Darkhan Utepbergenov. | Assistant professor. Department of Chemistry, Nazarbayev University
Alina Saidova. | Our mentor.
As the Biology program at the Undergraduate level does not thoroughly teach how to construct a plasmid. Initially, we planned to construct the plasmid of interest by “cutting” two commercially available plasmids. So we’ve reached out to university labs proficient in the matter and started working with Professor Utepbergenov and Dr. Saidova. They held an internship for the wet lab team with a series of workshops on choosing and ordering a particular plasmid, performing molecular cloning techniques, applying PCR when appropriate, and how a glued plasmid works. It not only taught us practical skills of stepwise plasmid construction but also immensely enhanced our understanding of the concepts that need to be considered while working on a plasmid.
Ivan Bochkov | Professor. Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine.
By July, we learned that it’s allowed by iGEM to order an already constructed plasmid. Thus, we started to model the needed plasmid on the software SnapGene and Benchling. Knowledge acquired from the above Problem #1 played a crucial role in building upon modeling the plasmid of interest. We’ve reached out to Professor Bochkov with a research interest in genomics architecture. His experience of working with cancer cells allowed him to give the most competent feedback on the plasmid model. Eventually, we were able to develop the final construct of a pET9a low-copy plasmid, which we later ordered.
Bolat Sultankulov | Founder. ARLAN BIOTECH LLP.
A biotech company whose specialisation included work with plasmid in our city was an unexpected surprise. We’ve reached out to Arlan Biotech and pitched the issue to its founder, Bolat Sultankulov. The meeting had a successful outcome, and Mr. Sultankulov agreed to order our plasmid from Genscript and supervise the process, covering all the related expenses. Unfortunately, having ordered the plasmid, we didn’t receive it due to a procedural malfunction at the customs service of Kazakhstan, which put the project on hold. Mr. Sultankulov connected us with an agent who assisted in addressing the questions at customs services, which let us receive the plasmid by the 18th of October.
We engaged in a comprehensive discussion with Dr. Mursaliyev covering both the technical and entrepreneurial dimensions of our cancer treatment project. A fundamental lesson emerged from our conversation: the significance of precise presentation and strategic approaches when dealing with sponsors, research grant programs, and potential collaborators or partners. Mr. Mursaliyev provided invaluable insights, stressing the need for a meticulous strategy to navigate these avenues effectively.
Furthermore, our discussion highlighted the necessity of addressing potential technical challenges associated with bacteriotherapy. Specifically, the risk of sepsis due to bacterial intervention and the limitations related to the excessive use of bacteria on a living organism were emphasized. This guidance played a pivotal role in refining our approach, ensuring that we comprehensively addressed these concerns in our project development.
On the entrepreneurial front, Mr. Mursaliyev emphasized the evolving trends in the modern scientific market. He underscored the significance of focusing on therapeutic solutions rather than diagnostic ones, given the existence of similar diagnostic solutions in the market. This strategic insight redirected our focus, aligning our efforts with the changing demands of the industry.
Moreover, in terms of international expansion, Mr. Mursaliyev recommended a targeted approach to entering the USA market. He specifically suggested exploring the NSF i-COPRS program, drawing from his own experience participating in it. His status as a non-resident of the USA made this recommendation particularly relevant, given the challenges we faced in promoting our project in the Western market. This strategic direction provided us with a clear path for our international endeavors, ensuring that we navigated the complexities effectively.
Towards the end of our discussion, Mr. Mursaliyev generously offered his support and personal mentorship for our project. This informal agreement established a channel for us to seek guidance on global project development and other related matters. We mutually agreed to maintain an open line of communication, allowing us to schedule future meetings as questions arose, ensuring the continued progress and refinement of our project.
In the meeting with Vyacheslav Ogay, a representative from the National Center for Biotechnology, we delved deep into the intricacies of our project. Mr. Ogay provided valuable insights into the nuances of the scientific market, emphasizing the importance of staying abreast of the latest trends. His guidance underscored the need to focus on therapeutic solutions, an approach that was reaffirmed based on industry demands.
During this meeting, Mr. Ogay reiterated the significance of addressing technical challenges associated with bacteriotherapy. He emphasized the potential risks, especially concerning sepsis, and the limitations linked to the quantity of bacteria used in interventions. This reinforced our understanding of the critical need to develop comprehensive safety protocols and thoroughly evaluate the therapeutic dosage of modified bacteria.
