HUMAN PRACTICES

Our human practice aimed to bridge the critical knowledge gap between public understanding and scientific research in food safety and detection technologies. To achieve this, we strategically engaged diverse stakeholders through public surveys (identifying awareness levels and concerns), expert interviews with specialists in nanotechnology, dairy, and investment (securing deep technical and market insights), and site visits to Zhongyu Biotech along with The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) collaboration (gaining practical operational perspectives). These activities informed our iterative "Problem Identification-Solution Design-Implementation" cycle, enabling tailored product development and education aligned with community needs.

By applying the Power-Interest Grid, we moved beyond mere stakeholder identification to achieve strategic, tiered management. This framework guided us to allocate resources precisely and formulate differentiated communication strategies based on each group's influence and level of concern. We focused our core efforts on "High Power-High Interest" groups, transforming their feedback into project core through deep collaboration. Simultaneously, we proactively addressed the requirements of "High Power-Low Interest" regulatory bodies to mitigate risk, and empowered the "Low Power-High Interest" general public through education and outreach. This strategy not only significantly enhanced the efficiency and impact of our IHP efforts but also ensured our project achieved an optimal balance between scientific rigor, commercial viability, and social responsibility.

This initial phase was crucial to ground our project in real-world needs. We moved beyond assumptions to directly identify the public's knowledge gaps and practical concerns regarding food safety. The following findings from surveys and street interviews defined the core problem we aimed to solve: a lack of accessible, trustworthy, and rapid detection methods, thereby establishing clear user requirements for our solution.

3.1 Questionnaire
3.1.1 Basic Information
In order to better meet the needs of our users and understand the current situation of food safety detection, we conducted a survey among 277 people from various ages groups, regions, and professions. From the ages results, the majority of respondents from ages <18 and 41-60. In terms of regions, urban areas have the highest proportion.

3.1.2 Public Confidence of Food safety, Purchasing Channels, and Related Issues
Through the survey, we found that over 70% respondents expressed their distrust of food safety, but most people do not develop habits and awareness to conduct food testing independently, and only inspect food when there is an abnormality. Besides, the majority prefer to buy food from reliable sources (supermarkets) to ensure food safety. Therefore, it means that public awareness should be improved and our product has sufficient market demand.

3.1.3 Detection Behaviors
From the perspective of detection ways and equipment, we have better understanding of application scenarios and potential. Most people have no scientific method for checking food, and trust their own sensory judgment, and at the same time, from the perspective of usage scenarios, specific groups of people (the elderly, patients, and children) have greater needs. Therefore, we decided to educate the public about importance of testing on social media platforms.

3.1.4 Product Intention
In this questionnaire, we also asked the questionnaire takers about the use of the product, and from the results, we found that the cost-effectiveness, portability and safety of the product are the key factors for consumers to buy or not.

3.1.5 Conclusion
Therefore, we decided to carry out education and science popularization from social platforms to improve the public's awareness of food safety and bacterial testing. In addition, we understand that factors such as price, detection speed, portability, and accuracy are the focus of our research and business investments, which means that our subsequent expert interviews and market analysis have clear goals and strategies.

3.2 Street Interview
In order to gain an in-depth understanding of the public's awareness of synthetic biology, their key concerns regarding food safety, and their willingness to accept our project's products, our team conducted a street interview activity near Guangzhou Meilin Tiandi on July 31, a commercial area with high foot traffic. Through interviews with multiple groups, we obtained the following key findings, which have provided clear directions for improving subsequent science education, product design, and synthetic biology communication efforts for the project.

3.2.1 Key Survey Findings
•Public awareness of synthetic biology is limited and fragmented: Up to 80% of participants lacked a basic understanding of synthetic biology. After relevant explanations were provided, most recognized its value in medical applications, with their primary concerns focusing on safety and ethical issues.

