Recently, the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGEM), an international top event in the field of synthetic biology, was successfully concluded in Paris, France. A total of 438 registered teams from many countries and regions around the world participated in the competition, and the three teams from the First Hospital of Lanzhou University (the 1^st School of Clinical Medicine), LZU-China, LZU-MEDICINE-CHINA, and GSLZ-A were honored with two silver prizes and one bronze prize.

iGEM is a global synthetic biology academic competition initiated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2003. The competition encourages students to choose their own research topics and apply knowledge of synthetic biology to propose solutions to global or local problems. It is organized into three main categories: high school, undergraduate, and graduate. Participants are free to choose from more than a dozen tracks, including environment, healthcare, food, basic research, space and fashion. With a year-long cycle, it provides a valuable opportunity for students to delve deeper into research and explore the mysteries of biology.

In the defense stage, three teams presented their research results and insights in detail. With members’ close cooperation and concerted efforts, the teams of LZU-China, LZU-MEDICINE-CHINA won the silver medals, and the team of GSLZ-A won the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, the International Directed Evolution Competition (iDEC) was concluded in Cambridge, UK, after the comprehensive competition of thesis, webpage and on-site defense. The competition team Northwest Union, which was guided by Liu Yatao, Jin Weilin, Tang Jianming and Lv Xiao, and composed of members of LZU-MEDICINE-CHINA, was nominated for the Best Scientific Contribution Award and the Best Webpage Design Award. Previously, the team has won one gold medal in the 3rd National Synthetic Biology Competition Innovation Competition.

The First Hospital of Lanzhou University (the 1^st School of Clinical Medicine) has always been committed to cultivating medical talents with both innovative spirit and practical ability, insisting on planning, mobilizing and deploying in advance, and deeply exploring and extensively cultivating talent resources. At the same time, it actively connects with international medical education and research concepts, and makes full use of the advantages of innovative and entrepreneurial faculty in the school to continuously launch better and stronger research projects. In recent years, it has proactively organized teachers and students to participate in various scientific and technological innovation competitions at home and abroad, and has won more than 30 awards for innovation and entrepreneurship competitions for college students at the provincial level and above. In the future, it will continue to strengthen the support and guarantee for innovation and entrepreneurship projects, and create a favorable environment for medical personnel training and scientific research and innovation.

                                                                                                                        Edited by the Office of Foreign Affairs