1. Overview of Collaboration
Throughout the iDEC journey, we have had the privilege of collaborating with multiple teams, academic institutions, organizations, companies, and local communities, enriching our project, fostering knowledge exchange, and advancing the cause of global scientific development.
Throughout our project journey, the team fully mobilized both internal and external resources, deeply engaged with multiple stakeholders within the campus and society, and established a dual-driven model of \'campus collaboration and empowerment + practical implementation beyond campus.\' With synthetic biology technology at the core, we have strived to fulfill our commitment to improving public health and advancing medical development.
Within the campus, the team has integrated resources through multi-dimensional cooperation: the team has formed a \"popular science promotion group+school-local cooperation group+technology transformation group\" in conjunction with eight student associations to carry out high school and middle school roving lectures, cross-school academic research and technology popularization dismantling, covering more than 2,000 teachers and students. Relying on the four colleges of Lanzhou University to hold a series of activities of \"Frontier of Intestinal Microflora and Synthetic Biology\", combining academic lectures, experimental workshops and knowledge competition, the transfer of professional knowledge and discipline practice credit incentive was achieved. We deepen cooperation with school management departments, upgrade from \"special grants\" to \"systematic empowerment\", obtain grants for iDEC competitions, international academic docking and brand promotion support for scientific innovation, and lay a solid foundation for project development. At the same time, we actively expanded inter-school cooperation, carried out thematic exchanges with iDEC teams from more than 10 universities such as Tianjin University and Jilin University, participated in the CCIC Conference, the Peking University Symposium on \"Living Drug Engineering\", and others.
Outside the campus, the team extensively connected with social resources: collaborating with organizations such as the Gansu Health Management Association and the Red Cross Society of Gansu Province, we engaged with communities to conduct fun science outreach activities like the \'Gut Bacteria Exploration Experiment\' and \'Probiotic DIY Models,\' while distributing the \'Perioperative Gut Care Handbook.\' We also conducted project-related research in close partnership with medical staff from Lanzhou University First Hospital and Lanzhou University Second Hospital. Additionally, through a collaboration with Jinghong Health Company, we received guidance on business planning and explored the potential for functional food development. By working with the Gansu Provincial CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), we optimized the project's application scenarios based on regional epidemiological data and explored potential collaborations in public health decision-making.
2. Internal Cooperation and Resource Integration within the Campus
2.1 Student Organizations: Three-dimensional Structure to Promote Knowledge Transfer and Practice
Around the theme of \"intestinal flora and perioperative health\", we created the three-dimensional organizational structure of \"popular science promotion group+school-land cooperation group+technology transformation group\", to promote the social transmission of synthetic biology knowledge and project value.
Popular science promotion group: develop \"intestinal bacteria: friend or enemy?\" The two sets of theme PPTs of \"What Happens to the Perioperative Microflora\" jointly organized eight student associations in the school (such as the Biological Science Association and the Medical Science Popularization Society) and the school\'s official education team to carry out a lecture tour in local colleges and high schools in Gansu Province. The posters\' professional contents such as \"intestinal probiotic function\" and \"flora disorder mechanism during the perioperative period\" were presented in a popular way, covering more than 2,000 teachers and students.
School-location collaboration group: academic partnerships were established with other medical colleges and universities to jointly carry out the cross-school research on \"perioperative intestinal health\". At the same time, popular science activities on \"intestinal flora and health\" were conducted for the elderly and postoperative patients in a number of hospitals in Lanzhou (including the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of the First Lanzhou University Hospital) and community health service centers, and the \"Perioperative Intestinal Care Handbook\" designed based on project posters was distributed in response to the community\'s demand for postoperative health management.
Technology transformation group: linked with the internal entrepreneurship community and medical innovation organization, the technical logic of the project \"transforming lactobacillus casei into oleic acid\" was disassembled into public science modules such as \"How does probiotics work accurately?\" , explore the social understandable path of synthetic biological therapy, enhance the public awareness of the technology.
