Source: School of Life Sciences
Written by: School of Life Sciences
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On November 3, the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGEM) 2014 Giant Jamboree drew its curtain in Boston. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of iGEM, and about 250 teams from all over the world participated in the Giant Jamboree, including 62 teams from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. The bioinformatics team SYSU-Software won Best Software Project and Gold Medal. This is the second time for SYSU-Software team to receive the grand prize since last year. Meanwhile, the experiment team SYSU-China won Best New Composite Part, Interlab Study Award and Bronze Medal.

The SYSU-Software team consists of 16 undergraduate students from School of Life Sciences, YAT-SEN School, School of Information Science and Technology, School of Software, School of Mathematics & Computational Science, School of Communication and Design, and School of Physics and Engineering, including Li Jiajin, Cheng Junyan, Yu Shunzhe, Liu Xiangyu, Cai Rijun, Chen Jieling, etc. The team developed a software system FLAME (Framework-based Layout and Metacircuit Design Engine). The combination of a simplified design procedure, a new and effective simulation module and wetlab validation makes complex biological circuits more accessible to synthetic biologists.

The SYSU-China Team is made up of 15 undergraduate students from School of Life Sciences, YAT-SEN School, School of Physics and Engineering, School of Information Science and Technology, and School of Software, including Zhang Minxuan, Huang Junxiang, Yao Runwen, Ji Xiang, Tang Wei, Zeng Jianhua, Zhang Fangyingnan, Xie Yanwen, etc. The team developed Integrated Evolution Machine (IgEM), a system enabling researchers to obtain desired protein in a short time automatically.

Since 2011 when SYSU teams participated in iGEM for the first time, they have entered the global final for four consecutive years. These two SYSU iGEM teams have gathered the wisdom and strength of many teachers, students as well as functional departments. The instructors include Professor Zhang Yan, Professor Lu Yongjun, Professor Ren Jian, Professor He Xionglei, Associate Professor Yang Jianhua, Associate Professor Huang Junjiu, Associate Professor Huang Shengfeng, Senior Lecturer Zhang Yongdong, Lecturer Xie Junfeng and Lecturer Zheng Lingling. During the whole process, the two teams received great support from the School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, The Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University Biomedical Center, YAT-SEN school, School of Information Science and Technology, School of Software, School of Mathematics & Computational Science, School of Communication and Design, School of Physics and Engineering, University Dean’s Office, Student Affairs Office, SYSU Youth Association and Office of International Cooperation & Exchange.