On August 7, theFourth SynBio Challenges (hereinafter referred to as the "the Challenges"), sponsored by the Chinese Society of Biotechnology and co-hosted by Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology (SUAT), the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology Innovation, the Shenzhen Synthetic Biology Association, and the National Biomanufacturing Industry Innovation Center, officially opened at SUAT.

This edition meticulously set up seven competition tracks, closely focusing on topics such asuniversal health and well-being, industrial transformation and upgrading, and green low-carbon development, providing innovative solutions for global sustainable development.Over 200 teams from home and abroad, with nearly 1,900 young talents, embracing the belief of "Build to learn, Build to use," embarked on a contest of wisdom and dreams.

On the first day of the competition

the white track focusing on industrial applications

the green track covering agriculture and environment

and the red track dedicated to health and medicine kicked off first

Participants presented around topics in their professional fields

deeply elaborating on experimental details, technical difficulties, and application prospects

Facing sharp questions from judges

they responded fluently

demonstrating excellent scientific research literacy and on-site adaptability

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On the stage of the Challenges

the "SerotiCraft" team from Hubei University

showcased the exploratory vitality of young researchers

"Our team members come from different majors, breaking disciplinary barriers and deeply integrating big data with bioinformatics." Team captain Tian Siyi said, "This competition has been very rewarding and is a valuable accumulation on our scientific research journey." Aligning with internationalization, this edition uses English as one of the competition languages. Tian Siyi believes this helps students improve academic levels and connect with international core journals. In addition, the further enhancement of competition interactivity provides participants with more space for independent expression and has received unanimous recognition from students.

As a team participating for two consecutive years, Li Xingye, captain of the "NUC-China" team from North University of China, summarized the competition experience with "innovation, composure, breakthrough." "Innovation lies in applying high-depth models, composure comes from last years’ experience accumulation, and breakthrough is reflected in the team's overall growth leap." Passion for synthetic biology drives the team's research topic upgrades, enabling leapfrog development at the technical level.

Li Xingye said, "The entire competition process was autonomously designed by our team, exercising our organization and coordination abilities. Exchanges with industry experts and other competing teams allowed us to access higher-level knowledge, achieving high-dimensional learning and a comprehensive growth experience. "

Inside and outside the competition venue, a high school student observation group of nearly 200 from provinces such as Guangdong, Jiangxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, and Sichuan became a unique sight.

Zhou Sihao, a sophomore from Shenzhen Bao'an Middle School, shared his observation insights: "At first, when I heard the term synthetic biology, I felt very unfamiliar. But later I discovered it is a magical field that allows us to transform from observers of life to creators of life. "

Regarding gains, Zhou Sihao said that the full-English presentations let him witness the professionalism of international academic exchanges, while the collision of diverse thinking and fusion of global perspectives broadened his academic horizon.

Ren Yibei and Chen Kexuan, sophomores from Shenzhen Yucai Middle School, said that the participants' wonderful presentations not only brought them much inspiration but also provided further enlightenment for their subsequent topic research.

The Challenges, with its unique positioning and influence, is becoming an important link connecting global young scientific research forces with the future of industry. Zhang Xian'en, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Society of Biotechnology, Chairman of the SynBio Challenges, and Dean of the Faculty of Synthetic Biology at SUAT, believes that "the mission of the Challenges is to reserve talents for synthetic biology in China and globally, stimulating students' creative and team spirits through the event and building a 'special channel' for talent growth. "

Choosing Shenzhen as the host city stems from the city's unique genes—synthetic biology is an emerging interdisciplinary field, and Shenzhen is a hotbed of innovation daring to venture and try. Since its launch in 2022, the event's influence has gradually expanded, with the number of participating teams doubling year after year, attracting teams from multiple countries and regions including Japan, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Next

protein design, bacterial games, synthetic cells, etc.

equally challenging tracks will take turns to compete

roundtable discussions, large facility experience classes

youth free debate sessions, and other enriching activities

will continue to ignite sparks of wisdom

Looking forward to more innovative achievements from each team

Let the fire of "Build" illuminate a broad future!