Arcade · SynPETic

The film

iGEM 2026 · Taipei

SynPETic

1:03 · silent · needs WebGL

The film is a 63-second animation of the SynPETic concept: an orbital biolab where engineered E. coli express PETase to break PET plastic into monomers, which are then rebuilt into new bottles. It is the same scroll-driven sequence that opens the home page; pressing play runs it end to end with a scrubber and seven chapter marks so you can jump between scenes.

intermediate.html · Bioreactor Tactical Ledger v7

Embedded directly in this page as vanilla JavaScript: no iframe, no external dependencies. Set the starting mass, temperature, pH and scaffolding, then advance the batch hour by hour. The reaction heats itself and acidifies as TPA accumulates; you get one cooling cycle and one buffer dose per hour to keep it alive for 24 hours.

2033_intermediate.html · Bioreactor Tactical Ledger v5

Embedded directly in this page as vanilla JavaScript: no iframe, no external dependencies. An earlier revision of the ledger: acidity drifts with TPA yield, alarms fade as the operator gets used to them, and a stalled reaction ends the batch with a failure report.

petase_circuit.html · PETase Gene Circuit Simulator

Embedded directly in this page as vanilla JavaScript: no iframe, no external dependencies. Promoter strength, plasmid copy number and cell density set the transcription rate; mRNA is translated into PETase and MHETase, which in turn convert PET to MHET and MHET to monomers. Step the circuit one hour at a time.

Pyodide-based games

SimulationX_22May2026.html, SimulationY_22May2026.html, and SimulationZ_22May2026.html ran their logic in Python via Pyodide, loaded at runtime from an external CDN. Because this means the program is not fully hosted on iGEM servers, these three games have been removed from the playable arcade; their Python source is kept below for reference. enzyme_game.html had the same issue but only needed Pyodide for two small helper functions, so it has been rewritten in vanilla JavaScript and restored as a playable, fully self-hosted game further down this page.

Removed 2026

SimulationX_22May2026.html, SimulationY_22May2026.html and SimulationZ_22May2026.html loaded the Pyodide Python runtime from an external CDN (jsdelivr/pyodide) at page load, and ran their actual simulation logic in Python inside that runtime. This means the program was not fully hosted on iGEM servers: it depended on a third-party CDN being reachable at runtime, which violates the iGEM requirement that runnable programs must be hosted entirely on iGEM servers. Their interactive iframes have been pulled from this page for that reason; the Python source each one ran is preserved below as a read-only code block. enzyme_game.html had the same problem but only used Pyodide for two tiny helper functions (get_type, check_match). Those were rewritten in plain JavaScript and the whole game is now embedded directly in this page below: no CDN, no iframe, fully self-hosted, and playable again.

SimulationX_22May2026.html · PET Degradation Simulator

Removed; it ran via Pyodide (external CDN). Python source below. Michaelis–Menten kinetics with Arrhenius temperature scaling and a crystallinity hindrance term.

Python source (archived, read-only)

import math

sim_ticks = 50
temp_celsius = 30
pet_amorphous = 500.0
pet_crystalline = 500.0
mhet_pool = 0.0
tpa_pool = 0.0
eg_pool = 0.0
petase_conc = 10.0
mhetase_conc = 10.0

vmax_petase = 2.5 * petase_conc
km_petase = 150.0
total_substrate = pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline
if total_substrate > 0:
    petase_velocity = (vmax_petase * total_substrate) / (km_petase + total_substrate)
else:
    petase_velocity = 0.0
actual_petase_v = petase_velocity

# Slightly narrower layout to accommodate mobile view widths
print(f"{'Tick':<5}{'Amorph':<8}{'Cryst':<8}{'MHET':<8}{'TPA':<8}{'EG':<8}")
print("-" * 45)

for tick in range(1, sim_ticks + 1):
    if pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline + mhet_pool <= 0 and tick > 1: break

    vmax_mhetase = 4.0 * mhetase_conc
    km_mhetase = 50.0
    mhet_cleaved = (vmax_mhetase * mhet_pool) / (km_mhetase + mhet_pool) if mhet_pool > 0 else 0
    mhet_cleaved = min(mhet_cleaved, mhet_pool)
    mhet_pool -= mhet_cleaved
    tpa_gain = mhet_cleaved * 0.73
    eg_gain = mhet_cleaved * 0.27
    tpa_pool += tpa_gain
    eg_pool += eg_gain

    current_pet = pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline
    if current_pet <= 0:
        actual_petase_v = 0.0
    else:
        actual_petase_v = (vmax_petase * current_pet) / (km_petase + current_pet)

    r_constant = 8.314
    activation_energy = 45000.0
    kelvin_opt = 30 + 273.15
    kelvin_curr = temp_celsius + 273.15
    temp_diff = (1.0 / kelvin_opt) - (1.0 / kelvin_curr)
    temp_factor = math.exp((activation_energy / r_constant) * temp_diff)
    if temp_celsius > 55:
        temp_factor *= math.exp(-0.3 * (temp_celsius - 55))
    eff_petase_v = actual_petase_v * temp_factor
    eff_mhetase_v = mhet_cleaved * temp_factor