•Significant biases in food safety awareness, with severe lack of knowledge about pathogens: Approximately half of the respondents occasionally pay attention to food safety news, but up to 90% could only name E. coli or were unable to list any common foodborne pathogens. When assessing food safety, most still rely on traditional sensory methods such as touch, smell, and appearance, and expressed skepticism about the feasibility of smartphone-based bacterial detection technology.

•Clear willingness to accept the product, but key constraints exist: All respondents expressed willingness to use our product (a bacterial detection kit integrated with a smartphone mini-program for bacterial testing), highlighting potential market demand. However, they also clearly outlined two key requirements: the unit price of the product must be lower than the average market price of similar products, and the detection time must be shorter than 30 minutes; otherwise, integration into practical usage scenarios would be difficult.

3.2.2 Improvement Directions and Follow-up Strategies
•Focus on developing rapid detection technology within 30 minutes to meet users' demand for real-time results.
•Strive to reduce product costs through technological iteration and cost control, enhancing accessibility and feasibility.
•Design behavioral advocacy campaigns such as "Test-Before-Taste" to integrate the product into daily eating habits.
•Develop visual science communication materials that link high-risk pathogens (e.g., Salmonella, Listeria) with everyday food examples to help the public build concrete awareness.

In summary, this street interview not only revealed the disconnect between public awareness of synthetic biology, food safety concerns, and product needs but also provided actionable insights for the project's subsequent development. We will leverage this feedback to continuously refine our science communication, product, and outreach strategies, truly aligning scientific solutions with public perception.

Building on the identified problems, this phase focused on transforming our initial concept into a technically sound and market-viable design. We engaged with experts across nanotechnology, dairy industries, and investment to pressure-test our ideas. Their insights were instrumental in refining our technology's core specifications, ensuring it balances analytical performance with crucial factors like cost-effectiveness, user-friendliness, and a clear commercialization pathway.

4.1 Interview with Nanoflower technology expert: Dr. Yang Yang
4.1.1 Overview
On one hand, to validate the rationale behind the 4-in-1 dual-signal amplification nanoflower technology used in our experiments and explore its potential for practical application in food safety detection. On the other hand, we aimed to understand the optimization directions for the nanoflower technology and the potential challenges the project might face. Therefore, we interviewed Dr. Yang Yang from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, whose research focuses on the applications of nanotechnology.

4.1.2 Intercommunication
During the interview, Dr. Yang not only shared practical suggestions on improving experimental efficiency, ensuring quality, and meeting demands, but also elaborated on the core advantages and application prospects of the technology.

Dr. Yangyang explained the principles and methods of nanoflower technology in detail, and gave detailed guidance in combination with the topic. She said, our research about "four-in-one" dual-signal amplification nanoflower system can achieve single-molecule sensitivity and deliver results in 30 minutes.

Regarding applications and industrialization, Dr. Yangyang also noted that this technology has been deployed in food safety, primary care, and public health. It means that the market outlook is robust, showing exponential growth: 2024 sales reached ¥3 billion (5% of the rapid-test market), projected to hit ¥20 billion (40%) by 2029, with 40% growth driven by new regulations for pre-cooked meals and dairy products.

4.1.3 Reflect and implementation
The interview highlighted the importance of simplicity, low cost, and ease of use in determining market potential. Early consideration of regulatory compliance and data security was also emphasized. These points reinforce the need for collaboration across multiple disciplines, clear communication with stakeholders, and proactive efforts to build public trust. Such efforts will significantly aid the transition from laboratory research to practical, widespread implementation.

To successfully commercialize this technology, several steps should be prioritized:
•Establishing standardized testing protocols and secure necessary regulatory approvals.
•Improving the stability of the detection materials, particularly enabling long-term storage at room temperature, will help simplify logistics.
•Simplifying the user interface and operation process can also boost acceptance by general users.
•Collaboration with food producers, medical institutions, and public health agencies should be actively pursued for practical testing and quicker market adoption.

