On October 27 and 28, the NEFU_China team from Northeast Forestry University (NEFU) achieved gold medals in both the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition and the International Directed Evolution Competition (iDEC), showcasing NEFU’s excellence in undergraduate research and innovation.

In the iGEM competition, the NEFU team earned a gold medal and was nominated for “Best Entrepreneurship Project" and "Best Sustainable Development Project.”

In the iDEC competition, the NEFU team won an impressive array of awards, including Best Pathway Evolution Machine Track, Best Pathway Evolution Outcome Track, Best Molecular Evolution Outcome, the Blue Crystal Report System Design Award, Best Community Building, Best Web Design, Most Interesting Evolution Outcome, and the Industry Advisory Panel Award. Additionally, the team received three nominations, achieving outstanding success.

For iGEM, NEFU_China presented a project titled “Efficient Synthesis System for 7-Methylxanthine,” inspired by the caffeine metabolism pathway of Pseudomonas putida. The team designed and optimized a metabolic pathway in E. coli that transforms caffeine from spent coffee grounds into 7-methylxanthine, a valuable compound. This approach offers a sustainable solution for repurposing coffee waste. This year marks the eighth consecutive gold medal for NEFU in iGEM, highlighting the team’s ongoing success.

In the iDEC competition, the NEFU_China team presented their project, "Directed Evolution of the NdmB Enzyme for the Synthesis of Paraxanthine." They successfully engineered the NdmB enzyme by applying directed evolution techniques and integrating a whole-cell biosensor screening system and a machine-learning model. This advanced approach significantly enhanced paraxanthine synthesis levels, achieving a yield of 5.42 g/L, 29 times the highest level reported in existing literature. This innovative breakthrough allowed NEFU_China to outperform prestigious institutions like ETH Zurich and the University of Edinburgh, securing first place globally.

NEFU has consistently emphasized nurturing research and innovation skills among its undergraduates. NEFU provides ample research resources and practical opportunities, including dedicated research funds, encouraging students to participate in domestic and international high-level technology competitions to foster innovation and practical skills. The outstanding achievements of the NEFU_China team reflect the research capabilities of NEFU students and have further enhanced the university’s international reputation.