Difference between revisions of "Team:TAS Taipei/Human Practices"

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<p>iGEM teams are leading in the area of Human Practices because they conduct their projects within a social/environmental context, to better understand issues that might influence the design and use of their technologies.</p>
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<p>Teams work with students and advisors from the humanities and social sciences to explore topics concerning ethical, legal, social, economic, safety or security issues related to their work. Consideration of these Human Practices is crucial for building safe and sustainable projects that serve the public interest. </p>
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<p>For more information, please see the <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Human_Practices">Human Practices Hub</a>.</p>
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<h5>Note</h5>
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<p>You must fill out this page in order to be considered for all <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Judging/Awards">awards</a> for Human Practices:</p>
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<link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/c/c6/T--TAS_Taipei--TAS_iGEM_Logo.png">
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<li>Human Practices silver medal criterion</li>
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<li>Human Practices gold medal criterion</li>
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<li>Best Integrated Human Practices award</li>
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<li>Best Education and Public Engagement award</li>
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<a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Background"><h4 class="dropdown-toggle disabled" data-toggle="dropdown"><b>PROJECT</b></h4></a>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Background">Background</a></h5>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Achievements">Achievements</a></h5>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Collaborations">Collaborations</a></h5>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Parts">Parts</a></h5>
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/1/11/T--TAS_Taipei--TAS_Icon_Project.png">
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<h4><b>Cataracts</b> - the leading cause of blindness. Find out how we can non-invasively <b>treat</b> and <b>prevent</b> cataract formation.</b></h4>
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<a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Experimental_Summary"><h4 class='dropdown-toggle disabled' data-toggle="dropdown"><b>EXPERIMENTAL</b></h4></a>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Experimental_Summary#lensmodel">Lens Cataract Model</a></h5>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Experimental_Summary#construct">Prevention and Treatment Constructs </a></h5>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Experimental_Summary#prototype">Delivery Prototype</a></h5>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Notebook">Notebook</a></h5>
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<div style='height:140px;'>
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/b/b0/T--TAS_Taipei--TAS_Icon_Experiments.png">
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                        <h4>We build <b>constructs</b> to make our great ideas become reality. Follow along our discovery of exciting science!</h4>
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<a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Model"><h4 class='dropdown-toggle disabled' data-toggle="dropdown"><b>MODEL</b></h4></a>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Model#GSRFunc">GSR Function</a></h5>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Model#prototype">Prototype Delivery</a></h5>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Model#treatment">CH25H Treatment</a></h5>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Model#software">Calculator</a></h5>
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<div style='height:140px;'>
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/c/ca/T--TAS_Taipei--TAS_Icon_Model.png">
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<h4><b>Computational Biology</b> provides us models that we cannot easily test experimentally. Click to find out the results of our modeling, and the math behind it!</h4>
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<a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Human_Practices"><h4 class='dropdown-toggle disabled' data-toggle="dropdown"><b>HUMAN PRACTICE</b></h4></a>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Human_Practices#research">Research</a></h5>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Human_Practices#outreach">Outreach</a></h5>
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<div>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Human_Practices#impact">Impact</a></h5>
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</div>
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</div>
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<div style='height:140px;'>
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/b/b9/T--TAS_Taipei--TAS_Icon_HP.png">
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<h4>We don't just grow cool bacteria. We make a <b>difference</b>. Find out how we tackled <b>social aspects</b> of this project.</h4>
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</div>
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</li>
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<li class="dropdown">
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<a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Safety"><h4 class='dropdown-toggle disabled' data-toggle="dropdown"><b>SAFETY</b></h4></a>
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<div class="dropdown-menu">
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<div style='height:100px;'>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Safety#overview">Overview</a></h5>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Safety#biosafety">Biosafety</a></h5>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Safety#riskreduction">Risk Reduction Methods</a></h5>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Safety#furtherquestion">Further Questions</a></h5>
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</div>
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/7/7e/T--TAS_Taipei--TAS_Icon_Safety.png">
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<h4><b>Safety first.</b> Especially in a lab. Here's how we maintained and investigated the integrity and security of our work environment.</h4>
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<a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Team"><h4 class='dropdown-toggle disabled' data-toggle="dropdown"><b>TEAM</b></h4></a>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Team#members">Members</a></h5>
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<div>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Team#about">About</a></h5>
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<div>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Attributions">Attributions</a></h5>
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<div>
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<h5><a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Wiki_Standard_Pages">Wiki Standard Pages</a></h5>
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</div>
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</div>
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<div style='height:140px;'>
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/c/c6/T--TAS_Taipei--TAS_Icon_Team.png">
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<h4>Every iGEM project is the accumulation of an entire year's hard work by a group of cheerful students. <b>Meet the team!</b></h4>
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</div>
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</li>
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<a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei" style='text-decoration: none'><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/c/c6/T--TAS_Taipei--TAS_iGEM_Logo.png
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<h2 style="font-family:'Lato';letter-spacing:10px;color: white; font-size: 60px;  margin-top: 0;  margin-bottom: 0;"><b>
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C&#9678;UNTERACTS</b></h2>
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<a href="https://igem.org/HS"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/6/6e/T--TAS_Taipei--TAS_Icon_Logo2.png" alt="" style="width: 100px;"></a>
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<ul class="nav nav-list" data-spy="affix" data-offset-top="160" style='-webkit-transform: translateZ(0);width:160px;margin-left:0' >
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<li><a href="#research">Research</a></li>
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                        <ul>
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                            <li> <a href="#professional">Professional Help</a></li>
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                            <li> <a href="#public">Public Opinion</a></li>
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                        </ul>
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<li><a href="#outreach">Outreach</a></li>
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                        <li><a href="#impact">Impact</a></li>
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                        <ul>
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                            <li> <a href="#marketing">Marketing Plan</a></li>
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                            <li> <a href="#fundraising">Fundraising</a></li>
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<h5>Some Human Practices topic areas </h5>
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<li>Philosophy</li>
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<li>Public Engagement / Dialogue</li>
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<li>Education</li>
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<li>Product Design</li>
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<li>Scale-Up and Deployment Issues</li>
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<li>Environmental Impact</li>
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<li>Ethics</li>
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<li>Safety</li>
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<li>Security</li>
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<li>Public Policy</li>
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<li>Law and Regulation</li>
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<li>Risk Assessment</li>
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<h5>What should we write about on this page?</h5>
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<h1>Human Practice Summary</h1>
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<p>On this page, you should write about the Human Practices topics you considered in your project, and document any special activities you did (such as visiting experts, talking to lawmakers, or doing public engagement).</p>
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                                    <p>
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                                    What we discovered through our findings in policy and practice helped shaped the trajectory of our project. We gathered data from researchers, medical doctors, veterinarians, cataract patients, and public opinions to find out the best way to develop our project so that it can benefit as many people as possible.
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                                </p>
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                                <p>
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                                    Our Policy and Practice is separated into three categories, <b>Research, Outreach and Impact</b>. In the Research category, we collected and analyzed data from researchers, doctors, vets, investors, patients and the general public. This information shaped the direction of every part of our project, including the construct design, nanoparticle prototype synthesis and delivery, biological modeling and the development of a marketing plan for selling our final product. In the Outreach category, we educated the public and spread awareness of our cataracts project, synthetic biology and science in general.  We also collaborated and communicated with two iGEM teams to help solve problems together.  Through educating and raising awareness, we hope not only to get more people involved in finding a solution to cataracts, but also to get more people involved and interested in synthetic biology research. The final category, Impact, includes working with organizations and infrastructure that is already in place to actually help people who suffer from Cataracts. We have raised funds, through bake sales and other events, to donate to the Himalayan Cataracts Project, a non-profit organization based in Nepal.  With the help of our business and economics teacher, we have also created a marketing plan and started discussions with several biotech investors about the possibility of getting our project to market.
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                                    <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/a/ac/T--TAS_Taipei--Best_Integrated.png">
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        <h2 id = 'research'>Research</h2>
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                                <h3>Professional Help</h3>
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                                <p>
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                                    In order to improve our research and prototype, we needed to get in contact with experts in the fields of eye surgery and cataract research. Our first step was to contact eye doctors to discuss any problems associated with current cataract treatments. Finally, while developing our project we realized that cataracts are a major issue in pets and other animals as well. As a result, we contacted local veterinarians to discuss what pet owners do when their pets develop cataracts. As our project developed, we needed more specific information regarding our genes of interest, cataract development, and our delivery mechanism. We contacted scientists doing research similar to our own to get their opinions on our projects as well.
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                                    <h4>Contact with Eye Doctors</h4>
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                                    <p>
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                                        We contacted local Taiwanese eye doctors to ask them about cataracts surgery. Here is a list of the doctors we contacted along with the information they provided:
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                                            <p>
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                                              <b> Dr. Wei-Chi Wu</b> is a retina specialist and an associate professor at Chang Gung memorial hospital in Taiwan.
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                                        <figure class = "col-sm-3">
 +
                                        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/7/7d/T--TAS_Taipei--Doctor2.png">
 +
                                        </figure>
 +
                                        <div class="col-sm-3">
 +
                                            <p>
 +
                                                <b>Dr. Tsu Chieh Cheng </b>is a opthamologist at Chang Cheng eye hospital in Taiwan. 
 +
                                            </p>
 +
                                        </div>
 +
                                    </div>
 +
                                    <br>
 +
                                    <div class="row">
 +
                                        <div class="col-sm-6">
 +
                                            <p>
 +
                                                According to Dr. Wu current cataract surgery methods are efficient and effective, but are not without their issues. Beside the high cost of surgery, there can also be several different post-surgery complications such as infection, hemorrhaging, or secondary glaucoma. In regards to our project, he said one of the biggest issues we would face is non-invasive delivery. Currently, injections and incisions are the only methods for delivery because all current potential methods of noninvasive delivery either lack efficiency or induce side effects. 
 +
                                            </p>
 +
                                        </div>
 +
                                        <div class="col-sm-6">
 +
                                            <p>
 +
                                                Dr. Cheng points out that aside from possibly causing complications such as astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia, cataract surgeries have risks, such as wound infections, dislodgement of lens, and massive bleeding during surgeries are not uncommon. He remarked that our project sounded very promising, but the effect that the drug has on other parts of the eye must be checked. Furthermore, he suggested that we use rabbits or dogs as animal models, because they can be observed more easily. 
 +
                                            </p>
 +
                                        </div>
 +
                                    </div>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                          </div>
 +
                                               
