EDUCATION

As part of our Human Practices efforts, we visited the middle school in Verita International School, Olga Gudynn International School and 2 other local schools, in order to conduct a medical science outreach class on the theme of “Introduction to Neuroscience and Alzheimer’s Disease”. We explained to students what neuroscience is, how iGEM contributes to innovation, and why research on Alzheimer’s disease is important. Our goal was to make complex scientific concepts more accessible and to spark curiosity about brain science and biotechnology.

We began by introducing the basic structure and function of the brain, helping students understand how neurons communicate and why the brain is central to memory, learning, and behavior. Then, we explained what Alzheimer’s disease is, and why it represents a most urgent challenge in modern medicine. Many students expressed curiosity about how brain diseases are studied, and we encouraged them to think about how biology, medicine, and technology can intersect to improve human health. Through this event, we hoped not only to share knowledge but also to inspire younger students to consider science as both an exciting and socially impactful path.

In June, our team hosted a workshop organised together with the Romanian Bioinformatics Society, the “Systems Biology of Ageing” Group and CellFabrik company. Anton Kulaga, one of our instructors, bioinformatician in ageing research, proposed this workshop in response to challenges faced by researchers working on biology or bioinformatics research projects. Because such projects involve using gene information, 3D protein structures, drug targets, plasmid searches, genetic construct designs, safety analysis, team updates and documentations, researchers spend over half of their time juggling between tools and websites. The workshop introduced Model Context Protocol (MCP) – a technology that seamlessly connects research tools, including both AI conversational tools and AI-aided development environments like Cursor and Windsurf.

We launched a Brain Health Awareness Club at our high school, with the goal of creating a long-term educational platform that not only informs students about neurological disorders and ways to reduce exposure to risk factors, but also inspires them to consider future studies and careers in science. Our motivation for establishing this club came from recognizing that Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative illnesses are often viewed as a distant, 'adult' condition, which high school students rarely learn about. Yet, as the world’s population ages, Alzheimer’s is one of the leading global health challenges, both medically and socially. By engaging students at a younger age, we hoped to break down misconceptions, build a foundation of understanding, and create a community of learners passionate about the brain and its mysteries.

With the help of our teachers, we structured the club to provide both scientific knowledge and interactive opportunities for students. In our first sessions, we began with the basics: What is neuroscience? What are neurons and synapses? How does the brain control memory, learning, and behavior? From there, we transitioned to discussions about brain health and various brain medical conditions. To make this complex subject accessible, we used animations, diagrams, and interactive activities.

A key part of the club was linking our discussions to synthetic biology. We introduced the concept of engineering biology and its “middle-out” approach to problems. We showed our peers that cutting-edge research is not just something that happens in faraway labs, but something young scientists like us can actively contribute to. This inspired many students to see science as more dynamic, creative, and impactful than the traditional curriculum often portrays.

The initiative will continue throughout the school year, with the aim of cultivating scientific curiosity and collaboration.