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− | Our iGEM team was inspired for our project by the work in the Styczinski Lab at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Professor Styczinski and his graduate students are currently working on engineering a zinc biosensor. (Watstein, McNerney and Styczynski 2015) Their use of the violacein and carotenoid pathway as a biosensor for zinc micronutrient deficiencies led us to investigate other visual detection sensors. Chromoproteins from the Uppsala 2013 collection seemed to be a natural place to start. The Endy Lab and Edinburgh's 2014 projects into "degrons" or degradation tags were also inspirations for our project. | + | Our iGEM team was inspired for our project by the work in the Styczinski Lab at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Professor Styczinski and his graduate students, Monica McNerney and Daniel Watstein are currently working on engineering a zinc biosensor. (Watstein, McNerney and Styczynski 2015) Their use of the violacein and carotenoid pathway as a biosensor for zinc micronutrient deficiencies led us to investigate other visual detection sensors. Chromoproteins from the Uppsala 2013 collection seemed to be a natural place to start. The Endy Lab and Edinburgh's 2014 projects into "degrons" or degradation tags were also inspirations for our project. |
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− | In addition, Dr. Styczinski and Monica McNerney have been mentors and advisors to us. They have met with us multiple times to revise our project and troubleshoot issues. Dr. Styczynski has also generously provided materials that a high school lab does not have access to, and has periodically allowed us use of his lab for training and use of specialized equipment. We could not have completed our project without this collaboration! | + | In addition, Dr. Styczinski and Monica McNerney have been mentors and advisors to us. They have met with us multiple times to revise our project and troubleshoot issues both in person and by skype calls. Dr. Styczynski has also generously provided materials that a high school lab does not have access to, and has periodically allowed us use of his lab for training and use of specialized equipment. We could not have completed our project without this collaboration! |
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− | In order to further understand the impact of our project, we discussed micronutrients with Dr. Ralph Whitehead, a scientist from the CDC. | + | In order to further understand the impact of our project, we discussed micronutrients with Dr. Ralph Whitehead, a scientist from the CDC. During the interview we asked questions about micronutrient deficiencies in multiple regions around the globe. The insightful answers gave a better understanding of the micronutrient problems that plague different areas. Micronutrient deficiencies are often undetected as the amounts available in the soil can vary even between agricultural fields within the same village. He shared the specific process of blood analysis for micronutrient amounts and other organizations that are also working on the developing a household indicator for blood analysis. The process from blood sampling to results and back to point of care can take weeks and has enormous resource costs. The blood samples must stay refrigerated and travel long distances to clinics or labs. The results of the tests then needs to be delivered back to the patient and caretakers. Dr. Whitehead also touched on the CDC’s specific process for blood analysis in targeted areas and interested in micronutrient biosensors as a promising solution to an ever growing problem. |
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Revision as of 00:14, 19 October 2016
Collaborations
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