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                             
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-6">
 +
                                    <h4>Contact with Veterinarians</h4>
 +
                                   
 +
                                    <p>
 +
                                        Cataracts affect millions of people’s lives as a result of aging and diseases; however, many pet owners come across the problem of their pets suffering from cataracts as well. To alleviate this problem, we investigated if the potential benefits of our solution can be applied to domestic animals as well.
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                                    <p>
 +
                                        As we continued to develop our project, we also hoped to treat cataracts in animals. We consulted with veterinarians at clinics around Taipei. We visited two veterinarian clinics, (Nicholas Animal Hospital and Tai Pu Veterinarian Hospital) and asked various others about the viability of our project. From these interviews we learned that there are already commercial eye drops available, which are prescribed for pets, but that these are not very effective. One of the drugs developed is called Ocluvet(R), which we purchased and used in our experiments to compare to our own treatment design.
 +
 
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                           
 +
                              <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
                                  <br>
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/0/04/T--TAS_Taipei--Trip1.png">
 +
<p><b>Dr. Li Guo Min </b> Veterinarian at Nicholas Animal Hospital</p>
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                               
 +
                               
 +
                            </div>
 +
                          <br><br>
 +
                            <div class="row">
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                    <h3 id="ConstructPrevention"></h3>
 +
                                        <br>
 +
                                    <h4>Contact with Science Researchers</h4>
 +
                                    <p>
 +
                                        Researchers’ firsthand knowledge, regardless of how many papers one reads on PubMed, provides a better understanding on specific topics of research. Thus, in order to gain a better understanding of specific areas of our project, we contacted researchers to learn more about 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC) and Chitosan nanoparticles.
 +
 
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                          </div>
 +
                            <div class="row">
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                    <div class="row">
 +
                                        <figure class = "col-sm-3">
 +
                                        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/5/5e/T--TAS_Taipei--Doctor3.png">
 +
                                        </figure>
 +
                                        <div class="col-sm-3">
 +
                                            <p>
 +
                                                <b>Dr.  Jason Cyster </b>is a professor of Microbiology and Immunology at University of California, San Francisco; School of Medicine.
 +
                                            </p>
 +
                                        </div>
 +
                                        <figure class = "col-sm-3">
 +
                                        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/b/b6/T--TAS_Taipei--Doctor4.png">
 +
                                        </figure>
 +
                                        <div class="col-sm-3">
 +
                                            <p>
 +
                                                <b>Dr. Jason E. Gestwicki </b>is an associate professor in the Department of Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases at University of California, San Francisco; School of Medicine. 
 +
                                            </p>
 +
                                        </div>
 +
                                    </div>
 +
                                   
 +
                                   
 +
                                </div>
 +
                          </div>
 +
                    <br><br>
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                              <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                    <p>Our questions were primarily focused on how 25HC works on the molecular level. We asked questions such as: what are the current researches conducted that uses 25HC? To what extent is 25HC responsible for reversing protein aggregation? And what are effective methods for 25HC storage?  Both professors gave thorough responses on these questions, which we then used in our experiments. One response that was particularly helpful from Dr. Cyster was his suggestions on effective ways to store 25HC, in which he provided us with a recommended storage temperature. Dr. Gestwicki also provided us with two published papers that helped us understand the mechanism by which 25HC reverses cataract formation and this helped elucidate our understanding of 25HC.</p>
 +
                            </div> 
 +
                        </div>
 +
                            <div class="row">
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                    <h4>Contact with Nanoparticle Engineers</h4>
 +
                                        <figure class = "col-sm-3">
 +
                                        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/4/48/T--TAS_Taipei--Doctors6.png">
 +
                                        </figure>
 +
                                        <div class="col-sm-9">
 +
                                            <p>
 +
                                                We met with <b>Dr. Eric P. Lee</b>, Senior member of Technical Staff at Maxim Integrated, and TAS alumnus, to discuss issues we were having concerning chitosan nanoparticles.  Specifically we had difficulty obtaining SEM images and with nanoparticle formation.  His advice on the specific order of adding TPP to chitosan helped us make consistent nanoparticles.  Additionally, he explained why we kept seeing large amorphous structures in our SEM images: a charge buildup in the nanoparticles from the electron beam. We used this information to improve our prototype and obtain quality images from both SEM and AFM.
 +
                                            </p>
 +
                                        </div> 
 +
                                </div>
 +
                            </div>
 +
 
 +
                          <br><br>
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                <h3 id="public"></h3>
 +
                                <br>
 +
                                <h3>Public Opinion</h3>
 +
                                        <br>
 +
                                    <h4>Bioethics Panel</h4>
 +
                                    <p>
 +
                                        We hosted a bioethics panel, where we invited teachers from various fields to engage in a conversation about bioethics and thoughts on our project in particular. The reason for including teachers from different fields is to allow our project and the topic of bioethics to be discussed from different perspectives. The panelists suggested that our project could really be applicable for use in dogs and cats. They also seemed unafraid of our use of nanoparticles, mainly due to the fact that they are biodegradable. 
 +
 
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                          </div>
 +
                            <div class="row">
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
     
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/f/f7/T--TAS_Taipei--EthicsPanel.png">
 +
                                   
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                                   
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/6/6a/T--TAS_Taipei--TeamPhotoHP.png">
 +
                             
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                               
 +
                               