4.1.4 Conclusion
The interview with Dr. Yang Yang has provided a strong theoretical and practical foundation for our project, particularly highlighting the significant advantages and vast market potential of nanoflower detection technology. This discussion underscored key commercialization priorities, including the importance of simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendly design, as well as the critical need for regulatory compliance and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Building on these expert recommendations, our subsequent implementation will focus on establishing standardized testing protocols, enhancing material stability for room-temperature storage, and simplifying user operations to facilitate broader adoption. We will also actively pursue partnerships with food producers, medical institutions, and public health agencies for real-world testing and accelerated market entry.

4.2 Interview with dairy industry professionals: Ms. Fang & Ms. Lu
4.2.1 Overview
To bridge the gap between theoretical nanoflower detection technology and real-world dairy quality control, we interviewed two frontline experts——Fang Minyan, a testing center director from Lanzhou Ganwei Dairy and Lu Juan, a lab director from Gansu Qianjin Agricultural Group. During this interview, our team focused on two critical issues, which directly shaped our research strategies and project design:
•Operational pain points in bacterial detection
•Industry demands for new technology adoption

4.2.2 Communication with experts
To validate real-world applicability, we engaged two experts working in dairy companies: Ms. Fang and Ms. Lu. Their insights exposed critical gaps in current bacterial detection:

Speed-Accuracy Tradeoff: While the 10-min FOSS analyzer meets milk collection timelines, its ≤50% deviation from GB 4789.2 standards risks compliance; conversely, the 48h gold-standard method incurs human counting errors.

Scalability Barriers: "Accuracy must exceed 90% with farm-hand usability," stressed Ms. Lu, while Ms. Fang warned, "Cost-per-test determines large-scale feasibility." Both conditionally committed to pilot trials pending data reliability verification.

This feedback helps us identify areas where our nanoflower-based detection platform can be improved.
•Technical Optimization: Achieved 30-min detection at >90% accuracy through enhanced signal amplification.
•Workflow Integration: Simplified operation to 5 steps (from 7) for glove-compatible field use, ensuring compatibility with 40-min operational windows.
•Cost Structure: Use biodegradable test strips to reduce consumable costs, compared to FOSS testing instruments.

We will maintain ongoing contact with these two companies to seek long-term feedback, continuously improving our products.

4.2.3 Reflect and Conclusion
Through this interview, our team has a clear direction and framework for experimental research directions and business investment plans. Based on expert advice, we identified the testing needs and costs of food industry and determined the pricing strategy in our business plan. In addition, we clarified the direction of experimental research improvement from experts' suggestions, including improving detection accuracy and detection time.

4.3 Interview with investment expert: Zhang Andong
4.3.1 Overview
To address scaling barriers in rapid detection technologies, we interviewed Zhang Andong (Chief Industrial Expert, Haifa Baocheng Pharma-Chem), whose experience revealed critical commercialization hurdles to us: unstable mass production yields and cost sensitivity driving market rejection. Additionally, he reminded us of some issues that need attention in commercialization, such as over-engineering, rigid pricing, and certification bottlenecks. His feedback informed our strategy to align R&D with manufacturing viability from the outset.

4.3.2 Intercommunication
Commercialization Pathway and Implementation Challenges
Mr. Zhang helped us outline a four-stage commercialization framework encompassing technical verification (performance validation), product development (scalable manufacturing design), market entry (regulatory compliance and pilot deployment), and commercial scaling (market expansion strategies). He pointed out key implementation challenges include manufacturing instability due to yield fluctuations during scale-up, compounded by regulatory-compliance pressures amid cost constraints. To mitigate these challenges, he advocates for rigorous pre-commercial technical refinement, biomanufacturing process optimization, and implementation of tiered pricing models aligned with value propositions.

