Integrated Human Practices

Takeaway: Through discussions with PhD student Song Jizheng, we learned that in metabolic engineering, weakening the consumption pathways and enhancing the synthesis pathways are important strategies to improve product synthesis efficiency. Inspired by this, we decided to use the CRISPR-Cas9-Am technique to knock out the pfk gene in our experiment, thereby blocking glucose consumption in the glycolysis pathway. With this strategy, we successfully cultivated the Δpfk strain and verified the gene knockout effect, laying the foundation for subsequent metabolic optimization.

Song Jizheng is a Ph.D. student (Class of 2022) in Microbiology at Ocean University of China. His research focuses on marine microbial resources and their applications, particularly marine yeasts and bacteria, their genetic resources, bioactive compounds, and potential applications.

In our metabolic engineering experiment, we found that the glucose yield did not improve compared to the original strain. We hoped to find a solution through expert guidance. During our discussions with PhD student Song Jizheng, we received advice on weakening the consumption pathways, which provided direction for optimizing our experimental design.

At the beginning of the project, we found that the glucose yield did not improve compared to the original strain. We suspected that severe glucose consumption in the glycolysis pathway might be affecting the synthesis efficiency of the target product. Despite attempting several traditional optimization methods, we were unable to effectively reduce this consumption. In search of a more effective solution, we consulted PhD student Song Jizheng.

The PhD student suggested that we consider knocking out genes related to the glycolysis pathway to block glucose consumption and reduce unnecessary metabolic burden. He pointed out that by knocking out specific genes, we could effectively weaken the consumption pathways, thereby providing more metabolic resources for the synthesis of the target product.

Following this advice, we decided to knock out the pfk gene in our experiment and successfully constructed the Δpfk strain. We then verified the successful knockout of the pfk gene through sequencing, ensuring the accuracy of the experiment. This improvement not only effectively reduced glucose consumption in the glycolysis pathway but also provided more metabolic resources for subsequent product synthesis.

Takeaway: Through our conversation with Hongyue Ma, we realized that relying solely on standard protocols often cannot achieve good results in Trichosporon cutaneum electroporation. Based on his experience, he suggested optimizing the conditions, such as increasing the amount of DTT and adjusting the voltage. His advice provided us with a clear direction for improvement and reminded us that flexibility and repeated testing are essential for overcoming experimental challenges.

Hongyue Ma is a 2025 graduate of Ocean University of China with a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biology at Westlake University. Having participated in iGEM twice, he has extensive experience in project design and experimental implementation, and as our senior, he is both a role model and a helpful mentor.

During the project implementation stage, we encountered difficulties when attempting to introduce fluorescent localization fragments into Trichosporon cutaneum using electroporation, as the transformation was consistently unsuccessful. We searched through the literature and found that different studies suggested a variety of optimization strategies, such as modifying buffer composition or adjusting spore preparation, but we were unsure which approach would be most suitable for our system. To clarify these uncertainties, we reached out to our senior, Hongyue Ma, via WeChat, hoping to gain practical advice grounded in his research experience.

After listening to our problem, Hongyue Ma shared his own experience. He pointed out that DTT plays a crucial role in protecting cells during electroporation. If the concentration is too low, cells are easily damaged by the electric pulse. He recommended increasing our DTT amount from 400 μL to 600 μL to see if this improves the outcome. In addition, he advised us to carefully test the electroporation voltage, suggesting that raising it step by step—while ensuring cell viability—might significantly enhance transformation efficiency.

Finally, he emphasized that encountering such setbacks in research is completely normal. Success rarely comes from a single perfect protocol; rather, it is achieved through systematic trials, comparisons, and continuous refinement. He encouraged us to remain patient, document each attempt carefully, and treat failures as valuable data that bring us closer to the optimal conditions.

Through this exchange on WeChat, we not only gained concrete strategies for improving our electroporation experiments but also a deeper understanding of the research process: literature provides direction, but true solutions come from hands-on experimentation and adaptive problem-solving.