 +
                            </div>
 +
                         
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                           
 +
                                    <h4>Cataract Survey</h4>
 +
                                    <p>
 +
                                        During TAS’s Spring Fair and our Taipei Cataract Awareness Day, we conducted a survey, from which we derived a general public sense of the following: <br>
 +
<UL>
 +
<LI>Understanding of cataracts </li>
 +
<LI>Willingness to use GMO products </li>
 +
<LI>Willingness to use our product in humans and pets </li>
 +
<LI>Side effect tolerance </li>
 +
<LI>Willingness to pay for cataract surgery </li>
 +
</UL>
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                              <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/b/bf/T--TAS_Taipei--iGEM_Survey_2016_-_Google_Forms.extension.pdf"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to download our survey results!</button></a>
 +
                          </div>
 +
                           
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                           
 +
                                    <h4>Interviews with Cataract Patients</h4>
 +
                                    <p>
 +
                                        We interviewed two former cataract patients about their experiences with surgery. Both patients suffered from inconveniences due to the synthetic lens options, which would either make one nearsighted or farsighted. Complications due to surgery varied among individual cases; one suffered from dryness and irritation of the eye, while the other had no complications at all. Both of them stated that the surgery process was efficient and effective; however, if given the choice to apply effective eye drops instead of surgery, they’d be willing to use it rather than face surgery again. Dr. Moran’s and Mrs. Clapper’s experiences reinforce the disadvantages of surgery, and further motivated us to create a non-invasive solution.
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                                    <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/8/85/T--TAS_Taipei--Dr.moraninterview.pdf"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to see our interview with Dr. Catriona Moran</button></a> <br><br>
 +
                                    <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/2/2d/T--TAS_Taipei--Mrs.clapperinterview.pdf"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to see our interview with Mrs. Sharon Clapper</button></a>
 +
                                    <br><br>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                          </div>
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-3">
 +
                                    <p><br><br>
 +
                                    <b>Dr. Catriona Moran </b>is a former patient of cataract surgery
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                              </div>
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-3">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/f/f7/T--TAS_Taipei--Patient1.png">
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                              <div class="col-sm-3">
 +
                                    <p><br><br>
 +
                                    <b>Mrs. Sharon Clapper </b>is a former patient of cataracts surgery
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                              </div>
 +
                           
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-3">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/d/d3/T--TAS_Taipei--Patient2.png">
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                               
 +
                               
 +
                            </div>
 +
                         
 +
                         
 +
                         
 +
               
 +
                         
 +
                    </div>
 +
                </div>
 +
                    <br><br>
 +
               
 +
                    <div class = "row">
 +
              <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
        <h2 id = 'outreach'>Outreach</h2>
 +
                            <div class="row">
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                    <p>
 +
                                    From interviews with cataract patients, ophthalmologists, veterinarians, polls from residents in Taipei and our school community, we learned that cataracts are prevalent and have a huge impact on everyday life. Now we wanted to raise awareness through education. We started by informing teachers and students of various grade levels about the severity and causes of cataracts, and how our project could tackle these problems.
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                                    <p>Then, in our community, we handed out pamphlets, taught people how cataracts form, and simulated a cataract experience by wearing goggles of varying cloudiness.  Below is a list of activities and programs that we did in outreach.  </p>
 +
                                   
 +
                                </div>
 +
                          </div>
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                                <h3>Spring Fair</h3>
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-6">
 +
                                <h3 id="ConstructPrevention"></h3>                           
 +
                                <p>
 +
                                    This is a photo of a lower school student at our booth, playing our interactive game and learning about what it is like to have cataracts.
 +
                                </p>
 +
                                <p>During Spring Fair we conducted a survey to gather public opinion and designed an interactive game to raise awareness of cataracts. In the survey we asked questions regarding people’s opinions on genetically modified organisms, cataract surgery, and our project. For the game we taped parafilm onto lab goggles and asked people who came to our booth to play the “piano tiles” app with those goggles on, and thus experiencing a real life simulation of the effects of cataracts on vision. </p>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                              <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/7/70/T--TAS_Taipei--SpringFairHP.png">
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                             
 +
                               
 +
                            </div>
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                               
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                <h3 id="ConstructPrevention"></h3>
 +
                                    <br>
 +
                                <h3>Taipei Cataract Awareness Day</h3>
 +
                                <p>Our team went on an excursion to five different landmarks in Taipei and passed out flyers containing information on cataracts to the general public. We explained the formation of cataracts and the basic concepts of our project to local crowds and asked them to fill out our survey to get a wider sample size. 
 +
</p>
 +
                                    <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLJ8-ZtYwg8"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to watch our Excursion!</button></a>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                               
 +
                            </div>
 +
                            <div class="row">
 +
                               
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                <h3 id="ConstructPrevention"></h3>
 +
                                    <br>
 +
                                <h3>Kindergarten Science Experiments</h3>
 +
                                <p>
 +
                                    We designed some easy experiments so that Kindergarten students could explore some common science concepts.  The kids (and our team members) loved it!  Some of the experiments included how to use the microscope, why light reflects through prisms, and how static electricity works. 
 +
                                </p>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                                <a href="https://vimeo.com/153454343"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to watch the Kindergarden video!</button></a>
 +
                               
 +
                            </div>
 +
                          <br><br>
 +
                            <div class="row">
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/0/08/T--TAS_Taipei--Kinder1.png">
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/7/74/T--TAS_Taipei--Kinder3.png">
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                            </div>
 +
                         
 +
                          <br><br>
 +
 
 +
                            <div class="row">
 +
                               
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                <h3 id="ConstructPrevention"></h3>
 +
                                    <br>
 +
                                <h3>7th Grade Introduction to Synthetic Biology</h3>
 +
                                    <p>
 +
                                        For 7th Graders we decided to introduce the concepts of synthetic biology, since they had just be introduced to DNA in their science classes.  Aside from teaching a general idea of what synthetic biology is, we also introduced them to some basic laboratory techniques essential to synthetic biology. We made up scenarios and asked them to solve these problems using different combinations of standardized parts (promoter, RBS, different ORFs, etc.). They also learned how to use micropipettes and run a gel!
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                                    <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtgFyzSYF-I"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to watch 7th grade teaching!</button></a>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                               
 +
                            </div>
 +
                          <br><br>
 +
                            <div class="row">
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/8/8e/T--TAS_Taipei--Seven1.png">
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/8/8b/T--TAS_Taipei--Seven3.png">
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                            </div>
 +
                          <br><br>
 +
                       
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                               
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-6">
 +
                                <h3 id="ConstructPrevention"></h3>
 +
                                    <br>
 +
                                <h3>
 +
                                    International baccalaureate 11th grade</h3>
 +
                                    <p>
 +
                                        We presented our project to 11th grade IB students. Since they were learning about genetic engineering concepts, we gave a presentation on the details of our project to gain feedback.
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/4/4a/T--TAS_Taipei--IBSL1.png">
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                               
 +
                            </div>
 +
                                <div class="row">
 +
                               
