In the interdisciplinary project, we focused on the communication between synthetic biology and other fields, such as behavioral psychology, optogenetics and brain imaging science. The aim of our project was to facilitate the communication of disciplines in different fields and spark new ideas. Meanwhile, this activity promoted a comprehensive understanding of undergraduates to synthetic biology. Moreover, our engagement in public awareness successfully spread the knowledge of C. elegans and synthetic biology in neighboring communities.

---

Promoting interdisciplinary communication and synthetic biology

To promote communication between different fields and spread ideas in synthetic biology, we co-hosted a seminar and a synthetic biology lecture with Prof. Zhihao Li in Shenzhen University. In the seminar, we shared the principles and methods of synthetic biology with Prof. Li and learned advanced progress in brain imaging science. With the inspiration from discussion, we purposed a system in which we can transport light-sentitive channals into necrotic neurons of human brain and activate them with light.

In the lecture, we mainly talked about synthetic biology and brain imaging science. In the first session, we gave the audience an introduction about the latest advancement of brain imaging method and the importance of combination between multiple disciplines. Fig 1 2 In the second session, we concentrated on the ideas, methodologies and applications of synthetic biology. This is also our effort to promote the idea of applying engineering principles in our daily life and research.

In the seminar and lecture, we verified the importance and value of interdisciplinary communication. We also got a chance to make efforts to spread princples of synthetic biology. For undergraduates audience, we sincerely hope that this lecture could provide them a new perspective and new choices for them in the future.

---

Educating junior high school students on synthetic biology

To spread the idea of synthetic biology to more audience, we gave an introduction about the basic knowledge of synthetic biology by opening our lab to the junior school students from Sichuan province. About 30 students visited our lab and showed great interest in synthetic biology.

We delivered a lecture about the history and applications of synthetic biology. In the lecture, we mainly talked about some knowledge of optogenetics and several interesting studies including the dragonfly cyborg Draper DragonflEye and the Havard hybrid stingray. Besides, we also introduced some classical ethological and psychological experiments including Pavlov's dog and Skinner box which inspired our experiments. Finally We gave them a chance to use the microscope to observe living C. elegans.

This activity not only taught these junior students some new knowledge about synthetic biology and iGEM, but also expand their horizons to spark their interest in synthetic biology. We had an opportunity to show these young teenagers our research and the optic and microfluidic devices we built for the devices. Although most students had never heard of these knowledge we mentioned, we were still able to show them that these have many practical uses in our research and life.

---

Cohosting iGEM Southern China Regional Meeting

2017 Southern China Regional Meeting was hold in Shenzhen at April 29. As an old friend of Shenzhen University iGEM team, our team helped to organize and host the meet-up. This meet-up brought to the teams from Southern China a great opportunity to show their inspiration and verify the accessibility of the idea, also a precious chance for us to know each other, which paved a way for the further cooperation. Another main purpose of the meeting is to provide an approach to the high school teams for seeking assistance, as there are at least 4 teams in Shenzhen consisting of younger teenagers and they need instruction from more experienced iGEM members.