2024.11.25 Teambuilding

Complete the recruitment and grouping of team members, establish a personnel organizational framework for project advancement, and ensure the orderly implementation of subsequent work.

2024.11.29-2025.1.13 Experimental skills and literature reading training

Organize and conduct training on experimental operation skills and literature retrieval & reading methods, improve team members' experimental capabilities and scientific research literacy, and enable members to carry out subsequent experiments and research more efficiently.

2025.1.16-2025.3.31 Brainstorming

Team members conducted creative discussions around various fields related to synthetic biology, generating numerous ideas regarding the application of RNA technology, microbial prevention and control, and other aspects, which provided abundant insights into the determination of the project theme.

2025.3.31 Determine the project

Based on the integration of brainstorming outcomes and preliminary research, the citrus aphid control project was selected, with the overall objectives and research scope of the project clearly defined.

2025.3.20-2025.8.16 First-generation RNA

The first-generation RNA molecules for aphid control were successfully designed and synthesized, which exhibit a certain inhibitory effect on aphids.

2025.6.15-2025.8.18 Second-generation RNA

Small segments of different genes were concatenated to form second-generation RNA, and experiments confirmed that its inhibitory effect on aphids is stronger than that of the first-generation.

2025.8.1-2025.9.10 Third-generation RNA

The third-generation RNA was obtained by designing the RNA into a hairpin structure and concatenating them to enhance stability, which showed a more significant lethal effect on aphids in experiments.

2025.8.23-2025.10.3 Forth-generation RNA

Fourth-generation RNA was developed, and lethal experiments were conducted.

2025.8.1-2025.9.21 MS2-VLPs

An MS2-based Virus-Like Particle (VLP) was constructed to encapsulate RNA molecules, providing vector support for the stable delivery of RNA.

2025.8.7-2025.9.21 dipeptide

Studies on dipeptides (TAT & GBP3.1) were conducted, and an attempt was made to conjugate the dipeptides to EGFP for proof-of-concept validation.

2025.7.15-2025.10.2 Metarhizium anisopliae

Studies related to Metarhizium anisopliae were conducted to prepare for its combination with RNA technology in aphid control, and to explore the prevention and control potential of the integration of microbial and molecular technologies.

2025.8.1-2025.9.24 engineered Bacillus subtilis

Engineered sucrose-responsive Bacillus subtilis was designed, and the expression of methyl salicylate was qualitatively analyzed by LC-MS.

2025.8.22-2025.9.10 Mini Program

To address the challenge of lacking user-friendly dsRNA design software in previous RNA molecule design, efforts were initiated to develop a dsRNA design applet.

2025.04.06-2025.10.05 Model

The model framework was determined, and the background model (population dynamics model), Model 1, Model 2, and Model 3 were completed.

2025.07.01-2025.10.02 software design

A statistical method for the efficacy of first-generation RNAi molecules was proposed, and a visual siRNA sorting platform was successfully constructed.

2025.3.29 The protocol for in vitro dsRNA production was determined, and target screening was studied.

Haocheng Li, Jiachun Chen, Yutong Chen —— The team participated in the Nanjing Synthetic Biology Industry Expo and exchanged views with Shanghai Plant Science Biotechnology Co., Ltd on the implementation status of RNA pesticides.

2025.3.20-2025.4.10 The team carried out RNA target screening work

Haocheng Li, Shujing Bu —— The team carried out RNA target screening work.

2025.4.10-2025.5.10 Design of single-target dsRNA and construction of the vector

Haocheng Li, Shujing Bu, Xiaying Zhou —— After the team identified the RNAi targets, they initiated the design of first-generation RNAi molecules (single-target dsRNA).

2025.5.10-2025.6.20 In vitro Transcription Experiment of First-Generation RNAi Molecules, Optimization of Transcription Experimental Protocol

Xiaying Zhou —— In vitro Transcription Experiment of First-Generation RNAi Molecules, Optimization of Transcription Experimental Protocol

2025.6.20-2025.8.01 Efficiency Verification of Multiple Terminators for First-Generation RNAi Molecules

Xiaying Zhou —— In the Experiment for Efficiency Verification of Multiple Terminators in First-Generation RNAi Molecules, the terminator with the optimal efficiency was successfully identified.

2025.5.11-2025.7.20 visited the "Guangdong Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and the Southwest University Laboratory" to learn.

Shujing Bu, Minwei Chen —— learn aphid rearing methods under the guidance of professional laboratory personnel.

2025.7.23-2025.8.16 Conducting Lethality and Silencing Experiments of RNAi Molecules

Shujing Bu, Minwei Chen —— From July 23 to July 30, the formal experimental phase of lethality and silencing of RNAi molecules will commence.