In addition, through the student organization network, we have established a long-term collaborative network of \"university student organizations+medical institutions+communities\". For example, we have reached a cooperation with a community health service station in Lanzhou City, and plan to include \"intestinal flora science popularization\" in its regular activities, so that the practical results can continuously serve the improvement of public health awareness.
2.2 Academic Departments: Leading-edge Academic Activities Jointly Carried Out by Multiple Colleges
We received support from the First Clinical Medical College, the School of Stomatology, the School of Life Sciences, and the School of Basic Medicine at Lanzhou University. These colleges jointly organized the \'Lanzhou University Campus Science Outreach Exhibition and Laboratory Equipment Drawing Competition,\' a series of campus events with us. The event was mainly divided into three sub-activities: 1.Synthetic biology and the LZU-MEDICINE-CHINA team project promotion; 2.Laboratory equipment drawing competition, featuring items such as microscope slides; 3.Interesting science experiments, where students not only gained an in-depth understanding of professional content like \'intestinal probiotics functions\' and \'engineered bacteria design logic\' from the posters but also had the chance to win research-related prizes through academic interaction and earn academic practice credits (or activity points).
During the event, expert teams from various colleges provided full-process guidance, from scientific content validation to academic format design. For example, a professor from the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery at the Medical College personally explained the \'clinical significance of microbiome disruption during the perioperative period.\' The Synthetic Biology Laboratory from the School of Life Sciences conducted a \'genetically engineered bacteria construction\' simulation experiment, and professors from the School of Basic Medicine led students in fun scientific experiments. Through these academic interactions, students not only mastered knowledge but also gained a firsthand experience of the practical value of synthetic biology. The event\'s participation and academic feedback both met expectations.
2.3 School Management: From Special Funding to Systematic Empowerment
We have continuously deepened our cooperation with the university's administrative departments. Building on the foundation of past inclusion in the university\'s support system, we have already received approval for a university-level project this year. We further promoted the upgrade of resource support from the International Affairs Office and the Research Management Department, achieving a shift from \'specialized funding\' to \'systematic empowerment.\' Not only did we receive additional funding for participation in the iDEC international competition and global promotion of our results, but we also gained deep collaboration from the administrative departments in areas like international academic cooperation and university-level science and innovation branding.
Through the continued output of the \'Gut Microbiome Engineering Bacteria\' project's milestones (such as laboratory data and the impact of science outreach), we demonstrated the long-term value of the iDEC team, which led the university's administrative departments to shift from \'initial support\' to \'ongoing investment.\' This further solidified the iDEC project's position in the university's international science and innovation strategy, while also establishing a strong administrative resource foundation for the team's future international exchanges and results transformation.
3. Inter-school Cooperation: Cross-school Communication and Resource Sharing
3.1 Key Universities One-on-One Thematic Exchanges
3.1.1 With iDEC Team of School of Life Science, Tianjin University(TJUSL-China)
In order to deepen the intercollegiate collaboration in the field of synthetic biology, our team and the iDEC team of Tianjin University (TJUSLS_China) jointly held an iDEC exchange and sharing meeting on July 18, 2025. At the meeting, both parties carried out in-depth discussions around the core links of their respective projects, such as project design, experimental progress, and human practice. We focused on the technical path and social value of \"intestinal flora health during the perioperative period\" for sharing. The team from Tianjin University gave a detailed introduction to its innovative exploration in the medical application field of synthetic biology.
Through this exchange, the two sides not only achieved cross-border collision in academic ideas, but also reached a lot of consensus in project optimization and resource complementarity, laying a solid foundation for cooperation in achieving breakthroughs and promoting the practical application of synthetic biology technology in the iDEC competitions.
3.1.2 Collaboration with iDEC Team (JLU-NBBMS) of School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University
On July 21, 2025, our team (LZU-MEDICINE-CHINA) and the iDEC team of Jilin University (JLU-NBBMS) held an online iDEC topic exchange.
the team from Jilin University shared the topic of \"Rare Ginsenoside Ro Biosynthesis Based on S. cerevisiae\", presenting the exploration of synthetic biology in the field of green manufacturing of medicinal components.
