During the progress of our project, we gradually realized that farmers, as potential future users, are not familiar with synthetic biology or our design concepts. To better bridge the gap between scientific research and practical application, we decided to carry out a series of educational activities for farmers. These activities use clear and simple language to introduce synthetic biology and explain the principles of our project, helping them understand our work and provide more meaningful feedback. Through this, we aim not only to enhance public awareness of synthetic biology, but also to gain valuable first-hand insights that can guide the optimization and real-world implementation of our project.
Our team combined AI and hand-drawn illustrations to vividly present the complex mechanisms of engineered bacteria degrading chlorimuron-ethyl and secreting IAA in the form of comics. By using personification and scenario-based storytelling, we successfully transformed abstract molecular reactions and synthetic biology principles into intuitive and accessible narratives, enabling farmers and students to easily understand the practical role of engineered bacteria in farmland.
Through this approach, we hope not only to enhance public awareness and interest in synthetic biology, but also to gather more feedback that can contribute to the optimization and real-world implementation of our project.
We hope to use a talk show format to help farmers understand, in a lighthearted and humorous way, the harm that chlorimuron-ethyl residues can cause to subsequent crops, as well as how our engineered bacteria can degrade these residues, secrete IAA, and ensure safety through a suicide system—thus providing an intuitive appreciation of the value of synthetic biology. At the same time, the talk show also offers farmers a channel to share feedback. We can gather their perspectives on pesticide usage habits, cost concerns, and acceptance of the bacterial powder product, and incorporate these authentic voices into our project’s iteration.
File:
