On August 5,the Second SynBio Challenges,hosted by the Chinese Society of Biotechnology was successfully held at the Mingzhu Campus of Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology (SUAT) (under preparation).

The SynBio Challenges aims to provide a platform for young students to exchange ideas, learn, innovate, and create, fostering a new generation of talent in synthetic biology, life sciences, and interdisciplinary fields. This event attracted teams from 48 universities across China (including Hong Kong and Macau), with over 400 participants from 80 teams competing in person. The number of participating teams tripled compared to the first edition, and the event drew more than 4.21 million online and offline viewers, collectively witnessing the vibrant spirit of young students in China's synthetic biology field. The SynBio Challenges serves not only as a brainstorming and idea-sharing session among young students but also as a relay for pioneers and practitioners in synthetic biology to pass on the spirit of scientific inquiry and innovation, making it a grand event for passing this field to the next generation of youth.

The SynBio Challenges is jointly initiated and supported by 30 organizations, including the Faculty of Synthetic Biology at Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology (SUAT) (under preparation),the Institute of Synthetic Biology (iSynBio) at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences,the Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, the Peking University Center for Quantitative Biology, the School of Biomedical Sciences, the University of Hong Kong, the College of Biological Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, the Center for Bioethics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, the Alliance of International Science Organizations in the Belt and Road Region (ANSO), the Shenzhen Association for Science and Technology, and the Guangming District Committee and Government.

Compared to last year, this edition added new tracks on Regular: the Bacterial Gladiator and the Protein Design, featuring innovative and unique formats that use Shenzhen Synthetic Biology Infrastructure as a fair, open, and empowering competition arena. By decoupling needs definition, model design, and experimental validation, the competition promotes the widespread accessibility of synthetic biology technologies, allowing everyone to explore, design, and engineer biological systems under safe, controlled, and ethically compliant conditions. This enables young students and experts in synthetic biology to embark together on a new era of engaging exploration with the motto "Build to learn, Build to use"!

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In his opening remarks,Xiang Lin, Party Committee Secretary and Vice Chairman of the Shenzhen Association for Science and Technology, stated that this SynBio Challenges encourages "new youth" in synthetic biology to explore the frontiers of science, break disciplinary boundaries, and collaborate on development and future innovation.

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Wei Zhao, Deputy Director of the SUAT Preparation Office and Director of the SIAT Academic Committee, noted that as a major event in synthetic biology for young students, the competition provides a platform for them to hone their skills, learn from one another, and grow through competition. He encouraged all participating teams to "rather than waiting for the future,create it," working together to establish a new flagship for synthetic biology in China.

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Xian-En Zhang, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Society of Blotechnology, Director of the Synthetic Biology Division, and Dean of the Faculty of Synthetic Biology at SUAT, represented the society and organizing units in introducing the development history of synthetic biology, the origins and objectives of the SynBio Challenges, and expressed hopes that young people would use this platform to demonstrate their skills, build friendships, and embody the spirit of competition. The SynBio Challenges will become a new international event for young students, working alongside the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGEM) to drive the development of synthetic biology and cultivate high-quality talent.

The SynBio Challenges embodies the synthetic biology principles of "Build to learn, Build to use" and highlights interdisciplinary integration, with projects covering agriculture and environment, industry, and health and medical treatment, featuring diverse topics and innovative concepts.