This exchange was not only a cross-border collision of academic views, but also formed a collaborative thinking in the aspects of experimental technology optimization and topic innovation direction, building a cooperative bridge for the two sides to achieve technical breakthrough and promote the industrial application of synthetic biology in the iDEC competition.
3.1.3 With the iDEC Team of Ocean University of China (OUC-China)
Our team participated in an online communication with the iDEC team (OUC-China) at Ocean University of China. At the meeting, the OUC-China team demonstrated the technical path and achievement promotion mode of its synthetic biology project: At the technical level, the team carried out research around the engineering transformation of yeast, realized the secretion of IL-4, IL-10, and VEGF as well as the surface display of the antibacterial peptide Pexiganan by designing a multifunctional plasmid, and conducted functional verification by combining ELISA, SDS-PAGE, WB and other techniques. At the achievement promotion level, the team expanded its influence by operating social media accounts such as Little Red Riding Book and WeChat WeChat official account, and also carried out a series of synthetic biology workshops such as the visit and study of Qingdao Kangqiao Pharmaceutical, which deeply integrated scientific research practice with social popular science.
During the exchange, we had an in-depth discussion with the OUC team on issues such as \"functional module compatibility of engineering yeast\" and \"socialized communication strategy of synthetic biology project\", and obtained new enlightenment on the two-way path of technological innovation and achievement transformation, which also provided a reference example for our own project in multi-module collaborative design and social value communication.
3.1.4 With the iDEC Team of Nankai University (NKU-China)
Our team participated in the online symposium with the iDEC team of Nankai University (NKU-China). At the meeting, the NKU-China team demonstrated its project of \"Targeted intervention for Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) based on engineering yeast\", carried out in-depth analysis on the correlation between ApoE 4 gene and LilrB3 receptor, the core mechanism of AD, and proposed the design idea of \"colonization of the intestine+production of butyric acid+response to AD markers (TMA and ROS)\".
The team explained the gene circuit logic of the engineering bacteria in detail: Through the modular design of TMA and ROS double response elements, the AND gate gene circuit was constructed to realize the accurate output of butyric acid. At the same time, TMA 30-day pharmacokinetic process of TMA was simulated by Matlab modeling, which provided data support for the efficacy evaluation and threshold optimization of the project.
During this exchange, we held discussions with the NKU team on issues such as \"stability of engineered bacteria colonization in the intestinal tract\" and \"efficiency of butyric acid crossing the blood-brain barrier\". We obtained an interdisciplinary and innovative perspective on the disease intervention application path of synthetic biology technology, and also provided a useful reference for our own project in the aspects of \"optimization of the function of engineered bacteria\" and \"demonstration of clinical value\".
3.1.5 With iDEC Team of Zhengzhou University (ZZU-iDEC)
Our team participated in the online communication with the iDEC team (ZZU-iDEC) of Zhengzhou University. At the meeting, ZZU team demonstrated its rich achievements in the \"human practice\" link: through the production of a popular science brochure on the theme \"non-invasive screening for breast cancer\", the popularization and transmission of synthetic biology technology and medical health knowledge; To carry out campus propaganda activities, popularize project technical logic and social value for teachers and students; At the same time, it operates multi-platform social media accounts such as WeChat WeChat official account, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram, and constructs a global science popularization matrix.
During the exchange, we discussed the issues of \"differentiated design of cross-platform science popularization content\" and \"integration path of synthetic biology project and medical and health needs\", and gained practical experience in the aspects of innovation of science popularization and landing of social value of the project, which provided multiple references for the optimization of \"human practice\" module of our project.