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                <h3 id="ConstructPrevention"></h3>
 +
                                    <br>
 +
                                <h3>Biobuilder Club</h3>
 +
                                    <p>
 +
                                        23 high school teams from around the world joined the BioBuilder Club, which is run by the BioBuilder Educational Foundation.  This club held online meetings once a month so the teams could brainstorm synthetic biology project topics, project design, and collectively troubleshoot problems encountered by each team. The club held a final assembly in Boston at Lab Central, and we were excited to present our poster in absentia from Taipei.
 +
                                    </p><br><br>
 +
                                    <a href="http://biobuilder club.org/"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to join Biobuilder Club!</button></a>
 +
<br><br>
 +
                                    <a href="http://tasbiobuilder.weebly.com/"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to visit our Biobuilder Club webpage!</button></a>
 +
<br><br>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                               
 +
                                </p>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                            </div>
 +
                            <figure class = "col-sm-12">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/b/b5/T--TAS_Taipei--Biobuilder.png">
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                               
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                               
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                <h3 id="ConstructPrevention"></h3>
 +
                                    <br>
 +
                                <h3>Science Research Symposium  </h3>
 +
                                    <p>
 +
                                        During the school year when we were brainstorming for potential project ideas, our team members were divided into several groups and gave presentations on those topics at the school’s Science Research Symposium.  Over 80 students from 11 research classes presented their own research from all different areas to the school community.  This allowed us to receive feedback on our project ideas from both students and teachers. This really helped us decide our final project idea. 
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                                    <a href="https://vimeo.com/148193740"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to watch the symposium poster session!</button></a>
 +
                                    <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TjGFL1X4VM"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to watch the symposium oral presentation!!</button></a>
 +
<br>
 +
<h3>Research Speaker Series  </h3>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                                  </div>
 +
                          <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                <h3 id="ConstructPrevention"></h3>
 +
                                  <p>
 +
                                        We invited two science researchers to come to our school and give presentations on their research. This allowed us to learn how scientists conduct actual scientific research and also expanded our knowledge in other areas of science. Below are the science researchers that came. 
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                            </div>
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/1/1e/T--TAS_Taipei--DrChangSymposium.png">
 +
                                    <figcaption class='darkblue'><b>Dr. Ying Chih Chang </b>, Research Fellow and Professor, Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica</figcaption>
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/d/dc/T--TAS_Taipei--DrHsuSympo.png">
 +
                                    <figcaption class='darkblue'><b>Dr. Chia-Lin Hsu, Assistant Professor</b>, National Yang Ming University, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology</b>Full Construct.</figcaption>
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                            </div>
 +
                          <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                <h3 id="ConstructPrevention"></h3>
 +
                                    <br>
 +
                                 
 +
                                </div>
 +
                        <div class="row">
 +
                               
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-6">
 +
                                <h3 id="ConstructPrevention"></h3>
 +
                                <h3>Club</h3>
 +
                                    <p>
 +
                                        The iGEM Club was established 3 years ago, and the purpose of is to raise awareness of synthetic biology in the TAS community. Club activities allow underclassmen to experience iGEM-related activities and develop potential team members. 
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                            <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/b/b3/T--TAS_Taipei--clubfair.JPG">
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                               
 +
                            </div>
 +
                          <br><br>
 +
                        <h3>Facebook/Twitter</h3>
 +
                            <div class="row">
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-3"></div>
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/4/45/T--TAS_Taipei--FBTwitter.png">
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-3"></div>                             
 +
                                <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IGEM-TAS_Taipei-458152184340374/"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to visit our Facebook page!</button></a>  <a href="https://twitter.com/igem_tas"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg" align="right">Click to visit our Twitter page!</button></a>
 +
                            </div>
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                               
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
                                <h3 id="ConstructPrevention"></h3>
 +
                                    <br>
 +
                                <h3>Collaborations with Other iGEM Teams</h3>
 +
                                    <p>
 +
                                  We collaborated  with two iGEM teams, National Yang Ming University (NYMU) and American School in Japan (ASIJ).  We mentored the ASIJ-Tokyo high school iGEM team, which is a new High school iGEM team this year. We taught them how to start and structure a new team, what lab and online resources to use for experiments, and how to set up a lab notebook. In return, they helped us test our nanoparticle calculator by running simulations from the standpoint of a patient, doctor, and manufacturer.
 +
                                    </p>
 +
                                    <p>We also continued our long standing partnership with National Yang Ming University (NYMU_Taipei). Three students from our team have been interning on the NYMU-Taipei team (they are members to both teams) to learn about synthetic biology and some basic lab techniques.  Two of these students will be presenting for the NYMU_Taipei team presentation. NYMU-Taipei also hosted a summer camp for our team members, where they taught us about different aspects of iGEM. In return, we helped them increase the efficiency of their model using equations from their literature research and ran simulations using their experimental data. Finally, they also gave tremendous advice on troubleshooting our cloning procedure during the summer months when we ran the majority of our wet lab experiments. We really value the relationship we have with NYMU and look forward to more collaborations in the future.</p>
 +
                                    <p>These collaborations not only created opportunities for us to help each other with problems, but also allowed us to exchange ideas and stimulate creativity. It is also fun to share stories about lab work, successes, and even failures.</p>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                               
 +
                            </div>
 +
                          <br><br>
 +
                            <div class="row">
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/a/a5/T--TAS_Taipei--NYMU_Summer_Camp.JPG">
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/6/66/T--TAS_Taipei--teamphoto2.jpg">
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                            </div>
 +
 
 +
                    </div>
 +
                                   
 +
               
 +
                    <div class = "row">
 +
              <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
        <h2 id = 'impact'>Impact</h2>
 +
                           
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                                <h3 id="marketing"></h3>
 +
                                    <h3>Counteracts Marketing Plan</h3>
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-8">
 +
                               
 +
                                <p>
 +
                                    With the help of our business and economics teacher, we developed a comprehensive marketing plan for our cataract prevention and treatment products, in order to create a more profound impact in terms of public awareness of cataracts.  Within this plan we performed a situational analysis based on market research, customer analysis, environmental/industrial considerations, and regulatory constraints (such as quality control and SWOT analysis). Furthermore, we statistically analyzed our products’ viability in the market by developing pricing and promotional strategies. Upon completion, we initiated discussions with several biotechnology investors and published our plan on business starter websites to garner interest.</p>
 +
                                    <p>We received constructive feedback from a former intern at RA Capital (a biotechnology investment firm). He suggested that we focus on cost projections, for it would put us in a better position to engage with venture capitalists. He also thought our competitor analysis and initial market sizing was impressive. Furthermore, this plan was shown to an opthamologist, Dr. Tai-Yuan Wang, and he suggested that with an FDA approval and clinical trials, he would be interested in our products. Thus, we can conclude that our products have the potential to compete in market.
 +
                                </p>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                              <figure class = "col-sm-4">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/9/9c/T--TAS_Taipei--Impact1.png">
 +
<p><b>Mr. Alexander Kaufman,</b> a former intern at RA Capital (a biotechnology investment firm)<p>
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                               
 +
                            </div>
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                               
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-6">
 +
                                    <h3>Marketing Plan Synopsis</h3>
 +
                                <p>
 +
                                    There exists a significant market opportunity for cataract treatment worldwide. Over 3 million cataract surgeries are performed in the United States every year, and cataracts have attributed to 51% of world blindness. Although cataract surgery is the dominant procedure in this market, we have developed a product which provides distinctive advantages, and created a marketing plan which serves as a guide for establishing a successful business.
 +
                                </p>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                            <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/f/fa/T--TAS_Taipei--MarketPlan.png">
 +
                               
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                              <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/d/d5/T--TAS_Taipei--marketingplan.pdf"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to download our survey results!</button></a>
 +
                               
 +
                            </div>
 +
                         
 +
                         
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                                <h3>Fundraising Efforts for Cataract Charity</h3>
 +
                                <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
 
 +
                                    <h3 id="fundraising"></h3>
 +
                                    <br>
 +
 
 +
                                   
 +
                                <p>
 +
                                    Lastly, we wanted to make a real impact in people’s lives who were experiencing cataracts. Despite our project’s goal of delivering cataract relief non-invasively, we realize that surgery is currently the most effective way to eliminate cataracts. So, we held fundraisers (in the form of bake sales and club fairs) in order to donate to those who don’t have funds or access to surgery. We raised enough money for 14 surgeries through the Himalayan Cataract Project, which serves underprivileged cataract patients. 
 +
 
 +
                                </p>
 +
                                    <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAQgzXTy1W4"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to watch our bake sale!</button></a>
 +
                                    <a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/f/fc/T--TAS_Taipei--himalayancataractdonation.pdf"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to see our contribution!</button></a>
 +
                                    <br><br>
 +
                                    <br><a href="https://donate.cureblindness.org"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Click to donate to the Himalayan Cataract Project!!</button></a>
 +
                                </div>
 +
                             