Takeaway: Through our discussion with Professor Wang Meng, we identified two key areas to improve gene knockout efficiency: enhancing the stability of the gene editing system, particularly by optimizing the replication sequence and promoter choice, and refining sgRNA design for better specificity. Based on his advice, we replaced the original replication sequence with the AMA1 autonomous replication sequence and selected the TEF1 promoter to improve Cas9 expression efficiency. These adjustments resulted in a significant improvement in Ade2 gene knockout efficiency, reaching 50%-80%, providing a solid foundation for our future gene function validation and metabolic engineering research.

Professor Wang Meng is a leading expert in the field of biofuels, focusing on biological liquid fuels (biodiesel and bio-aviation fuels) and biocatalytic processes. He is the principal investigator of one National Natural Science Foundation project and two sub-projects under the National Key R&D Program.

During our fungal gene editing experiments, we faced low efficiency in gene knockout. Despite using the CRISPR-Cas9 system and trying various methods, we were unable to achieve the desired editing results. Therefore, we reached out to Professor Wang Meng for more targeted suggestions for improvement.

After hearing our concerns, Professor Wang provided two main directions: first, enhancing the stability of the gene editing system, particularly by optimizing the replication sequence and promoter selection; second, refining the sgRNA design to improve its specificity towards the target gene. Based on these suggestions, our team decided to adjust the existing CRISPR-Cas9 system. We replaced the original replication sequence with the AMA1 autonomous replication sequence and selected the TEF1 promoter to enhance Cas9 expression efficiency. These modifications improved the stability and efficiency of the gene editing system. With these adjustments, we conducted the Ade2 gene knockout experiment and achieved a significant improvement, with knockout efficiency reaching 50%-80%. These improvements laid a stronger foundation for our future gene function validation and metabolic engineering research.

Takeaway: Through our discussion with Mr. Min Wang, we learned that systematic comparison and clear benchmarking are essential for selecting an effective chassis strain. His guidance helped us design a quantitative and structured screening process for multiple Aureobasidium isolates, through which we successfully identified P16 as a stable methanol-utilizing chassis with broad tolerance and reliable growth performance.

Mr. Min Wang is a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, specializing in enzyme-directed evolution and modification, CRISPR protein mechanisms, and the structural biology of key host–pathogen interaction proteins. He has extensive experience in iGEM mentoring, having guided multiple teams to win two gold medals and one special award. His work demonstrates strong expertise in molecular design and biotechnological innovation.

In addition to his academic achievements, Mr. Wang has also excelled in innovation and entrepreneurship competitions, having won the Bronze Award at the 7th China International “Internet+” College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and the Provincial Gold Award at the 9th China International “Internet+” Competition. With his solid foundation in molecular biology and practical experience in synthetic biology research, he represents the new generation of interdisciplinary researchers bridging academic innovation and practical application.

At the early stage of our project, we struggled to determine which Aureobasidium strain could serve as the most suitable chassis for methanol utilization. Although several strains isolated from mangrove samples showed potential, their growth in methanol medium varied significantly—some grew poorly, while others were severely inhibited at higher methanol concentrations. Moreover, we lacked a reliable benchmark to evaluate performance, making it difficult to judge which strain truly possessed the best metabolic potential. Seeking a more rigorous and quantitative approach, we reached out to Mr. Min Wang, a Ph.D. candidate at Tianjin University with extensive experience in enzyme engineering and iGEM mentoring. After understanding our situation, Mr. Wang emphasized the importance of combining intra-species comparison with cross-species benchmarking to establish a systematic screening framework. He suggested comparing five Aureobasidium melanogenum isolates under identical methanol conditions while introducing two reference organisms—a non-methylotrophic yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and a model methylotrophic yeast (Pichia pastoris X33)—as performance standards. He further advised conducting a methanol concentration gradient experiment to determine each strain’s tolerance and optimal growth window. Following his advice, we implemented this design and obtained clear results: P16 exhibited the highest and most stable growth among all isolates, with an optimal concentration range of 20–30 g/L and significantly higher OD₆₀₀ values compared to others. These findings confirmed P16 as a robust methanol-utilizing chassis strain. Through this exchange and experiment, we realized the importance of rigorous control design and quantitative comparison in synthetic biology research, as systematic experimentation not only strengthens data reliability but also provides a solid foundation for all subsequent engineering work.