3.1.6 With iDEC Team of South China University of Technology(scut-China)
Our team participated in the online technical exchange meeting with scut-China, an iDEC team from South China University of Technology. At the meeting, the scut-China team demonstrated its cutting-edge research in the field of synthetic biology. In the wet experiment part, the team performed genetic transformation at the GAL80 locus of S. cerevisiae by integrating the MVA pathway key genes tHMG1 and IDI1, and finally led to the production of 806 mg/L squalene by the engineering strain Sq-0 in 20 g/L glucose, 400 times higher than that of the unmodified strain, laying the foundation for the core strain for subsequent engineering development. In the dry experiment part, the team carried out FBA analysis of Rh1 synthesis by S. cerevisiae with different carbon source strategies based on Yeast-GEM9 model. By constructing an exogenous metabolic reaction model and optimizing the weight of the objective function (balance α=0.55), the advantage of the mixed carbon source of galactose and +AHG in the Rh1 synthesis flux was revealed, which provided a theoretical support for the carbon source strategy optimization of metabolic engineering.
During the exchange, we had in-depth discussions with scut-China team on issues such as \"stability of strains with multi-gene integration\" and \"linkage mechanism of metabolic model and experimental verification\", and gained professional opinions on the collaborative design and industrial application path of \"wet-dry experiment\" in synthetic biology, which provided important references for the technical optimization and achievements deepening of our own project.
3.1.7 With iDEC Team of South China Agricultural University (SCAU-China,SCAU Double Satellite Team)
Our team conducted online thematic exchanges with the iDEC team of South China Agricultural University (SCAU-China, also known as the \"SCAU Double Star Team\"). At the meeting, SCAU-China team demonstrated the research results around its synthetic biology project from technical design to social value: At the technical level, the team focused on the field of agricultural microorganisms, and realized the efficient synthesis of specific metabolites by engineering transformation of bacterial strains, providing an innovative solution for agricultural green production; At the level of popular science promotion, the team has created a series of popular science content on agricultural synthetic biology, bringing the correlation between synthetic biology technology and agricultural application into the public view through campus publicity, social media and other channels.
During the exchange, we carried out in-depth discussions on the issues such as \"difficulties in technological transformation of agricultural synthetic biology\" and \"content adaptation strategies for cross-sectoral science popularization\". The technical innovation ideas of SCAU-China team in the agricultural scenario provided a cross-border reference for the application and expansion of our project in the field of \"perioperative intestinal health\". Our experience in the dissemination of science popularization in the field of health care also inspired the accurate design of science popularization on agricultural theme. Both parties realized two-way empowerment in multi-scenario application of synthetic biology and social value transmission.
3.2 Inter-school Cooperation in Industry Conferences
3.2.1 Peking University Symposium on \"Living Drug Engineering\"
Our team participated in the \"Symposium on iDEC\' Engineering Living Drugs\' in China Region\" sponsored by Peking University iDEC team (Peking iDEC). From August 5 to 9, 2025, 28 iDEC teams from 24 top universities in the country gathered in the Life Science Building in Jin Kemu, Peking University, for in-depth discussion on \"Opportunities and Challenges of Engineering Living Drug\".
At the meeting, President Liu Chen Li of Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology of Chinese Academy of Sciences made an opening speech, analyzing the key barriers from the laboratory to industrialization of living drugs from the perspective of industry, and emphasizing that \"safety and controllability\" were the lifeline of technology landing. Around the three core issues of \"targeted delivery and environmental awareness\", \"design and optimization of therapeutic logic circuits\", and \"safety and controllability challenges of living drugs\", each team shared innovative exploration in targeted design of engineering bacteria, optimization of gene circuits, and biosafety control.
Our team also displayed the project design of \"Engineering probiotics secreting oleic acid for the treatment of intestinal microecology disorder during the perioperative period\" during the exchange, and warmly discussed with teams such as Peking University and Nanjing University on issues such as clinical conversion path of living drugs and ethical evaluation system. From the collision of ideas ,we gained multiple perspectives of technical optimization and social value demonstration , and accumulated valuable experience for further breakthrough of the project in the iDEC competition.
