Our university, through the chair of synthetic biology, organized a series of talks in which researchers from different parts of our country presented their research on topics related to synthetic biology. Thus, we were able to learn some of the techniques most commonly used in this field from the professionals who also talked about the current state of synthetic biology. In addition, we had the opportunity to talk with them and explain what our project would consist of, which at that time was still in its infancy.
On February 9, 2022 on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, our iGEM group with the help of NavBiotec (student association of our University) organized an event called "Women in Biotechnology in Navarra". It consisted of a round table with the participation of prestigious women scientists from Navarra society: Gloria González-Aseguinolaza (Deputy Director of CIMA University of Navarra and, co-founder and CSO of Vivet Therapeutics), María Sola Gil (Managing Director at Neurofix Pharma S.A.), Susana Sánchez Gómez (co-founder and CSO of MOA foodtech and university lecturer), Beatriz Torres Herrero (President of the Biotechnology Association of Aragon, ASBAR and phD student), Agurtzane Martínez Ortigosa (General Director of Innovation of the Government of Navarra and the closing will be carried out by), Uxue Itoiz Mariñelarena (General Director of Industry, Energy and Strategic Projects). After and before the event we were able to exchange ideas with the speakers and get different visions of our project. This day was one of the most important days for our team, we got motivation, hope, and most importantly: we managed to gather around 200 people with the cause of promoting the role of women and girls in science. We feel very good as a team and we did a good job for society.
After the biochemical study of serotonin biosynthetic pathways, we felt the need to better understand the biological role of this hormone in the body. We therefore met with psychobiologist Laiene Olabarrieta and clinical psychologist José Javier López-Goñi. While the expert helped us to understand the serotonergic pathway, from its synthesis in the Rafe nucleus to its projection to different brain locations, such as the thalamus or the hippocampus; the expert explained the biopsychosocial model of mental illnesses. Thus, we were able to relate a deficit of serotonin to symptoms such as irascibility, sadness, insomnia, lashing out, decreased analgesia and memory loss. On the contrary, a high level of serotonin contributes to greater relaxation. In addition, we discussed the ideal level of serotonin, because an excess can cause serotonin syndrome, and we exchanged knowledge about treatments for depression and anxiety related to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Nevertheless, an excessive amount of serotonin levels can cause the so-called serotonin syndrome, which can lead to the death of the patients. This fact, which had not been taken into consideration before, took our project in a slightly different direction, as these dosis should be taken into consideration. Rather than using it directly as a drug, it could used as a basis for future treatment aproaches.
We had the opportunity to chat with a doctor in Psychology and university professor, Marta Beranuy, about the worsening of mental health at the population level as a result of the 2019 pandemic. She explained to us anonymous cases in which not only had mental problems already present before confinement worsened but also new ones had emerged related to insecurity about getting rid of the mask and showing one's face. We discussed the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of children, many of whom have known the world in this extraordinary situation. We took the opportunity to ask her for advice on how to raise questions for a mental health survey in a polite and approachable way and to share personal experiences to contribute to its visibility.
In october the instructor Álex and Rosa the advisor actively participated and were in the Lekaroz biomeeting with the iGEM EPIC team. This meeting was of vital importance to promote young talent in Navarra, the bioeconomy and the biorevolution. Also, In these events we spread the unlimited potential of synthetic biology in social improvement among doctoral students, entrepreneurs, managers and innovation representatives of public and private institutions.
Microbial art or germ art is art created by culturing microorganisms following certain patterns. Agar plates are used as a canvas, and different pigmented or fluorescent bacteria and yeasts are used as paint. We participated in the Agar Art 2021 competition promoted by the American Association for Microbiology. In our case, as the production of serotonin synthesis was proposed in genetically engineered Escherichia coli strains, it was decided to take advantage of this same bacterium for the realization of our work. Thus, it was an opportunity not only to combine two not so disparate fields such as art and science, but also to promote our iGEM project.
We went to Tarragona to attend the VI Meeting of Biotechnologists of Northern Spain, better known as BioNorth. On Saturday we participated in a full scientific-cultural day where the local scientific talent presented different papers, talks and a round table, each one more interesting than the last! There, we were able to present and receive feedback for our project with experts in different areas, resulting in a very insightful experience. On the other hand, we had the pleasure to take a guided tour of the ancient city of Tarraco and spend some time with the rest of the participants from the rest of Spain. It was very enriching for everyone and helped to unite the team.
In this meeting with the mayoress of Barañain we had the opportunity to present what iGEM is about as well as our project. Regarding iGEM, we wanted to highlight the international character of the competition, the importance of collaboration between teams and the weight of dissemination and human practices. On the other hand, when presenting our project, we highlighted the relationship between mental health and healthy lifestyle habits promoted by the city council, such as sports schools for children. The mayor showed great interest in our project and in what iGEM represents and told us about possible opportunities for dissemination of our project that were of great help in the rest of our human practices.
As if the organized event were not enough, a week before, Irene, a member of the team, had the opportunity to discuss the role of women and girls in science on television with the speakers of the round table. The program was called La Muga and was broadcast on a local NavarraTV television.
In order to disseminate our project in other autonomous communities, we contacted Rioja Television, a local television channel in La Rioja. In it, Alex Pascual, one of our advisors, had the opportunity to make visible the importance of biotechnology in the development of the benefit of society. As an example, he explained the project developed by our team, pointing out the impact it would have on Spanish society.
We contacted several local media outlets in order to expand the reach of our project. The topics that we deal with in our project are of vital importance, current, and of general interest. For all this, we decided it was time to get in touch with society and listen to those needs. And what better way than by reading the news!
As a way to disseminate our project and our participation in iGEM, we used the space that the radio Cope Navarra gives to our university to briefly explain what our project consists of and what are the benefits it brings to our environment. Two of the members of the group participated in the interview and besides talking about the collaboration with companies in our environment, we did not want to leave aside the importance of mental health and circular economy.
From the area of Culture and Scientific Dissemination of the Public University of Navarra (UPNA), the team was invited to develop a workshop for high school students in the field of ecology and sustainability, on the occasion of Green Week. High school students were taught the basics and the different applications of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, the students performed a PCR for the detection of different plant pathogens in crops.
As part of the European Researchers' Night, our university organizes a series of talks in which different research groups present their results in a brief and relaxed way while listeners enjoy an aperitif. Three members of the team participated in this activity in which, in addition to explaining the technical part and the laboratory work, we also wanted to give weight to what it means to participate in a competition like iGEM. Therefore, we explained to our listeners how iGEM works and the human practices we have carried out.