An outreach and academy experience using a synthetic biology approach to aid xeroderma pigmentosum treatment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29327/2303474.16.2-12Keywords:
Goiás, iGEM, Design League, Scientific extensionAbstract
The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition aims to disseminate synthetic biology among students and to bring society closer to scientific solutions. The Design League (iDL) category of iGEM aims to explore Latin America's rich biodiversity, scientific knowledge, and synthetic biology potential to address or mitigate existing regional problems. The state of Goiás, Brazil, through the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), participated in the 2023 competition for the first time. This work aimed to describe the creation of the SynBio UFG team (a university outreach project) and analyze its impact on students’ multidisciplinary skills and society through addressing local community challenges. Our methodology encompassed design thinking and the Double Diamond tools for problem and solution definition, as well as scientific dissemination through social media and university events. Additionally, business model development was facilitated via the Canvas framework. As a result, the design thinking and double diamond tools enabled the definition of Xeroderma pigmentosum – a rare genetic disease with the highest global incidence in the Araras community, in Faina, Goiás – as the core research topic and a therapeutic cream (AraraSun) based on flavonoids and an innovative synthetic peptide as the scientific project to be developed. Human practices enabled us to gain a better understanding of the disease and disseminate it to the academic community. Through CANVAS, a business model was developed to make the product commercially viable. AraraSun achieved 2nd place in the competition, receiving recognition for its scientific quality and social work toward XP-affected individuals.
Keywords: Goiás; iGEM; Design League; scientific extension
Uma experiencia acadêmica de extensão usando a biologia sintética como ferramenta para o auxiliar o tratamento de xeroderma pigmentoso
Resumo: A competição internacional de máquinas geneticamente modificadas (International Genetically Engineered Machine - iGEM) tem como objetivo disseminar a biologia sintética entre estudantes e aproximar a sociedade das soluções científicas. A categoria Design League (iDL) do iGEM busca explorar a rica biodiversidade da América Latina, seu conhecimento científico e o potencial da biologia sintética para enfrentar ou mitigar problemas regionais. O estado de Goiás, Brasil, por meio da Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), participou pela primeira vez da competição em 2023. Este trabalho objetiva descrever a criação da equipe SynBio UFG (projeto de extensão universitária) e analisar seu impacto nas competências multidisciplinares dos estudantes de graduação e na sociedade por meio do enfrentamento dos desafios da comunidade local. Nossa metodologia abrangeu o uso das ferramentas design thinking e double diamond para a definição do problema e da solução, divulgação científica nas redes sociais e eventos universitários, além do desenvolvimento de um modelo de negócio via CANVAS. As ferramentas design thinking e double diamond possibilitaram a definição do Xeroderma pigmentoso – uma doença genética rara com a maior incidência mundial na comunidade de Araras, em Faina, Goiás – como o tema base da pesquisa e um creme terapêutico (AraraSun) baseado em flavonoides e em um peptídeo sintético inovador como o projeto científico a ser desenvolvido. As práticas humanas permitiram compreender melhor a doença e divulgá-la à comunidade acadêmica. Por meio do CANVAS, construímos um modelo de negócio para tornar o produto desenvolvido comercialmente viável. O AraraSun conquistou o 2º lugar na competição, recebendo reconhecimento por sua qualidade científica e pelo trabalho social voltado a indivíduos afetados pelo xeroderma pigmentoso.
Palavras-chave: Goiás; iGEM; Liga de Design; Extensão Científica
Downloads
References
Abil, Z., Xiong, X., & Zhao, H. (2014). Synthetic Biology for Therapeutic Applications. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 12(2), 322–331. https://doi.org/10.1021/mp500392q
Beacon for Rare Diseases (2024). Challenges of rare disease research. Beacon for Rare Diseases. https://www.rarebeacon.org/research/rare-disease-research/
Bender-Salazar, R. (2023). Design thinking as an effective method for problem-setting and needfinding for entrepreneurial teams addressing wicked problems. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 12(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-023-00291-2
Brown, T. (2009). Change by Design: How design thinking transforms organizations and inspires innovation. New York: Harper Business.