2025.6.15-2025.7.05 Determine the design direction of second-generation RNAi molecules and construct vectors

Haocheng Li, Jiachun Chen, Xiaying Zhou —— On July 10th, the team communicated with Chen Ruoyu, which led to the definition of the design direction for second-generation RNAi molecules—integrating multi-target dsRNA to enhance lethal effects and reduce the risk of pest drug resistance, along with the vector construction for second-generation RNAi molecules.

2025.7.05-2025.7.20 In vitro transcription experiment of second-generation RNAi molecules

Haocheng Li, Xiaying Zhou, Ziqi Yang, Ruohan Shi —— The second-generation RNAi molecules were successfully transcribed in vitro.

2025.7.24-2025.8.18 Aphids in vivo experiment of second-generation RNAi molecules

Shujing Bu, Minwei Chen, Haocheng Li —— Conduct in vivo aphid experiments with second-generation RNAi molecules.

2025.8.01-2025.8.12 Construction of the third-generation RNAi in vitro production template

Haocheng Li, Ziqi Yang —— Construct a tri-shRNA synthetic vector

2025.8.13-2025.8.16 In vitro transcription experiment of third-generation RNAi molecules

Haocheng Li, Ziqi Yang —— The team completed the in vitro production of third-generation RNAi molecules.

2025.8.24-2025.9.10 Lethality Experiment with tri-shRNA

Shujing Bu, Minwei Chen, Haocheng Li —— The team conducted the lethality experiment of tri-shRNA.

2025.8.23-2025.9.07 Determine the design direction of fourth-generation RNAi molecules and construct vectors

Haocheng Li, Ziqi Yang —— The team determined Design Direction and Vector Construction for Fourth-Generation RNAi Molecules

2025.9.09-2025.9.18 In vitro transcription experiment of fourth-generation RNAi molecule

Haocheng Li, Ziqi Yang —— The team completed the in vitro production of forth-generation RNAi molecules.

2025.9.19-2025.10.03 bi-amiRNA was used for the lethality experiment

Shujing Bu, Minwei Chen, Haocheng Li —— The team conducted the lethality experiment of bi-amiRNA.

2025.7.15-8.10 Construction of Metarhizium anisopliae - Modified Shuttle Plasmids

Haocheng Li, Jiachun Chenng——Construction and Synthesis of Plasmids with PtrpC Promoter-Driven dsRNA Expression Using Recombinant Vector pBar Obtained from Researcher Duo Lai of Shenyang Agricultural University

2025.8.11-9.11 Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation of Metarhizium anisopliae

Jiachun Chenng——Spores of Metarhizium anisopliae were transformed using the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method, and then the spores were transferred to a selective medium for further screening. The successful transformation of Metarhizium anisopliae was verified by performing genomic PCR and RT-PCR on its mycelia.

2025.9.12-9.20 The successfully transformed Metarhizium anisopliae was cultured on a large scale for subsequent experiments.

Jiachun Chenng——Engineered Metarhizium anisopliae that stably expresses dsRNA was obtained through continuous screening and cultivation.

2025.9.20-10.02 Experiment on Infection of Toxoptera citricida by Engineered Metarhizium anisopliae

Haocheng Li, Jiachun Chenng——Toxoptera citricida was infected by soaking in a spore suspension of Metarhizium anisopliae, and the virulence of the engineered Metarhizium anisopliae against Toxoptera citricida was confirmed from a phenotypic perspective.

2025.8.1 Proposition and determination of the protective vector

Haocheng Li, Qizheng Liu—— team communicated with Liu Xuedong regarding the issue of RNA degradation. They decided to add a protective vector to address this problem. Through literature research and analysis, they found that, unlike chemically synthesized polymer nanocarriers, Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) possess excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility. Therefore, they finally determined to use VLPs

2025.8.1—8.20 Carry out the design work of VLP delivery vectors and the construction of plasmids

Haocheng Li, Qizheng Liu, Yuxuan Liu ——team carried out the design work of VLP delivery vectors

2025.8.7-8.20 Design Work of GBP3.1 and TAT, and Plasmid Construction of GBP3.1 and TAT

Qizheng Liu, Yuxuan Liu ——The team carried out the design work of GBP3.1 and TAT. To address the issue of determining the optimal position of the His tag in the GBP3.1~egfp~TAT fusion protein (and thereby avoid potential interference with the activity of functional peptides), the project, following the suggestion of Senior Fellow Bai Yongsheng, adopted a strategy of constructing two candidate plasmids (GBP3.1~egfp~TAT~His and GBP3.1~egfp~His~TAT) and planned to conduct direct verification through experiments.

