Tianjin University marks 20 years of advancing synthetic biology in China

Tianjin University on Thursday celebrated two decades of pioneering synthetic biology in China, by hosting an academic forum to mark the 20th anniversary of introducing the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition to the country.

"Twenty years ago, we planted the seeds of synthetic biology at Tianjin University," recalled Professor Cai Yizhi, a Tianjin University alumnus and member of Academia Europaea based at the University of Manchester. He promoted the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) -initiated iGEM during his first visit in 2006.

"Today, those seeds have grown into a flourishing forest. Tianjin University has become fertile ground nurturing global scientific talent," Cai added.

The "20 Years of iGEM China" forum brought together leading scientists, including Academician Yuan Yingjin of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dr John Cumbers, founder and CEO of SynBioBeta, Professor Cai, and past and present members of Tianjin University's iGEM teams. Discussions centered on future directions and innovative applications for synthetic biology.

Since bringing iGEM to China in 2006, Tianjin University has played a pivotal role in advancing the discipline nationwide, the university said. 

Academician Yuan Yingjin and his team organized China's inaugural iGEM symposium in 2007, fostering high-level exchanges between domestic researchers and experts from institutions like MIT and the California Institute of Technology. The university also hosted the first Asian training workshop for iGEM instructors that year, significantly increasing China's global participation.

China's prowess in the field was underscored at last year's iGEM competition. Of the 438 global teams, 209 earned gold medals. Teams from across China, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, secured an impressive 106 golds, highlighting the nation's growing global leadership.

"Synthetic biology holds immense potential to address urgent global challenges like climate change, food security and human health," said Cumbers. He emphasized the field's evolution from a niche science into a vibrant global industry set to revolutionize pharmaceuticals, agriculture, materials and energy.

Tianjin University launched China's first undergraduate synthetic biology major in 2017. Earlier this year, it established the School of Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing , with Academician Yuan serving as its inaugural dean.

Following nearly two decades of sustained research and educational innovation, Tianjin University now ranks first globally in synthetic biology research output publications over the past three years. The university is also spearheading the establishment of China's National Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biotechnology, further cementing its role at the forefront of the field.