PFAS Detection
Manual-KY iGEM 2023.
Manual-KY iGEM 2023.
We received a silver medal as a first year team!
Picture a glass of water before you, a simple act that unveils a complex secret: within that seemingly pure liquid resides an enduring and potent group of chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These resilient molecules, born from our pursuit of indestructible materials to make commodities, defy decay, conquer extreme temperatures, and pervade everything from non-stick cookware to firefighting foams. Yet, their unwavering persistence comes at a price, as they infiltrate our environment, our bodies, and our daily lives. PFAS causes destruction to livestock and crops, damages environments, and impacts our bodies in ways that aren’t well known. Adding to their destruction is the lack of comprehensive detection methods. Manual-KY attempts to tackle this issue with our project of bacterial PFAS detection.
Our team is based in Louisville, Kentucky. Most of our team comes from DuPont Manual High School, and we work with faculty and advisers in the University of Louisville for our project. All of our students are interested in gaining practical experience in biology and learning more about synthetic biology and genetics through this project.
