MAINTENANCE. Toulouse: six students from INSA and Paul-Sabatier, world champions in synthetic biology with the scent of violet
Among the 350 competing teams, from the best schools and universities around the world, it is they, the six Toulouse students from INSA and Paul-Sabatier, who won the prestigious iGEM synthetic biology competition. Camille Pin, student at Paul Sabatier University in master 2 of Biotechnology option Molecular microbiology talks about this event.
Camille Pin is part of the team of six Toulouse students, crowned world champion in synthetic biology, last November, during the iGEM competition. These young scientists have acquired this title by reproducing the scent of the violet by microorganisms. Maintenance.
Why the scent of violet?
Because it is the most emblematic flower of Toulouse. The violet has a local aspect to this international competition, and has made it unique and highly valued in this kind of competition. This allows us to stand out.
were the different fragrances to reproduce?
We are interested in analyzes which had already studied the perfume of the violet, by detailing all the molecules which constituted it, since an odor is a complex mixture of molecules. We focused on the six molecules most present in this perfume and we tried to reproduce them. Among them there were four terpenes and two aldehydes. In four months, we managed to produce only three of these six molecules, the most important, but it was already a feat.
The main difficulties in reproducing this subtle fragrance?
We wanted to create our own biological system to reproduce that smell. The latter was composed of two micro-organisms: a cyanobacterium capable of capturing light and of photosynthesizing like trees and a yeast. We have “designed” these two organisms so that they can produce the six molecules of the violet scent. In the end, that was the hardest part and kept us busy all summer.
Where will this competition be held?
This competition was created in 2003, by the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), in Boston but today, it depends on Paris. Over time, the competition took on an international dimension. This year, 350 teams from all continents took part.
So, is it all the more prestigious for you to have won?
Yes, you don’t expect that especially when there are so many competitors. Our first objective was to arrive at the end of our project while respecting the deadlines of the competition. Getting that first place was a big plus. And this especially since the previous year, Toulousains had obtained second place in the world. We had the pressure, we still succeeded. We are very happy.
Who are the six Toulouse laureates?
Two are from Paul Sabatier University, in Master 2 in Biotechnology, they are Camille Pin and Thomas Gaudin. Four are at INSA engineering school, in the 5th year of Biochemical Engineering. This is Maxence Holtz; Margaux Haon; Romane Ducloux and Manon Theys.
The six students are from two schools, how did you work?
We carried out this project in parallel with our studies. We often had Zoom meetings. This summer, we had the chance to access the INSA premises, to carry out our experiments, all together and every day.
What does this price change for you?
In itself, it is not a competition that wins a diploma but, beyond the pride of having participated in this competition, it brings us visibility and a nice line on our CV on Toulouse training courses since this award shows that we are able to measure against major world faculties. On a truly beautiful biotechnology hub in Toulouse.