From August 8th to 9th, the third SynBio Challenges took place at the Guangming Cloud Park Conference Center in Shenzhen, hosted by the Synthetic Biology Branch of the Chinese Society of Biotechnology, and co-organized by the Synthetic Biology College of Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, the Shenzhen Synthetic Biology Association, and the Shenzhen Engineering Biological Industry Innovation Center.
Focusing on the field of synthetic biology, the event aimed to provide a platform for exchange and competition among young college students. It attracted more than 450 participants from over 147 teams across more than 60 universities at home and abroad. Since its inception, the number of participating teams has doubled almost annually, rapidly expanding the event's influence.
The participants of the event pose for a photo
At the opening ceremony, Zhang Xian’en, the chair of the event, dean of the Synthetic Biology College at Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, vice chairman of the Chinese Society of Biotechnology, and director of the Synthetic Biology Branch, delivered a speech. He said, "Synthetic biology - biotechnology - bio-manufacturing - bio-economy are becoming the main theme of innovation and development in this era. The event provides a unique learning and communication platform for young students, encouraging their spirit of exploration, creativity, and teamwork. We hope that this event will grow to be the world's second-largest synthetic biology event following the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGEM)."
Zhang Xian’en delivers a speech
It was reported that the event this year saw a comprehensive upgrade in its competition system compared to the previous two events: three new themes were introduced in the regular competition, covering several cutting-edge directions in synthetic biology. These include a green track focusing on agriculture and environmental protection, a red track concentrating on health and medicine, and a white track targeting biochemical engineering. These tracks encouraged teams to demonstrate original innovation capabilities and propose innovative solutions to address specific requirements for social development. The Bacterial Gaming and Protein Design continued with an Olympic-style competitive mechanism, testing participants' precision and depth in understanding specific problems as well as their strategy development and experiment skills.
Flag awarding for the students
Professor Lin Ying from the School of Biological Science and Engineering at South China University of Technology, one of the event's judges, pointed out that the event evaluated the students’ performance from perspectives such as scientificity, design innovation, and market potential, which tested their knowledge accumulation and problem-solving abilities while emphasizing industrial foresight in the implementation and application of projects.
Other than several academic experts, the event also invited artists from the Central Academy of Fine Arts to present a bio-art exhibition and lectures, combining synthetic biology with artistic aesthetics from a unique perspective.
After three days of competition involving 60 teams, the NEFU_China team from Northeast Forestry University won the grand prize in the biochemical engineering track. Their project focused on the de novo biosynthesis of hydroquinone using metabolic engineering and directed evolution strategies, addressing the two key bottlenecks of insufficient precursor supply and low activity of critical enzymes in the biosynthesis pathway.
NEFU_China team from Northeast Forestry University
Teams from Zhejiang University (HELLO-ZJU), ShanghaiTech University (Shanghaitech-China), and Northeast Forestry University (NEFU_China) won the best awards in the biopharmaceutical, environmental/agricultural, and biochemical engineering categories, respectively. In the two special tracks, Jilin Agricultural University's Savage Growth team received the Best Bacterial Gaming Award, while Nankai University's Nankai Team and Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Helix Heroes team won the Best Protein Design Award.
Participating students visit the scientific simulation devices
During interviews, a student from Waseda University in Japan said, by visiting major technological infrastructure and laboratories in Shenzhen, it allowed him to experience the advanced level of automation and cutting-edge technology in China. As a member of the first overseas team participating in the competition, he hoped to expand its influence to more international teams.
Wang Li, deputy secretary of the CPC committee, vice chairman, and general manager of Moutai Group, said, the brewing science contained in Moutai liquor represents the first generation of biotechnology. Synthetic biology technology will lead the fifth revolution in the bio-manufacturing industry and is a key technological engine for China’s industrial layout in the future, especially in the manufacturing sector. Moutai's support for the event represents an exchange between the first and fifth generations of biotechnology through time and space.
Yi Xiao, a member of the organizing committee and secretary-general of the event, and a research fellow with the SIAT, said, the event was not only a stage for young students to showcase their talent and innovation, but also an important opportunity to cultivate interdisciplinary talents in the field of synthetic biology with a foresight. He expected that the education innovation and industrial application of synthetic biology worldwide could be promoted through the event, injecting new vitality into the development of synthetic biology.
Liu Chenli, vice president of the SIAT, director of the National Bio-manufacturing Industry Innovation Center, and dean of the Shenzhen Institute for Synthetic Biology, concluded, the purpose of holding the event was to provide an innovative, intellectual, and creative platform to ignite students' passion for synthetic biology. The experiments often come with monotony and challenges. He encouraged everyone to explore the scientific principles behind this emerging discipline and its innovative applications in different fields.
Liu Chenli delivers a speech
At the closing ceremony, Zeng Wufei, a standing committee member and head of the organizational department of Guangming District, stated that Guangming Science City is moving from construction to scientific empowerment. There is an urgent need for the involvement of young scientific talents. He hoped that everyone would maintain the entrepreneurial spirit, the passion for striving, and the resilience for pioneering in the pursuit of science and dreams.
The event this year thoroughly implemented the core concept of "creating things for knowledge and use" in synthetic biology, highlighting the powerful drive of interdisciplinary integration and innovation. The participating teams demonstrated diverse research directions and innovations.
The event received support from multiple organizations including the Organizational Department of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee Guangming District, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology Foundation, and Youth League Work Department of Guangming District. Special thanks go to Kweichow Moutai Group as the exclusive partner for their substantial support during the preparation of the event and to the 72-hour "Science+" Innovation Challenge of young talents in Guangming Science City for their impressive moments at the event.