 +
                             
 +
                               
 +
                            </div>
 +
                         
 +
                          <br><br>
 +
                          <div class="row">
 +
                               
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/e/e7/T--TAS_Taipei--Impact2.png">
 +
                                   
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                                <figure class = "col-sm-6">
 +
        <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/9/9c/T--TAS_Taipei--Impact3.png">
 +
                               
 +
                                </figure>
 +
                            </div>                       
 +
                         
 +
                                               
 +
                         
 +
                    </div>
 +
                </div>
 +
                    <br><br>
 +
               
 +
               
 +
                    <div class = "row">
 +
  <div class="col-sm-12">
 +
 +
        <br> <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>  <br>           
 +
  </div>
 +
    </div>
 +
            </div>
 +
</div>
 +
    </div>
 +
 +
<br>
 +
<br><br>
 +
 
 +
<canvas id="canvas-container" style = "z-index:-1"></canvas>
 +
<script type="text/javascript" src='https://2016.igem.org/Template:TAS_Taipei/js/field?action=raw&ctype=text/javascript'></script>
 +
 
 +
</body>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
<style type='text/css'>
 +
    #bg { position: fixed; top: 0; left: 0; }
 +
    .bgwidth { width: 100%; }
 +
    .bgheight { height: 100%; }
 +
</style>
 +
 
 +
<div class="backgroundpic">
 +
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/e/e5/T--TAS_Taipei--Taipei_Background_1.0.jpg" style="z-index:0" width="100%" height="100%" id="bg" alt="" >
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 +
<script>
 +
var nowRadius = 0
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 +
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 +
        duration: 20000,
 +
        easing:'swing', // or "linear"
 +
                        // use jQuery UI or Easing plugin for more options
 +
        step: function() {
 +
            console.log(this.blurRadius);
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            if ($("#bluebutton").hasClass("isOn") ) {return;};
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                "-webkit-filter": "blur("+this.blurRadius+"px)",
 +
                "filter": "blur("+this.blurRadius+"px)"
  
−
<div class="column half_size">
+
            });
−
<h5>Inspiration</h5>
+
            nowRadius = this.blurRadius;
−
<p>Read what other teams have done:</p>
+
        var LOCSnum = Math.round(nowRadius*6/9);
−
<ul>
+
        var NineLOCSnum = Math.round(nowRadius*6/9*10);
−
<li><a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Dundee/policypractice/experts">2014 Dundee </a></li>
+
        /**if (NineLOCSnum > 20) switchMessage("YELLOW","<b> Oh no! </b> Cataracts are forming! Click on the Eyedrop Tab and get <b>TREATMENT</b> eyedrops!", currentColor()=="GREEN");
−
<li><a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:UC_Davis/Policy_Practices_Overview">2014 UC Davis </a></li>
+
        if (NineLOCSnum == 55) $("#slideoutco").fadeOut(1000);
−
<li><a href="https://2013.igem.org/Team:Manchester/HumanPractices">2013 Manchester </a></li>
+
        if (NineLOCSnum > 60) switchMessage("RED","Your cataracts are very severe. You need to get TREATMENT fast by clicking the Eyedrop Tab", currentColor()=="YELLOW");*/
−
<li><a href="https://2013.igem.org/Team:Cornell/outreach">2013 Cornell </a></li>
+
        if (LOCSnum > 6) {LOCSnum = "6+"; $('#LOCS').text(LOCSnum+"");}
−
</ul>
+
        else $('#LOCS').text(LOCSnum+"");
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 +
        if (LOCSnum ==0) document.getElementById('bluebutton').click();
 +
        }
 +
    });
 +
 
 +
});
 +
 
 +
startBlur= function(speed) {
 +
    $({blurRadius: nowRadius}).animate({blurRadius: 10}, {
 +
        duration: speed,
 +
        easing: 'swing', // or "linear"
 +
                        // use jQuery UI or Easing plugin for more options
 +
        step: function() {
 +
            console.log(this.blurRadius);
 +
            if ($("#bluebutton").hasClass("isOn") ) {return;};
 +
            if($('#redbutton').hasClass("isOn") ) {return;}
 +
 
 +
            $('.backgroundpic').css({
 +
                "-webkit-filter": "blur("+this.blurRadius+"px)",
 +
                "filter": "blur("+this.blurRadius+"px)"
 +
 
 +
            });
 +
 
 +
        nowRadius = this.blurRadius;
 +
        var LOCSnum = Math.round(nowRadius*6/9);
 +
        var NineLOCSnum = Math.round(nowRadius*6/9*10);
 +
        /**if (NineLOCSnum == 15) $("#slideoutco").fadeOut(400);
 +
        if (NineLOCSnum > 20) switchMessage("RED","<b>Cataracts</b> are creeping back again! Click the PREVENTION eye drop to add GSR into your eyes!", currentColor()=="BLUE");*/
 +
        if (LOCSnum > 6) {LOCSnum = "6+"; $('#LOCS').text(LOCSnum+"");}
 +
        else $('#LOCS').text(LOCSnum+" ");
 +
       
 +
       
 +
        }
 +
    });
 +
};
 +
 
 +
stopBlur= function(speed) {
 +
 
 +
    $({blurRadius: nowRadius}).animate({blurRadius: 0}, {
 +
        duration: speed,
 +
        easing: 'swing', // or "linear"
 +
                        // use jQuery UI or Easing plugin for more options
 +
        step: function() {
 +
            console.log(this.blurRadius);
 +
        if ($("#redbutton").hasClass("isOn") ) {} else{return;};
 +
            $('.backgroundpic').css({
 +
                "-webkit-filter": "blur("+this.blurRadius+"px)",
 +
                "filter": "blur("+this.blurRadius+"px)"
 +
 
 +
            });
 +
        nowRadius = this.blurRadius;
 +
        var LOCSnum = Math.round(nowRadius*6/9);
 +
        var NineLOCSnum = Math.round(nowRadius*6/9*10);
 +
         
 +
        /**if (NineLOCSnum < 68){ if (NineLOCSnum > 10) if(currentColor()=="RED" ||  currentColor() == "BLUE") $("#slideoutco").fadeOut(0); switchMessage("YELLOW","<b> Treating</b> your cataract with <b>25HC Eyedrops </b>", currentColor()=="RED");
 +
                              }
 +
        if (NineLOCSnum == 9) $("#slideoutco").fadeOut(0);
 +
       
 +
           
 +
        if (NineLOCSnum < 5) {
 +
            if ($("#bluebutton").hasClass("isOn")){
 +
                   
 +
                switchMessage("GREEN","<b>Your eyes are <i>pernamently</i> crystal clear!</b> Treatment is not needed, so don't forget to turn it off!. Click the question mark to learn more.", currentColor()=="BLUE")
 +
            }
 +
            else switchMessage("BLUE","Your eyes are crystal clear! To avoid waste, please turn off the <b>TREATMENT</b> eyedrop.", currentColor()=="YELLOW");
 +
        }*/
 +
        if (LOCSnum > 6) LOCSnum = "6+";
 +
        else LOCSnum = LOCSnum +" ";
 +
        $('#LOCS').text(LOCSnum+"");   
 +
       
 +
        }
 +
    });
 +
   
 +
   
 +
};
 +
 
 +
function chooseBlur() {
 +
  if ($("#redbutton").hasClass("isOn") )
 +
      {
 +
      stopBlur(4500);
 +
 
 +
            }
 +
 
 +
    else {
 +
            if($("#bluebutton").hasClass("isOn") ) {}
 +
            else {startBlur(12000);}
 +
          }
 +
    /**if (!$("#redbutton").hasClass("isOn"))
 +
        if ($("#bluebutton").hasClass("isOn"))
 +
            {
 +
                $("#slideoutco").fadeOut(0);
 +
                switchMessage("BLUE","Great! Furthur cataract formation is prevented with GSR Eyedrops. Now use <b>TREATMENT</b> eyedrops one last time.", currentColor()=="RED")
 +
            }*/
 +
};
 +
 