2025.8.21-8.29 Expression and Verification of Recombinant Fusion Protein TAT-egfp-GBP.31，Plasmid Transformation and Verification

Xiaying Zhou——The teamCarried out plasmid transformation and verification ， the experiment on the expression and verification of the recombinant fusion protein TAT-egfp-GBP.31

2025.8.24-9.09 Protein Expression of VLPs，Plasmid Transformation and Verification

Xiaying Zhou, Qizheng Liu, Yuxuan Liu——The team carried out plasmid transformation and verification .Carry out experiments on protein expression, purification and extraction of VLPs

2025.8.26-8.28

Xiaying Zhou, Qizheng Liu, Yuxuan Liu——Verify whether exogenous substances can be transported to young leaves and stems through the vascular tissues of tree trunks; verify whether VLPs can be transported to young leaves and stems through the vascular tissues of tree trunks via injection and Western Blot (WB) experiments.

2025.8.30 - 9.3 Recombinant Fusion Protein TAT-egfp-GBP.31 Parasite Experiment

Xiaying Zhou —— Feeding Aphids with Recombinant Fusion Protein TAT-egfp-GBP.31 and In Vivo Fluorescence Observation

2025.9.4 - 9.21 Frozen Section

Xiaying Zhou—— Embedded, cryosectioned, stained with specific antibodies, and observed under a laser confocal microscope the aphids that had been fed with the recombinant fusion protein TAT-egfp-GBP.31.

2025.9.9 - 9.18 Characterization of VLPs, Investigation of the Protective Performance of VLP Nanoparticles on amiRNA

Qizheng Liu, Yuxuan Liu —— conducted TEM observation on the purified VLPs and a complex experiment to verify whether RNA was encapsulated in MS2 VLPs, and performed a time layer experiment on the purified protein using Benzonase Nuclease.

2025.08.01-2025.09.03 Proposal for constructing engineered Bacillus subtilis responsive to sucrose concentration; construction of Bacillus subtilis-Escherichia coli shuttle plasmids

Haocheng Li,Yutong Chen — Discovered that monitoring changes in aphid populations is of great significance for determining pesticide application timing; proposed designing a biosensor based on sucrose (one of the components in citrus aphid honeydew) to reflect aphid population changes. Constructed and synthesized Bacillus subtilis-Escherichia coli shuttle plasmids capable of expressing pchA, pchB, and BSMT1.

2025.09.06-2025.09.12 Plasmid transformation into Bacillus subtilis

Yutong Chen— Prepared competent Bacillus subtilis cells and performed transformation with empty plasmids and recombinant plasmids. Plasmids were extracted after amplification, and successful transformation was verified via plasmid PCR and restriction enzyme digestion.

2025.09.13-2025.09.24 Sucrose induction and determination of methyl salicylate expression level by LC-MS

Yutong Chen— Induced with different concentrations of sucrose until reaching the same OD value. Established a standard curve for methyl salicylate standard via LC-MS, and based on this, quantified the expression level of methyl salicylate under induction with different concentrations of sucrose.

2025.04.06-2025.04.12 Confirmation of the Model Framework

Bingying Zhu – Conducted literature research and initially proposed a modeling framework; discussed with Professor Ailin Zhang on April 11 to confirm the top-level design of the modeling framework; completed the modeling framework.

2025.04.13-2025.05.02 Completion of the Background Model (Population Dynamics Model)

Bingying Zhu – 2025.04.13-2025.04.19: Collected annual temperature data of Guangdong Province in 2024, implemented a temperature-growth rate function, and verified that Guangdong is in the suitable temperature range of 15-30°C for 70% of the time; established an aphid population dynamics model based on the Logistic equation, and introduced a temperature-driven term and environmental carrying capacity.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.04.20-2025.04.26: Introduced the Holling Type II functional response to describe natural enemy predation; reviewed literature on the daily predation amount of ladybugs (56-150 individuals) and found that the control threshold cannot be simply derived; proposed a density-dependent S-shaped function for wing morph conversion, and established the local diffusion dynamics of alate aphids.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.04.25: Discussed with Professor Ke Pan and confirmed the introduction of spatial heterogeneity to align with the actual orchard environment.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.04.27-2025.05.02: Established a spatial function of environmental carrying capacity; derived the formula for dynamic control threshold; completed a 20-day simulation of a 5×5 grid orchard using the RK45 algorithm, and generated a population dynamics animation.

2025.05.03-2025.05.11 Completion of the Aphid Feeding Model (Model 2) and Initiation of Integrating the Monitoring Module (Model 1)

Bingying Zhu – Conducted literature research on phloem fluid mechanics and confirmed the applicability of the Hagen-Poiseuille equation; modified the equation for the conical structure of aphids' piercing-sucking mouthparts; established a pesticide intake rate model; wrote the code for the feeding model.

