![samll longan](https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4113/wiki/wiki-image/animation/a1.gif)
![samll longan](https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4113/wiki/wiki-image/animation/a2.gif)
For the purpose of applying the results of human
practice to experimental design, feeding the results of experiments back to human practice,
we have conducted plenty of interesting and innovative activities. In addition to
questionnaire collection, large-scale popular science outreach in high schools and
kindergartens, we attended joint conference of universities and participated in national
academic conferences, etc. We also innovatively focused on the practice of local people
solving local problems. Therefore, the Longan township, Fuqing, which fits our mission was
chosen and a complete solution to Fuqing’s problem through experiments, biostatistics,
modeling, deep and extensive visits was achieved. It is worth mentioning that we pay
attention to the application of the results to the industrial transformation as well. Our
team members have completed the detailed and scientific business planning and initial
production of products, participating in various entrepreneurial competitions to improve the
plan.
Questionnaire Survey
1.Questionnaire Survey
Fig. 1.1 The result of Questionnaire Survey
To implement our experiment more effectively and thoroughly, we collected
102 questionnaires
and analyzed the consequences as follows:
About the experience of mental or physical health
problems, anxiety took the largest
proportion with 65.69% according to the records, followed by mood swings and insomnia with
51.96%, 50.98% respectively. For those who have these problems,
above 62 percent group of people tend to sport or adjusting their own dietary habit
(46.08%), but seldom rely on drugs. Hence, with only 14.71% of them have taken medicine to
fight against sleeplessness. To investigate whether the existing group who have the metal
problems, we asked them how they like the current products to help them. According to our
discovery, people mainly reckon those pills or drugs could basically satisfy their demand.
Apart from that, some have been interested in products
related to GABA, like GABA drinks and
candies. Simultaneously, Longan is getting its focus as a significant tropical fruit with
high nutrient value. As more than half of our subject have never heard of GABA, we find it
important to tell more about its functions of improving sleep quality. Since an overwhelming
number of individuals believe that GABA is potential after we introduce it to them, we
determine to spread the knowledge about GABA and our project that contributes to addressing
metal problems via this chemical substance with gene editing and systhetic biology.
More than half of the people have heard of synthetic
biology according to the consequences
of questionnaires, and most of them learned about it through the Internet and people around
them. Therefore, we can conclude that synthetic biology has attracted increasing attention
as it is an international frontier and has a wide range of prospects, and people are most
interested in the theory that synthetic biology can be used to synthesize the materials they
want for living things. Although 95.1% of people have heard of gene editing technology,
people do not know much about gene editing technology in synthetic biology, and many people
know about transgenic technology but do not know the difference between it and gene editing.
53.92% of respondents were critical of gene editing as a technology that has both positive
and possible negative effects on human health. So for the public, they are more interested
in the safety of gene editing products and secondly in the efficiency of technology.
Summarizing all the results we collected, we determine
to devote to cope with insomnia by
means of GABA gene editing and systhetic biology to help individuals get back into their
normal lives. Furthermore, our team will work to develop the functions of GABA and spread
the knowledge to more so that they could benefit from our project and product, both with
scientific and medical value. Last but not least, by virtue of the iGEM platform, we will
tell people of all the ages about the charm of systhetic biology and its related researches.
Expert Interview
2. Expert Interview
①2022.07.07 Professor Longtao Zhang
Fig 2.1 The team members visited Professor Zhang Longtao
At 11:00 a.m. on July 7th, we visited Professor Zhang to
consult on the establishment of
project proposition and the improvement of experimental plans. Professor Zhang is committed
to the organic combination of teaching, scientific research and industrial needs, who has
maintained frequent cooperation with multiple large and medium-sized food enterprises and
provided valuable suggestions for the development of our project.
First, Professor Zhang pointed out that we may as well
consider whether the project is
viable from the perspective of investment. This requires taking the current feasibility of
Longan cell production into account. Additionally, we need to compare and analyze the
microbial production (e.coli, lactic acid bacteria, etc.) on the current market to
understand the advantages of Longan in terms of efficiency and costs. Finally, we need to
decide whether the production is extracellular or intracellular.
As for the market, Professor Zhang told us to consider
the market positioning, prospects,
target users, and the specific form of the product. Furthermore, it should also be clear how
much GABA products should be consumed when they functions, and how to promote GABA products
to promote sales.
