Synthetic Biology is supposed to be a broad and open field of science and technology which is driven by researchers from different backgrounds. As such, it is supposed to transcend the self-imposed limits of class, nationality, cultural background, gender, financial status, … However, closer look at this topic might inform us of inequality present in this discipline. On one hand, some researchers find themselves in privileged position based on certain factors they have no influence over (such as the strategic importance of their country sets on synthetic biology, development and investment in science, culture of the neighboring countries …). On the other hand, many diligent, determined and devoted individuals live in places where their talent and creativity cannot be sufficiently developed; such as based on the investment if their country places on the development of natural sciences. iGEM community tries to decrease the present gap and gives all the teams an equal platform as a start of their project. Nevertheless, certain factors such as the availability of resources, openness of the laboratory facilities to students, availability of sufficient funding and mentors keen on passing their knowledge to younger generations are still lacking. Consequently, it might seem that teams from the USA, European Union and China are in somewhat advantaged position.

With this in mind, we wanted to make a change and serve as a positive example for future iGEM teams. We did not try to change the world over the night, but still we wanted to show how small actions matter.

iGEM suggests that the already established teams mentor new ones as part of collaboration, but if the circumstances have not allowed for a formation of a team yet, nothing changes. Just in our vicinity the large majority of countries from ex-Yugoslavia have never had a team. But we did not want to overzealously take charge and establish a new team in an entitled, domineering way. As history teaches us, true change can only come from within the disadvantaged community. One must not put oneself in lead and thus aid in stripping people of their agency even more, but can merely listen, offer help and be a good ally, helping empower the community to empower itself.

For that reason, we wanted to motivate students to be even more proactive and engaging towards establishment of their team in historically proximate countries, such as Montenegro. Therefore, we picked the targeted audience – winners of national competitions in natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, and astronomy) or very motivated students who were both participants of Science Summer School at Ivanova korita in Montenegro (7).

Our team member organized a workshop “Synthetic Biology and iGEM Competition” at abovementioned summer school for high school students. We consider their age to be critical for decisions regarding future occupation and potential new scientists. They are already the selected population, which improved the information transfer. It was necessary to establish first contact in person, not over the internet, as it provides us with significantly higher chances for the successful motivation of students. Indeed, if we compared results of questionnaire regarding their knowledge of iGEM competition and willingness to participate in it, significant increase in motivation can be seen after only one lecture! (graph)

Not only did they become more aware of and motivated in synthetic biology, but they have also got involved in discussion – in addition to 30min presentation, our team member had 3 rounds of discussion, which lasted for more than 1h! Furthermore, his presentation style and enthusiasm were recognized as he was voted to be 3rd best presenter at the summer school and was invited to hold lectures on other science schools which will be organized in the future.

As the students expressed strong interest and motivation for synthetic biology and they did not want to end with this visit we wanted to expand our activities. Even though we were not in the same country, we wanted to give them an opportunity to learn more about synthetic biology and laboratory work as this in not a part of the high school curriculum. Therefore, we wanted to give them an opportunity to choose the lectures they want to hear and by that take a proactive role in their education. 70% of students from the summer school (which means many more than only chemists and biologists) showed motivation to hear new lectures by our iGEM team. By fulfilling new questionnaires, lectures were chosen and our team members were holding them. We find it very important to transfer knowledge from young iGEM scientists to high school students. By transferring knowledge peer-to-peer, (college) student-to-(high school) student knowledge gap which is present between professors and students can be avoided. Pleasant atmosphere and iGEM students who understand the struggle of high school students showed to be very successful for conveying information (8).

If they were provided with these lectures by their high school teachers, they would not have been that relaxed, would not have asked so many questions they asked and consequently would not have learnt that much. Interestingly, some of the students could not attend the Skype lecture, but they asked their mates to record it so it could be seen afterwards! At the end of the lecture, they asked for additional Skype lectures.

The first Skype lecture covered the basic principles and laboratory techniques of genetic engineering. Other lectures went even more in depth, covering topics like CRISPR-Cas9. Each was held by a different team member. It was shown again that students like talking to our iGEM members as even larger number of students have listened to the lecture – either live or the recording. The knowledge, interest and curiosity was successfully passed to the students as they asked us dozens of questions (9).

Additionally, after finishing these lectures we offered (among other ideas) live lab tour which was met with high approval and interest. Therefore, we decided to show the labs and some common techniques and laboratory procedures (for example, changing the media in safety cabinet, isolation of plasmids, agarose electrophoresis, and so on) (10).

To our great joy, one of the attendants of the lectures decided to go step further – trying to establish an iGEM team in Montenegro. She organized a meeting with Darko Pajović, President of the Parliament of Montenegro, a biologist by education, and discussed the issue with him. We are very proud of her and we hope we are one of the reasons she decided for that big step (11).