2025.05.12-2025.06.08 Completion of Model 1

Bingying Zhu – 2025.05.12-2025.05.18: Clarified and constructed the forward modeling of the monitoring mechanism chain.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.05.19-2025.05.25: Conducted inverse modeling to infer the number of aphids from the detected MeSA concentration.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.05.26-2025.06.08: Plotted model curves and conducted parameter sensitivity analysis, etc.

2025.06.09-2025.09.29 Completion of the Spatiotemporal Distribution Model (Model 2)

Bingying Zhu – 2025.06.09-2025.07.28: Established the theoretical framework: decomposed three major physical processes; completed the convection-diffusion equation; searched for relevant parameters.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.07.15: Discussed the numerical solution scheme with Professor Ailin Zhang and confirmed the simulation dimension.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.07.29-2025.09.29: Wrote a solver to realize concentration field calculation; generated a spatiotemporal distribution animation.

2025.08.20-2025.10.5 Completion of Lethal Data Fitting + Multi-Objective Optimization for Model 2

Bingying Zhu – 2025.08.20-2025.10.4: Lethal effect modeling: the data fitting results for prediction were poor; after communicating with Professor Ailin Zhang, an algorithm suitable for small samples was selected; fitted the RNA pesticide data; generated a 3D lethal surface plot.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.09.3-2025.10.5: Multi-objective optimization framework: defined the decision variable space; constructed a bi-objective function; designed constraint conditions.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.09.22: Discussed the selection of optimization algorithms with Professor Ailin Zhang and confirmed that NSGA-II is suitable for multi-objective non-convex problems.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.09.17-2025.10.5: Implemented the NSGA-II algorithm; solved the Pareto optimal solution set; generated the Pareto frontier curve.

2025.06.09-2025.09.26 Initiation of Integrating Model 3 and Completion of Model 3

Bingying Zhu – 2025.06.09-2025.07.05: Lethal mechanism of Metarhizium anisopliae: established a cumulative lethal probability model; combined the infection rate with Michaelis-Menten kinetics and environmental correction.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.07.06-2025.08.01: Spatiotemporal distribution model of spores: dynamic wind field simulation; control equations; multi-physical process modeling; simulation results.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.08.02: Discussed the improvement direction with Professor Mo.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.08.02-2025.08.28: Improved the SIR transmission dynamics.

Bingying Zhu – 2025.08.29-2025.09.26: Conducted multi-objective optimization.

2025.09.30-2025.10.05 Model Collation

Bingying Zhu – Summarized the overall framework; organized the parameter table; conducted final review and code release.

APHiGEM – Fusion dsRNA Computer-Aided Design System

2025.06.15-2025.06.20 Initial Statistical Program for RNAi Molecule Potency

Haocheng Li – Designed a statistical program for the design of fusion dsRNA.

2025.07.07-2025.07.14 Proposal of the New-Generation dsRNA Design System

Zhuoming Zou – During the team's process of designing dsRNA using existing platforms, it was found that the existing software was very inconvenient to use. Meanwhile, the team had a demand for designing fusion dsRNA, so he proposed the construction of a new-generation fusion dsRNA Computer-Aided Design System.

2025.07.22-2025.07.31 Construction and Abandonment of the Initial Model

Zhuoming Zou – Constructed the initial siRNA algorithm model, but after in-depth discussions with team members, loopholes were found in the existing algorithm logic, so we abandoned the initial model.

2025.08.01-2025.08.07 Development of the Second-Generation siRNA Design System

Zhuoming Zou – After consulting bioinformatics expert Shaoxiang Wang, he improved the underlying logic of computer-aided siRNA screening and developed the second-generation siRNA design system.

2025.08.08-2025.08.27 Construction of the Off-Target Database

Zhuoming Zou – Based on user feedback on software usage, he proposed and constructed the team's own off-target database to address potential biosafety loopholes.

2025.08.28-2025.09.20 Integration of the Off-Target Analysis Module with the System

Zhuoming Zou – Expanded the species and sequences in the off-target database, added an off-target analysis module based on the second-generation siRNA design model, and successfully integrated the database with the software.

2025.09.21-2025.10.02 Completion of Software Engineering and Deployment

Zhuoming Zou – Developed a large number of detection scripts and extension tools to enhance the software's scalability, containerized the software using Docker, and successfully submitted it to the iGEM official GitLab repository.

YOLO Visual Recognition

2025.04.05 Proposal of the Pest and Disease Visual Recognition System

Zhuoming Zou – During the research at the agricultural material store of Shanwei Suili Agricultural Cooperative, he learned that farmers were unable to accurately identify the pest and disease outbreaks of the current season, which posed significant obstacles to the selection of pesticides and timely pest and disease control. Thus, he proposed developing a visual recognition system to assist farmers in this work.

2025.04.06-2025.06.12 Extensive Research on Visual Large Models

Zhuoming Zou – Extensively reviewed various potential visual large models and related literature.

