"The tides of global change shape the course of our work,and our efforts--every small endeavor--will ultimatetely converge reshapes the world."
--Steve Jobs
Introduce
iHP serves as a bridge connecting scientific research, societal needs, and ethical responsibilities.
When conventional influenza prevention and treatment face “unmet needs,” how can we use synthetic biology to break the deadlock?
Faced with this global public health challenge, our team has engineered the “friendly bacterium” — Lactobacillus rhamnosus — to target the influenza A virus. Through a nasal spray formulation that acts directly on the respiratory mucosa, we aim to achieve a new prevention strategy centered on “prevention first, early intervention.” However, technical feasibility is only the first step. Ensuring its safety, public acceptance, policy compliance, and long-term social benefits are the keys to truly implementing the project.
To this end, we have built a human practices framework centered on the “3P” cycle and guided by the “CARES” model as our methodology. Through in-depth engagement with diverse stakeholders including medical experts, the public, educational institutions, and enterprises, we continuously optimize the project design and facilitate the transition from a “scientific concept” to a “societal solution.”
Responsibility Indicator
CARES：Community、Accountability、Response、Effect、Sustainability.
With "care and concern" at its core, and relying on "relationships" to build a foundation of trust, a dynamic cycle of "participation–dialogue–iteration–reflection–empowerment–new round" is constructed to continuously align projects with societal needs and practice responsible innovation.
"3P"Cycle
Since May, we have designed a "3P Cycle: Public-Practitioners-Progress in iGEM" to ensure the continuous improvement of the project by engaging stakeholders, incorporating their feedback, and adjusting our technology to meet societal needs.
Stakeholder Interaction
Our IHP is not an isolated link, but a dynamic cyclic process deeply integrated with experimental design and social benefit assessment. The core objectives include:
- Verify scientific necessity: Determine whether the "nasal spray + probiotic carrier" solution addresses the existing pain points in influenza prevention and treatment.
- Optimize the technical path: What biological functions should the modified Lactobacillus rhamnosus meet?
- Clarify application scenarios: Which populations is the formulation suitable for?
- Avoid ethical and risk issues: Are there any long-term safety risks in the probiotic carrier? What is the public's acceptance of "nasal administration of genetically engineered bacteria"?
Based on this, we have designed a "Four-Dimensional Practice Matrix", covering the entire process from pre-demand mining, mid-technology iteration to post-social promotion.
Action Timeline
Public Pulse
Reflection & Outlook
From initially overlooking the operational barriers for patients in remote areas to now developing user-friendly formulations through iterative Human Practices, our project demonstrates that the warmth of synthetic biology lies in every moment we pause to listen attentively to social needs.
Innovation in synthetic biology must be rooted in real-world medical demands, technical constraints and social consensus. Through in-depth dialogues with clinicians, industry experts, and the public, our team has not only validated the scientific potential of a "nasal probiotic spray" for influenza prevention, but has also established a three-dimensional evaluation framework centered on "safety, efficacy, and acceptability."
Moving forward, we will continue engaging with stakeholders by participating in academic conferences on influenza prevention, organizing community science outreach sessions, and more to facilitate the transition of our project from the lab to real-world application. We remain committed to realizing our vision of "using engineered bacteria to safeguard respiratory health."