The Suntar-CAMS Sustainability Research Laboratory (SCSRL) teams from Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) achieved an outstanding result at SynBio Challenges 2026, securing one Gold Award and two Silver Awards across three different competition tracks.

The competition was held from 21 to 23 August 2026 at Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology (SUAT), attracting 512 teams and 3,849 innovators from nine countries.

The SCSRL teams achieved the following awards:

• Gold Award — Protein Design Track
  Team members: Xiong Yuchen, Yosef Kristian Tirta, Bai Jianing, Tham Fu Quan, Sim Jia Chen, Kam Xiu Wei
   
• Silver Award — Regular Track: White
  Team members: Chow Shi Yin, Vivian Foong Chee Yan, Christal Winona Clyde, Ong Yi Xiang
   
• Silver Award — Industry Track: Anhui Huaheng Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (AHB) Challenge 1
  Team members: Christal Winona Clyde, Ong Yi Xiang, Chow Shi Yin, Vivian Foong Chee Yan

Competing across different tracks, the teams demonstrated a diverse range of approaches in synthetic biology, spanning protein design, genetic engineering, and industrial biotechnology. 

These achievements were made possible with the support of Suntar International Group through the Suntar-CAMS Sustainability Research Laboratory (SCSRL) at Xiamen University Malaysia, together with the valuable guidance and mentorship of Prof. Dr. Yeap Swee Keong and Dr. Steven Aw Yoong Kit.