②2022.7.15-7.17 The most beautiful expert who works locally in
Fujian province--- Weiping
Zheng
Fig 2.2 The picture shows Expert Weiping Zheng having discussions and
exchanges with other
members
Zheng has rich experience in exploring new types of
agriculture, who established the Longan
brand of Yuxi as well as Yuxi Longan production base. He built a green ecological farm
integrating large-scale, commercialization and ecology, and opened up a path of poverty
alleviation through scientific and technological enrichment and green development. Zheng has
won the honors of "2021 Fujian Most Beautiful Local Expert" and "Rural Revitalization
Talent". Particularly, he pays attention to the improvement of Longan quality, insisting on
the production of green products, honest management and firmly achieves NO MEDICINE in
orchard and NO DAMAGE during logistics to form a good reputation for its brand, which
constantly raises farmers' income and pave the way for the journey of rural revitalization.
Weiping Zheng's successful case provides new ideas for
our unique local solutions, and also
reminds us to establish our own brand "High GABA Longan" in the subsequent product
processing. He told to our team eagerly, "the revitalization of the agriculture development
needs the power of youths. Remember, never stop learning, or we will be backward. And don't
be afraid to go out and give it a try". The youth should have the courage to blaze new
trails in boosting rural revitalization of youthful vitality.
③2022.7.15-7.17 Fuqing Agricultural Technology Association
Secretary General Yu Zuxing
Fig 2.3 Zuxing Yu, secretary general of Fuqing Agricultural
Technology Association, is
having a discussion with team members
We consulted Mr. Yu about the current state of the Yuxi
Longan industry and the authorities'
attitude toward integrating gene-editing technology with agriculture. What he told us was as
follows.
(1) For the problems of primitive agriculture
① Limit chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and now encourage organic fertilizers
② Control the Longan shoot problem
(2) The causes of the original agricultural problems
① The influence of historical years
Mainly caused by improper management, production
exceeded the standard and other reasons
caused by the second year of a significant decline in output. If more fruits are produced in
the first year, or if the proportion of leaves and fruit is not correct, the quality would
be disappointing. Apart from that, it will also affect the output of the second year, which
is the formation of "big year" phenomenon.
② Winter shoot flushing phenomenon
In order to solve this problem, local farmers have to
hedge the shoot phenomenon to control,
mainly through ethephon (30ML ethylene with 100 kg of water to spray longan) to accomplish.
At present, the local technology has been developed and mature, which has a good effect.
Farmers controlled the winter shoots so that sugar could accumulate without affecting the
next year's production.
Mr. Yu pointed out that variety is the foundation of the
fruit quality. Yuxi Longan has a
long history, benefited from unique geographical conditions and varieties. In order to
develop Yuxi Longan to a new level, it is necessary to attach importance to science and
technology, and pay attention to the reform and innovation brought by Longan Science and
Technology Academy. He strongly supported our project and expected our technology to drive
the growth of local Longan industry.
④ Doctor Zhenshan Lin
Fig 2.3 With Doctor Zhenshan Lin
Interviewer: Dr. Lin, we now know the ingredients for making GABA drinks, but how much each
ingredient do we really need?
Lin: It depends on your own needs. For example, how many bottles of drinks do you want to
make?
Interviewer: About 50 bottles.
Lin: You can actually calculate the amount of each ingredient. The amount of essence and
other additives are usually a few parts per thousand. You can figure out how much each
ingredient to buy according to the volume of each bottle of drink.
Interviewer: Got that. But can we know the specific number for the thousandths and
ten-thousandths you just mentioned?
Lin: It doesn't need to be that clear and the data can't be determined now. After you buy
the raw materials, I will taste the drink consists of them with different proportions and
then I can decide the content and its concentration.
Interviewer: OK, we will first purchase the raw material in a certain quantity. Which
specifications do we need to purchase the centrifuge tube? What is the quantity?
Lin: There are a lot of centrifuge tubes in the laboratory. You can buy some new ones and
the specifications should not be too small, since we will use centrifuge tubes to test the
drinks later and a slightly larger capacity is of requirement.
Interviewer: What type of pectin would be a good drink for us to use?
Lin: It should be oligomeric, which mainly plays the role of stability and condensation.
Interviewer: You told us that Guangzhou Baizhong Flavor should be used for beverage flavor,
but we didn't find pectin of this brand on the shopping platform. Which pectin should we use
instead?
Lin: Guangzhou Baizhong Flavor is what I used to do a flavor of the drink. I also used a
MANSI flavor to create the drink flavor that is also sound, you can look for it.