3.2.2 Twelfth China Congress of Machine Exchange for Genetic Engineering in Biology (CCIC)& Second Global Congress of Biological Developer(Synbiopunk 2025)
Our team participated in the 12th China BioGenetic Engineering Machine Exchange Conference and the 2nd Global Biological Developer Conference (CCIC & Synbiopunk 2025). This grand industry gathering of 107 iDEC participating teams and over 200 registered participants across the country has also become an important platform for us to deepen inter-school cooperation and build collaborative ties with teams from multiple universities through multi-dimensional interaction:
In the student project presentation, we focused on the project \"Health of Intestinal Microflora during the Perioperative Period\", and discussed the technical details with the iDEC teams from Southern University of Science and Technology and National University of Defense Technology. For \"safety verification of engineering bacteria\", the team from Southern University of Science and Technology shared its experimental design scheme based on CCIC detection standard, which provided reference for us to optimize the safety evaluation module of our own project; Our experience in the collection of clinical data on the regulation of intestinal flora also provided ideas for the team of the University of National Defense Technology to improve the demonstration of application of medical scenarios. The two parties agreed to share relevant literature and experimental methods subsequently.
During the special discussion on \"Medical application of synthetic biology\" in the parallel sub-forum, we formed a temporary cooperation group with iDEC teams from Peking University and South China University of Technology around \"targeted delivery technology of engineering bacteria\". Based on Peking University\'s technical advantages in \"design of logic circuit for living drug\" and \"optimization of metabolic engineering\" of South China University of Technology, we have jointly sorted out the three-module collaborative design framework of \"targeted module+functional module+safety module\", and preliminarily reached the intention of jointly carrying out \"cross-school technology verification experiment\" subsequently, and planned to enhance the technical rigor of the project through inter-school resource complementarity.
In addition, during the conference, we also established a long-term exchange mechanism with the iDEC teams of Ocean University of China and Zhengzhou University, and agreed to regularly hold online sharing meetings, to continuously interact around such topics as \"project progress synchronization\", \"contest defense skills\" and \"exchange of human practice cases\", and to transform a single exchange into long-term inter-school collaboration in the process of resource sharing and thinking collision, so as to inject cross-school wisdom into the promotion of their iDEC projects.
Picture: CCIC Invitation Letter to Lanzhou University
3.2.3 Participation in Synthetic Biology Competition
Our team (LZU-MEDICINE-CHINA) took part in the 4th Innovation Contest of Synthetic Biology in 2025 under the project \"Guardian of Intestinal Health: Engineering Probiotics Secreting Oleic Acid to Treat Intestinal Microecology Disorder during the Perioperative Period\" in the competition of Red Track (health and medical field). During the competition, we systematically demonstrated the technical path of the project: the efficient synthesis of oleic acid by probiotics was reformed, and the precise regulation of intestinal flora during the perioperative period was achieved by combining the pH response system with the defensin secretion mechanism. During the competition, in reply to the questions raised by the judges such as \"implementation logic of key modules of the project\" and \"evaluation of engineering bacteria dose\", we explained in detail in combination with the experimental data and model analysis, demonstrating the dual values of the project in terms of technical innovation and clinical practicability.
This competition was not only a comprehensive inspection of our iDEC project, but also gained valuable suggestions on technical optimization and achievement transformation during the communication with the national synthetic biology innovation team, laying a solid foundation for the breakthrough of the follow-up iDEC competition and the actual application of the project.
