Synthetic Biology
A Novel Three-Input AND Gate Circuit Control System for Tumor-Selective Protein Expression
In our iGEM project, we have developed a groundbreaking three-input AND gate circuit control system aimed at regulating the expression of anti-tumor proteins exclusively within the tumor microenvironment. Unlike conventional AND gate circuit control systems, which often require multiple plasmids, our innovative system operates using a single plasmid. This innovation not only significantly reduces system complexity but also minimizes the risk of plasmid loss during genetic transformations.
Our three-input AND gate circuit control system relies on a sophisticated combination of genetic components that respond to specific environmental cues, ensuring the precision of anti-tumor protein expression. The system has been meticulously engineered to activate only when all three input signals are present, making it highly selective for the tumor microenvironment.
The advantages of our system are multifaceted:
Simplicity: The use of a single plasmid streamlines the design and implementation of our system. Researchers can now easily introduce this system into a wide range of biological hosts without the complications of managing multiple plasmids.
Reduced Plasmid Loss: The minimized reliance on multiple plasmids reduces the risk of plasmid loss during genetic transformations, enhancing the overall stability and robustness of the system.
Tumor-Selective Expression: By exploiting the unique features of the tumor microenvironment, our system ensures that the anti-tumor proteins are expressed only when needed, reducing off-target effects.
Our innovative three-input AND gate circuit control system offers a promising solution for targeted anti-tumor therapy and represents a significant step forward in synthetic biology and genetic engineering. We believe that our contribution has the potential to revolutionize the field by providing a more efficient, reliable, and precise method for tumor-specific protein expression.
For more detailed information on our project, please refer to the corresponding sections (Description and Parts ) of our wiki.
Improvement of Existing Part
Due to our team used a trigger all ( BBa_K4776013 ) formed by integrating and concatenating three conditional control sequences, a more powerful terminator was needed to prevent the transcription of three sequences into one sequence. Initially, we used a single terminator, T7Te, but the terminator effect was not significant, and the three sequences could easily become one. Subsequently, we reviewed the parts of the iGEM registry and found that the 2018 Hawaii iGEM team created a powerful terminator ( BBa_J61048 ) that combines the T7Te terminator with the rrnB T1 terminator. However, in practical experiments, we found that the overly complex stem ring structure of the combined terminator even reduced its termination effect to a certain extent, and its presence of ECORI and other enzyme cleavage sites prevented us from correctly adding the required sequence to the plasmid vector. So we made improvements to the terminator and get the “T7Te-rrnB T1 High Termination Efficiency Integrated Terminator” ( BBa_K4776014 ) We removed the last one of the two stem ring structures of the rrnB T1 terminator, and the experimental results showed that this change greatly improved the efficiency of the terminator while removing useless enzyme cleavage sites (more detailed information in proof of concept ), thus ensuring the complete transcription of the three sequence segments. This strategic combination of terminators not only addressed our primary concern of preventing sequence concatenation but also offered the advantage of achieving precise control over the expression levels of the genetic components involved in our project.
A Condition Control System for Accurately Simulating Tumor Microenvironment
In our iGEM project, we have designed a groundbreaking three-input AND gate circuit control system, which leverages high lactate, low oxygen, and low pH condition-inducible promoters. These promoters closely mimic the conditions found in the tumor microenvironment, making our system an ideal platform for highly efficient targeted therapies. By emulating these specific tumor microenvironment conditions, we have laid the groundwork for future research teams, offering them a robust foundation for advancing targeted treatment strategies.
Our system's three inputs, based on high lactate, low oxygen, and low pH conditions, closely mirror the complex milieu of the tumor microenvironment. This unique approach allows for precise control over anti-tumor protein expression, ensuring that therapeutic agents are activated selectively within tumor cells. The integration of these specific condition-inducible promoters within the AND gate circuit represents a major advancement in the field of synthetic biology and genetic engineering.
In summary, our contribution provides a versatile and powerful tool for tumor-specific protein expression, and it offers invaluable insights into the development of targeted therapies. We anticipate that our work will inspire future teams to build upon this foundation, paving the way for more effective and precise treatments for various diseases. For comprehensive project details, please explore the proof of concept sections of our wiki.
Software
Machine learning: A revolutionary approach to addressing biological challenges
By using a machine learning model to identify E. coli as the most suitable carrier bacterium, we have made a prudent choice for delivering drugs in the context of lung cancer. This holds significant importance for improving drug delivery efficiency and specificity, ultimately leading to enhanced treatment outcomes. Our study combines mathematical validation with biological validation to ensure the accuracy of the model. This integrated approach enhances the model's credibility and provides a robust foundation for future experiments.
Furthermore, introducing machine learning methods into the field of biomedical research opens up new avenues for future studies. The tremendous potential of machine learning in the biomedical domain has the capacity to expedite the discovery of novel treatment methods.
Education
Expanding the impact of affiliation through rural mission trips
In order to promote iGEM and synthetic biology to the wider audience of our iGEM team, we have been exploring various outreach methods. Our attempt brought science education to the mountain village of Meitan, offering children the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge science. We didn't just impart knowledge; we sparked curiosity and a sense of exploration in them. We firmly believed that through this approach, we could nurture future scientists and innovators who would make positive contributions to society.
Our efforts had a positive impact in the mountain village of Meitan. The children's attitudes toward science underwent a positive transformation as they developed an interest and willingness to actively participate in learning. We witnessed their curiosity being ignited, as they started asking questions, conducting experiments, and seeking answers. This positive learning environment extended beyond the classroom and became an integral part of their daily lives.
In addition to the impact on students, our work garnered attention and support from the community. Parents and community members recognized our efforts and rallied behind our educational projects. This involvement and support strengthened our ties with the community, creating a collaborative educational network.
Besides, our education programme has plans to collaborate with other communities or organisations to promote science education. We believe that through collaboration, we can expand our reach and extend science education opportunities to a wider area and population.
Overall, our iGEM team achieved significant results in our educational work in the mountain village of Meitan. Through our tailored educational approach and captivating teaching content, we helped students understand and grasp the fundamentals of cancer. We sparked an interest in science among students and fostered a spirit of exploration and innovation. Our work not only had a positive impact on individual students but also on the entire community. We believe that through this education initiative, we laid a solid foundation for the children's future and made valuable contributions to societal development.
Communication
Provide potential treatment ideas through communication with medical practitioners
Our engineered bacteria-based cancer treatment solution has the potential to revolutionize cancer therapies by offering higher precision, reduced side effects, and improved patient outcomes. This breakthrough could significantly impact the field of oncology and benefit countless cancer patients.
Moreover, we aim to establish a network of partnerships with hospitals, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies to facilitate the translation of our solution into clinical practice. This includes exploring avenues for technology transfer, intellectual property protection, and regulatory compliance, while also considering potential avenues for commercialization.
Overall, we are committed to further refining our solution, conducting rigorous testing, and collaborating with the medical community to make a meaningful impact on cancer treatment. Through continued collaboration, we aspire to bring our precise cancer therapy to patients worldwide, improving their quality of life and contributing to the advancement of medical science.