Interviewer: Yet, unfortunately we did not find any related merchants selling MANSI flavor.
Lin: That doesn't matter. As far as I know, the focus of your project is to extract GABA
from Longan and apply it to other aspects, so the taste of your drinks does not need to be
very strong. Even if you don't add essence, there is no problem.
Interviewer: OK, thank you for answering our questions, Dr. Lin.
⑤ Head of Herbal Tea Group, entrepreneur Chunsong Lin
Fig 2.5.1 The picture shows the FAFU-China team(first left)
communicating with the boss of
Herbal Tea Group (second left).
First of all, Mr. Chunsong Lin invite us to taste Fuding
white tea and taught us how to open
our own taste experience before and after the taste. Then he led us to taste the herbal tea
newly developed and made a simple comparison with the Longan drink sent by our team. Herbs,
herbal tea sweet not always stay in the mouth, let a person want to drink again after a
small bite. As with sugar and fructose, the sweetness of Longan drinks cannot remain in
mouth, then we would like to try other sugars that sucrose can be replaced, also regarding
to change the processing technology. At present, the stores under Herbal Tea company join
Eleme and Meituan takeout so as to ensure the stores have their own industrial chain to
supply food materials. Mr. Lin talked about the key elements of entrepreneurship is not only
to keep pace with the times, but also to make our products in line with the public taste, to
achieve the ultimate pursuit of taste.
The main content of the drink is GABA, a health care
beverage for insomnia. At present, the
GABA content of the beverage containing Longan is not our goal. Can we try to add GABA
powder as substitute to check the taste and other factors? The addition of longan is 25% and
30%, but the fruit flavor is not enough (additive - health). After people taste it, they
commended that the flavor of sour and sweet are not harmonious and the astringency is heavy,
which recommends us to adjust the taste.
Our drinks face the same problems as our company: the
effective ingredients change when the
temperature is high, and the taste is affected. May consider the development of freeze-dried
powder or other.
At present, the beverage emphasizes 0 sugar, 0 fat and 0
calories. If you drink a cup of
Longan GABA drink before going to bed, whether you think that drinking too much sweet before
going to bed is not healthy.
Finally, Lin invited the FAFU-China team to work
together in the future to participate in
the company's new beverage tasting.
Fig 2.5.2 The picture shows the successful end of the exchange.
Second from right: Luo Xun,
an outstanding graduate of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, who enters the beverage
company
later.
⑥ Dr. Chen Chao, Inpatient Department, Fujian Provincial Hospital
On the afternoon of July 28th, 2022, team members of
FAFU-China went to the Inpatient
Department of Fujian Provincial Hospital to interview Dr. Chao on the treatment of anxiety
disorders, sleeplessness and depression.
During the conversation, we learned that at present, the
hospital received less depression
patients but more with insomnia. The main causes of insomnia are: difficulty falling asleep,
waking up early, sleeping nightmares, snoring, among which anxiety patients are mainly
middle-aged women experiencing menopause. In the wake of the pandemic, there is a modest
increase in the number of patients coming to us for treatment of these conditions.
At present, the mainstream treatment methods are divided
into two kinds, one is through the
psychological counseling of the patient's language, the other is the more effective method
is through drug treatment. At present, new sedative drugs (Xnox, dexzopicron tablets) are
mainly used for drug treatment, and some more traditional antipsychotic drugs (Alprazolam,
Estazolam) are also applied. As one of the main inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central
nervous system, GABA aminobutyric acid can affect the central nervous system via
neurotransmitters such as GABA to achieve the role of treating anxiety disorders and
insomnia disorders. The dominant side effects, however, are: dizziness on the second day,
want to sleep on the second day, long-term use is easy to addiction, high recurrence rate
after treatment (solution: adding antidepressants in the later stage). Yiming Ma, our team
member, who talked about her symptoms of anxiety during the college entrance examination
after taking drugs to improve is not mitigated, asked whether the drug could achieve the
therapeutic effect owing to the psychological effect in the treatment of no practical
utility. Doctor Chao explained that placebo, which we think, is not used in the real
treatment process. Most of the treatments for anxiety and depression are really
pharmacological effects. There is a lot of crossover in the presence of drug therapy in
depression, anxiety, insomnia and other symptoms.
Fig. 2.6.1 The picture shows the team members talking with Dr.
Chao
Fig 2.6.2 At the end of the interview, the team members took a photo
with Dr. Chen Chao