Furthermore, Mr. Ogay provided strategic guidance on project promotion in international markets. He stressed the importance of considering regulatory frameworks, intellectual property rights, and collaborations with local institutions. His insights played a pivotal role in shaping our global expansion strategy, ensuring that we approached each market with a tailored and well-informed perspective.
In one of the first meetings, ethics took center stage, with a focus on the moral implications of scientific endeavours. Zhalgas emphasised transparent communication and ethical research practices, laying the foundation for the team's Human Practices component. This emphasis on ethics influenced the team's approach, ensuring compliance with the strictest ethical standards.
The second time, the discussions provided insights into effective communication, enabling the team to articulate their research clearly to scientists and stakeholders. Zhalgas' recommendations emphasized the importance of transparency, fostering open communication and collaboration among team members and stakeholders.
Last time, when we conducted a meeting with Zhalgas Daniyarov, the discussions delved into the complexities of clinical trials, which are essential for the project's progress. The team also explored entrepreneurial aspects, leading to the idea of establishing an R&D firm based on their innovative concept. Commercialization strategies were discussed, broadening the team's perspective and equipping them with skills to transform theoretical ideas into practical, commercially viable solutions.
Darkhan Utepbergenov | Assistant Professor. Department of Chemistry, Nazarbayev University.
In our collaborative effort to advance our cancer treatment project, we had the privilege of consulting with Professor Darkhan Utepbergenov. Initially, our team had planned to produce two plasmids and conduct a double transformation. However, Professor Utepbergenov, with his vast expertise in molecular biology, meticulously reviewed our initial design and provided invaluable insights that led to a significant refinement of our experimental approach.
During our meeting, Professor Utepbergenov not only shared his extensive knowledge but also generously provided us with essential reagents crucial for our experiments. His guidance extended to the purification process of the protein, where he suggested a method that promised enhanced efficiency and purity. His contributions not only streamlined our experimental setup but also significantly improved the quality of our research.
The collaborative spirit and expertise demonstrated by Professor Utepbergenov were pivotal, laying a robust foundation for the experimental phase of our project.
Mannix Balanay | Assistant Professor. Department of Chemistry, Nazarbayev University.
The expertise of Professor Ellina Mun in chemistry and pharmacology made us collaborate with her as a secondary PI. She led our team in constructing hydrogel matrix sharing, explaining the choice of the primary polymer, methods of synthesis, and essential qualities of components to consider. Upon making the 1st hydrogel gel, we sought additional feedback and reached out to Professor Mannix Balanay, whose research interest covers physical and materials chemistry. Sharing a profound interest in the project, he addressed our concern about the compatibility of hydrogel composition with bacteria. From articles, we derived that chitosan is a toxic environment to bacteria cells and may kill them while encapsulating. Professor Balanay suggested running an MTT Assay experiment to check it. We’ve learned from the results that chitosan induces low toxicity to the bacteria cells.
Gonzalo Hap Hortelano | Dean. Department of Biological Sciences, Nazarbayev University.
In order to understand the immunity response once the system is injected into the organism, we’ve reached out to Professor Hortelano, who has expertise in Immunology. The professor pointed out that although the bacteria is wrapped in hydrogel, partial leakage would occur. He suggested adding a kill switch into the plasmid in order to kill bacteria in particular conditions. However, we warned that it would, in turn, make the plasmid considerably more significant in size, which would decrease the rate of bacterial transformation. So, in response, he offered to treat bacteria leaked from the hydrogel coat, prescribing patients antibiotics.
Anna Midlenko | Surgical Oncologist. National Research Oncology Center.
Our discussion with Anna Midlenko, a representative from the National Research Oncology Center, shed light on the critical issue of safety and usability in cancer treatments. Anna Midlenko highlighted the alarming fact that only two existing types of chemotherapy for treating solid tumors are currently in use, both of which have harmful effects on the human body. In light of this, our novel approach, combining hydrogel with modified bacteria, offered a promising alternative.
Anna Midlenko provided valuable feedback on the safety and usability aspects of our model. Her insights helped us refine our understanding of the potential risks associated with the treatment and encouraged us to further bolster safety protocols. Her perspective underscored the urgency of our research, emphasizing the need for innovative, safer alternatives to existing treatments.
