iGEM Competition 2024 in Paris

Date: 16/10/2024

We are delighted to announce a momentous achievement by our joint school team, comprised of seven students from our school and students from five other esteemed schools, including Baptist Lui Ming Choi Secondary School, Carmel Pak U Secondary School, Kowloon True Light School, TWGHs Mrs. Wu York Yu Memorial College, and Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College, in the renowned iGEM Competition 2024 held in October 2024 in Paris.

   

Through collaborative efforts and innovative thinking, our team has clinched the prestigious Gold Medal and received a distinguished nomination for best education and modelling. This remarkable accomplishment not only showcases the talent and dedication of our students but also exemplifies the power of teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration in the realm of synthetic biology.

   

The title of our project is “Merging old and new: treating non-small cell lung cancer by Cordyceps and AI designed peptides.” The goal is to produce two types of engineered proteins to target Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and check for any combination effects of these peptides with cisplatin, a common chemotherapy drug. Four peptides from Cordyceps militaris, a well‐known dietary therapy in anticancer treatment, were selected to test their effectiveness against lung cancer.

   

Our students have made remarkable contributions to the iGEM project, showcasing their creativity, initiative and teamwork. They designed a unique team jacket that represents our mission and spirit. To further engage the community, they created an illustrated picture book aimed at educating kindergarten students about DNA and our project, making complex science accessible and fun.

   

In addition to their creative endeavors, our students actively participated in wet lab experiments, gaining hands-on experience in scientific research. They conducted interviews with doctors and experts in the field, enriching their understanding and perspective. To share their findings, they delivered informative presentations in front of the judges and fellow iGEMers.

   

For more information about our project, please visit the following website: https://2024.igem.wiki/hk-joint-school/.

   

Team members:

5C Lam Qiao Yi

5D Suen Wai Ying

5D Wong Chun Yat

5E Cai Rongrong

5E Tso Hon Sum

5E Wong Tsan Yat

5E Zhu Yuen Chuen