4. Resource Link and Cooperation of Out-of-School Organizations
4.1 Social Organizations: Community Science Linkage
We have established in-depth ties with the Gansu Health Management Association, Professional Committee of Intestinal Microflora of Gansu Provincial Society of Biotechnology, the Probiotics and Intestinal Health Branch of Gansu Provincial Society of Nutrition, the Gansu Intestinal Microecology Research Base and the Gansu Red Cross Community Health Voluntary Service Team. With the support of Gansu Provincial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aiming at the theme of \"intestinal flora health during perioperative period\", we went into multiple communities to carry out a series of popular science activities. For example, in combination with the interactive links such as \"Exploratory Experiment of Intestinal Bacteria\" and \"DIY Model Making of Probiotics\" designed by the project poster, the \"Function of Intestinal Probiotics\" and \"The importance of flora balance during the perioperative period\" were intuitively explained, with both high activity participation and public praise, which effectively improved the awareness of community residents on the application of synthetic biology in the field of intestinal health.
4.2 Health Care Institutions: Optimization of Clinical Resources and Guidelines
We have established deep collaboration with multiple experts from the First Hospital of Lanzhou University and the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, including the Departments of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gastroenterology, and Anesthesiology. Through interviews, discussions, and clinical resource coordination, we gained insights into the factors affecting perioperative patient outcomes, providing a real clinical basis for our iDEC project, which was subsequently incorporated into our project posters.
In addition, we received professional advice from the hospitals' Health Management Centers regarding "postoperative microbiome imbalance and immune recovery." These recommendations helped us more accurately identify the intervention points for "perioperative gut health" in our project. Furthermore, the hospital expert teams have invited us to jointly carry out future educational activities on the theme of "Synthetic Biology and Postoperative Health." The plan is to translate the project poster content on "engineered bacteria design" and "microbiome balance mechanisms" into patient-friendly science outreach materials, contributing to innovative practices in clinical health management.
4.3 Community: Residents\' Health Science Practice
We have established contacts with multiple communities, and with the support of the Hongshan Wanhecheng Community, we conducted a popular science campaign on the theme \"Intestinal flora and perioperative health\" for community residents. Combined with the content of the project poster, we explained how to maintain the balance of intestinal flora and prevent perioperative intestinal dysfunction through scientific diet (such as probiotic food intake) and regular rest. We provided the residents involved with the Management Manual for Perioperative Intestinal Health, in which the popular interpretations of such knowledge as \"intestinal probiotic function\" and \"logic of engineering bacteria action\" in the poster were incorporated. In addition, we also designed interesting interactive links such as \"intestinal bacteria classification game\" and \"designing nutritional diet\". The atmosphere at the scene was warm, and residents expressed a brand new scientific understanding on postoperative health management.
4.4 Enterprises: Technical Guidance and Achievements into Exploration
We have established deep cooperation with Jinghong Health Company. Through communication and negotiations, the company provided valuable advice on writing a business plan, supporting the development of our iDEC project. At the same time, we worked closely with Jinghong Health\'s product development team to explore the application potential of synthetic biology in gut health functional food development, focusing on the design logic of "engineered bacteria secreting oleic acid to regulate the gut environment." The company has expressed its commitment to providing raw material and technical support for the transformation of our project results, and together, we aim to explore innovative product paths in the field of perioperative gut health.
4.5 Government Agency (CDC): Epidemiological Data and Scenario Optimization
We reached out to the head of the Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. During our discussions, we introduced our project on "intervention in perioperative gut microbiome imbalance." In response, they shared valuable data and research findings on the current state of gut health in perioperative patients in the region, as well as epidemiological information on perioperative-related diseases. Based on this information, we further optimized the design of the "application scenarios for engineered bacteria" in our project, making it more aligned with regional medical needs. They expressed interest in collaborating with us on a joint study on the "application potential of synthetic biology technologies in postoperative gut health management," aiming to provide new reference directions for public health decision-making.
5.Conclusion
Through these collaborations, the LZU-MEDICINE-CHINA team has not only advanced the scientific goals of our project but also made meaningful contributions to both local and global communities. We believe that collaboration is the key to unlocking the full potential of our work, and only by working together can we create solutions with lasting impact.
In the future, we will continue to deepen our cooperation with other teams and organizations, contributing our efforts to the iDEC community. We believe that through collective action, the power of science and collaboration will bring about positive change.