ZZU makes history by winning a gold medal at the iGEM competition on Oct 31 in Paris. [Photo/zzu.edu.cn]
Zhengzhou University (ZZU) made history by winning a gold medal at the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition on Oct 31 in Paris, marking the first time a university from Henan province has achieved the honor.
The ZZU-iGEM undergraduate team impressed the judges with their project, "ExoAPT-CRISPR: A Targeted Detection Platform for Breast Cancer Exosome Biomarkers", standing out among some of the world's top teams.
The iGEM competition was established by Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2003 and has grown into a prestigious global academic contest. It attracts interdisciplinary teams from fields such as life sciences, chemistry, engineering, and computer science.
This year's global finals in Paris brought together nearly 10,000 participants from over 400 teams across 50 countries. Projects were evaluated based on innovation, engineering integrity, human practice depth, and potential for real-world application.
A group photo of the ZZU-iGEM undergraduate team. [Photo/zzu.edu.cn]
Led by Professors Li Pei and Zhang Shanfeng from the School of Basic Medical Sciences, the ZZU team included 16 students from various medical and international education faculties. Their project focuses on a non-invasive, cost-effective, and highly sensitive method for detecting exosome biomarkers in breast cancer.
ZZU's success at iGEM represents a significant breakthrough in synthetic biology and a milestone for Henan province. Looking ahead, the university aims to leverage international platforms like iGEM to foster innovation, cultivate interdisciplinary talent, and enhance its research capabilities and global influence in cutting-edge fields.
Members of the ZZU-iGEM undergraduate team give a presentation. [Photo/zzu.edu.cn]