Interview with Laboratory PI

Interviewee Background:

Dr. Xu

Ph.D. in Materials and Chemical Engineering from the University of Science and Technology of China

Q1: Could you briefly introduce the main research direction of your lab and your current work?

A1: Our lab focuses on the synthetic biology of engineered strains. We are currently working on enhancing microbial strains through genetic modification to achieve improved environmental adaptability, functional expression, and field resilience. The goal is to transition from controlled lab environments to complex, real-world conditions. Recently, we have been conducting field experiments to test microbial growth and effectiveness in different agricultural soils, particularly in areas with degraded land.

Q2: How are field trials designed and implemented in your current work? What steps are typically involved?

A2: The implementation process includes multiple stages. We start with small-scale pot trials in the laboratory to assess basic performance. Once validated, we design field protocols and obtain approval through our university and partner institutions. In the field, we test soil properties, then apply microbial strains with necessary controls, such as untreated plots. We collect data on plant growth, microbial viability, and soil health indicators. A major component is compliance with biosafety protocols, including physical isolation and monitoring to prevent unintended spread.

Q3: What are the main technical or regulatory challenges you've encountered when translating lab results to field applications?

A3: One of the biggest challenges is that many synthetic strains perform well in controlled conditions but lose effectiveness in real environments due to competition with native microbes and environmental stressors. Additionally, the cost of large-scale production and deployment is significant. On the regulatory side, approval processes are lengthy and vary by region. In some cases, lack of clear national standards for synthetic biology field trials limits how quickly we can scale up.

Q4: How do you engage with external stakeholders, such as farmers, regulatory bodies, or the general public, in your work?

A4: We work with local agricultural extension stations to introduce the research and explain its goals. Farmers often express concern about safety and cost-effectiveness, so we provide demonstration plots and hold workshops. We also submit environmental risk assessments to local agencies. For public understanding, we are exploring science communication strategies like infographics and short videos to explain synthetic biology in accessible language.

Q5: Based on your field experience, what improvements would you suggest for future development and deployment of synthetic biology applications in agriculture?

A5: We need a more robust pilot testing framework that bridges lab and field. This includes scalable fermentation and formulation processes, better soil-microbe compatibility tests, and funding support for field validation. From a governance perspective, establishing clear national guidelines and third-party certification mechanisms would help build public trust. Also, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, engineers, and social scientists is crucial.

Q6: Do you think public communication and science popularization efforts are sufficient in your field? What more could be done?

A6: Not really. Synthetic biology is often perceived as a black box. We need to break down technical jargon and use relatable narratives. Interactive media like VR demonstrations, school outreach, and partnerships with science museums can be powerful. Importantly, we must address both potential and risk in a balanced way, so the public can make informed judgments.

Q7: Are there any final thoughts or concerns you’d like to share?

A7: I believe synthetic biology holds great promise for sustainable agriculture, but we need to proceed with caution. Field trials should not only be scientifically sound but also socially responsible. Transparency, collaboration, and iterative feedback loops between developers and users will be key to long-term success.

Interview with The Founder of Chemical Plant

Interviewee Background:

Mrs. X

Founder of chemical plant

Her chemical plant produce ultra-clean and high-purity chemical reagents for the biopharmaceutical industry

A. Basic Information

Q1: Could you briefly introduce the main business focus of your chemical plant (e.g., fuels, chemical raw materials, biomass utilization, etc.)?

A1: Our main business is producing ultra-clean and high-purity chemical reagents for the biopharmaceutical industry. Representative products include UPLC-MS grade acetonitrile and methanol. (Ultra-clean high-purity reagents refer to chemical reagents with a purity of more than 99.99% in the main component, and with impurity ions and particle numbers meeting strict requirements. , aerospace, new materials, biomedicine, and petrochemicals, and in some industries, they are even key basic chemical materials.)

Q2: Does your factory deal with or come into contact with biomass (such as straw, sawdust, crop residues)?

A2: Some of our customers (for example, food testing institutions) use our products in the detection of crop residues.

B. Opinions on Existing Problems

Q3: In your experience, what are the main difficulties or costs in dealing with biomass waste?

A3: Complexity and dispersion of raw materials: Biomass waste materials are highly diverse and widely scattered, making classification, collection, storage, and transportation difficult and energy-intensive.

Low energy density: A large amount of biomass waste may only be converted into a small amount of energy.

Complex conversion process: Due to the complex composition of biomass waste, multiple conversion processes (chemical, physical, biological, or a combination) may be required. These processes often rely on non-renewable energy sources.

