Nearly 1,900 young talents from across Asia, representing 265 university teams, gathered at the Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology in Guangming District from Aug. 6 to 9 for the 4th SynBio Challenges, a global competition in synthetic biology.

The event featured seven major tracks: Synthetic Cell, Bacterial Gladiator, Protein Design, Biomedicine, Agriculture & Environment, Biochemical Engineering, and Responsible Innovation. Participants explored how synthetic biology drives innovation across diverse fields while pursuing their scientific passions.

“I represent IGNITE UKM team 2025. We participated in both the AI-Driven Protein Design and Synthetic Cell tracks,” said Nur Anisza Hanoum, a Malaysian Ph.D. student from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. “Synthetic biology is deeply connected to our daily lives — it’s a fascinating and thrilling new paradigm.”

Liu Chenli, vice chair of SynBio Challenges and president of the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlighted three key truths about synthetic biology in his speech:

“We are not merely studying DNA, but redefining biology itself; this competition transcends practice to become real-world execution; and here in Shenzhen — a city thriving on technological advancement — these cutting-edge facilities empower us to turn ideas into real-world solutions.”

Zhang Xian'en, vice president of the Chinese Society of Biotechnology, dean of the Faculty of Synthetic Biology at Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, and chairman of SynBio Challenges, stated:

“The SynBio Challenges 2025 ignites young innovators. This platform empowers students to strive for excellence, demonstrate their talents, and forge lasting international friendships.”

The competition fully leveraged Shenzhen Synthetic Biology Infrastructure's capabilities. Building on synthetic biology's leading-edge role in future industries, it actively promoted the integration of education, technology, and talent development.

SynBio Challenges is supported by the Chinese Society of Biotechnology and co-hosted by SIAT, the Shenzhen Institutes of Synthetic Biology, the Shenzhen Synthetic Biology Association, and the National Industrial Innovation Center for Bio-manufacturing.

Launched in 2022, this annual initiative empowers youth to tackle global challenges through synthetic biology innovation while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and sustainable solutions.