Teams from Tianjin University's School of Life Sciences (TJUSLS-China) and School of Chemical Engineering and Technology (iGEM Tianjin) both secured gold medals in the global finals of the 2023 International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGEM). Additionally, the School of Life Sciences' team achieved the award of Best Undergraduate Project in the Bioremediation Track.
The iGEM competition, a top academic contest in the field of synthetic biology, was initiated by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2003. With synthetic biology at the core, it's an international competition encompassing life sciences, mathematics, engineering, information science, and art design. The competition has received widespread attention and special coverage from academic journals like Nature, Science, Scientific American, Economists, and media like BBC.
The TJUSLS-China team from the School of Life Sciences won the Best Undergraduate Project in the Bioremediation Track and a gold medal. Since their first participation in 2015, the team has won six gold, one silver, and one bronze medals, four best project awards, and nine nominations.
Announcement of the Best Award in the Bioremediation Track
Group Photo of the TJUSLS-China Team at the Paris Competition
The TJUSLS-China 2023 team is comprised of 18 members from various schools: Shen Yingjie (Team Leader), Ji Weiwei (Team Leader), Chen Xinnan, Liu Yanru, Zhang Zhiyu, Cao Gang, and Zhao Xujia from the School of Life Sciences, Liu Xuchen (HP Group Leader), He Jia (Modeling Group Leader), and Yao Lingfeng from Medical School, Liu Jinglu, Wang Jiahao, and Luan Chenyu from the School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Fan Yihan (Art Group Leader) from the School of Earth System Science, Zhao Yiding from the School of Architecture, Lou Jierui (Wiki Group Leader) from the School of Mechanical Engineering, as well as Liu Hongwei and Tang Xinyue from the College of Intelligence and Computing.
In this year's competition, the team focused on research into the recycling of waste plastics using biological methods, guided by data-driven and intelligent computing strategies. They designed and constructed an efficient system for the biodegradation of plastics. Graduate students Wang Shen, Sun Xinzhuo, and Jin Jiahui from the School of Life Sciences served as student advisors for the competition, while Professor Wang Zefang and Associate Researcher Xiao Yunjie from the School of Life Sciences provided guidance as instructors.
Group Photo of the Entire TJUSLS-China Team
The iGEM Tianjin team from Tianjin University's School of Chemical Engineering and Technology won a gold medal for their project "Wind-up Cell." Since 2007, iGEM Tianjin has secured eight gold, three silver, and four bronze medals, along with nine best project or nomination awards.
iGEM Tianjin 2023
The iGEM Tianjin team members include Zhan Hongming, Huang Kecheng, Li Yule, Fan Yihan, Huang Yuehua, Quan Yuanru, Hao Xuewei, Yang Tianyu, Zhang Xianliang, Wang Haojie, Chen Junhe, Zhang Kexin, Fu Kaixin, Guo Yawen, Gao Jiaxin, Lei Dongxu, Qi Qi, Wang Liuziteng, Ran Xuyang, and Cui Ruiqi. Instructors are Professors Yuan Yingjin, Wu Yi, Cao Yingxiu, Li Bingzhi, and Xiao Wenhai. Wang Yuqi, Chen Zhongxiu, and Cui Yali served as student advisors.
This year, the iGEM Tianjin team concentrated on the issue of engineered microbial leakage. The project focused on biosafety, aiming to prevent the escape of engineered microbes into the environment or the theft of engineered microbes with intellectual property. It offers a new and effective means for biosafety and biological protection.
Representatives from the team, including Zhan Hongming, Wang Haojie, Huang Kecheng, and Yang Tianyu, participated in the offline Jamboree (the annual conference and award ceremony where teams from around the world gather to present their projects) for iGEM Tianjin 2023 and excellently completed their defense and presentation.
Representatives of the iGEM Tianjin 2023 Team Competing in Paris
The participation in iGEM reflects the spirit of scientific inquiry, the cultivation of innovative thinking, and the vibrant pursuit of excellence by young students. Congratulations to all the participants for their achievements!
By Dairui
Editor: Sun Xiaofang
