Taiwan teams shine at iGem competition

2014-11-13

Three teams of undergraduates from Taiwan were honored at the International Genetically Engineered Machine competition Nov. 3 in Boston.

Comprising more than 20 faculty members and students mostly in their sophomore year from National Chiao Tung University, NCTU Formosa finished third overall for its ingenious insect trapping system. It also won Best New Basic Part and Best Environment Project awards.

Grand prize went to Heidelberg University from Germany, while the first runner up was Imperial College of London.

According to a team member from the Hsinchu City-based university, a pheromone trap is an effective way of combating insects and is free from pollution.

Designed in the shape of a pyramid, the device contains Pheromone Biosynthesis Activating Neuropeptide—a special chemical compound activating biosynthesis of pheromones in specific insects.

“The trap works by attracting female insects and forcing them to release sex pheromones after ingesting PBAN, luring more insects of the same kind,” the team member said, adding that nine variants of the device were presented during iGem.

NCTU President Wu Yan-hwa said the project brings together applied chemistry, biological science and nanotechnology. “Its success underscores the value of teamwork and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary studies to undergraduate training.”

Taipei City-based National Yang-Ming University bagged gold at the event for combining a specific bacteriophage and oral probiotic to prevent tooth decay, with Tzu Chi University in the eastern county of Hualien winning bronze for a new way of dealing with antibiotic resistance in agriculture.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=223894&CtNode=413)