Castro, L. P., Sahbatou, M., Kehdy, F. S. G., Farias, A. A., Yurchenko, A. A., de Souza, T. A., …, & Laugel, V. (2020). The Iberian legacy into a young genetic xeroderma pigmentosum cluster in central Brazil. Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, 852, 503164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrgentox.2020.503164
Clarke, L., & Kitney, R. (2020). Developing synthetic biology for industrial biotechnology applications. Biochemical Society Transactions, 48(1), 113–122. https://doi.org/10.1042/bst20190349
Cordeiro, M. E. C., Real, L. C., & Simoni, A. G. P. (2023). Xeroderma pigmentosum: Case report. Revista Paulista de Pediatria, 41, e2021390. https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-0462/2023/41/2021390
Dalton, A., Wolff, K., & Bekker, B. (2021). Multidisciplinary research as a complex system. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 20, 160940692110384. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069211038400
De Almeida Matos, S., Santos da Silva, F. V., Lopes, M. L., de Oliveira, S. A., & Parente, E. P. (2022). Importância da iniciação científica e projetos de extensão para graduação em enfermagem. Research, Society and Development, 11(14), e75111435846. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i14.35846
Gervásio, J., Sampaio, Y., Muniz, P., Yamada, C., & Felicori, L. F. (2022). BioSin UFMG Club: Engaging a multilevel and multidisciplinary community in synthetic biology. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 50(2), 249–253. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21609
Gill, H., Ahsan, M., Khalil, Y., Feng, V., Pearce, J., Sharma, T., Radwan, M., Boucinha, A., & Kærn, M. (2022). The BioExperience Research and Entrepreneurship Challenge: An iGEM-inspired applied research program for BIOSTEM talent and skills development. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 10, 1046723. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.1046723
Gomez-Hinostroza, E. S., Gurdo, N., Gracia, V., Nikel, P. I., Guazzaroni, M.-E., Guamán, L. P., … & Barba-Ostria, C. (2023). Current landscape and future directions of synthetic biology in South America. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11, 1069628. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1069628
Gwarzo, I. D., Bohari, S. P. M., Wahab, R. A., & Zia, A. (2022). Recent advances and future prospects in topical creams from medicinal plants to expedite wound healing: A review. Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 36(1), 81–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/13102818.2022.2053340
Hansen, D. J., & Wyman, D. (2021). Beyond making a profit: Using the UN SDGs in entrepreneurship programs to help nurture sustainable entrepreneurs. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 2(2), 125-133. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2021.1881931
Hines, K. (2016). How to create a content management process with Trello. Social Media Examiner. https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-create-a-content-management-process-with-trello/
iDL. (2023). iDL iGEM Design League Season Finale 2023. Leagues.igem.org. https://leagues.igem.org/design/2023/seasonfinale
International Genetically Engineered Machine - iGEM (2021a). iGEM Aix-Marseille project 2021. https://2021.igem.org/Team:Aix-Marseille/inspirations
International Genetically Engineered Machine - iGEM (2021b). Rio UFRJ Brazil - 2021. https://2021.igem.org/Team:Rio_UFRJ_Brazil
International Genetically Engineered Machine - iGEM (2021c). Human Practices 2021. Retrieved from https://2021.igem.org/Human_Practices/Introduction
International Genetically Engineered Machine - iGEM. (2023a). iGEM: International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition. https://igem.org/press
International Genetically Engineered Machine - iGEM (2023b). iGEM Design League. https://leagues.igem.org/design/
Instituto Mauro Borges (IMB). (2018). Goiás – Overview. IMB. https://goias.gov.br/imb/goias-overview/#sumario
Isaksen, S. G., & Gaulin, J. P. (2005). A Reexamination of Brainstorming Research: Implications for Research and Practice. Gifted Child Quarterly, 49(4), 315-329. https://doi.org/10.1177/001698620504900405
Jian, T., Li, S., Liao, H., Zhou, J., Zhu, Q., & Huang, X. (2022). Cultivation of college students’ innovative and entrepreneurial thinking and ability based on Synthetic Biology and iGEM. PubMed, 38(4), 1619–1630. https://doi.org/10.13345/j.cjb.210706
Kelwick, R., Bowater, L., Yeoman, K. H., & Bowater, R. P. (2015). Promoting microbiology education through the iGEM synthetic biology competition. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 362(16), fnv129. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnv129
Lehmann, A. R., McGibbon, D., & Stefanini, M. (2011). Xeroderma pigmentosum. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, 6(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.1186/1750-1172-6-70
Leno, J. (2024). Evento destaca experiência da UFG em competição de Biologia Sintética. Jornal UFG. https://jornal.ufg.br/n/178076-evento-destaca-experiencia-da-ufg-em-competicao-de-biologia-sintetica
Lindsey, G., Alden, H., Sharon, J., & Bari, C. (2018). Photo-prevention and surgical interventions in Xeroderma Pigmentosum. Archives of Surgical Dermatology, 1(1), 5-12. https://doi.org/10.36959/446/377
Mahmood, A., Asghar, F., & Naoreen, B. (2014). “Success Factors on Research Projects at University” An Exploratory Study. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 2779–2783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.655
Millett, P., & Alexanian, T. (2021). Implementing adaptive risk management for synthetic biology: Lessons from iGEM’s safety and security programme. Engineering Biology, 5(3), 64–71. https://doi.org/10.1049/enb2.12012