Classification and Market Positioning of Bacterial Detection Technologies
Mr. Zhang revealed that existing pathogenic bacteria detection platforms form a technological spectrum: rapid test strips (18-24h, low sensitivity/cost) for industrial settings; molecular methods (15min-1h, high sensitivity) for laboratory traceability; biosensors (1-4h, medium sensitivity) for field applications; and automated systems (high cost) serving institutional users. This landscape reveals a significant efficiency-cost gap for cost-sensitive small and medium enterprises, particularly unmet needs for rapid, moderately sensitive detection at sub-molecular technology pricing. He further emphasized that with the global market projected to reach $3.28 billion by 2025, emerging solutions targeting specific niches—such as sub-30-minute tests for catering safety or cold-chain monitoring—stand to capitalize on increasingly stringent regulatory environments while circumventing direct competition with established technologies. This further confirms the potential and social value of our products.

4.3.3 Reflect and implementation
Leveraging expert insights, we have adopted a stage-gated development strategy. This means we will first validate technical feasibility under various conditions and set up pilot production lines before moving to full-scale expansion. To stand out in the market, we're focusing on serving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and field users by offering rapid detection and cost-efficient designs.

Additionally, we will prioritize securing key anchor clients while pursuing necessary certifications and improving manufacturing efficiency. These steps will ensure our solution can scale effectively and deliver meaningful social impact.

With a validated design, we progressed to real-world testing and iterative refinement. This stage aimed to bridge the gap between laboratory prototype and a practical product. Through site visits to industry partners and collaborative exchanges with academic peers, we gathered critical feedback on manufacturing integration, business models, and environmental sustainability, driving continuous optimization for future deployment.

5.1 Company Visit
5.1.1 Overview
On July 31st, our team visited Guangzhou Zhongyu Biotechnology Co., Ltd. for an exchange visit. This is a company specializing in point-of-care testing (POCT), and our visit aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the current POCT market and explore the prospects of our project.

5.1.2 Intercommunication
Ms. Chen Jieling, the company's representative, first took us on a tour and introduced various company products, giving us a more specific understanding of the prices, technology, target customers, and other aspects of current POCT products.

Furthermore, she provided us with a lot of effective help and suggestions from the perspective of the company's product experimentation and commercialization.

First of all, from the perspective of target customers and application scenarios, Ms. Chen suggested that we can pay attention to three types of groups: family consumers, small and medium-sized catering and food retail enterprises, and the quality inspection departments of large food processing enterprises. Additionally, we could design pain points according to the characteristics of different customers, such as small and medium-sized restaurants, fast food restaurants, fresh supermarkets and other customers and scenarios urgently need low-cost, fast (≤ 30 minutes) on-site sampling tools.

From a technical point of view, Ms. Chen emphasized that the core advantage of our team's R&D kit lies in its innovative integration of nanoflower dual signal amplification technology with smartphone visual analysis. This combination enables ultrasensitive detection of major foodborne pathogens while offering user friendly operation, portability, and controllable costs. The results are both visually readable, with clear color changes observable by the naked eye, and quantitatively analyzable through a mobile app, eliminating the need for specialized instruments. These features effectively address the urgent need for rapid, sensitive, and convenient pathogen screening in households, food retail environments, and production facilities.

5.1.3 Reflection and Conclusion
From this visit and exchange, we have gained a lot. From the perspective of business plan, we have identified potential users and pain points in the market, and prioritized the promotion strategy to household consumers and small to medium-sized food service businesses. We would consider adopting the "kit consumables subscription and free training support" model proposed by Ms. Chen to lower the user usage threshold and capture more market share. At the same time, we will optimize the following four points in the future to improve our competitive: 1) portable point-of-care screening (kit mobile phone mode); 2) Iteration of multi-pathogenic bacteria joint detection technology; 3) Intelligent management of detection data (local encrypted storage, optional cloud analysis); 4) Cost-effective on-site solutions gradually replace centralized laboratories for inspection.