Takeaway: Through our conversation with Dr. Yunjie Xiao, we realized that the subcellular localization of key enzymes plays a crucial role in understanding methanol metabolism in Aureobasidium melanogenum P16. Dr. Xiao provided valuable technical guidance on optimizing our fluorescence localization system, especially regarding the co-transformation strategy and signal interpretation in peroxisomal localization. His advice helped us successfully visualize AOX expression in the peroxisome and confirmed the methanol oxidation mechanism of P16.

Dr. Yunjie Xiao is an Associate Research Fellow at the School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, with a strong academic background and extensive research experience in molecular biology, synthetic biology, and vector-borne diseases. He has published more than twenty high-impact papers in leading international journals such as PNAS, Nature Communications, and Theranostics, and holds over twenty national patents. As a principal investigator, he has led multiple projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Ministry of Education Key Laboratory Program, and Tianjin University’s Independent Innovation Fund. His main research interests include the molecular mechanisms of Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and protein design based on synthetic biology, making him a highly influential researcher in the field of fundamental biological sciences.

During our project’s early phase on methanol metabolism mechanism exploration, we encountered serious difficulties in determining the subcellular localization of Alcohol Oxidase (AOX). Although we predicted its function through KEGG pathway analysis, the experimental results remained unclear due to weak fluorescence signals and unstable transformation efficiency in A. melanogenum P16. Our initial fluorescence microscopy showed scattered signals that failed to distinguish whether AOX was localized in the peroxisome or cytoplasm.

To solve this problem, we consulted Dr. Yunjie Xiao, an expert in molecular biology and synthetic biology. After hearing our situation, Dr. Xiao pointed out that our experimental design could benefit from a dual-fluorescence co-transformation system. He suggested that we introduce a red fluorescent marker (mCherry-SKL) carrying a known peroxisomal targeting signal together with AOX-GFP, so that the overlapping fluorescence could directly confirm subcellular localization. He also reminded us to calibrate microscopy parameters and optimize the exposure balance between green and red channels to avoid signal bleeding and false positives.

Following his suggestions, we constructed the co-expression system and adjusted our imaging settings. This time, the fluorescence signals of AOX-GFP and mCherry-SKL overlapped perfectly, producing distinct orange-yellow puncta within the cells. This observation clearly demonstrated that AOX is localized in the peroxisome, indicating that the methanol oxidation reaction in P16 occurs within this organelle — consistent with the characteristics of typical methylotrophic yeasts.

Through this discussion and experiment, we not only solved a critical technical challenge but also learned the importance of systematic experimental optimization and visual validation in synthetic biology. Dr. Xiao’s guidance taught us that precise localization design and methodological flexibility are essential to understanding and engineering complex metabolic pathways.

Takeaway: From our senior’s advice, we realized that instead of directly detecting the methanol concentration in the fermentation liquid, it would be more accurate and efficient to measure the methanol concentration in the gas phase. Since methanol is volatile and the fermentation medium contains living microorganisms and metabolic byproducts, liquid-phase detection is prone to interference and error. Following his suggestion, we redesigned our detection approach: we now measure the methanol concentration in the gas above the culture and use a gas–liquid conversion model to infer the actual concentration in the liquid. This method significantly improved the precision and stability of our sensor readings.

Ruizeng Wang, Cornell University, Human Development, Class of 2026. With a strong interdisciplinary background and interest in pursuing graduate research related to biological systems, he provided valuable suggestions combining analytical reasoning and practical insight. His understanding of sensor design and gas–liquid equilibrium enabled him to offer innovative advice that directly improved our detection strategy.

During the development of our sensor module, we encountered a major challenge in detecting the methanol concentration within the fermentation liquid. Our initial plan was to measure it directly from the liquid phase. However, due to methanol’s volatility and the presence of microbial cells and metabolites, the readings fluctuated and lacked reliability. To solve this issue, we sought advice from our senior, who has prior research experience in sensor design and gas–liquid systems.

