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High School Outreach: Inspiring the Next Generation of SynBio Innovators

To further promote synthetic biology, our team engaged with various schools and successfully held an outreach session at the Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Affiliated School on May 17, 2025. We began by introducing the fundamental concept of synthetic biology: an interdisciplinary field integrating biology, engineering, and mathematics, which involves biotechnology, genetic engineering, and systems biology. It applies engineering principles to modify living systems—designing and constructing biological components to achieve specific functions such as drug production or pollutant degradation—thereby propelling life sciences from qualitative to quantitative.

Here's a test mathematical formula: $E = mc^2$ and a display formula:

$$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2} dx = \sqrt{\pi}$$

After establishing this foundational understanding, we delved into core synthetic biology technologies and their real-world applications, illustrating how the field offers novel solutions to everyday challenges. We also highlighted that the XJTLU Hui Lake School of Pharmacy is launching a high school iGEM mentoring program this year, providing students with expert guidance and advanced laboratory resources. To conclude the session, student mentors invited the attendees to visit the School of Pharmacy's labs and attend lectures by university professors. This event marks the beginning of deeper collaboration and faculty-student exchanges between the Affiliated School and the Hui Lake School of Pharmacy.

Figure 1: Student Exchange Event

Student Exchange: Outreach and Experience Sharing with a High School Team

On June 20, our team held a specialized discussion with Suzhou Dulwich College, focusing on inter-school scientific innovation collaboration. We discussed preparations for the "Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai iGEM Exchange" in depth—covering aspects such as the event's positioning, target participants, and content modules. It was agreed that the exchange should balance iGEM competition experience sharing with cross-school technical collaboration. A preliminary framework of three key segments—expert lectures, project presentations, and breakout discussions—was outlined. We also exchanged views on details such as the scope of guest invitations and selection criteria for participating schools, establishing a clear foundation for subsequent planning.

To provide tangible support for Suzhou Dulwich College teachers and students in their iGEM-related research activities, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University proposed a concrete support plan during the discussions. This includes opening the biology laboratories at the Hui Lake School of Pharmacy and arranging for technical staff to provide operational guidance. Additionally, the university will offer technical support in experimental design optimization and data processing methods for the school's student innovation projects, ensuring solid backing for practical teaching and competition preparation.

After thorough communication and friendly consultation, both parties reached a cooperation agreement to jointly organize the "Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai iGEM Exchange." This event aims to integrate high-quality scientific education resources across the three regions, creating a platform for high school iGEM participants to share experiences, provide technical assistance, and exchange ideas. It is expected to further promote youth engagement in synthetic biology, genetic engineering, and related scientific innovation practices within the region.

Figure 2: Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai IGEMer Exchange Event

Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai IGEMer Exchange Event

During the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai IGEMer Exchange Event, our team engaged in substantive discussions with over 20 participating teams, achieving dual objectives of knowledge dissemination and community building.

Figure 3: Team Photo at Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai IGEMer Exchange Event

Through systematic presentations and technical consultations, we effectively enhanced the comprehension of synthetic biology principles and applications among academic institutions across the Yangtze River Delta region. Furthermore, this initiative significantly strengthened our team's collaborative ties within the iGEM community through shared experimental methodologies and research frameworks. This strategic outreach has established a robust foundation for future interdisciplinary cooperation while advancing regional recognition of synthetic biology's research paradigms.

Figure 4: Team Collaboration at Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai IGEMer Exchange Event

CCiC

During the CCIC event, our project achieved third place in the synthetic biology voting session, earning a valuable opportunity to present our work to all participating teams. This recognition significantly enhanced our visibility within the iGEM community, particularly as a software-focused team. We strategically leveraged this platform to demonstrate how computational approaches can uniquely address challenges in synthetic biology, bridging the gap between bioinformatics and wet-lab research.

Through interactive demonstrations and technical discussions, we showcased the versatility and accessibility of our tools, highlighting their potential to streamline research processes and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration. This achievement not only validated our team's innovative approach but also effectively positioned software tools as a crucial enabler in advancing synthetic biology applications.

Figure 7: CCiC Interactive Demonstrations