In April 2025, we visited Osaka University for an in-person exchange. Both teams presented their projects—our CRISPR–aptamer breast cancer diagnostic system and their microbial metabolic engineering platform—before diving into discussions on assay sensitivity, workflow optimization, and user-friendly design. The exchange not only gave us practical feedback to refine our experimental pipeline but also highlighted how regional healthcare and sustainability priorities shape iGEM projects. Meeting face-to-face deepened collaboration, showing us the importance of cross-cultural dialogue in advancing synthetic biology.