This year, we aim to contribute to the growing demand for more affordable genotoxicity tests. Our innovative DNA-damage reporter system also strive to achieve sustainability and lend a hand in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a series of 17 international development targets proposed by the United Nations (UN) in 2015. In our project, we are addressing health problems and social challenges, etc. This year we are working alongside:
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| Visiting Kiang Wu Hospital |
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| Visiting GENENET Technology at Stevenage |
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| Visiting the Public Health Laboratory |
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| iGEM 2022 Sustainable Self-farming Kit Charity Promotion |
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| Participating in MIECF, Courtesy of Wynn Macau |
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| Chat With Us Survey |
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| Meeting with team HongKong-PuiChing |
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| Meeting with Dr. Chan Chi Fung from the University of Hong Kong |
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| Participating in MIECF, Courtesy of Wynn Macau |
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| Better Health iGEM Meetup |
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| Strawberry DNA Extraction School Workshop |
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| Visiting and Donating at Fu Hong Society |
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Nowadays, we are often exposed to genotoxic substances that may affect our health. From cosmetic products to processed food, we continue to encounter and take in these substances inadvertently, which may increase our chances of getting cancer. Cancer treatment is no easy task for both doctors and patients.Not only does it put extra pressure on the already overstressed medical system, it also creates a substantial amount of medical waste due to the manufacturing of the utensils, polluting the environment at the end of the day. Therefore, by providing a relatively affordable method of early carcinogen detection, these harmful chemicals can be taken out of consumer's products as early as possible.
It is important to achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
3.Good Health and Well-being
Our carcinogen detector is an FRET system that is both cost-efficient and easy to produce since it does not rely on a chain of chemical reagents. The reduction in production cost has made it more accessible to people in need and has promoted the idea of early detection. This contributes to the early detection and prevention of cancer, which is crucial for promoting good health and well-being. Early detection reduces the risk of cancer development, allowing interventions and treatments to be implemented in time.
Additionally, our detector empowers individuals and healthcare professionals with valuable data to make informed decisions about potential carcinogen exposure and take necessary precautions. For instance, it helps identify the source of carcinogens. Once identified, carcinogens can be regulated, controlled, or eliminated to minimize their impact on health.
This directly aligns with the objectives of SDG 3, which aims to create a healthier and safer environment by addressing the impacts of pollution and contamination, including those related to carcinogens. We believe that our carcinogen detector will have a significant impact on the world, and we would like to vision 2030 with our future implementation.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
In cities around the world, an integral part of the public health systems that sustain them is the resources for quality checks and analytical research of products. These facilities make sure citizens’ health is safeguarded and protect their rights as consumers make informed choices about their purchases and lifestyles. However, the chemical assays needed to maintain these processes are not sustainable: the crisis of the global manufacturing chain and the food supply highlights the potential unmet demand for chemical reagents, hindering the widespread application of toxicity screening.
Our team offers a solution to this issue, as both our RecA reporter system and FRET-based DNA damage bio-reporter system require only a stable cell line transfected with our plasmid or viruses. Our large independence from the complex supply chain of chemical reagents associated with toxicity screening makes it a dependable method to assess carcinogenic toxicity in the long run.
In order to link our work with the public health implications that it has, we actively sought out opportunities to engage with local organizations, such as visiting Kiang Wu Hospital. At the same time, we have augmented our presence and beneficence to our community by organizing meaningful events such as participating in the MIECF and selling our hydroponic self-farming kits for charity.
Photo 3: Our team memebers at the MIECF exhibition. (Right)
12. Sustainable Production and Consumption
SDG 12 emphasizes the need for sustainable consumption and production practices. This includes minimizing waste generation, promoting the use of environmentally friendly technologies, and reducing harmful substances released into the environment.
Detecting carcinogens involved, rigorous scientific research, analysis, and testing to identify substances that have the potential to cause cancer is needed. This also requires conductions of epidemiological studies, animal testing, and in vitro experiments to assess the carcinogenicity of different chemicals and substances.
Through detecting DNA damage, scientists and researchers can identify the potential sources of genetic damage and assess the environmental impact of various activities, including industrial processes, waste disposal, and agricultural practices. Our DNA-damage detection system is easier to implement than other conventional methods. Through our specifically designed device, DNA damage detection can be quick and efficiently done, providing scientists a novel way of screening for potential carcinogenic substances. Detecting DNA damage can also help recognize specific pollutants or hazardous substances that may cause harm to environmental and human health. This information can then be used to develop strategies and policies for sustainable consumption and production with a focus on reducing or eliminating the use of harmful substances.
By integrating DNA damage detection into environmental monitoring, policymakers and industries can make informed decisions to minimize their ecological footprint and achieve the SDG 12 target.