2025.06.13-2025.07.15 Confirmation of the YOLOv Series Model Scheme

Zhuoming Zou – Gained inspiration through exchanges with various iGEM teams and decided on the plan to develop the recognition system using YOLOv series visual large models.

2025.07.16-2025.07.19 Completion of the First Dataset Training for the Model

Zhuoming Zou – Conducted the first dataset training on a local computer using the pre-trained model provided by the official YOLO platform.

2025.07.20-2025.08.26 Model Fine-Tuning

Zhuoming Zou – To improve the model's accuracy, Zhuoming Zou continuously tried various parameter combinations and optimized the dataset.

Aphid Incubator

2025.05.11

Team members – Proposal of the Multifunctional Aphid Incubator

2025.05.12-2025.06.20 Completion of the Preliminary 3D Modeling of the Incubator

Zhuoming Zou – Based on his understanding of existing biological incubators on the market and in light of the needs for aphid rearing, Zhuoming Zou used 3dMax software to conduct the initial modeling of the incubator.

2025.06.21-2025.07.02 Proposal of the Double-Layer Water Circulation Temperature Control System

Zhuoming Zou – To achieve the preset constant temperature function, Zhuoming Zou conducted literature research and proposed the use of a water circulation temperature control system with double-layer incubator walls.

2025.07.03-2025.07.13 Termination of the Aphid Incubator Project

Zhuoming Zou – After communicating with the team and consultants, we estimated the cost, difficulty, and actual effectiveness of the project. Finally, we unanimously agreed that the project had high practical operation difficulty and a low possibility of achieving the expected results, so we abandoned this project.

Laser Minimally Invasive (Technology)

2025.04.11 Proposal of the UV Laser UAV Minimally Invasive Drug Delivery Scheme

Zhuoming Zou – During the investigation of aphids' living habits, it was found that aphids are pests that feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. To enable the team's RNA pesticides to enter plants more effectively, Zhuoming Zou proposed using UV lasers combined with UAVs to perform minimally invasive treatment on citrus leaves.

2025.04.12-2025.06.11 Successful Construction of the UV Laser Minimally Invasive System

Zhuoming Zou – After extensively reviewing various materials, he constructed a set of UV laser minimally invasive systems based on the principles of common infrared laser marking machines.

2025.06.12-2025.07.03 Project Obstacles

Zhuoming Zou – Due to the difficulty in obtaining raw materials for system construction (such as crystals and lasers) and their high costs, we communicated with technical personnel from relevant companies with the help of the lead researchers. Regrettably, we were still unable to resolve these difficulties.

2025.07.04 Termination of the Project

Zhuoming Zou – In the team meeting, considering the excessive technical difficulty of the project, we finally abandoned this scheme.

CitrusShield

2025.8.20-8.30 Construction of the Basic Sensor Hardware

Haocheng Li – Used sensor components such as STM32 to build a sensor capable of multi-environmental parameter detection.

2025.8.31-9.10 Construction of the Mini Program Frontend

Haocheng Li – Built the frontend interface of the mini program and integrated the community communication function into it.

2025.9.11-9.20 Cloud Deployment of Sensor Data

Haocheng Li – Transmitted sensor data to the cloud via WiFi and connected it to the frontend environmental monitoring module of the mini program.

Trunk Injection-Related Hardware

2025.8.20-9.18 Trunk Injection Plugs

Haocheng Li – Designed the first and second generations of trunk injection plugs.

2025.9.20-9.25 Syringes

Haocheng Li – Designed the model of the trunk syringe.

2025.9.20-9.25 Trunk Injection Plugs

Haocheng Li – Conducted 3D modeling of the trunk injection plugs.

Our product application forms detail the development and design of various delivery systems and biological control products for citrus pest management.

2025.8.10 - 9.30 Trunk Injection Delivery of RNAi Products

Li Haocheng - Designing the use of trunk injection technology to deliver agents into plants

2025.8.20 - 8.30 Metarhizium Product Design

Li Haocheng - Designed to deliver Metarhizium anisopliae in the form of oil-based spore suspension capsule spraying

2025.9.20 - 9.30 Bacillus subtilis Product Design

Li Haocheng —— Design of hydrogel-based sustained-release capsules for the delivery of Bacillus subtilis

2025.2.22 4th iGEM Community Day

Team members – Participated in the Community Day event, collected feasibility analyses of proposals submitted by various groups and team interest assessments, and selected four projects for in-depth research: Hepatocyte Single-Base Editing for Hepatitis B Treatment, Acne Management, Litchi Preservation, and Citrus Aphid Control.

2025.2.24 iGEM Experience Exchange

Yuxuan Liu – Exchanged ideas with Zejia Wei, former team leader of the 2024 iGEM HP team and 2025 iGEM Ambassador, and obtained the suggestion to conduct field research first.

