We have collaborated with four teams in this year’s iGEM project. They are SZ-SHD, LZU-HS-CHINA-C, RS_Joint_China and Bioplus-China.

During the close collaboration between our team and SZ-SHD, we arranged several meetings with SZ-SHD. We discussed each group's project and gave some helpful advice, like when SZ-SHD knew we wanted to measure melatonin concentration after we infected the populus. They said we might use the transient expression to help us measure melatonin concentration faster in days. We also advise them on their mini robot, like waterproofing techniques.

We set two different aims: collaboration in the experiment part and collaboration to educate the public.

During the experiment, we help SZ-SHD test their work by synthesizing new plasmid from pSB1C3-dlexburner-eGFP from pSB1C3-sulAp-eGFP by Gibson assembly. It was a new temp because we never collaborated with our team on experiments. They send the original plasmid to us, and we worked together to design a new primer using snapgene. We successfully finished the PCR of template DNA and formed a new plasmid, and tested it using electrophoresis. We also managed to test the expression of the gene in time. We want to develop further partnerships based on our iGEM project next year.

Also, on September 19, the dry lab leaders on both teams agreed to publish a handbook that briefly describes the use of synthetic biology in real life. We decided to consolidate this central objective by introducing both teams' projects. In specific, we have a short preface about general biotechnology; then we divide the entire handbook by two section to demonstrate each experiment method (such as agrobacterium-mediated transformation and we used; in each section, there is a discussion about the purpose of each method and the general step of performing the lab. We design a book about synthetic biology and general biotechnology during the education part. The book is divided into three parts, a brief introduction about synthetic biology in real life and the biology techniques used in both groups (such as the agrobacterium-mediated transformation we used). In each section, there is a discussion about the purpose of each method and the general step of performing the lab and some simple question that help the public to have a better understanding on what we are doing. The entire handbook is written in Chinese since we plan to publish it in our community. Please refer to communication pages for details.

We collaborated with team LZU-HS-CHINA-C, who tried to deal with antibiotics used in farming. Both teams aim to solve issues that are harming the environment. Moreover, some members of our team attend the same school as some members of their team. Therefore, we arranged our meeting on August 13. After our first meeting, we decided to produce a static exhibition in the school where some of us are attending. This includes an introduction to some of the basic concepts of synthetic biology so that we can inspire other students who are also interested in biotechnology. In further discussions after the meeting, we decided to conduct two exhibitions for two weeks to include as much information as possible.

In the preparation, each team provides the content and description needed for the posters. In addition, we also introduce the experimental techniques we applied in labs, such as PCR and bacteria culturing. Two of our team members focus on designing and setting up the exhibition board at school.

Since it is a static exhibition that no one was actively explaining and promoting, we put our boards in the main lobby, so everyone can easily access our content. We estimated that about 40 students read our posters every day after school. Therefore, there are about 200 students and teachers per week. We hope that this exhibition can help students in our school to have a better understanding of synthetic biology and its current potential.

RS_Joint_China’s project is to edit gene in poplus to increase the ability to absorb lead ions in soil. In September, we have held a virtual meeting, which lasts about an hour, mainly focused on education tools and joint video making. We shared many useful tools about making posters and interactive powerpoints to that team and introduced them software like powtoon and canva design. Since team members in RS_Joint_China are lack of experience and skill making these promotional stuff, they used to spent a lot of time on drawing our posters. With the help from us , the efficiency of making posters and interactive presentations are largely increased. We also discussed planning to make a joint video to have a new way to introduce synthetic biology use in plants. We also shared experiences in fundraising. The meeting was very constructive. We look forward to create more meaningful outcomes with RS_Joint_China team.

We also collaborated with Bioplus-China team. During the collaboration with Bioplus-China, both teams attach great importance to it. So we arranged online meetings to communicate how to cooperate in September. In the beginning, we both shared projects. We found Bioplus-China’s idea of using 3D printing technology to print their product was good. It was great to try to combine synthetic biology with other subjects. However, we find that they have some difficulty in how to purify proteins. So we searched some papers on the internet and provided protocols for them. They also provided some great experience in the Human Practice part by sharing a small presentation.