Dmitry Guschin | Assistant Professor. Nazarbayev University School of Medicine.
In our meeting with Dmitry Guschin, a respected oncologist, we had the opportunity to discuss our innovative cancer treatment model, combining hydrogel with modified bacteria. Dr. Guschin provided insightful feedback, emphasizing the importance of integration with existing cancer treatment methods. He pointed out that our unique approach could be further optimized by combining it with established treatment models, enhancing its effectiveness and widening its applicability. Dr. Guschin’s advice illuminated a path forward, showing us how our novel method could be seamlessly integrated into the existing landscape of cancer treatments.
In one of the first meetings, ethics took center stage, with a focus on the moral implications of scientific endeavours. Zhalgas emphasised transparent communication and ethical research practices, laying the foundation for the team's Human Practices component. This emphasis on ethics influenced the team's approach, ensuring compliance with the strictest ethical standards.
The second time, the discussions provided insights into effective communication, enabling the team to articulate their research clearly to scientists and stakeholders. Zhalgas' recommendations emphasized the importance of transparency, fostering open communication and collaboration among team members and stakeholders.
Last time, when we conducted a meeting with Zhalgas Daniyarov, the discussions delved into the complexities of clinical trials, which are essential for the project's progress. The team also explored entrepreneurial aspects, leading to the idea of establishing an R&D firm based on their innovative concept. Commercialization strategies were discussed, broadening the team's perspective and equipping them with skills to transform theoretical ideas into practical, commercially viable solutions.
We engaged in a comprehensive discussion with Dr. Mursaliyev covering both the technical and entrepreneurial dimensions of our cancer treatment project. A fundamental lesson emerged from our conversation: the significance of precise presentation and strategic approaches when dealing with sponsors, research grant programs, and potential collaborators or partners. Mr. Mursaliyev provided invaluable insights, stressing the need for a meticulous strategy to navigate these avenues effectively.
Furthermore, our discussion highlighted the necessity of addressing potential technical challenges associated with bacteriotherapy. Specifically, the risk of sepsis due to bacterial intervention and the limitations related to the excessive use of bacteria on a living organism were emphasized. This guidance played a pivotal role in refining our approach, ensuring that we comprehensively addressed these concerns in our project development.
On the entrepreneurial front, Mr. Mursaliyev emphasized the evolving trends in the modern scientific market. He underscored the significance of focusing on therapeutic solutions rather than diagnostic ones, given the existence of similar diagnostic solutions in the market. This strategic insight redirected our focus, aligning our efforts with the changing demands of the industry.
Moreover, in terms of international expansion, Mr. Mursaliyev recommended a targeted approach to entering the USA market. He specifically suggested exploring the NSF i-COPRS program, drawing from his own experience participating in it. His status as a non-resident of the USA made this recommendation particularly relevant, given the challenges we faced in promoting our project in the Western market. This strategic direction provided us with a clear path for our international endeavors, ensuring that we navigated the complexities effectively.
Towards the end of our discussion, Mr. Mursaliyev generously offered his support and personal mentorship for our project. This informal agreement established a channel for us to seek guidance on global project development and other related matters. We mutually agreed to maintain an open line of communication, allowing us to schedule future meetings as questions arose, ensuring the continued progress and refinement of our project.
In the meeting with Vyacheslav Ogay, a representative from the National Center for Biotechnology, we delved deep into the intricacies of our project. Mr. Ogay provided valuable insights into the nuances of the scientific market, emphasizing the importance of staying abreast of the latest trends. His guidance underscored the need to focus on therapeutic solutions, an approach that was reaffirmed based on industry demands.
During this meeting, Mr. Ogay reiterated the significance of addressing technical challenges associated with bacteriotherapy. He emphasized the potential risks, especially concerning sepsis, and the limitations linked to the quantity of bacteria used in interventions. This reinforced our understanding of the critical need to develop comprehensive safety protocols and thoroughly evaluate the therapeutic dosage of modified bacteria.
Furthermore, Mr. Ogay provided strategic guidance on project promotion in international markets. He stressed the importance of considering regulatory frameworks, intellectual property rights, and collaborations with local institutions. His insights played a pivotal role in shaping our global expansion strategy, ensuring that we approached each market with a tailored and well-informed perspective.