After understanding our problem, he pointed out that methanol’s volatility could actually be leveraged rather than avoided. He proposed that instead of focusing on the liquid itself, we could monitor methanol concentration in the gas phase and calculate the corresponding liquid concentration through a conversion model. We adopted this approach, and it effectively solved the measurement interference problem while optimizing the overall design of our sensing system.

Takeaway: The group benefited greatly from the insightful advice of Prof. Bian. Drawing on his experience in designing instruments for marine observations, he emphasized three core challenges in our hardware design: the amplification of error when converting gas concentration into liquid concentration, the inadequacy of overly idealized gas–liquid models at low methanol concentrations, and the strong influence of small environmental disturbances that can cause chaotic deviations. His clear guidance encouraged us to refine our gas–liquid conversion model, control for error sources, and simplify model layers where possible. Following his suggestions, our hardware team successfully optimized the design, achieving greater robustness and reliability.

Prof. Bian, an associate professor and master’s supervisor at Ocean University of China, is an expert in ocean sediment dynamics and bottom boundary layer processes, with extensive experience in data collection and the design of specialized observation instruments.

To refine our hardware design, we sought advice from Prof. Bian, whose research often requires transforming complex physical processes into measurable data. His team once designed a “submersible holographic camera–current meter” for observing suspended particles and their trajectories. This experience made him an ideal expert to consult on the challenges of data acquisition and model building in our project.

Prof. Bian shared his team’s experience in designing a submersible holographic camera–current meter, where his group was responsible for product design while the hardware implementation was carried out by the informatics department. After reviewing our proposal, he highlighted three key issues:

1. Errors in gas concentration measurements are significantly amplified when converted into liquid concentrations;
2. The gas–liquid conversion model should not be overly idealized and must incorporate more variables, especially under low methanol concentrations;
3. External disturbances may cause large deviations, resembling chaotic effects, so the modeling process should be kept as simple as possible.

As an expert in ocean sediment dynamics and bottom boundary layer processes, Prof. Bian demonstrated sharp intuition for dynamic systems and pinpointed the core challenges in our hardware design. Guided by his advice, our hardware team refined the model accordingly, which greatly enhanced its overall performance.

Takeaway: Through this consultation, we gained a deeper understanding of how national and regional policies can guide responsible scientific innovation. Mr. Zhang’s feedback reinforced the alignment between our project and the current policy framework, while also helping us integrate key considerations in ethics, safety, and sustainability into our design. Looking ahead, we aim to continue developing our project under clear policy guidance, seeking opportunities for collaboration with government and industry partners. This will allow our work to contribute meaningfully to carbon reduction and sustainable development goals, transforming our scientific vision into real-world impact. This consultation further strengthened our belief that true innovation must move hand in hand with policy direction—only then can a project truly be beneficial for the world.

Mr. Dong Zhang, Chief Expert of Shandong Seed Industry Group and a senator of the Jinan Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), combines deep expertise in biological and agricultural science with a strong understanding of policy development and social implementation. His dual background in science and governance made him an ideal advisor to provide policy-oriented feedback and practical guidance for our project, helping us better align our synthetic biology research with real-world applications and national development goals.

During our consultation with Mr. Dong Zhang, Chief Expert of Shandong Seed Industry Group and a senator of the Jinan Municipal Committee of the CPPCC, he expressed strong affirmation for our project. He believed that our research direction not only carries significant social value but also aligns closely with both national and regional strategies on technological innovation and sustainable development.

Mr. Zhang highlighted that our focus on CO₂ degradation and circular bio-manufacturing corresponds directly with China’s Dual-Carbon Strategy, Shandong Province’s Green and Low-Carbon Development Plan, and the Action Plan for Technological Innovation in the Biopharmaceutical Industry of Shandong Province (2025–2027). These policies emphasize advancing frontier biotechnology, accelerating translational research and industrial application, and promoting green innovation and carbon reduction, all of which provide a strong policy foundation for our project.

He also referenced the Jinan Municipal Policy Measures for Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Biopharmaceutical and Health Industries, which offer dedicated funding and implementation support for innovative biotechnology projects. According to Mr. Zhang, these frameworks demonstrate that our project is not only scientifically innovative but also beneficial for the world from a policy perspective.

