SynBio Challenges

From August 8 to 9, theThird SynBio Challenges (hereinafter referred to as the " Challenges "), sponsored by the Synthetic Biology Branch of the Chinese Society of Biotechnology and co-hosted by theFaculty of Synthetic Biology at Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology (SUAT), the Institute of Synthetic Biology at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology Innovation, the Shenzhen Synthetic Biology Association, and the Industrial Innovation Center for Engineering Biology, was held at the Shenzhen Guangming Tian'an Yungu International Conference Center.

Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology (SUAT)

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The Challenges focuses on synthetic biology, aiming to provide a platform for exchange and competition for young students in universities. The competition attracted 147 teams from over 60 universities at home and abroad, with more than 450 students participating on site. Since its inception, the number of participating teams in the Challenges has nearly doubled year after year, with its influence expanding rapidly.

At the opening ceremony, Zhang Xian'en, Chair of the Challenges, Dean of the Faculty of Synthetic Biology at SUAT, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Society of Biotechnology, and Director of the Synthetic Biology Branch, stated in his speech—

"Synthetic biology - biotechnology - biomanufacturing - bioeconomy is becoming the main theme of innovative development in the era. The SynBio Challenges provides a unique learning and exchange platform for young students, encouraging their spirit of exploration, creation, and teamwork, enabling them to grow into high-quality reserve talents in the future. We also hope to build the Challenges into the world's second largest international synthetic biology event after the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition. "

It is understood that

compared to the previous two editions, this Challenges

has undergone a comprehensive upgrade in format

The Regular Track newly designed three themed tracks covering multiple frontier directions in synthetic biology, including the Green Track focusing on agriculture and environmental protection, the Red Track dedicated to health and medicine, and the White Track targeting biochemical engineering, encouraging participating teams to leverage original innovation capabilities and propose innovative solutions for specific social development needs;

The Bacterial Gladiator and Protein Designby AI tracks continue the Olympic-style competition mechanism, testing not only participants' precision and depth in understanding specific problems but also challenging their professional abilities in strategy formulation and experimental operations.

Professor Lin Ying from the Faculty of Biological Science and Engineering at South China University of Technology, a judge for the Challenges, pointed out—

The competition evaluates students' performance based on multiple dimensions such as project scientific validity, design innovation, and market potential, testing students' knowledge accumulation and problem-solving abilities, while also emphasizing forward-thinking on industrial prospects in project implementation and application.

In addition to gathering many academic experts,this Challenges specially invited artists from the Central Academy of Fine Arts to bring a bio-art exhibition and lecture, combining synthetic biology with artistic aesthetics and adding a unique perspective to the event.

After three days of competition among 60 teams

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the NEFU_China team from Northeast Forestry University in the biochemical engineering trackwon the grand prize of this Challenges.Their project used metabolic engineering and directed evolution strategies for de novo biosynthesis of p-hydroxymandelic acid, focusing on and targeting the two key bottlenecks of insufficient precursor supply and low activity of key enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway.

The HELLO-ZJU team from Zhejiang University, the Shanghaitech-China team from ShanghaiTech University, and the NEFU_China team from Northeast Forestry University won the Best Award in Biomedicine, Best Award in Environment and Agriculture, and Best Award in Biochemical Engineering, respectively.

In the two featured tracks,the Savage Growth team from Jilin Agricultural University won the Best Bacterial Gladiator Award; theNankai Junior Team from Nankai University and the Helix Heroes team from Shanghai Jiao Tong University won the Best Protein Design by AI Award.

In the interview session,Ume Jian from Waseda University in Japanstated—

Through visiting Shenzhen Synthetic Biology Infrastructure and laboratories, he experienced the advanced level of domestic automation and cutting-edge technology; as a member of the first overseas team in the Challenges, he also hopes to expand the influence of the competition to more overseas teams.

Wang Li, Deputy Party Secretary, Vice Chairman, and General Manager of Maotai Group, a cooperating unit of the Challenges, stated—

The brewing science contained in Maotai liquor belongs to the first generation of biotechnology. Synthetic biology technology will lead the fifth biomanufacturing industrial revolution in the future and is a key technological engine for our country's layout of future industries, especially future manufacturing. Maotai's support for hosting the SynBio Challenges is a cross-era handshake between the first and fifth generations of biotechnology.

Yi Xiao, member and secretary-general of the Challenges Organizing Committee and researcher at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, stated—

This Challenges is not only a stage for young students to showcase their talents and achieve innovation but also an important opportunity to cultivate interdisciplinary synthetic biology talents with forward-looking technological vision. He looks forward to promoting educational innovation and industrial applications in synthetic biology globally through the Challenges, injecting new vitality into the future development of synthetic biology.

Liu Chenli, Deputy Director of the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Director of the National Industrial Innovation Center for Bio-manufacturing (NIICB), and Dean of the Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology Innovation, said in his summary speech—

The original intention of hosting the Chinese SynBio Challenges is to provide a platform for innovation, intelligence, and creation, igniting students' enthusiasm for synthetic biology. The experimental journey is often accompanied by monotony and challenges; he encouraged everyone to deeply explore the scientific principles of this emerging discipline and its innovative applications in different fields.

At the closing ceremony, Zeng Wufei, Member of the Standing Committee of the Guangming District Committee and Minister of the Organization Department, stated—

Guangming Science City is in a critical stage of transitioning from construction to scientific empowerment, urgently needing active participation from vast numbers of young scientific and technological talents. He hopes everyone will maintain the original aspiration of entrepreneurs, the passion of strivers, and the resilience of frontrunners in this Challenges where science and dreams meet bidirectionally.

This Challenges deeply implements the core concept of synthetic biology—"Build to learn, Build to use"—highlighting the powerful driving force of interdisciplinary integration and innovation, with participating teams showcasing diverse research directions and distinctive innovative ideas.

The competition received support from multiple units, including the Organization Department of the CPC Shenzhen Guangming District Committee, the Propaganda Department, the SUAT Foundation, and the Guangming District Mass Organization Work Department. Special thanks to Guizhou Maotai Group as the exclusive partner for its strong support during the conference preparation, and to the Guangming Science City Youth Talent 72-Hour "Science+" Innovation Challenge for the wonderful moments it left for the competition.