Secondary pollution: The conversion process may produce smoke and gas emissions, leading to potential health risks.

Q4: Do you think there is strong market demand for “biomass conversion products” (such as biofuels, degradable materials)?

A4: Currently, the commercial market demand has not yet peaked, because biofuels are still not price-competitive. However, with carbon neutrality and other environmental goals, governments are expected to strengthen policies promoting biomass conversion products, and demand will continue to grow.

C. Feedback on Our Innovation

Q5: What was your first reaction when you heard about our idea of using a rumen-inspired system to decompose lignocellulose and produce VFAs?

A5: Using biological decomposition is very innovative. It could greatly reduce the demand for other renewable energy or chemical products during the biomass decomposition and conversion process. However, large-scale application may face certain difficulties.

Q6: If VFAs could be further converted into fuels, plastics, or chemical raw materials, which direction do you think has the most industrial value?

A6: Probably plastics (e.g., polyhydroxyalkanoates) or chemical raw materials (such as adipic acid, succinic acid, etc., which are key raw materials for producing nylon).

D. Practical Considerations

Q7: From the perspective of a chemical plant, what factors do you think are most critical when adopting such technology (e.g., cost, yield, stability, safety, environmental benefits)?

A7: Cost, yield, and stability. Biological decomposition of lignin is slow and inefficient, making industrialization difficult.

Q8: What do you think would be the biggest obstacle to large-scale implementation of this technology (e.g., raw material supply, process cost, equipment investment)?

A8: Raw material supply and process cost.

E. Suggestions and Outlook

Q9: What changes do you think this technology could bring to the chemical industry in the future?

A9: It could make the future chemical industry greener and more environmentally friendly.

Q10: Do you have any suggestions for our student team to help make this innovation closer to industrial application?

A10: Conduct extensive research through books, literature, and online resources to clearly identify the technical and industrial challenges (especially high costs) of biological lignin decomposition. It is recommended that project proposals be directly linked to these challenges, offering possible solutions step by step. Combine these with relevant policies to propose medium- and long-term plans that would be more acceptable to industry.

Interview with Farm Owner

Interviewee Background:

Mr. Z

He grew up on family crop farm, so farming has been a part of his life for over sixty years

Q1:Could you tell us a little about your farming background? (e.g., what type of farming you do, and how long you’ve been working in agriculture?

A1: I grew up on our family crop farm, so farming has been a part of my life for over sixty years. Back in the ’70s, I started experimenting with healthier ways to grow food and purify water, long before “organic” was a buzzword. For the last couple of decades, most of my focus has been on aquaponics, vertical gardening, microgreens, and wicking beds. I like to treat it all as a big experiment—tweaking things, sometimes making big changes—to see how I can get better results with less effort and cost.

Q2:What types of crop residues or woody waste (like straw, stalks, or branches) are most common on your farm, and how do you usually deal with them?

A2: Living in the desert brings its own set of challenges—summer temps can top 120°F, and winters drop into the single digits. Add in water scarcity, and you’re always thinking about conservation. I compost almost everything that has carbon in it, except citrus peels and meat. The citrus peels don’t go to waste, though—I use them to make cleaning solutions, spices, and even essential oils.

Q3: Do you face any challenges or costs in handling this kind of waste?

A3: Right now, I don’t have any livestock, which would normally help with recycling plant matter. But once I finish setting up my little mountain ranch, I plan to bring in rabbits, ducks, chickens, and goats. That’ll change the equation quite a bit.

Q4: After hearing about our idea—using a rumen-inspired microbial system to break down lignin—what are your first thoughts?

A4: Honestly, it makes a lot of sense. Farming, in many ways, is really just about raising the right bacteria. Take aquaponics, for example: ammonia from the fish gets converted into nitrites, then nitrates, and that feeds the plants. If you can tap into the natural digestion processes of a rumen, you’re just extending that same principle.

Q5: Would a system that reduces crop waste and creates useful byproducts (like fuels or bioplastics) be attractive to you? Why or why not?

A5: Absolutely. Back in the mid-’70s, I actually designed a system that recycled and reused all the waste from a small farming town. To me, turning “waste” into something useful—whether it’s fuel, bioplastics, or fertilizer—just makes sense. What advice would you give us to make this kind of innovation more practical and valuable for farmers

Q6: What advice would you give us to make this kind of innovation more practical for farmers?

A6: One thing I’ve learned is that farming is tough. It’s costly, the margins are slim, and farmers are usually stretched thin. Getting big operations to change their processes is a real uphill battle—especially if it adds steps or costs.