At the same time, Mr. Zhang reminded us to adhere to established biosafety and sustainability standards, particularly by referring to the Shandong Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2030), which outlines policy guidance on ecological protection and risk management. His insights helped us ensure that our innovation remains both scientifically sound and socially responsible.

Takeaway: Through our exchange with Qingdao Kangqiao Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., we realized that the commercialization of research projects requires not only technological innovation but also a focus on commercial pathways and economic viability. The feedback from Kangqiao Pharmaceuticals made us recognize the importance of clearly defining the market application scenarios for solutions to environmental problems. Through interactions with industry experts, we gained valuable insights into project optimization and industrialization, particularly in terms of technical improvements and equipment design.

Qingdao Kangqiao Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a technology-driven company specializing in the development and production of chemical and biological pesticides. With a focus on green agriculture and environmental protection technologies, the company leads in waste gas treatment, RNA interference technology, and biological pesticides, aiming to promote sustainable agricultural development.

Our team sought feedback from Kangqiao Pharmaceutical regarding our research on methanol conversion and waste gas treatment technologies. The purpose was to receive professional insights and optimize the commercialization path for our project. Through discussions with industry experts, we not only received guidance on technical aspects but also deepened our understanding of industry needs and reassessed our project’s economic model and technical feasibility.

During the exchange with Qingdao Kangqiao Pharmaceutical, we gained valuable insights into their advanced technologies in biological pesticides and waste gas treatment. The team visited the RNA interference (RNAi) lab, where they explained how gene silencing technology is used to develop new biological pesticides targeting specific pests. This technique’s high efficiency and eco-friendliness were highly inspiring.

In the chemical pesticide lab, we observed the process of pesticide synthesis and optimization, providing us with insights into precision analysis. The biological cultivation room revealed the ecological impact of pesticides, reinforcing the importance of ecological balance in technology application.

The key discussion was with CTO Liu Xiangwei, who emphasized the need to focus on economic efficiency. He suggested quantifying waste gas treatment costs using the formula “treatment cost = R&D cost + maintenance cost - glucose economic value”. Based on this feedback, the team adjusted the project’s economic model. Liu also recommended focusing on fermenter development, as it holds more market potential than methanol flow addition devices, which led the team to refocus resources.

The team also presented the PTS1 signal prediction model based on the Mamba framework and the methanol flow addition device design. Experts acknowledged the biological foundation of the model but suggested improving its interpretability using SHAP and adding concentration sensors to the flow addition device to mitigate leakage risks. The team adopted these suggestions and fine-tuned the ESM2 model while integrating a real-time monitoring system for safety.

Takeaway: From our conversation with Mr. Mark Dupal, we learned that the true value of biotechnology innovation lies not only in scientific feasibility but also in scalability and market adoption. His insights emphasized that lowering costs can expand demand, and successful projects must balance technical performance with economic sustainability—a lesson directly applicable to our methanol-based microbial cell factory.

Mark Dupal is the Vice President of Sales (APAC) of Twist Bioscience in the United States. He has served as a senior executive in multinational companies such as PerkinElmer, Olympus, and GE Healthcare, and holds a bachelor's degree in Physical Sciences from RMIT University in Australia.

We interviewed Mr. Mark Dupal to gain an industry perspective on how innovation in synthetic biology translates into market impact. His insights on cost reduction, scalability, and sustainability helped us reflect on how our methanol-based microbial cell factory could move beyond laboratory success toward real-world application.

During the CCiC conference, our team member Weilin Man met Mr. Mark Dupal. In the interview, we raised a question about a common challenge in biotechnology: if the costs of DNA synthesis and sequencing continue to decrease, would this not reduce company revenue? Mr. Dupal explained that while lowering prices may appear to limit profit, it actually expands the overall market by making advanced technologies more accessible. Profitability, he emphasized, does not come from increasing the unit price of a product, but from enabling large-scale adoption and driving demand through continuous innovation.