 +
 
 +
</script>
 +
 
 +
<script>
 +
 
 +
function switchToggleB() {
 +
    if ( $("#bluebutton").hasClass("isOn") ) {
 +
        $("#bluebutton").removeClass("isOn"); }
 +
  else { $("#bluebutton").addClass("isOn"); }
 +
};
 +
function switchToggleR() {
 +
    if ( $("#redbutton").hasClass("isOn") ) {
 +
        $("#redbutton").removeClass("isOn"); }
 +
  else { $("#redbutton").addClass("isOn"); }
 +
};
 +
   
 +
function currentColor() {
 +
    if ($("#slidecontenttext").hasClass("alert-danger"))
 +
        return "RED";
 +
    if ($("#slidecontenttext").hasClass("alert-warning"))
 +
        return "YELLOW";
 +
    if ($("#slidecontenttext").hasClass("alert-info"))
 +
        return "BLUE";
 +
    if ($("#slidecontenttext").hasClass("alert-success"))
 +
        return "GREEN";
 +
    else return "NONE"
 +
};
 +
function switchMessage(color, textInside, refresh) {
 +
    var entirebox = document.getElementById("slideoutco");
 +
 
 +
    if (refresh)
 +
    {$(entirebox).fadeOut(100);
 +
    if ($("#slidecontenttext").hasClass("alert-danger"))
 +
        $("#slidecontenttext").removeClass("alert-danger");
 +
    if ($("#slidecontenttext").hasClass("alert-warning"))
 +
        $("#slidecontenttext").removeClass("alert-warning");
 +
    if ($("#slidecontenttext").hasClass("alert-info"))
 +
        $("#slidecontenttext").removeClass("alert-info");
 +
    if ($("#slidecontenttext").hasClass("alert-success"))
 +
        $("#slidecontenttext").removeClass("alert-success");
 +
    if (color == "RED")
 +
        $("#slidecontenttext").addClass("alert-danger");
 +
    if (color == "YELLOW")
 +
        $("#slidecontenttext").addClass("alert-warning");
 +
    if (color == "BLUE")
 +
        $("#slidecontenttext").addClass("alert-info");
 +
    if (color == "GREEN")
 +
        $("#slidecontenttext").addClass("alert-success");
 +
   
 +
   
 +
    $("#slidecontenttext").html(textInside);
 +
    $(entirebox).fadeIn(500);
 +
    }
 +
   
 +
};
 +
 
 +
 
 +
</script>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
<canvas id="canvas-container" style = "z-index:-1" hidden></canvas>
 +
<script type="text/javascript" src='https://2015.igem.org/Template:TAS_Taipei/js/field?action=raw&ctype=text/javascript' hidden></script/>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
<script type="text/javascript">
 +
/* Toggle between adding and removing the "active" and "show" classes when the user clicks on one of the "Section" buttons. The "active" class is used to add a background color to the current button when its belonging panel is open. The "show" class is used to open the specific accordion panel */
 +
var acc = document.getElementsByClassName("accordion");
 +
var i;
 +
 
 +
for (i = 0; i < acc.length; i++) {
 +
    acc[i].onclick = function(){
 +
        this.classList.toggle("active");
 +
        this.nextElementSibling.classList.toggle("show");
 +
    }
 +
}
 +
</script>
 +
 
 +
<script type="text/javascript">
 +
$("#category_navbar a").on('click', function(event) {
 +
    // Make sure this.hash has a value before overriding default behavior
 +
    if (this.hash !== "") {
 +
      // Prevent default anchor click behavior
 +
      event.preventDefault();
 +
 
 +
      // Store hash0
 +
      var hash = this.hash;
 +
 
 +
      // Using jQuery's animate() method to add smooth page scroll
 +
      // The optional number (800) specifies the number of milliseconds it takes to scroll to the specified area
 +
      $('html, body').animate({
 +
        scrollTop: $(hash).offset().top
 +
      }, 800, function(){
 +
 
 +
        // Add hash (#) to URL when done scrolling (default click behavior)
 +
        window.location.hash = hash;
 +
      });
 +
    }  // End if
 +
  });
 +
 
 +
 
 +
</script>
 +
 
 +
<div id="slideout">
 +
    <div id="slidecontent">
 +
        <h3>Prevention</h3>  
 +
        <h5>GSR Eyedrop</h5>  
 +
        <label class="switch">
 +
            <input id="bluebutton" onClick="switchToggleB(); chooseBlur()" type="checkbox">
 +
            <div class="slider round bluecolorbutton"></div>
 +
        </label>
 +
<br>
 +
 
 +
        <h3>Treatment</h3>
 +
        <h5>25HC Eyedrop</h5>
 +
        <label class="switch">
 +
            <input id="redbutton" onClick="switchToggleR(); chooseBlur()" type="checkbox">
 +
            <div class="slider round redcolorbutton"></div>
 +
        </label>
 +
        <h4><b> LOCS: <span id="LOCS">0 &#160;</span></b> &#160; &#160; <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Wiki_Standard_Pages#Animation"><button  type="button" class="btn btn-danger btn-md">?</button> </a>
 +
 
 +
    </div>
 +
    <div id="clickme">
 +
    <h2 class="vertical-text" style="Lato" !important>
 +
            <br> Eyedrops
 +
    </h2>
 +
        <br><br><br>
 +
       
 +
    </div>
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
<div id="slideoutco">
 +
    <div id="slidecontentco">
 +
        <div id="slidecontenttext" class="alert alert-danger">
 +
            <p style="font-size:14px !important"> <a href="#" class="close" data-dismiss="alert">&times;</a>
 +
                <strong>Zoom out to see animation.</strong> &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160; &#160;<a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:TAS_Taipei/Wiki_Standard_Pages#Animation"><button  type="button" class="btn btn-danger btn-sm">?</button> </a><span style="font-size:14px"><br>Your screen resolution is too low unless you zoom out </span></p>
 +
           
 +
        </div>
 +
    </div>
 +
</div>
 +
 +
<javascript>
 +
   
 +
</javascript>
 +
 +
<style type='text/css'>
 +
 +
#slideout {
 +
    background: #FFD700;
 +
    position: fixed;
 +
    height: 300px;
 +
    width: 200px;
 +
    top: 30%;
 +
    right:-150px;
 +
    padding-left: 60px;
 +
    z-index:30;
 +
    border-radius: 25px;
 +
 +
 +
}
 +
   
 +
#slideoutco {
 +
    position: fixed;
 +
    height: 200px;
 +
    width: 300px;
 +
    top: 78%;
 +
    right:1%;
 +
    padding-left: 10px;
 +
    padding-right: 10px;
 +
    border-radius: 10px;
 +
    z-index:30;
 +
}
 +
   
 +
#clickme {
 +
    position: absolute;
 +
    top: 0; left: 0;
 +
    height: 300px;
 +
    width: 50px;
 +
    background: #FFBA49;
 +
    z-index:30;
 +
    border-radius: 25px 5px 5px 25px;
 +
}
 +
 +
#slidecontent {
 +
    float:left;
 +
}
 +
   
