The sewer, as the vein of the city, cleans and drains the filth, isolates the diseases, and is closely related to the citizens' health.

In Chengdu, the maintenance of the large-scale drainage system costs over 330 million yuan per year.

Hydrogen sulfide(\(H_2S\)) is one of the most critical factors causing corrosion of sewer pipes, causing losses of more than 50 million yuan every year. Moreover, it is a neurotoxic, flammable, and explosive gas that may cause poisoning and explosions.

It is mainly produced by anaerobic microorganisms - sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB).

SCU-China developed an engineered E. coli preparation for SRB. Through biofilm disruption, quorum sensing quenching, and SRB-targeted cocktail therapy, it reduces hydrogen sulfide concentration in the sewer and alleviates the sewer crisis.

We also equipped it with a predator-based suicide system, which allows it to commit suicide after completing the task or flowing into natural water.

SCU-China 2023 believes a small act will make our home a better place.

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Project Design

In our project, we designed a predator, SRBioQuencher, to kill sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), the main source of hydrogen sulfide gas in sewers, to efficiently and safely reduce high hydrogen sulfide concentrations in sewers. Cocktail therapy was used in SRBioQuencher by endowing it with the ability to eliminate the SRB biofilm, inhibit the formation of the SRB biofilm, and kill SRB. In addition, we oxidized hydrogen sulfide produced by E. coli and designed a suicide system for SRBioQuencher induced by SRB quorum sensing molecules for efficiency and safety.

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Mathematical Modeling Promoting Project Understanding

Biological Simulation from different aspects

For circuit design, we simulated different gene blocks, helping the wet lab to select the proper blocks and improved the circuits.
For SRB, we simulated the formation of SRB biofilm and its repression by E.coli, as well as the predator-based suicide system, which integrates COBRA-AGENT and ODES.
For application, we built a decision model for stakeholders to use our project better.

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Protein modeling aided experimental design

Hypothesis and modeling

Protein modeling aims at optimizing our design. It provides theoretical feasibility suggestions for the refined design of the subject and the appropriate optimization of the enzymes involved in our project.
We optimized the design of N-acyl homoserine endonuclease and complete the fusion protein design of antimicrobial peptide carrier protein , which was achieved by designing a degradable disulfide bond-based linker to link the antimicrobial peptide with two enzymes in the form of a fusion protein.

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Human Practice

L'égout, c'est la conscience de la ville

Sewer networks are one of the most critical infrastructure assets for modern cities. In Human Practices, we communicated with multiple stakeholders to understand how the sewer networks work and to know their needs and the industry's current problems. Furthermore, we evaluate the practicality and feasibility of our projects based on actual needs and practical issues. We hope to contribute to constructing a safe and sustainable society.

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Description

Design

Results

Modeling

Human Practice

Team

Contribution

Safety