For our project, this perspective provided an important lesson. Instead of focusing only on the technical performance of our methanol-based microbial strains, we should consider whether they can achieve reliable, cost-effective, and scalable production. True value lies not simply in laboratory success, but in demonstrating economic sustainability and market potential. This conversation highlighted how long-term impact in synthetic biology depends on integrating scientific feasibility with business scalability, and it encouraged our team to evaluate our project from both scientific and commercial perspectives.

Takeaway: Through the CCiC conference, we realized that the core of a research project is not just in experimental data and technical implementation, but in the completeness and communicability of the story. From Tongji University’s concept of "farming crayfish on Mars" to Beijing University of Chemical Engineering’s work on "PET enzyme degradation of plastic," each team presented their projects through interesting and creative stories. This made us realize that combining scientific projects with vivid storytelling not only helps improve public understanding but also enhances the project’s communicability. Inspired by this, we decided to adopt a "storyline" approach for our Wiki to make our project more engaging and educational.

Conference of China iGEMer Community, consisting of 107 iGEM teams.

At the conference, we exchanged ideas with teams from across the country, especially on the importance of the storytelling aspect of a project. Many teams succeeded in attracting interest by presenting their projects through emotional and engaging stories. We realized that research should not just be a collection of data but a story that helps convey the core value and goals of the work. This inspired us to rethink and adjust how we present our project.

During the CCiC conference, we shared our research projects with teams from various universities and exchanged experimental experiences and creative ideas. Two projects left a particularly strong impression on us: Tongji University’s "Farming crayfish on Mars" and Beijing University of Chemical Engineering’s work on "Using PET enzymes for plastic degradation."

The team from Tongji University approached their project from a "hometown sentiment," designing a concept for farming crayfish on Mars and extending it to the degradation of crayfish shells. They made a highly technological concept feel warm and relatable by incorporating a human touch. Beijing University of Chemical Engineering proposed the idea of "enzymes from edible waste," a highly creative concept that sparked our interest and showed us how to use engaging stories to communicate research findings.

Through these exchanges, our team realized that the most important aspect of doing research is telling a complete story. Research is not just about technology; it’s about how to present it as a story that carries meaning, making it important for the future of scientific endeavors. We also realized that the way research projects are expressed could be more emotional and engaging, thus improving public attention and understanding.

Inspired by this, we decided to structure our Wiki with a "storyline" approach. As we designed for the homepage, we plan to present our project through various scenes and include elements like our mascot, making the expression of the project more vivid and engaging. We believe this approach will not only deepen the audience’s impression but also enhance the communicability and educational value of our project.

Takeaway: With our senior’s advice, we realized that our project mascot should not only symbolize the concept of “taking in without releasing,” but also represent the core value of our final product. By integrating sugar-inspired elements into the Pixiu design, we made the mascot more closely aligned with the essence of our project while enhancing its cultural and educational impact.

This senior, a fourth-year student majoring in Design and Environmental Studies at Cornell University, has a strong interdisciplinary background that bridges visual design and environmental science. Her expertise allowed her to provide insightful guidance on how to convey complex scientific concepts through culturally resonant and visually effective design.

When we first designed our project mascot, we chose the mythical creature Pixiu, emphasizing its symbolic trait of “taking in without releasing,” which represented our microbial system’s ability to absorb methanol and CO₂. However, as the project evolved, we realized that the design did not fully capture the transformation process leading to our final product—pullulan. To refine our visual representation, we sought advice from our senior, who has a solid foundation in design and visual communication.

During our discussion, we presented the original Pixiu concept and explained its symbolism. After listening carefully, she acknowledged the cultural depth of the idea but pointed out that it lacked a connection to the key outcome—the production of pullulan. She suggested incorporating sugar-related design motifs into the Pixiu, such as weaving sugar patterns into its mane or body, making the creature itself a visual metaphor for sugar. This would better communicate the full story: absorbing methanol and CO₂ and transforming them into valuable polysaccharides. She also encouraged us to retain the traditional cultural essence of the design, ensuring that it remains both educational and culturally meaningful.

