In this section, we highlight our team's contributions to the field of synthetic biology, with a specific focus on targeted therapies for colorectal cancer. We've made significant strides in harnessing the potential of Ice Nucleation Protein (INP) and cell surface display technology to facilitate novel approaches to cancer treatment.

Ice Nucleation Protein (INP) is a versatile protein carrier commonly used in cell surface display technology. Inside cells, INP plays vital roles in signal transduction, DNA repair, and metabolic regulation. It features a large extracellular region that can be leveraged to display other proteins on the cell surface. Our team engineered bacteria to express the INP protein, enabling surface display of target proteins, such as HIpA, using cell surface display technology. Future teams can utilize INP to exhibit a variety of proteins on the cell surface, opening up exciting possibilities for diverse applications.

Our experiments have demonstrated that HIpA fusion proteins exhibit strong affinity for both human (LoVo and HCT116) and murine (CT26) colorectal cancer cell lines, operating at submicromolar levels. In our project, we employed the Ice Nucleation Protein (INP) tag to export HlpA fusion proteins onto the surface of Escherichia coli Nissle (EcN) bacteria. Based on experimental evidence, HIpA proteins can bind to Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans (HSPG) on the cancer cell surface, promoting cancer cell adhesion. This innovation offers fresh inspiration to future teams exploring targeted techniques for cancer treatment.

In our project experiments, we initially inserted the coding sequence of the INP protein into an expression vector. We then fused the coding sequence of the target protein with INP, resulting in the expression vector ultimately producing fusion proteins containing both INP and the target protein. Within engineered bacteria, INP-target protein fusion proteins were directed to the cell surface. Confirmation was achieved through methods like fluorescent labeling and flow cytometry. Future teams can reference this technology to efficiently display desired proteins on cell surfaces, facilitating a wide range of applications.

Our team's contributions aim to drive advancements in the field of synthetic biology, particularly in the context of targeted therapies for colorectal cancer. We believe that by sharing our insights and innovative approaches, we can empower future IGEM teams to build upon our work and continue pushing the boundaries of synthetic biology for improved healthcare solutions.In closing, we extend our gratitude to the IGEM community for fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation. We look forward to witnessing the remarkable contributions of future IGEM teams as they embark on their own journeys to tackle pressing global challenges. Together, we can transform the landscape of biotechnology and make a positive impact on society.