2025.3.09 Preliminary Field Research

Yuxuan Liu, Yutong Chen, Minwei Chen – Conducted research in the main citrus-producing areas of Shanwei, Guangdong. They communicated with Manager Wang from the local rural experimental base and 3 farmers, and found that local growers were severely affected by pests. Farmers mainly relied on chemical pesticides for pest control, but faced problems such as high costs, drug resistance, and slow effectiveness. Farmers held a wait-and-see attitude towards biological control and put forward demands for low-cost, efficient, safe, and thorough pest control solutions.

2025.3.17 Research at Ketang Town Agricultural and Rural Service Center

Yuxuan Liu, Yutong Chen, Minwei Chen – Conducted research at the Ketang Town Agricultural and Rural Service Center. They communicated with Director Xuehui Wu about local agricultural types, crop sales, pest control methods, and the implementation of projects such as biological control and RNA pesticides. They also introduced the core principles of RNA biopesticides and discussed issues related to reducing pesticide abuse and drug resistance.

2025.3.21 Expert Exchange

Yuxuan Liu, Qizheng Liu, Zhuoming Zou, Ruohan Shi – Exchanged ideas with Professor Beixin Mo from Shenzhen University on pest control strategies and the principles of RNAi technology. They confirmed that RNA pesticides have advantages such as species specificity, high efficiency, safety, and ecological friendliness.

2025.3.29 Nanjing Synthetic Biology Industry Expo

Yutong Chen, Jiachun Chen, Haocheng Li – Attended the Nanjing Synthetic Biology Industry Expo.

2025.3.30 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area HP Salon

Team members – Participated in the salon event, shared the project proposal with other teams, and collected feedback through exchanges.

2025.3.31 Visit to BGI Genomics

Team members – Visited BGI Genomics to learn about RNAi-related R&D and industrialization information, which provided technical references for project design.

2025.4.05 Field Research in Taohe Town, Haifeng County, Shanwei City

Team members – Visited agricultural material stores and individual growers, collected information on pesticide usage habits, costs, effectiveness, farmers' demands, and the agricultural material supply chain. They summarized the core demands: low cost, high cost-effectiveness, compatibility with existing application methods, extended control period, and low pesticide residues.

2025.4.12 Visit to Citrus Deep-Processing Enterprises: Understanding Raw Material and Pesticide Residue Issues

Team members – Visited citrus deep-processing enterprises. Mr. He, the person in charge, mentioned that poor raw material quality reduces processing quality and increases additive dosage, while excessive pesticide residues require additional processing links, which push up costs.

2025.4.19 Research at Suili Agricultural Cooperative: Exploring Cooperative Promotion Paths

Team members – Conducted research at Suili Agricultural Professional Cooperative in Shanwei City, and learned about the cooperative's land contracting and management model. Cooperative members are sensitive to costs and pay attention to the economic benefits of collective promotion, brand enhancement, and member recognition. Cooperatives play an important role in collective procurement, standardized unified pesticide application, risk sharing, and policy implementation demonstration. The team realized that new technologies can only be implemented through promotion via cooperatives. They also learned that traditional chemical pesticides lead to "insect-hole fruits" and pesticide residue issues, which force citrus to be sold at low prices; solving these problems can increase the selling price. The cooperative reported that the initial bead-shaped products had issues such as insufficient application flexibility, high prices, and easy aging and adhesion during storage. The team then iterated the product into an RNAi solution form.

2025.4.26 Deep Blue Charity Sale Activity: Understanding Consumers' Needs and Perceptions

Team members – Participated in the Deep Blue Charity Sale Activity and communicated with ordinary consumers. They learned that consumers pay attention to citrus freshness, taste, and cost-effectiveness, and recognize the attributes of being additive-free and low in pesticide residues, but are unwilling to pay extra for related labels. This highlighted the importance of community promotion.

2025.5.4 Research at Fengze High-Tech Agriculture: Understanding Enterprise-Level Pest Control Demands

Team members – Conducted research at Shanwei Fengze High-Tech Agricultural Co., Ltd. (Chikeng Town) and communicated with Mr. Guo Xu (the company's owner) and Jiantao Wei (First-Class Section Member of Chikeng Town Public Service Office, Haifeng County). They learned that most large enterprises outsource pest control to spraying service companies, and enterprises have high requirements for product quality, price, and after-sales service. Cooperating with planting bases can help obtain professional feedback to guide product improvement and promotion.

2025.5.10 Visit to DJI and Tianwei Agriculture: Research on UAV Pesticide Application

Team members – Visited DJI and Shanwei Tianwei Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. (a spraying service company). Huafeng Lin, the person in charge, introduced that 50%-60% of planting areas in the South China production region currently use UAVs for pesticide application, which requires higher fluidity and dispersibility of pesticide formulations.