Following her guidance, we refined the Pixiu mascot by making sugar the central theme and integrating additional traditional Chinese artistic elements. The updated design not only highlights the essence of our product but also creates a more intuitive, engaging, and culturally rich image that effectively supports public outreach and science education.

Takeaway: Weilin Man interviewed Dr. Hongting Tang, who highlighted that microbial fermentation can fix carbon faster and more efficiently than tree planting, while also producing valuable metabolites. She emphasized assessing projects for both sustainability and economic feasibility, showing how synthetic biology offers a practical alternative to traditional carbon sequestration.

Dr. Hongting Tang, Associate Professor and Master’s/Ph.D. supervisor at the Synthetic Biology Innovation Center, Sun Yat-sen University. She focuses on agricultural synthetic biology, developing efficient microbial cell factories for sustainable production of valuable metabolites.

We interviewed Dr. Tang to understand how synthetic biology can provide practical alternatives to traditional carbon sequestration strategies. In particular, we sought her views on the economic and technical feasibility of using microbial fermentation (with methanol as a substrate) compared with more conventional approaches such as tree planting.

During the summer school, our team member Weilin Man had the opportunity to meet Dr. Hongting Tang, Associate Professor at the Innovation Center of Synthetic Biology, Sun Yat-sen University. With her expertise in agricultural synthetic biology and microbial cell factory design, Dr. Tang provided valuable perspectives on our project.

In the interview, we raised a common question: “Since planting trees can also contribute to carbon neutrality, why should we construct complex microbial pathways for carbon fixation?” Dr. Tang explained that while afforestation is a traditional strategy, it comes with significant limitations, including long timeframes before carbon capture becomes effective, high land-use requirements, and environmental trade-offs such as fertilizer dependence. In contrast, microbial fermentation offers faster and more efficient carbon utilization within a controlled environment.

She also highlighted the added value of synthetic biology. Unlike tree planting, which serves only as a carbon sink, microbial systems can convert simple substrates into high-value products while simultaneously contributing to carbon reduction. She encouraged us to evaluate our project not only from an environmental perspective but also from an economic and practical standpoint, emphasizing that demonstrating both sustainability and feasibility is essential for impactful innovation.

Takeaway: Through our consultation with Professor Guo, we realized that the essence of education lies not only in conveying knowledge but also in communicating it responsibly and effectively. Her guidance helped us make our Education module more systematic in structure, more accessible in content, and more meaningful in purpose. Visual teaching methods improved public comprehension, structured curriculum design enhanced continuity and scalability, and the integration of ethics and safety added humanistic depth to our science communication. Together, these insights helped us establish a more mature educational framework—one that spreads scientific understanding while generating a truly positive social impact.

Professor Yuji Guo is a professor at the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, specializing in histology and embryology, human anatomy, and medical education research. As one of the distinguished faculty members of Shandong University’s School of Medicine, she has led and participated in multiple teaching reform projects, contributed to textbook writing, and teaches the core bilingual course Fundamentals of Human Structure and Function. Her work has made a significant impact on the innovation and modernization of medical education. With her extensive experience in teaching and educational research, Professor Guo provided us with valuable guidance for our Human Practice – Education activities, helping us enhance our project’s educational dimension from the perspectives of teaching methodology, curriculum design, and public science communication.

Before launching all our Education activities, we consulted Professor Yuji Guo from the School of Basic Medical Sciences at Shandong University to help us refine our educational design and outreach approach from a pedagogical perspective. Drawing on her extensive teaching and education reform experience, Professor Guo provided us with several key directions.

She first emphasized the importance of visualizing and structuring scientific concepts, helping us understand how to present complex ideas in synthetic biology through intuitive graphics, analogies, and interactive explanations. She then suggested incorporating systematic curriculum thinking into our educational design—organizing knowledge in coherent and progressive modules rather than isolated sessions. This advice directly shaped our summer teaching program in underprivileged areas, where we delivered lessons on carbon cycling and biotechnology using a step-by-step structure that enabled students to gradually build a clear understanding of scientific principles.

Finally, Professor Guo reminded us that scientific education should go beyond knowledge transmission—it must also engage with ethics and safety, encouraging learners to reflect on the relationship between science, society, and responsibility.