Funded project
1 097 €
24
Collected out of 2 000 €
Times donated
“Vilnius-Lithuania iGEM” team invites you to support Vilnius University’s young scientists at the international prestigious synthetic biology competition iGEM 2024 (International Genetically Engineered Machine).
“Synhesion”
Many things around us depend on glue. They have not only made our daily lives easier, but have also driven major technological advances. However, adhesives pose a risk to the environment and human health. Their manufacturing releases toxic chemicals and the decay products contribute to pollution.
Our project “Synhesion” aims to produce natural, strong, reliable, safe and environmentally friendly adhesives.
Nature offers the perfect solution – bacterial glue made from polysaccharides. Strong adhesive called holdfast, naturally produced by bacteria like Caulobacter crescentus and Hirschia baltica, enables them to firmly attach to aquatic surfaces. Studies have shown that this natural glue is three times stronger than store-bought superglue.
Holdfast synthesis pathway involves 12 proteins, which we will transfer to E. coli, a bacterium widely used in research and biotechnology.
We are also developing a new strain of E. coli that will improve polysaccharide synthesis capabilities. Through genetic engineering, we are removing genes that would interfere with polysaccharide synthesis. This will lead to more efficient glue production.
Other Team Activities
The project’s social activities are the team’s efforts to spread the word about our project, raise awareness of local and global issues and educate the public about science.
The greatest example of this year’s public activities is the “SynFolk” event cycle. During this cycle, we invited people to discover the wonders of science by combining ancient mythology and modern knowledge. These events not only told participants how science is encountered in everyday life but also reminded them of the long-forgotten or even unheard-of Baltic gods and their importance to our culture.
To educate as many people as possible in innovative ways, we are creating a children’s book that explains the basics of genetics to the very young. In addition, we have developed a mobile game to learn about the different bacteria that live on different surfaces and their parts.
In addition to these initiatives, we also actively share the wonders of science on our social media channels. Thanks to the “Ask the scientist” initiative, we allow our audience to ask questions about different branches of science. And in the Radio Vilnius series “MinkMita”, we explore the world and ourselves through the prism of everyday life and other disciplines.
iGEM Competition
“iGEM” is the largest synthetic biology competition that brings together participants from all over the world. It encourages participants (around 400 teams from more than 65 countries!) to solve real-world problems using molecular biology, engineering, biology, computer science and mathematics.
What makes this competition special is that the students are not only working in the lab but also involved in public education. The team aims to break down stereotypes and educate young people and adults about synthetic biology. The teams also work closely with scientists, governments and businesses to ensure that the solutions they develop are applied in the real world.
Our Team
This year’s “Vilnius-Lithuania iGEM” is representing Lithuania in this competition for the tenth year in a row. Previous projects:
• 2015 – ColiClock,
• 2016 – PheLoss,
• 2017 – SynORI,
• 2018 – SynDrop and CAT-Seq,
• 2019 – Colight,
• 2020 – FlavoFlow,
• 2021 – Amebye,
• 2022 – NanoFind,
• 2023 – Exullose.
During these 10 years, we have won gold medals every year, and even won the Grand Prix twice, in 2017 and 2020 – we were named the best in the world – and in 2023, we were runner-ups in the competition.
“Vilnius-Lithuania iGEM 2024” team: Evelina Prosevičiūtė, Miglė Šarpilo, Ingvaras Galinskas, Uršulė Barkauskaitė, Gintarė Žvejytė, Rokas Bružaitis, Edgaras Zaboras, Fausta Michnevičiūtė, Austėja Klevaitė, Kristupas Čeika, Agata Kipran, Emilija Baranovska, Linas Mintautiškis, Miglė Paulikaitė. Principal investigator – prof. Rolandas Meškys.
Why We Need Your Support?
We aim to raise an additional €2,000. The money raised will be used to purchase laboratory instruments and reagents. Some of the funds will also be used for social activities, such as the “SynFolk” event cycle, the publication of a children’s book and the mobile game.
By donating €5 to our project, we will be able to buy 10 Petri dishes, 50 1.5 ml test tubes or a box of gloves. All these items are indispensable in the lab and you will be representing Lithuania with us by contributing to our project!
Follow the “Vilnius-Lithuania iGEM” 2024 journey on: vilniusigem.lt, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.
Miglė Paulikaitė
Vilnius-Lithuania iGEM Public Relations
info@vilniusigem.lt
+370 671 47152