 +
#slidecontentco {
 +
    float:left;
 +
}
 +
 +
.vertical-text {
 +
transform: rotate(90deg);
 +
transform-origin: left bottom 0;
 +
  float: left;
 +
}
 +
/* The switch - the box around the slider */
 +
.switch {
 +
  position: relative;
 +
  display: inline-block;
 +
  width: 60px;
 +
  height: 34px;
 +
}
 +
 +
/* Hide default HTML checkbox */
 +
.switch input {display:none;}
 +
 +
/* The slider */
 +
.slider {
 +
  position: absolute;
 +
  cursor: pointer;
 +
  top: 0;
 +
  left: 0;
 +
  right: 0;
 +
  bottom: 0;
 +
  background-color: #ccc;
 +
  -webkit-transition: .4s;
 +
  transition: .4s;
 +
}
 +
 +
 +
.slider:before {
 +
  position: absolute;
 +
  content: "";
 +
  height: 26px;
 +
  width: 26px;
 +
  left: 4px;
 +
  bottom: 4px;
 +
  background-color: white;
 +
  -webkit-transition: .4s;
 +
  transition: .4s;
 +
}
 +
 +
input:checked + .slider.bluecolorbutton {
 +
  background-color: #2196F3;
 +
}
 +
 +
input:focus + .slider.bluecolorbutton {
 +
  box-shadow: 0 0 1px #2196F3;
 +
}
 +
 +
input:checked + .slider.redcolorbutton {
 +
  background-color: #FF0000;
 +
}
 +
 +
input:focus + .slider.redcolorbutton {
 +
  box-shadow: 0 0 1px #FF0000;
 +
}
 +
 +
 +
 +
input:checked + .slider:before {
 +
  -webkit-transform: translateX(26px);
 +
  -ms-transform: translateX(26px);
 +
  transform: translateX(26px);
 +
}
 +
 +
/* Rounded sliders */
 +
.slider.round {
 +
  border-radius: 34px;
 +
}
 +
 +
.slider.round:before {
 +
  border-radius: 50%;
 +
}
 +
input[type=text] {
 +
    width: 100%;
 +
    padding: 12px 20px;
 +
    margin: 8px 0;
 +
    box-sizing: border-box;
 +
    border: 3px solid #ccc;
 +
    -webkit-transition: 0.5s;
 +
    transition: 0.5s;
 +
    outline: none;
 +
}
 +
input[type=text]:focus {
 +
    border: 3px solid #555;
 +
}
 +
</style>
 +
<script>
 +
$(function () {
 +
    var rightVal = -150;
 +
   
 +
        $("#clickme").click(function () {
 +
       
 +
        rightVal = (rightVal * -1) - 150;
 +
        $(this).parent().animate({right: rightVal + 'px'}, {queue: false, duration: 500});
 +
    });
 +
   
 +
});
 +
 +
 +
 +
</script>
  
  
 +
</body>
  
 
</html>
 
</html>

Latest revision as of 14:26, 2 December 2016

Human Practice - TAS Taipei iGEM Wiki




C◎UNTERACTS

Human Practice Summary

What we discovered through our findings in policy and practice helped shaped the trajectory of our project. We gathered data from researchers, medical doctors, veterinarians, cataract patients, and public opinions to find out the best way to develop our project so that it can benefit as many people as possible.

Our Policy and Practice is separated into three categories, Research, Outreach and Impact. In the Research category, we collected and analyzed data from researchers, doctors, vets, investors, patients and the general public. This information shaped the direction of every part of our project, including the construct design, nanoparticle prototype synthesis and delivery, biological modeling and the development of a marketing plan for selling our final product. In the Outreach category, we educated the public and spread awareness of our cataracts project, synthetic biology and science in general. We also collaborated and communicated with two iGEM teams to help solve problems together. Through educating and raising awareness, we hope not only to get more people involved in finding a solution to cataracts, but also to get more people involved and interested in synthetic biology research. The final category, Impact, includes working with organizations and infrastructure that is already in place to actually help people who suffer from Cataracts. We have raised funds, through bake sales and other events, to donate to the Himalayan Cataracts Project, a non-profit organization based in Nepal. With the help of our business and economics teacher, we have also created a marketing plan and started discussions with several biotech investors about the possibility of getting our project to market.

Research


Professional Help

In order to improve our research and prototype, we needed to get in contact with experts in the fields of eye surgery and cataract research. Our first step was to contact eye doctors to discuss any problems associated with current cataract treatments. Finally, while developing our project we realized that cataracts are a major issue in pets and other animals as well. As a result, we contacted local veterinarians to discuss what pet owners do when their pets develop cataracts. As our project developed, we needed more specific information regarding our genes of interest, cataract development, and our delivery mechanism. We contacted scientists doing research similar to our own to get their opinions on our projects as well.



Contact with Eye Doctors

We contacted local Taiwanese eye doctors to ask them about cataracts surgery. Here is a list of the doctors we contacted along with the information they provided:

Dr. Wei-Chi Wu is a retina specialist and an associate professor at Chang Gung memorial hospital in Taiwan.

Dr. Tsu Chieh Cheng is a opthamologist at Chang Cheng eye hospital in Taiwan.


According to Dr. Wu current cataract surgery methods are efficient and effective, but are not without their issues. Beside the high cost of surgery, there can also be several different post-surgery complications such as infection, hemorrhaging, or secondary glaucoma. In regards to our project, he said one of the biggest issues we would face is non-invasive delivery. Currently, injections and incisions are the only methods for delivery because all current potential methods of noninvasive delivery either lack efficiency or induce side effects.

Dr. Cheng points out that aside from possibly causing complications such as astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia, cataract surgeries have risks, such as wound infections, dislodgement of lens, and massive bleeding during surgeries are not uncommon. He remarked that our project sounded very promising, but the effect that the drug has on other parts of the eye must be checked. Furthermore, he suggested that we use rabbits or dogs as animal models, because they can be observed more easily.

Contact with Veterinarians

Cataracts affect millions of people’s lives as a result of aging and diseases; however, many pet owners come across the problem of their pets suffering from cataracts as well. To alleviate this problem, we investigated if the potential benefits of our solution can be applied to domestic animals as well.

As we continued to develop our project, we also hoped to treat cataracts in animals. We consulted with veterinarians at clinics around Taipei. We visited two veterinarian clinics, (Nicholas Animal Hospital and Tai Pu Veterinarian Hospital) and asked various others about the viability of our project. From these interviews we learned that there are already commercial eye drops available, which are prescribed for pets, but that these are not very effective. One of the drugs developed is called Ocluvet(R), which we purchased and used in our experiments to compare to our own treatment design.


Dr. Li Guo Min Veterinarian at Nicholas Animal Hospital




Contact with Science Researchers

Researchers’ firsthand knowledge, regardless of how many papers one reads on PubMed, provides a better understanding on specific topics of research. Thus, in order to gain a better understanding of specific areas of our project, we contacted researchers to learn more about 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC) and Chitosan nanoparticles.

Dr. Jason Cyster is a professor of Microbiology and Immunology at University of California, San Francisco; School of Medicine.

Dr. Jason E. Gestwicki is an associate professor in the Department of Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases at University of California, San Francisco; School of Medicine.



Our questions were primarily focused on how 25HC works on the molecular level. We asked questions such as: what are the current researches conducted that uses 25HC? To what extent is 25HC responsible for reversing protein aggregation? And what are effective methods for 25HC storage? Both professors gave thorough responses on these questions, which we then used in our experiments. One response that was particularly helpful from Dr. Cyster was his suggestions on effective ways to store 25HC, in which he provided us with a recommended storage temperature. Dr. Gestwicki also provided us with two published papers that helped us understand the mechanism by which 25HC reverses cataract formation and this helped elucidate our understanding of 25HC.

Contact with Nanoparticle Engineers

We met with Dr. Eric P. Lee, Senior member of Technical Staff at Maxim Integrated, and TAS alumnus, to discuss issues we were having concerning chitosan nanoparticles. Specifically we had difficulty obtaining SEM images and with nanoparticle formation. His advice on the specific order of adding TPP to chitosan helped us make consistent nanoparticles. Additionally, he explained why we kept seeing large amorphous structures in our SEM images: a charge buildup in the nanoparticles from the electron beam. We used this information to improve our prototype and obtain quality images from both SEM and AFM.