    if current_pet > 0:
        amorph_ratio = pet_amorphous / current_pet
        cryst_ratio = pet_crystalline / current_pet
    else:
        amorph_ratio, cryst_ratio = 0.0, 0.0

    crystallinity_index = pet_crystalline / (current_pet if current_pet > 0 else 1)
    hindrance_multiplier = math.exp(-2.5 * crystallinity_index)
    v_amorph = eff_petase_v * amorph_ratio
    v_cryst = eff_petase_v * cryst_ratio * hindrance_multiplier
    digested_amorph = min(v_amorph, pet_amorphous)
    digested_cryst = min(v_cryst, pet_crystalline)
    pet_amorphous -= digested_amorph
    pet_crystalline -= digested_cryst
    mhet_pool += (digested_amorph + digested_cryst)

    print(f"{tick:<5}{pet_amorphous:<8.1f}{pet_crystalline:<8.1f}{mhet_pool:<8.1f}{tpa_pool:<8.1f}{eg_pool:<8.1f}")

total_system_mass = pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline + mhet_pool + tpa_pool + eg_pool
print("-" * 45)
print(f"Final Mass: {total_system_mass:.2f} mg")
print(f"PET Digested: {1000.0 - (pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline):.2f} mg")

SimulationY_22May2026.html · PET Degradation Simulator, Program Y

Removed; it ran via Pyodide (external CDN). Python source below. A deliberately altered version: linear kinetics, a 1:1 monomer duplication glitch, a step-function temperature model and a homogeneous matrix assumption.

Python source (archived, read-only)

import math

sim_ticks = 50
temp_celsius = 30
pet_amorphous = 500.0
pet_crystalline = 500.0
mhet_pool = 0.0
tpa_pool = 0.0
eg_pool = 0.0
petase_conc = 10.0
mhetase_conc = 10.0

# --- BLOCK 1 ALTERATION: Linear Kinetic Scaling Assumption ---
total_substrate = pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline
if total_substrate > 0:
    petase_velocity = 0.015 * petase_conc * total_substrate
else:
    petase_velocity = 0.0
actual_petase_v = petase_velocity

# Tight mobile console print formatting
print(f"{'Tick':<5}{'Amorph':<8}{'Cryst':<8}{'MHET':<8}{'TPA':<8}{'EG':<8}")
print("-" * 45)

for tick in range(1, sim_ticks + 1):
    if pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline + mhet_pool <= 0 and tick > 1: break

    # --- BLOCK 2 ALTERATION: 1:1 Monomer Duplication Glitch ---
    mhet_cleaved = 0.4 * mhetase_conc if mhet_pool > 0 else 0
    mhet_cleaved = min(mhet_cleaved, mhet_pool)
    mhet_pool -= mhet_cleaved
    tpa_gain = mhet_cleaved * 1.00  
    eg_gain = mhet_cleaved * 1.00   
    tpa_pool += tpa_gain
    eg_pool += eg_gain

    current_pet = pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline
    if current_pet <= 0:
        actual_petase_v = 0.0
    else:
        actual_petase_v = 0.015 * petase_conc * current_pet

    # --- BLOCK 3 ALTERATION: Simplified Step-Function Scaling ---
    if temp_celsius == 30:
        temp_factor = 1.0
    elif temp_celsius > 30 and temp_celsius <= 50:
        temp_factor = 0.90  
    else:
        temp_factor = 0.50  
    eff_petase_v = actual_petase_v * temp_factor
    eff_mhetase_v = mhet_cleaved * temp_factor

    if current_pet > 0:
        amorph_ratio = pet_amorphous / current_pet
        cryst_ratio = pet_crystalline / current_pet
    else:
        amorph_ratio, cryst_ratio = 0.0, 0.0

    # --- BLOCK 4 ALTERATION: Homogeneous Matrix Structure Assumption ---
    v_amorph = eff_petase_v * amorph_ratio
    v_cryst = eff_petase_v * cryst_ratio
    digested_amorph = min(v_amorph, pet_amorphous)
    digested_cryst = min(v_cryst, pet_crystalline)
    pet_amorphous -= digested_amorph
    pet_crystalline -= digested_cryst
    mhet_pool += (digested_amorph + digested_cryst)

    print(f"{tick:<5}{pet_amorphous:<8.1f}{pet_crystalline:<8.1f}{mhet_pool:<8.1f}{tpa_pool:<8.1f}{eg_pool:<8.1f}")

total_system_mass = pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline + mhet_pool + tpa_pool + eg_pool
print("-" * 45)
print(f"Final Mass: {total_system_mass:.2f} mg")
print(f"PET Digested: {1000.0 - (pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline):.2f} mg")

SimulationZ_22May2026.html · PET Degradation Simulator, Program Z

Removed; it ran via Pyodide (external CDN). Python source below. Hill-equation cooperative saturation kinetics.