5.2 Collaboration with The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)
5.2.1 Background
On July 30th, our team went to HKust(GZ) for collaboration and communication. We introduced our project including nanoflower technology and food-safety testing devices with them. Then them showed their research for us about lychee preservation technology. Through this activity, we hold three core goals:
1. In-depth mutual analysis of the content of the topic
2. Cross-team technical advice exchange
3. Explore potential cooperation directions

5.2.2 Intercommunication
Our projects exhibit complementarity within the food safety technology chain: we focus on ultra-sensitive pathogen detection at the consumption terminal, while HKust(GZ) targets lychee preservation in the supply chain. Key synergies include:
(1)Scenario Complementarity: our detection tech can directly evaluate microbial contamination risks in their preservation system, while their antimicrobial strategies may enhance our detection specificity;
(2)Data Synergy – we could shared foodborne pathogen databases to help them optimize contamination thresholds for lychee preservation, and they could provide tropical fruit samples to validate our detection kit.

After introducing our (project), they gave us many valuable suggestions, especially in experimental technologies and society practices. We also learned a lot about teamwork and project improvement.

For wet lab, they gave us some advice and details wo need to pay attention to:
(1)Consider replacing PBP protein with bacterial toxins for E. coli contamination detection
(2)Consider the unit cost and compare it with commercial bacterial detection kits.
(3)AuPt, being a heavy metal, requires consideration of whether it will cause environmental pollution after detection.
(4)Our detection range is limited to only E. coli and Bacillus subtilis now, we can explore how to detect more categories of bacteria in the future.

For dry lab, we also gained some useful suggestions:
(1)Publish more questionnaires for different groups to clarify who the main target customers of the project are
(2)It is necessary to further cooperate and communicate with POCT testing equipment institutions to clarify the design and production standards of our products

5.2.3 Reflection and Implementation
Based on their questions and suggestions, we further optimize the topic and address their concerns about our project.

In terms of experimental design, specific PBP will be designed for different bacteria to achieve screening purposes. As for environmental protection, the AuPt we use is inert with negligible reaction involvement and minimal dosage per test, alongside a proposed kit recycling program. Therefore, it will not cause environmental pollution after testing. In terms of cost, the unit reagent cost is only CNY 0.1, and the method applies to all E. coli strains. Thus, our product is relatively competitive compared to other bacterial detection kits.

In addition, our dry lab considered how to improve society practices to ensure our stakeholders analysis and research more comprehensive. First of all, we have communicated with POCT testing devices manufacturers (Guangzhou Zhongyu Biotechnology Company) to understood the application potential and feasibility of our technology. In the future, we plan to release more questionnaires to survey the needs of different groups and clarify the direction of product development

5.2.4 Conclusion
Through our exchange with HKUST, we have realized that during the progress of the project, it is crucial to fully consider the impact of eco-friendly experiments and sustainable development. Deeper research and social practices help us clarify the future development direction of our products, particularly the commercialization path and marketing strategies. We are all grateful for this cooperation activity and have decided to participate in more intercollegiate iGEM exchange events in the future to promote mutual progress.

Our human practices work has systematically connected scientific innovation with public needs and industry realities. Through public surveys and street interviews, we identified key gaps in food safety awareness and established clear user requirements for our detection technology. Interviews with experts in nanotechnology, dairy production, and investment provided critical guidance on technical optimization, market positioning, and scalable commercialization. Site visits to Zhongyu Biotech and collaboration with HKUST(GZ) further grounded our project in practical application contexts and highlighted potential synergies across the food safety ecosystem.

Moving forward, we will focus on refining our product to meet the 30 minute detection threshold and cost targets highlighted by users, while advancing regulatory compliance and manufacturing stability. We plan to deepen engagement with small and medium enterprises and household consumers through targeted education and pilot testing, and continue to explore cross sector partnerships that support both technical reliability and broader societal impact. These steps will ensure our solution remains both scientifically robust and genuinely responsive to real world needs.