Students from Turku, Tampere, and Åbo Akademi innovate for iGEM competition in Paris

A group of students from the universities of Turku and Tampere, as well as Åbo Akademi, spent the entire summer in a laboratory. Throughout their intensive days, they modified circular DNA molecules, known as plasmids, to include desired genes, which were then introduced into E. coli bacteria. “We used E. coli because it is commonly used in labs and considered safe,” said biochemistry student Sallianna Öztürk.

After two and a half months of work, the results can be seen as a faint film in two Petri dishes. “We have altered E. coli to incorporate two distinct gene segments aimed at producing vitamins A and C,” explained fellow biochemistry student Sonja Orkola. The project is part of a concept linked to cellular agriculture, which involves growing cells as nourishment.

The team, named ABOA2024, is set to take part in the world’s largest international synthetic biology competition, iGEM, held in Paris at the end of October. Their objective is to provide a solution for food challenges faced during long space missions, as traditional plant-based solutions come with numerous hurdles, including space and nutrient requirements.

ABOA2024 aims to demonstrate that cells producing vitamins can enhance the nutritional adequacy of food in space. “Our goal is to develop comprehensive food solutions addressing vitamin deficiencies,” said team leader Jasmin Ponda.

This is the fifth time a team from Turku participates in iGEM, this year featuring three students from Tampere, indicating a growing interest in establishing a competitive team there for next year. The innovative aspect of their project also includes outreach efforts, such as creating an activity book featuring a character named Otus, designed by team member Sanni Uusitupa.