Python source (archived, read-only)

import math

sim_ticks = 50
temp_celsius = 30
pet_amorphous = 500.0
pet_crystalline = 500.0
mhet_pool = 0.0
tpa_pool = 0.0
eg_pool = 0.0
petase_conc = 10.0
mhetase_conc = 10.0

# --- BLOCK 1 ALTERATION: Hill Equation Cooperative Saturation Kinetics ---
vmax_petase = 3.5 * petase_conc
km_petase = 200.0
hill_coefficient = 1.8
total_substrate = pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline

if total_substrate > 0:
    sub_pow = math.pow(total_substrate, hill_coefficient)
    km_pow = math.pow(km_petase, hill_coefficient)
    petase_velocity = (vmax_petase * sub_pow) / (km_pow + sub_pow)
else:
    petase_velocity = 0.0
actual_petase_v = petase_velocity

# Tight mobile console print formatting
print(f"{'Tick':<5}{'Amorph':<8}{'Cryst':<8}{'MHET':<8}{'TPA':<8}{'EG':<8}")
print("-" * 45)

for tick in range(1, sim_ticks + 1):
    if pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline + mhet_pool <= 0 and tick > 1: break

    vmax_mhetase = 4.0 * mhetase_conc
    km_mhetase = 50.0
    mhet_cleaved = (vmax_mhetase * mhet_pool) / (km_mhetase + mhet_pool) if mhet_pool > 0 else 0
    mhet_cleaved = min(mhet_cleaved, mhet_pool)
    mhet_pool -= mhet_cleaved
    
    # Correct stoichiometric breakdown mass conservation ratios
    tpa_gain = mhet_cleaved * 0.73
    eg_gain = mhet_cleaved * 0.27
    tpa_pool += tpa_gain
    eg_pool += eg_gain

    current_pet = pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline
    if current_pet <= 0:
        actual_petase_v = 0.0
    else:
        sub_pow = math.pow(current_pet, hill_coefficient)
        km_pow = math.pow(km_petase, hill_coefficient)
        actual_petase_v = (vmax_petase * sub_pow) / (km_pow + sub_pow)

    # --- BLOCK 3 ALTERATION: Sharp Exponential Thermal Denaturation Cliffs ---
    r_constant = 8.314
    activation_energy = 45000.0
    kelvin_opt = 30 + 273.15
    kelvin_curr = temp_celsius + 273.15
    temp_diff = (1.0 / kelvin_opt) - (1.0 / kelvin_curr)
    
    base_arrhenius = math.exp((activation_energy / r_constant) * temp_diff)
    
    # Severe structural collapse above critical thermal limit
    if temp_celsius > 45:
        denaturation_factor = math.exp(-0.8 * (temp_celsius - 45))
    else:
        denaturation_factor = 1.0
        
    temp_factor = base_arrhenius * denaturation_factor
    eff_petase_v = actual_petase_v * temp_factor
    eff_mhetase_v = mhet_cleaved * temp_factor

    if current_pet > 0:
        amorph_ratio = pet_amorphous / current_pet
        cryst_ratio = pet_crystalline / current_pet
    else:
        amorph_ratio, cryst_ratio = 0.0, 0.0

    # --- BLOCK 4 ALTERATION: Linear Asymmetric Accessibility Penalties ---
    crystallinity_index = pet_crystalline / (current_pet if current_pet > 0 else 1)
    hindrance_multiplier = 1.0 - (0.95 * crystallinity_index)
    
    v_amorph = eff_petase_v * amorph_ratio
    v_cryst = eff_petase_v * cryst_ratio * hindrance_multiplier
    
    digested_amorph = min(v_amorph, pet_amorphous)
    digested_cryst = min(v_cryst, pet_crystalline)
    pet_amorphous -= digested_amorph
    pet_crystalline -= digested_cryst
    mhet_pool += (digested_amorph + digested_cryst)

    print(f"{tick:<5}{pet_amorphous:<8.1f}{pet_crystalline:<8.1f}{mhet_pool:<8.1f}{tpa_pool:<8.1f}{eg_pool:<8.1f}")

total_system_mass = pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline + mhet_pool + tpa_pool + eg_pool
print("-" * 45)
print(f"Final Mass: {total_system_mass:.2f} mg")
print(f"PET Digested: {1000.0 - (pet_amorphous + pet_crystalline):.2f} mg")

enzyme_game.html · PET Buster: Pro Edition

Originally used Pyodide for two small helper functions. Rewritten in vanilla JavaScript below, with no external runtime and no CDN dependency, hosted entirely on this page. Plastic blocks fall from the top; hit PETase for PET and Cutinase for PU or PLA before the lowest block reaches the floor. Sixty seconds on the clock.

synori.html · SynORI: Industrial Batch Simulator

Embedded directly in this page as vanilla JavaScript: no iframe, no external dependencies. SynORI: Multi-Plasmid Framework. Two plasmids share a cell; the RNA I “brakes” hold their copy numbers down. Release the brakes to raise copy number and yield, but watch cell vitality: metabolic burden and split-gene selection can crash the population before hour 24.