Public Opinion


Bioethics Panel

We hosted a bioethics panel, where we invited teachers from various fields to engage in a conversation about bioethics and thoughts on our project in particular. The reason for including teachers from different fields is to allow our project and the topic of bioethics to be discussed from different perspectives. The panelists suggested that our project could really be applicable for use in dogs and cats. They also seemed unafraid of our use of nanoparticles, mainly due to the fact that they are biodegradable.

Cataract Survey

During TAS’s Spring Fair and our Taipei Cataract Awareness Day, we conducted a survey, from which we derived a general public sense of the following:

  • Understanding of cataracts
  • Willingness to use GMO products
  • Willingness to use our product in humans and pets
  • Side effect tolerance
  • Willingness to pay for cataract surgery

Interviews with Cataract Patients

We interviewed two former cataract patients about their experiences with surgery. Both patients suffered from inconveniences due to the synthetic lens options, which would either make one nearsighted or farsighted. Complications due to surgery varied among individual cases; one suffered from dryness and irritation of the eye, while the other had no complications at all. Both of them stated that the surgery process was efficient and effective; however, if given the choice to apply effective eye drops instead of surgery, they’d be willing to use it rather than face surgery again. Dr. Moran’s and Mrs. Clapper’s experiences reinforce the disadvantages of surgery, and further motivated us to create a non-invasive solution.







Dr. Catriona Moran is a former patient of cataract surgery



Mrs. Sharon Clapper is a former patient of cataracts surgery



Outreach

From interviews with cataract patients, ophthalmologists, veterinarians, polls from residents in Taipei and our school community, we learned that cataracts are prevalent and have a huge impact on everyday life. Now we wanted to raise awareness through education. We started by informing teachers and students of various grade levels about the severity and causes of cataracts, and how our project could tackle these problems.

Then, in our community, we handed out pamphlets, taught people how cataracts form, and simulated a cataract experience by wearing goggles of varying cloudiness. Below is a list of activities and programs that we did in outreach.

Spring Fair

This is a photo of a lower school student at our booth, playing our interactive game and learning about what it is like to have cataracts.

During Spring Fair we conducted a survey to gather public opinion and designed an interactive game to raise awareness of cataracts. In the survey we asked questions regarding people’s opinions on genetically modified organisms, cataract surgery, and our project. For the game we taped parafilm onto lab goggles and asked people who came to our booth to play the “piano tiles” app with those goggles on, and thus experiencing a real life simulation of the effects of cataracts on vision.


Taipei Cataract Awareness Day

Our team went on an excursion to five different landmarks in Taipei and passed out flyers containing information on cataracts to the general public. We explained the formation of cataracts and the basic concepts of our project to local crowds and asked them to fill out our survey to get a wider sample size.


Kindergarten Science Experiments

We designed some easy experiments so that Kindergarten students could explore some common science concepts. The kids (and our team members) loved it! Some of the experiments included how to use the microscope, why light reflects through prisms, and how static electricity works.






7th Grade Introduction to Synthetic Biology

For 7th Graders we decided to introduce the concepts of synthetic biology, since they had just be introduced to DNA in their science classes. Aside from teaching a general idea of what synthetic biology is, we also introduced them to some basic laboratory techniques essential to synthetic biology. We made up scenarios and asked them to solve these problems using different combinations of standardized parts (promoter, RBS, different ORFs, etc.). They also learned how to use micropipettes and run a gel!






International baccalaureate 11th grade

We presented our project to 11th grade IB students. Since they were learning about genetic engineering concepts, we gave a presentation on the details of our project to gain feedback.


Biobuilder Club

23 high school teams from around the world joined the BioBuilder Club, which is run by the BioBuilder Educational Foundation. This club held online meetings once a month so the teams could brainstorm synthetic biology project topics, project design, and collectively troubleshoot problems encountered by each team. The club held a final assembly in Boston at Lab Central, and we were excited to present our poster in absentia from Taipei.








Science Research Symposium

During the school year when we were brainstorming for potential project ideas, our team members were divided into several groups and gave presentations on those topics at the school’s Science Research Symposium. Over 80 students from 11 research classes presented their own research from all different areas to the school community. This allowed us to receive feedback on our project ideas from both students and teachers. This really helped us decide our final project idea.


Research Speaker Series

We invited two science researchers to come to our school and give presentations on their research. This allowed us to learn how scientists conduct actual scientific research and also expanded our knowledge in other areas of science. Below are the science researchers that came.

Dr. Ying Chih Chang , Research Fellow and Professor, Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica
Dr. Chia-Lin Hsu, Assistant Professor, National Yang Ming University, Institute of Microbiology and ImmunologyFull Construct.


Club

The iGEM Club was established 3 years ago, and the purpose of is to raise awareness of synthetic biology in the TAS community. Club activities allow underclassmen to experience iGEM-related activities and develop potential team members.



Facebook/Twitter


Collaborations with Other iGEM Teams

We collaborated with two iGEM teams, National Yang Ming University (NYMU) and American School in Japan (ASIJ). We mentored the ASIJ-Tokyo high school iGEM team, which is a new High school iGEM team this year. We taught them how to start and structure a new team, what lab and online resources to use for experiments, and how to set up a lab notebook. In return, they helped us test our nanoparticle calculator by running simulations from the standpoint of a patient, doctor, and manufacturer.

We also continued our long standing partnership with National Yang Ming University (NYMU_Taipei). Three students from our team have been interning on the NYMU-Taipei team (they are members to both teams) to learn about synthetic biology and some basic lab techniques. Two of these students will be presenting for the NYMU_Taipei team presentation. NYMU-Taipei also hosted a summer camp for our team members, where they taught us about different aspects of iGEM. In return, we helped them increase the efficiency of their model using equations from their literature research and ran simulations using their experimental data. Finally, they also gave tremendous advice on troubleshooting our cloning procedure during the summer months when we ran the majority of our wet lab experiments. We really value the relationship we have with NYMU and look forward to more collaborations in the future.

These collaborations not only created opportunities for us to help each other with problems, but also allowed us to exchange ideas and stimulate creativity. It is also fun to share stories about lab work, successes, and even failures.



Impact

Counteracts Marketing Plan

With the help of our business and economics teacher, we developed a comprehensive marketing plan for our cataract prevention and treatment products, in order to create a more profound impact in terms of public awareness of cataracts. Within this plan we performed a situational analysis based on market research, customer analysis, environmental/industrial considerations, and regulatory constraints (such as quality control and SWOT analysis). Furthermore, we statistically analyzed our products’ viability in the market by developing pricing and promotional strategies. Upon completion, we initiated discussions with several biotechnology investors and published our plan on business starter websites to garner interest.

We received constructive feedback from a former intern at RA Capital (a biotechnology investment firm). He suggested that we focus on cost projections, for it would put us in a better position to engage with venture capitalists. He also thought our competitor analysis and initial market sizing was impressive. Furthermore, this plan was shown to an opthamologist, Dr. Tai-Yuan Wang, and he suggested that with an FDA approval and clinical trials, he would be interested in our products. Thus, we can conclude that our products have the potential to compete in market.

Mr. Alexander Kaufman, a former intern at RA Capital (a biotechnology investment firm)

Marketing Plan Synopsis

There exists a significant market opportunity for cataract treatment worldwide. Over 3 million cataract surgeries are performed in the United States every year, and cataracts have attributed to 51% of world blindness. Although cataract surgery is the dominant procedure in this market, we have developed a product which provides distinctive advantages, and created a marketing plan which serves as a guide for establishing a successful business.

Fundraising Efforts for Cataract Charity


Lastly, we wanted to make a real impact in people’s lives who were experiencing cataracts. Despite our project’s goal of delivering cataract relief non-invasively, we realize that surgery is currently the most effective way to eliminate cataracts. So, we held fundraisers (in the form of bake sales and club fairs) in order to donate to those who don’t have funds or access to surgery. We raised enough money for 14 surgeries through the Himalayan Cataract Project, which serves underprivileged cataract patients.



















Prevention

GSR Eyedrop

Treatment

25HC Eyedrop

LOCS: 0      


Eyedrops




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