Public engagement is a critical part of contamination control and biosensor application. Admittedly, it’s up to government’s decision. But bridging the gap between academics and the public can achieve much more than simply laying down policies.

School students, relatively, would be more likely to be interested in synthetic biology. So we are attracted by the idea of inspiring young high school students to learn more about synthetic biology and our project.

At July 18, high school student from Beijing No.12 Middle School came to visit our lab.

When they were visiting our lounge and lab, we introduced ourselves and our best friends, experiment apparatus to them. To provide visual sight, we described the equipment in an interesting way, such as letting them to observe the shape change of drop in Nanodrop.

We discussed their project, and guided them to try a primer design. Moreover, we recommended a circuit to them and described different RBS.

This was an opportunity to share our ideas about synthetic biology with them, including the application design and, the iGEM competition. We addressed the significant role public media and public choice played. But we had to admit the potential biosafety problems and limitation of genetically engineered bacteria. We played a little game with them, to race brainstorming various potential designs for biosafety. Obviously, they are encouraged by this interesting part and came up with several wonderful ideas. We hope they would popularize this game and, more importantly, safety ideas behind it. Then we may make another enormous stride in convincing people that synthetic biology is not as dangerous as they originally think.

We then introduced our project to them, including the serious environmental impacts of toxic aromatic compounds. It was the right time to emphasize the necessity of public concern and public scrutiny in environmental problems.

It was a part to offer direct help about their experiment. We introduced gel electrophoresis, four kinds of restrict enzyme and standard assembly. At last, we showed them how to use iGEM parts and provided iGEM parts E0840 B0015 J23100 J23106.