ZJU clinches 3 gold medals at 2024 iGEM

At the 21st International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGEM) in Paris, three teams from Zhejiang University stood out among 400 teams worldwide, each securing a gold medal in the undergraduate category. This marks the 12th time that Zhejiang University has claimed the coveted gold since it first participated in iGEM in 2010.

The teams - the ZJU-China team, the HiZJU-China team, and the iZJU-China team - each presented groundbreaking projects, blending cutting-edge science with real-world applications. Let's take a closer look at their innovative work.

ZJU-China: Pioneering eco-friendly fashion dyeing

This year, the ZJU-China team tackled one of the textile industry's most pressing environmental challenges: wastewater contamination from dyes. The improper disposal of textile waste is a major contributor to pollution and water resource depletion. Moreover, such waste often contains biologically toxic substances that accumulate in the food chain, posing severe health risks to humans.

In response, the ZJU-China team designed an eco-friendly alternative to traditional textile dyeing. By engineering bacteria to produce natural, biodegradable pigments, specifically purple bacteria pigments, they developed a sustainable biological dyeing method. "Our goal is to reduce production waste and pollution. By using genetically modified bacteria to produce environmentally friendly pigments, we can dye fabrics in a way that's both eco-conscious and efficient," said team leader HUANG Chenchen, an ecology student.

The team's innovative approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also improves the efficiency of the dyeing process. "We've enhanced the efficiency of the production line by using RNA-based protein scaffolds for phase separation and enzyme coupling, boosting the bacteria's dye production capabilities," explained WANG Xuanhao, a student from the School of Medicine.

To make the process even more interactive, the team integrated an app that allows consumers to choose their favorite patterns, which are then created on the fabric through light-induced signaling molecules. "This technology brings sustainability into fashion and offers a novel way for consumers to engage with eco-conscious clothing," said XIE Yufei, a clinical medicine student.

HiZJU-China: Bio-mining for a sustainable future

The HiZJU-China team has taken a bold step toward a sustainable future by transforming the way rare earth elements, often referred to as the "industrial vitamins" of the modern world, are extracted and recycled. These elements, critical to a vast array of high-tech industries, are typically mined through methods that can be harmful to the environment. In a groundbreaking move, the team engineered a solution that combines synthetic biology with industrial processes, introducing a cleaner, more sustainable way to mine rare earths.

Their innovative project, CaptuREE (Capturing Rare Earth Elements), integrates engineered lanthanide-binding proteins with yeast cells, creating a bio-based system that functions as a "bio-miner." By incorporating these modified proteins into a yeast chassis, the team developed a full-scale bio-mining process that promises to reduce the environmental footprint of rare earth extraction. This method not only minimizes the need for traditional, resource-draining mining techniques but also enhances the potential of biotechnology in large-scale industrial applications.

The HiZJU-China team applied cutting-edge synthetic biology to bio-mining, improving efficiency and creating a more eco-friendly extraction process. Their work begins with using organic acid-producing strains to bio-leach rare earth ores. The yeast cells, engineered to display lanthanide-binding proteins on their surface, form a biofilm in a membrane bioreactor. This biofilm selectively captures rare earth ions from waste liquids, streamlining the extraction process and reducing the environmental impact of mining operations.

With CaptuREE, the HiZJU-China team has not only developed an inventive solution to a critical global challenge but has also demonstrated how biotechnology can be harnessed to transform traditional industries. Their project holds the promise of a more sustainable future for the mining of rare earth elements-one that could redefine the industry and pave the way for cleaner, greener technologies.

iZJU-China: Revolutionizing skincare with advanced bioengineering

Sensitive skin is a common trouble for many, leaving people in search of more effective and gentle skincare solutions. The iZJU-China team tackled this challenge head-on by developing an innovative skincare product designed to enhance skin repair while minimizing cytotoxicity. Their groundbreaking approach harnesses the power of a gene oscillator to dynamically switch between two active ingredients, reducing harmful effects while optimizing skincare efficacy.

The product, aptly named Yeastea, is a clever blend of rosmarinic acid, ceramides, and yeast extract, combining the best of nature and biotechnology. This formula not only promotes skin repair but also boasts impressive biological adaptability, making it suitable for a range of skin types. At the core of the innovation lies the use of yeast as a chassis cell, enhanced with a gene oscillator that reduces cytotoxicity, extends yeast lifespan, and boosts ceramide production. The team's novel approach also departs from the traditional method of separating and purifying yeast post-lysis, instead creating a more efficient, integrated production process.

To ensure the product's effectiveness, the iZJU-China team went above and beyond, designing a sophisticated microfluidic chip system. This, coupled with image recognition and segmentation software, allows for stable single-cell monitoring and highly efficient image data processing, offering real-time insight into the product's impact on skin cells.

For WANG Chen, the team leader and a biomedical student, this competition was an invaluable experience. "Leading a team of more than 20 people has significantly enhanced my project management skills. The support from my teammates throughout the preparation process was incredibly moving, and participating in this competition together was a deeply rewarding experience."

With these remarkable projects, the Zhejiang University teams have not only demonstrated the power of synthetic biology but also highlighted its potential to tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges, from sustainable fashion to cleaner mining practices and advanced skincare solutions.

Adapted and translated from the article written by ZHU Tianyi, CAI Shenxue

Translator: FANG Fumin

Photo: The interviewees

Editor: TIAN Minjie

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