On the same day, the team participated in the 1st Exchange Meeting of the SUSTech-SynBio Community.

2025.5.11 Insect Rearing Experiments and Pesticide Supplier Research

Team members – Visited large-scale pesticide suppliers and communicated with Mr. Wang, the person in charge. They learned that suppliers attach more importance to the cost-effectiveness of new pesticides, have their own distribution networks, and need to demonstrate the actual effectiveness of products to customers.

2025.5.16 Research at Fresh Fruit Purchasers: Confirming the Market Value of Low-Pesticide-Residue Products

Team members – Conducted research at the local largest fresh fruit purchaser and communicated with Lisheng Chen, the purchasing supervisor. They learned that excessive pesticide residues or poor citrus quality will affect access to large supermarkets and export markets, leading to a significant decline in profits. This clarified the core goal of the project: developing efficient insecticidal RNA pesticides with low residues to help the industrial chain enhance added value and market competitiveness.

2025.5.17 Participation in South China Exchange Meeting

Team members – Participated in the 9th iGEM South China Regional Meeting.

2025.5.20 Consulting Entrepreneurship Mentor: Discussing Project Implementation and Patent Protection

Team members – Consulted entrepreneurship mentor Jinxu Wang on the implementation of Project Aphigo. The mentor pointed out that the team needs to overcome two major barriers: supply chain stability and pesticide registration certificate qualification. He also reminded the team to lock in core achievements through intellectual property rights. The team then researched the patent layout case of Shanghai Zhishengyougu Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

2025.5.21 Participation in Taiziwan Primary School EDU Activity

Team members – Participated in EDU-related activities at Taiziwan Primary School of Shenzhen Shekou Yucai Education Group.

2025.6.7 Contacting Test Fields: Promoting the Implementation of Field Experiments

Team members – Contacted the Longhua Institute of Bio-industry Innovation, Shenzhen University for subsequent experimental test fields. The person in charge led the team to visit existing experimental projects.

2025.6.8 Participation in EDU Activity at Central Primary School of Shenzhen-Shanwei Cooperation Zone

Team members – Participated in the Education Activity at the Central Primary School of Shenzhen-Shanwei Cooperation Zone.

2025.6.13 Consulting Registration Experts: Clarifying the Importance of Pesticide Registration

Team members – Consulted Ning Xie, an expert from the Pesticide Registration Evaluation Committee, regarding pesticide registration issues.

2025.6.15 Research at Agricultural Material Stores: Collecting Product Application Feedback

Team members – Conducted research at Lihong Agricultural Materials Store, Jinshi Town, Chao'an District, Chaozhou City. Mr. Lin, the store owner, reported that he attaches more importance to product safety and ease of use, and hopes that products can solve pest problems to ensure citrus yield.

2025.6.21 Visit to Agricultural Science and Technology Center: Discussing the Feasibility of RNA Pesticide Implementation

Team members – Visited the Chaozhou Agricultural Science and Technology Development Center and communicated with Director Liao.

2025.6.28 Visit to Agricultural Technology Extension Center: Understanding Product Pilot and Promotion Mechanisms

Team members – Visited the Agricultural Technology Extension Center and communicated with Ms. Fu, a staff member.

2025.7.10-7.11 Hosting "Little Migratory Bird Summer Camp and Family Open Day" Activity

Team members – Hosted the "Little Migratory Bird Summer Camp and Family Open Day" activity, inviting children and their parents to visit the iGEM Laboratory.

2025.7.14-7.16 Participation in iGBA Activity

Yuxuan Liu, Ruohan Shi, Xinyue Feng, Zhuoming Zou – Participated in the 3-day iGBA Activity.

2025.7.15 Research on Shenzhen Synthetic Biology Research Infrastructure

Yuxuan Liu, Ruohan Shi, Xinyue Feng, Zhuoming Zou – Conducted research on Shenzhen Synthetic Biology Research Infrastructure.

2025.7.17 Participation in Blue Crystal Online Exchange Event

Yuxuan Liu, Ruohan Shi, Minwei Chen – Participated in the Blue Crystal Online Exchange Event.

2025.7.26-7.27 Participation in iGEM Startups Summer School

Yuxuan Liu – Participated in the iGEM Startups Summer School.

2025.7.27 Participation in Community Education Activity: Theme of "Clothing, Food, Housing and Transportation"

Yuxuan Liu, Qizheng Liu, Minwei Chen – Participated in the Community Education Activity with the theme of "Clothing, Food, Housing and Transportation".

2025.7.30 Research at Raoping Cooperative: Discussing Promotion and Online Sales

Team members – Conducted research at Shanmeixiang Rice Professional Cooperative in Raoping County and communicated with Shujie Chen. They learned about local agricultural product procurement and sales methods, visited the sorting and packaging process, and discussed ways to improve online sales channels.

