Team:HSiTAIWAN/Project/Copper

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　Oh hello there,I am Charlie,a trusty member of the "Herb Tasters" and also the brainiest E. coli in the colony.
　I know all the secrets of Chinese herbs and their magical healing powers.
　If you are up to a challenge,find me at team HSiTW at the jamboree.
　I am the one in a straw hat,showing them pearls.I will be waiting.
　Muhahahahaha

　Hi there! My name is Nu Zhen Chi. This is how I look like.
　　Take a closer look; guess which part of me is used as medicine?
(1) the root
(2) the stem
(3) the leaf
(4) the seed

　Ans.(4) the seed
　Name: 女貞子 (Nu Zhen Chi)
　Botanical Name: Ligustrum lucidum Aiton
　I can treat people who are yin deficient, and liver problems that cause dizziness,cataract of the eyes,
lower back pain, premature graying of the hair and tinnitus.

　Hello! My name is Chuan Xiong. This is how I look like.
　Make a guess, which part of me is used as medicine?
(1) the root
(2) the stem
(3) the leaf
(4) the seed

　Ans.(1) the root
　Name: 川芎 (Chuan Xiong)
　Botanical Name: Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort
　I help with blood regulation to prevent relevant to blood stasis and non-stop bleeding.I can also strengthen your qi circulation.
　In addition, I relieve you of physical pain, such as headaches, abdominal aches, chest pain, and muscle pain.
　Finally, I free the ladies of menstrual disorders and amenorrhea.

　What’s up? My name is Dang Gui. I can:
(1) stop coughing
(2) regulate mense
(3) reduce internal heat

　Ans.(2) Regulate mense
　Name: 當歸 (Dang Gui)
　Botanical Name: Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels
　I can remove blood stasis and clots, so I am usually used to regulate menses,lubricate intestines to correct constipation, reduce swelling, expel pus.

　　Reference
　臧堃堂 (2005) 中華材輕百科-現代版本草綱目，山岳文化出版社，台北
　Non-Profit Organization Brion Research Institute of Taiwan.
　Chinese Herb Gallery. Jade Institute
　Herbal Glossary. Shen-Nong- Chinese Traditional Medicine
　　Acknowledgement
　Thank you for Non-Profit Organization Brion Resaerch Institute of Taiwan that provide us Chinese herbs and photos.

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  • Copper

    • Introduction
    • Taiwan Regulation on Copper
    • Circuit Design
    • Result
    • Reference
    • 　　 　　

    Copper

    Introduction

    Copper Toxicity

    Although the body needs adequate amount of copper to properly function, too much copper can do permanent damage. Recent studies have shown that copper toxicity may contribute to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease (Brewer, 2009). While other research claim that excess copper, deficient zinc might as well as cause unbalanced metabolism inside human beings (Brewer, 2012; Nolan, 2003). By just inhaling copper dust may also cause irritation to the mouth, nose, eyes, and headaches in some cases.

    Exposure Source or Route

    There are basically two types of copper: organic copper and inorganic copper. Organic copper is mostly consumed by natural food, and is able to be processed in the liver; on the other hand, inorganic copper mostly occurs to all in copper-made utensils, plumbing, and other household facilities. Inorganic copper is potentially toxic due to its high possibility of penetrating the blood/brain barrier (Brewer, 2015).

    Taiwan Regulation on Copper in Chinese Medicine

    Although our government has liberated the regulation of copper for the past recent years, there is still a set of limit that the net concentration of all heavy metals in Chinese Medicine should not surpass 30 ppm. The reason for this change is that copper ion is an essential element to many plants and animals. Thus, it will be difficult to determine whether the copper within the subject is natural or adulterated. The previous regulation of copper concentration is 20 ppm in 8 types of Chinese Medicine (Hsu, Chen, Lo, & Lin, 2007).

    Circuit Design

    The purpose of this circuit is to utilize the CueR protein inside the bacteria to form a Cu2+-CueR dimer. The dimer will then regulate the promoter upper stream, thus, generating GFP protein as a reporter protein.

    Result

    CueR is a constant protein that can regulate the CopA gene. When the protein combines with copper ions, the then formed dimer will induce the CopA promoter. Hence, we made use of this and created a regulated reporter gene. Whenever there is copper ions, our bacteria will express a green fluorescent characteristic.

    　　

    Reference

    Brewer, G. J. (2009). The risks of copper toxicity contributing to cognitive decline in the aging population and to Alzheimer’s disease. J Am Coll Nutr., 28(3), 238-242.

    Brewer, G. J. (2012). Copper excess, zinc deficiency, and cognition loss in Alzheimer's disease. Biofactors, 38(107-113).

    Brewer, G. J. (2015). Copper-2 ingestion, plus increased meat eating, leading to increased Cooper absorption, are major factors behind the current epidemic of Alzheimer's Disease. Nutrients, 7, 10053-10064.

    Hsu, Y.-H., Chen, Y.-H., Lo, C.-F., & Lin, J.-H. (2007). Survey on Heavy metals in Raw Material of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Ann. Rept. BFDA Taiwan ROC, 25, 127-139.

    Nolan, K. (2003). Copper Toxicity Syndrome. J. Orthomol. Psychiatry, 12, 270-282.