Hangzhou Entel Foreign Language School made history at the 2024 iGEM Competition in Paris, securing both Gold and Silver Awards in synthetic biology. Senior Zhou Hefanghe and Jia Ruining claimed gold with their eco-friendly aromatherapy innovation, transforming tea waste into commercial fragrances through engineered E. coli catalysis. Their 8-month journey involved Zhejiang University lab collaborations and public science outreach via Bilibili.

The silver-winning team, led by Chen Jiatong, developed a D-Allose biosensor to slash production costs of this diabetes-friendly sweetener. Their solution combined enzymatic optimization with community crowdfunding campaigns.

Both teams exemplified cross-disciplinary rigor, blending biological engineering with cultural preservation and social entrepreneurship. The victories highlight Entel's strengths in STEM education and global problem-solving frameworks.