2025.8.6 Visit to Jingtai Technology: Strengthening Supply Chain and Quality System Construction

Team members – Visited Jingtai Technology for exchanges and learned about the importance of raw material stability and supply continuity in intelligent production. The team plans to add alternative raw material suppliers, establish a full-process quality inspection system, and expand the production capacity of contract manufacturers to avoid supply chain risks.

2025.8.6-8.8 CCiC

Team members – Participated in the CCiC activity.

2025.8.9 BASIS Visited Shenzhen University Team

Team members – The BASIS visited the SZU-China.

2025.8.11 Hosting International Youth Study Tour and "Liyuan Trip" Summer Camp

Team members – Hosted the International Youth Study Tour and "Liyuan Trip" Summer Camp, led the participants to visit the iGEM Laboratory of Shenzhen University, and explained the project to them.

2025.8.23 Return Visit to Longhua Institute of Bio-industry Innovation: Promoting Cooperation on Test Platforms

Team members – Made a return visit to Mr. Zheng from the Longhua Institute of Bio-industry Innovation, Shenzhen University. Mr. Zheng stated that he is willing to support the subsequent optimization experiments of Project Aphigo (e.g., formulations, application methods) and hopes to jointly build China's first standardized RNA pesticide testing platform.

2025.8.28 Exchange with BWYA Team

Team members – Exchanged ideas with the BWYA Team.

2025.8.29 Shenzhen Popular Science Education Federation Visited the iGEM Laboratory

Team members – The Shenzhen Popular Science Education Federation visited the iGEM Laboratory.

2025.9.1 Compiling the Popular Science Manual Debunking Myths about Synthetic Biology

Yuxuan Liu – Participated in compiling the popular science manual Debunking Myths about Synthetic Biology.

2025.9.2-9.5 Conducting Campus Recruitment Promotion Activities

Team members – Conducted 3 large-scale campus recruitment promotion activities at the School of Life Sciences, Medical College, and Advanced Research Institute of Shenzhen University, respectively, explaining synthetic biology and iGEM-related content to the participants.

2025.9.6 Follow-Up Visit to Individual Growers

Team members – Conducted a follow-up visit to individual citrus growers.

2025.9.7 Participation in Community Activity at Nanshan District Party-Mass Service Center

Team members – Participated in a community activity at the Nanshan District Party-Mass Service Center.

2025.9.9 Conducting SDGs Cooperation with iGEM VIT Vellore

Team members – Conducted SDGs cooperation with the iGEM VIT Vellore.

2025.9.11 Host an Online Lecture on International Cooperation

Team members – Host an online lecture on international cooperation.

2025.9.14 Conduct a Survey on the Retail Market

Team members – Surveyed citrus retail stores, fruit retailers, supermarkets, and New Year citrus plant vendors.

2025.9.15 Accept Media Interviews

Team members – Interviewed by Reporter Gao.

2025.9.17 Collaborate with the ASU iGEM

Team members – Collaborated with the ASU iGEM.

2025.9.21 Follow-up Visit to the Fruit Tree Base in Jinshi Town, Chaozhou: Exchange on Field Application Feedback

Team members – Visited Lao Wang Fruit Tree Base in Jinshi Town, Chaozhou, and communicated with the person in charge, Wang Fude.

2025.9.24 Launched the Collaborative Project "The Do-Not List for the iGEM Competition"

Team members – Launched the collaborative project "The Do-Not List for the iGEM Competition".

2025.9.27 Participated in the Shenzhen University Anniversary Carnival

Team members – Participated in the 2025 Shenzhen University Centennial Carnival.

2025.9.30 Jointly Display Posters with the SMBU

Team members – Jointly displayed the project posters with the SMBU.

2025.5.25-2025.6.24

Xinyue Feng – Browse a large number of excellent learning-related wiki pages, accumulate inspiration and creativity.

2025.6.25-2025.7.14

Xinyue Feng – Familiar with the official iGEM wiki construction rules

2025.7.15-2025.8.17

Xinyue Feng – Learning HTML, CSS, JavaScript

2025.8.18-2025.9.2

Xinyue Feng – Learning Ps, Ai, Id software and the required special effects

2025.9.3-2025.9.20

Xinyue Feng – built the main framework of our wiki webpage.

2025.9.21-2025.10.6

Xinyue Feng – completed all the necessary web pages for us one by one.

Here, we would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to all parties who have helped the SZU-China 2025 successfully complete the creation of the wiki! We thank the advisors for their valuable guidance, and every team member for their wisdom, hard work, and seamless collaboration. Meanwhile, we also thank the school and laboratory for their support, as well as all those who have provided assistance to us throughout the process. It is everyone's collaborative efforts that have led to the successful creation of this wiki!