Collaborations

Collaborations constitute a core value of iGEM-helping teams develop and grow. A problem can be tackled much more efficiently with a larger, more diverse workforce. Collaborations have been an integral part of the project Halocleen. Over the span of our project, we collaborated with multiple teams worldwide to improve various segments of our project.

ALL INDIA iGEM MEET

We organized and hosted the 2022 edition of the All India iGEM Meet (AIIM) with iGEM EPIC (Entrepreneurship Program Innovation Community). Since its inception in 2015, AIIM has provided a platform for the Indian iGEM teams to discuss, collaborate and hone their presentation skills while learning something new from experts in the field. We provided a stage for all Indian iGEM teams to partake in mock jamboree-style presentation and judging sessions, where everyone gets a chance to learn about other teams’ work. At the same time, teams get to forge potential partnerships while receiving constructive advice on improving their projects from people belonging to diverse backgrounds. AIIM 2022 was a three-day event conducted offline at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) campus from the 23rd to the 25th of July. Fourteen teams from all over India took part. The entire event was broadcasted online so that teams which could not attend due to monetary or time constraints did not miss out. The event comprised talks, mock judging sessions, poster presentations, fireside chats and events held by EPIC: round table conference, fireside chat and project pitching. The people invited for the talks and for judging the events were carefully selected to ensure a varied background for better insight into iGEM and beyond.

All India iGEM Meet 2022, Venue: IISc Bengaluru

Check Outreach for a detailed list of all the esteemed speakers and guests. Here is the link to the website with information about AIIM 2022: All India iGEM Meet 2022

Mentoring

The iGEM competition can become very complicated with respect to management and troubleshooting, especially when you are new to it and lack proper guidance. IIT-Delhi was participating again after a gap of a few years, which denied them the privilege of finding mentors among their seniors. After they approached us, we mentored iGEM IIT-Delhi in management throughout their project. Assigning a workforce for their limited number of iGEM participants and establishing a foothold for human practices initiation were primary points for mentoring.

Dry Lab

During AIIM, we realized that facets related to development of the assaying method and the dry lab segment of our project aligned very well with Team IISER-Pune’s goals. We scheduled a couple of meetings and discussed the following points:

For the dry lab segment, both of our teams have made use of an enzyme kinetic model. A discussion regarding the platform and equations to be used was held, and we learned flux analysis and shared inputs on metabolic pathway development.

Both of our labs had to perform hypoxic assays and given the resource constraints, we tried to optimize the methods and standardize the measurement of gas concentrations in our system. We gave inputs on maintaining hypoxic conditions in the assay environment, and on using Gas Chromatography (GC) and Schlenk techniques. Based on their input about the inaccuracy of gas sensors in their experiments, we avoided the use of the DO (Dissolved oxygen) meter.

Education for All

An important goal for our educational design was inclusivity - reaching out to as many populaces as possible. ‘Education for All’ would not have been realized without reaching out to everyone who could help.

We focused on reaching out to students across levels about the idea of Synthetic Biology. We collaborated with Team IIT-Delhi and shared the content we developed for the workshops we held. Through a continuous flow of meetings, we planned and developed plans for distribution and assessment, with a goal to reach out to a broader audience.

Synthetic Biology is an emerging field. The common public is unaware of the subject and its potential applications in dealing with real-world problems. So, we decided to produce our educational material, Sync, with the aim of bringing the general audience closer to synthetic biology. To ensure a wider reach and inclusivity, we contacted teams from across the world to translate the material into their native language and distribute it to the concerned audience. The content was translated into most of the official UN languages, covering around 50% of the world population. Our content received appreciation from all the teams. We successfully got the material translated into the following languages:

Diversity and Inclusivity

While making sure we reach out and educate a substantial population with the concept of synthetic biology, we helped various teams translate their materials to our native language ‘Marathi’ and helped distribute it to the various schools we had reached out to earlier. This includes Team TecMonterrey’s ‘Counting the Drops’ on the adverse effects of water pollution and ‘Mothers’ Guide to Phenylketonuria (PKU)’ by Team AFCM Egypt that focuses on educating the world about PKU and suggests recipes to tackle the problem!

Surveys

With all the collaborative activities, we made efforts to provide inputs for the projects and education material of various teams. We suggested minor improvements for comprehensibility of ‘Counting the Drops’ for the destined audience. We filled a survey on the usability of GMOs and introduction of bacteria into bee gut by iGEM Lund. Additionally, we filled out an elaborate survey with inputs on the projects and implementation of “fluorescent growth status indicator” by NYCU Taipei. We also filled out a survey sheet on biosafe disposal developed by IISER TVM and another one on the importance of choosing the right chassis by Team GO Paris-Saclay.

We delivered our domestic survey to members of different teams and tried collecting domestic data on the disposal of cooling appliances and their awareness regarding the measures being taken by authorities at regional and international levels to tackle the climate crisis.