Mitchell, R., Dori, Y. J., & Kuldell, N. H. (2011). Experiential Engineering Through iGEM—An Undergraduate Summer Competition in Synthetic Biology. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 20(2), 156–160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-010-9242-7
Mixon, E. (2023). What is Google Drive? - Definition from WhatIs.com. SearchMobileComputing. https://www.techtarget.com/searchmobilecomputing/definition/Google-Drive
Moon, H. (2022). iGEM 2021: A Year in Review. BioDesign Research, 2022, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.34133/2022/9794609
Moraes, C. A., Luquetti, A. O., Moraes, P. G., de Moraes, C. G., Oliveira, D. E. C., & Oliveira, E. C. (2017). Proportional mortality ratio due to Chagas disease is five times higher for the state of Goiás than the rest of Brazil. Revista de Patologia Tropical, 46(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.5216/rpt.v46i1.46303
Morales, L. G., Savelkoul, N. H. A., Robaey, Z., Claassens, N. J., Staals, R. H. J., & Smith, R. W. (2022). Ten simple rules for building an enthusiastic iGEM team. PLOS Computational Biology, 18(3), e1009916. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009916
Murray, A., & Scuotto, V. (2015). The Business Model Canvas. Symphonya. Emerging Issues in Management, 3(3), 94–109. https://doi.org/10.4468/2015.3.13murray.scuotto
Nadra, A. D., Rodríguez, P. E., Grunberg, R., Olalde, L. G., & Sánchez, I. E. (2020). Developing synthetic biology in Argentina: The Latin American TECNOx community as an alternative way for growth of the field. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 40(3), 357–364. https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2020.1712322
Navas, A. L. G. P, Berti, L., Trindade, E. R., & Lunardelo, P. P. (2020). Divulgação científica como forma de compartilhar conhecimento. CoDAS, 32(2). https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20192019044
Rodrigues, C., Henrique, L., Francisco, Tayrine, G., & Wastoswki, I. J. (2020). Epidemiological trends of leprosy in Goiás, Brasil. Ciencia & Saude Coletiva, 25(10), 3723–3730. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-812320202510.31022018
Romão, K. H. O., & Silva Júnior, C. A. da (2022). Instagram como ferramenta na divulgação científica e extensão universitária. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, 5(3), 10679–10691. https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv5n3-226
Saneamento e Saúde Ambiente Rural. (2019). Diagnóstico dos municípios que integram o projeto sanrural: Faina, GO – 2019. SanRural. https://sanrural.ufg.br/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DTM-Faina_ISBN.pdf
Santos, F., Mattos, I. E., & Aydos, R. D. (2014). Tendencies of mortality by prostate cancer in the states of the Central-West Region of Brazil, 1980-2011. Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia, 17(2), 395–406. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4503201400020009eng
Silva, E. S., Brito, G. A. M., Melo, C. E. A. de, Fernandes, M. V., Miranda, A. L. S. de, Albernaz, Y. F., Nunes, F. G., ... & Rodrigues, S. G. (2023). Epidemiologia e desafios no controle da Dengue no estado de Goiás, Brasil. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, 6(4), 18208–18217. https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv6n4-326
Singh, S. P., Bansal, S., & Pandey, A. (2019). Basics and Roots of Synthetic Biology. Elsevier EBooks, 3–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-444-64085-7.00001-0
Scheepers, M. J. de V., Barnes, R., Clements, M., & Stubbs, A. J. (2018). Preparing future-ready graduates through experiential entrepreneurship. Education + Training, 60(4), 303–317. https://doi.org/10.1108/et-11-2017-0167
Singh, S., & Aggarwal, Y. (2021). In search of a consensus definition of innovation: A qualitative synthesis of 208 definitions using grounded theory approach. Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research, 35(2), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/13511610.2021.1925526
Sousa, M. (2023). SynBio UFG conquista 2o Lugar em Competição Internacional com revolucionário creme terapêutico para XerodermaPigmentoso. IPTSP. https://iptsp.ufg.br/n/177357-synbio-ufg-conquista-2-lugar-em-competicao-internacional-com-revolucionario-creme-terapeutico-para-xeroderma-pigmentoso#home
Souto, R. (2016). Análise molecular e de qualidade de vida dos pacientes e familiares com Xeroderma Pigmentosum, residentes em Goiás, Brasil [Tese de doutorado]. https://repositorio.bc.ufg.br/ tedeserver/api/core/bitstreams/cd8c4a08-0018-4a3c-921c-4a42f7edc4e8/content
Stemerding, D. (2015). iGEM as laboratory in responsible research and innovation. Journal of Responsible Innovation, 2(1), 140–142. https://doi.org/10.1080/23299460.2014.1002171
SynBio UFG (2024). Instagram. Www.instagram.com. https://www.instagram.com/bs_ufg/
Tay, A. (2022). Science competitions can help to catapult your science into the real world. Nature, 603(7903), 957–959. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-022-00581-x
Tomazini, L. (2023). UFG desenvolve creme para tratar xeroderma pigmentoso. O Popular. https://opopular.com.br/cidades/ufg-desenvolve-creme-para-tratar-xeroderma-pigmentoso-1.3095082
Union of Teachers of Federal Universities of Goiás - ADUFG. (2024). Jornal do Professor https://www.adufg.org.br/files/edicao-85-fevereiro-de-2024-510820.pdf
Yamagata, M. (2023). SynBio: A journal for advancing solutions to global challenges. SynBio, 1(3), 190–193. https://doi.org/10.3390/synbio1030013
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Eduarda Pereira Soares Dias, Arthur Alves Coelho, Jaqueline Cardoso Jacintho, Jhenyfer Eliria Brachmann, Bianca Thamíris Cornélio, Alexandre Nascimento Santos, André Kipnis
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
the copyright are retained by the authors under the definitions of Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Licence CC-BY.
