https://video.igem.org/videos/watch/480a9924-b6c6-4a84-8b34-c1fb84b19604 Title: CottonStatic：A Bio-based Antistatic Treatment for Cotton Textiles Description: Most people believe that “cotton is naturally antistatic.” However, the opposite is true: when relative humidity falls below 40%, the surface resistance of cotton surges from 10⁹ Ω to over 10¹³ Ω, making its antistatic performance comparable to that of synthetic fibers. Current solutions are either not wash-durable, uncomfortable to wear, or too costly. None adequately combines environmental friendliness, durability, and practical applicability. The NENU-China 2026 team from Northeast Normal University presents the answer: CottonStatic — a bio-based antistatic treatment for cotton textiles powered by synthetic biology. We designed and constructed a CBM3a-PaPilA fusion protein. Upon application by spraying, CBM3a anchors the protein onto the cotton fiber surface, while PaPilA self-assembles into a conductive nanowire network that provides a pathway for charge dissipation. Simply spray it on and let it dry to mitigate static hazards. In this video, we present the three complete DBTL cycles of our project. In Cycle 1, we validated the feasibility of our dual-function “anchoring + conductivity” design. In Cycle 2, we attempted to improve anchoring by tandemly linking two CBM3a domains. Experiments under equimolar conditions disproved our hypothesis, prompting us to abandon this approach and clarify the underlying mechanism. In Cycle 3, we shifted our focus to conductivity optimization and identified a candidate configuration through dry-lab structural screening. Dry-lab modeling guided predictions and mechanistic analysis, wet-lab experiments enabled construction and testing, and social research continuously incorporated real-world needs. Together, these three components supported one another, forming an integrated iGEM project. Our work included 735 valid questionnaires, five in-depth interviews, and awareness interventions covering eight population groups. Furthermore, we developed a fed-batch fermentation kinetic model to predict scale-up from 1 L to 100 L and conducted preliminary allergenicity screening using AllerCatPro 2.0. These efforts allowed us to explore the practical considerations of industrial-scale production and safety for human contact as the project moves beyond the laboratory. This protein nanowire network also provides a basic conductive scaffold for future flexible wearable electronics. Our approach aims to preserve cotton’s inherent softness and next-to-skin comfort while avoiding environmentally harmful chemical treatments. Through synthetic biology, we weave safety into every natural fiber, making static electricity less of a threat. From molecules, to textiles, to people — cotton is just our starting point. Wiki | Official Page Thu, 29 Oct 2026 22:25:53 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://video.igem.org https://video.igem.org/client/assets/images/icons/icon-1500x1500.png https://video.igem.org/videos/watch/480a9924-b6c6-4a84-8b34-c1fb84b19604 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://video.igem.org/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.