions. This feedback offered substantial support for the subsequent optimization and advancement of the teams' projects.
On July 16, 2025, the 12th World Congress of Chemical Engineering (WCCE) was held in Beijing, attracting over 100 scholars. Members of the NJTech-China team had the valuable opportunity to engage in face-to-face discussions with participating experts.
During the congress, we conducted in-depth exchanges and initiated collaborations with various industry experts, integrating the iGEM ethos of teamwork and international exchange into our project. We proactively sought insights into the most cutting-edge theories and advanced models within the field, incorporating this forefront academic knowledge to more tightly align scientific innovation with the competition's demands.
Our participation further elevated the project's public profile. We believe iGEM stands to benefit from these fresh perspectives, inspiring more young students to explore the boundless possibilities of life sciences through cross-disciplinary collaboration and contribute the new generation's wisdom and strength to the scientific community.
From July 20-22, 2025, the 11th Microbial Breeding Engineering and Application Evaluation Symposium was held in Inner Mongolia. The NJTech-China team, consistently dedicated to integrating synthetic biology with practical problem-solving, explored potential collaborations with numerous experts at this event.
The participation and interactions of the iGEM team at this symposium not only aligned with the event's theme of "Synthetic Biology + AI + Biomanufacturing" but also demonstrated the deep connection between young innovators and the academic and industrial sectors. The multidimensional advice from experts—spanning fundamental research logic, interdisciplinary methodologies, and industrial implementation pathways—significantly bolstered the scientific rigor and innovation of our iGEM project. Receiving recognition and support from numerous experts further brought iGEM into the public view. Through this process, the NJTech-China team also gained valuable methods and experience for improving our experiments.
