UofC Calgary wanted to create a transdermal patch that delivers radioprotector particles into the bloodstream for the purposes of protecting space travelers. Their design was inspired by discussions with experts on ionizing radiation, former iGEM team members, microneedle array experts, and transdermal patch manufacturers. The patch system idea came directly from an assessment of the needs for a system capable of delivering radioprotectors continuously and at high concentrations.

 

The Imperial College team adopted the Socio-Technical Integration Research protocol (STIR) as a formalized way of reflecting on social, ethical, and economic considerations in their decision-making. By combining the foundations of STIR with the problem-based learning (PBL) framework, the team offers a modified STIR-PBL framework as a problem solving tool to guide the thinking and considerations of iGEM teams. The team also developed a Visual Strategies Experiential Guidebook to facilitate the creation of graphics that would make technical projects easier to understand through visual media.

Paris Bettencourt produced enzymes that can remove red wine stains without the toxic effects of the current cleaning solvent. They interviewed dry cleaners in Paris to assess the existing alternatives to the status quo and where a new product targeting specific stains could fit into the market. They used this analysis to inform their design decisions in their project.

 

SCAU used rice as a bioreactor to synthesize astaxanthin, a naturally occurring antioxidant that is of interest for medical uses. The team conducted surveys to assess the attitudes of local individuals towards genetically modified organisms/foods and determine whether astaxanthin produced from GMOs is something that they would like to use. They wrote a handbook about GMOs to dispel some common myths and spread knowledge about their usage. In order to promote social justice, SCAU also sent educational handbooks to distant regions of China in order to promote more widespread education among different groups of farmers and students.  

 

<p>BroadRun-Baltimore developed a genetically modified yeast strain that can digest starch, the precursor of butyric acid waste in ceiling tile manufacturing. The team opened a dialogue with a ceiling tile manufacturer as an industry partner to better understand the workflow of tile production and wastewater management. The team were then able to assess where their genetically modified yeast strain could be deployed to reduce starch levels as a sustainable solution in a manufacturing process.

Counteracts sought to design noninvasive eyedrops featuring a protein disaggregator compound that reverts aging eye damage that leads to cataracts. For Education and Public Engagement, the team spread knowledge about cataracts through several events and awareness day meetups across Taipei. They also were active in exposing different grades within their school to the potentials of synthetic biology to inspire them to get excited about synthetic biology and iGEM, and collaborated with nearby iGEM teams at the high school and university levels to share ideas and practices. For Integrated Human Practices, Counteracts interviewed both practicing cataract surgeons and researchers to get their thoughts on non-invasive alternatives to surgery, and also interviewed cataract patients to learn about their knowledge of cataracts and willingness to use GMO products.

 

The Cornell NY’s Legendairy project visited various parties invested in the dairy industry, such as a dairy farm, a pharmaceutical company that develops treatments for animals, and a milk quality expert to identify the need for better bovine mastitis detection methods. After developing sketches and a concept for a prospective milking apparatus that would help prevent bovine mastitis, the team continued to seek feedback from producers of milking machinery and others on their design. They continued to sustain a conversation with the actual potential users of their product in order to determine what was actually needed, and eventually brought back a physical prototype of their product to ask whether it would be suitable for use.

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Oxford characterized various copper chelators that could be deployed in a bacterial system to treat Wilson’s disease. Like other teams, they also conducted educational presentations about the practice of synthetic biology to student researchers at nearby museums, younger students visiting their university, as well as to students at the University of Cyprus and at an international science forum. These efforts have the potential to inspire iGEM teams and interest in synthetic biology in a wide set of different environments.

OLS Canmore devised a system capable of breaking down and repurposing keratin from hair and feathers that make its way into waste and sewage systems. Their project and design was inspired by communication with nearby wastewater treatment plants, who helped them weigh their options between designing a separable enzyme to treat the water or developing a bioreactor. The team was able to also discuss with fertilizer companies how the byproducts might be repurposed for fertilizer and animal feed, and how they might be able to implement and market a system that would be usable by wastewater treatment facilities.

The Manchester team designed a cell free detection system for blood alcohol concentration to eventually be implemented in a topical patch that would aid with rapid assessment of blood alcohol concentrations. For Public Engagement, the team shared their work through poster presentations at various forums and conferences, as well as local news publications. They also conducted surveys about alcohol consumption and eventually shared their work at the UK iGEM Meet Up.  

 

INSA-Lyon’s team developed a single blood drop screening test to screen individuals for HIV and HBV. For Integrated Human Practices, through surveys and meetings, they developed an ethical matrix describing the relationships and importance of different features and principles of their device to different stakeholders. The interviews by the team were conducted with medical staff at a local diagnosis center. They also led workshops for younger students at their school to orient them in the field of bioengineering and invite them to engage with synthetic biology through iGEM or a career in the future.

METU HS Ankara sought to modify an E. coli strain to bind selectively to colon cancer cells and induce cell death through the production of a natural colon metabolite. The team organized a running day for colon cancer, as well as educational events to increase knowledge about colon cancer at their local schools. One thing led to another, and they were also able to spread this educational information through radio interviews and TV broadcasts in their local area.

 

The Sydney Australia team wanted to create a bacterial ethylene biosensor to give quantitative readouts of ethylene levels indicating the ripeness of fruits being transported to market. The team did iterative need finding with various produce distributors, incorporating ideas such as making a smart reader strip that could be accessed via an app and incorporating biodegradable materials to determine what would be their optimal solution design.

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Groningen intended to use DNA in tough and resistant bacterial spores as secure storage units to store information, with the intent of replacing the physical limitations of silicon flash storage. They engaged with experts on cybersecurity and legal experts to ensure that their project paid attention to considerations about the secure transfer of data as well as legal requirements such as export controls. The team also spread knowledge of their work in synthetic biology by inviting and mentoring students at their lab, as well as being interviewed and publishing in a variety of avenues.

 

The Herb Tasters were interested in developing a biosensor to detect the presence of toxins in traditional Chinese medicines. By using national health interview surveys and interactions with government regulators and manufacturers of Chinese medicine, the team gained a better understanding of the current management of toxins and the actual need for and challenges to toxin detection solutions.

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The Stockholm team wanted to create more effective chronic wound dressings that incorporated biofilm degraders. They also designed an education program challenging students to respond to case studies about synthetic biology relating to ethics, environmental sustainability, and antibiotic resistance. Students were asked to practice ethical decision-making in evaluating what technologies may sitll not ought to be used “just because we have the know-how”.