The progression of antibiotic resistance can be targeted at many points. While we are targeting the problem at its root, iGEM INSA-ENS-LYON1 team Super Bug Buster attempts to attack the resistance machinery of resistant bacteria. We quickly realized that both of our projects are complementary to each other and could be merged together to both detect and prevent the emergece of multiresistant pathogens.
the iGEM INSA-ENS-LYON1 team focuses on genes encoding carbapenemases known as the most potent resistance genes in the medical field. They attack these genes by establishing a plasmid consisting of a CRISPR-Cas9 editing base and a Bacprotac system. With this system they want to attack all resistant genes associated with different carbapenemases.
the iGEM INSA-ENS-LYON1 team focuses on genes encoding carbapenemases known as the most potent resistance genes in the medical field. They attack these genes by establishing a plasmid consisting of a CRISPR-Cas9 editing base and a Bacprotac system. With this system they want to attack all resistant genes associated with different carbapenemases.
Figure: Screenshot from our Zoom meeting with iGEM-INSA-ENS-LYON1
Surprisingly we found out that this years iGEM Bochum team attempts the same approach as us: detecting antibiotics in wastewater. Having the same aim is the best reason to collaborate to even further contribute to stop the progression of antibiotics together. Therefore we contacted iGEM Bochum on instagram and arranged a zoom meeting with them.
We spoke about the insights we have gained and literature research. Did you know that reserve antibiotics are not only used in hospitals but also in the meat industry? We held on to that topic for a long time as we had a lot of instances to exchange on how reserve antibiotics find their way into the environment.
We also spoke about our teams and our iGEM journey. We exchanged struggles, results and helped each other trouble-shoot.
iGEM Bochum established another very interesting idea to tackle antibiotic resistance in the future. Just like us, iGEM Bochum developed a whole cell biosensor using Bacillus licheniformis that should detect antibiotics in our wastewater. They have cloned a construct containing GFP fused to blaP and once an antibiotic is detected it emitts green fluorescence and the antibiotic is decreaded due to blaP that encodes a β-lactamase. Their goal is to simplify the detection and degradation of antibiotics in our wastewater. This is another great example of the versatility in synthetic biology.
Both of our projects will help put pressure on governments to filter pharmaceuticals out of the wastewater and prevent multi-resistant bacteria to evolve.
We have worked out a social media campaign on how to work with antibiotics in the lab. Together we could increase the educational impact of our projects by reaching out to our audience on instagram. Check it out on our education page for more information.
Thank you iGEM Bochum for this great interview and amazing collaboration. We have gained a lot from you. See you in Paris!
Figure: Screenshot from our Zoom meeting with iGEM-BOCHUM
Besides the emergence of antibiotic resistance our teams main focus regarding that is the wastewater system. Therefore we seeked to approach teams that have the same aim as us: Making water free from compounds that should not be present in it. For us, it is antibiotics. But we are not the only ones!
The ABOA iGEM team is working on bioremediation. Methylmercury accumulates in our bodies causing great harm. They modified cyanobacteria to cleave the methylation off of methylmercury creating elemental mercury in a photobioreactor.
We gained a lot of insight as water is a big issue for both of our teams. In Finland water is cleaned physically and biologically, but not chemically. They have been using this system for over a hundred years. Yet they do not filter out heavy metals like mercury or pharmaceuticals like antibiotics.
We will provide them with insights from the lab of Prof. Dr. Kempf as they are working on water hygiene in general.
We will provide them with insights from the lab of Prof. Dr. Kempf as they are working on water hygiene in general.
See you soon in Paris!
Figure: Screenshot from our Zoom meeting with iGEM-ABOA
Figure: Logo of Ethans Podcast: Antibiotic resistance awareness podcast: To the Podcast Episode
Ethan Rhee is the founder of a podcast that caught our attention: The Antibiotic Resistance Awareness Podcast. He is a high school student from Irvine, California. He tries to engage and reach out to his audience on Spotify.
We found Ethan's podcast on Instagram and quickly realised that our visions aligned. We decided to collaborate and record a podcast talking about the iGEM competition, the importance of antibiotic resistance and our project. As many of our stakeholders have pointed out, it is important to reach out to the wider community to raise awareness of the emerging threat of multi-resistant pathogens. Therefore, together with Ethan Rhee, we tried to respond to this demand by spreading educational insights (link to education page) on antibiotic resistance.
We highly recommend listening to this episode and spreading the awarness. Ethan is doing an amazing job!
Our university offers many events that allow students and researchers to explore different areas of science. This event is different. It is for everyone. No matter how old you are or whether you already have a degree. Everyone is welcome.
The Night of Science is one of the biggest events at Goethe University. Every summer since 2006, students have organised a magical night full of science. The colourful and varied programme gives everyone a glimpse of how much fun science can be. Whether it is nitrogen ice cream, colourful (safe and controlled) explosions, fascinating chemistry or stories about life and its evolution, science is fun.
With this in mind, we took the opportunity to spread the idea of our project and iGEM to all the visitors of this year's Night of Science (16th June 2023). Besides giving presentations and workshops (see the Education and Communication page), our B.L.I.S.S logo made it onto the famous Night of Science pens. It was great to work with the Night of Science team to design the merchandise and we hope to continue working together to show people how fun science can be!
Figure: Our collaborative merch with the night of science team. These famous pens that are admired by all students of the Goethe University will be sold next year during Night of science 2024!