Presented by Team UCopenhagen 2020
Authors: Aje Al-Awssi, David Nørgaard Essenbæk, Emil Funk Vangsgaard, Endre Lindhardt Garberg, Ignacio Pardo Casado, Jan Weicher, Shivani Pradeep Karnik, Victoria Thusgaard Ruhoff & Vit Zemanek
Abstract
Chronic Inflammatory Diseases (CIDs) are debilitating diseases affecting millions of people worldwide. Optimal treatment requires constant monitoring, but current testing methods are invasive, time-consuming, and costly. CIDosis strives to change this with a non-invasive patch for self-monitoring. Backed by extensive computer modeling, we are developing a biosensor that continuously collects sweat from the skin, and produces a color reflecting the level of inflammation. The biosensor in our patch is based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells equipped with interleukin-specific receptors that will associate in the presence of interleukins, resulting in the intracellular complementation of a split protein. A transduction pathway is then triggered, leading to the production of a color, whose intensity is logged by an app and shared with a medical professional. By integrating the wishes of patients living with CIDs, as well as experts within these fields, CIDosis brings a next generation tool for patient empowerment.
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iGEM UCopenhagen brings you our 2020 project: CIDosis
Biosensor Design
Three interleukin biosensors of varying complexity have been developed. The biosensors all build on the principle of association, where the association of the extracellular human interleukin receptor domains leads to the intracellular association of two halves of a split protein. The designs utilize;
- Split ubiquitin, the assembly of which leads to the release of a transcription factor (TF).
- A split TEV protease, that cuts a membrane-bound TF loose.
- Another split TEV protease, which will cut an engineered G-alpha (GPA1) protein into smaller fragments, allowing for beta-/gamma dissociation and subsequent signaling.
Modeling
Three distinct designs of engineered signaling pathways in S. cerevisiae were compared through modeling with ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The effects of hypothetical cellular scenarios on the pathways were modeled within the framework of stochastic differential equations (SDEs). The impact of mutations and cleavage upon protein binding was modeled with several generations of simulations using the Rosetta software.
The ODE models revealed the importance of a pheromone cascade in signal amplification (~7 orders of magnitude), thus rendering one of the designs as a clear candidate for the application in the biosensor. Further, various expected and unexpected behaviors were explored in the SDE models, suggesting that specific failures of pathway components may lead to characteristic statistics of reporter concentrations. Simulations of protein-protein interactions aided the selection of cleavage site locations in mutant proteins. Predictions showed an increase in affinity of the mutant proteins after cleavage, which formed a basis of a refined framework for engineering proteins required for high sensitivity of the biosensor.
Performance and behaviors of signaling pathways, and affinities of mutant proteins were modeled.
The ODE models revealed the importance of a pheromone cascade in signal amplification (~7 orders of magnitude), thus rendering one of the designs as a clear candidate for the application in the biosensor. Further, various expected and unexpected behaviors were explored in the SDE models, suggesting that specific failures of pathway components may lead to characteristic statistics of reporter concentrations. Simulations of protein-protein interactions aided the selection of cleavage site locations in mutant proteins. Predictions showed an increase in affinity of the mutant proteins after cleavage, which formed a basis of a refined framework for engineering proteins required for high sensitivity of the biosensor.
Performance and behaviors of signaling pathways, and affinities of mutant proteins were modeled.
Section 1
Use this section to explain whatever you would like! Suggestions: Safety, Human Practices, Measurement, etc.
Materializing the Product
Our solution is a sweat-collecting patch that the patient can wear on the go. It consists of three layers.
- Porous nanofilm - A porous nanofilm will allow interleukins to diffuse into the patch and prevent the yeast cells from escaping the patch. This film provides safety for the users and bio-containment.
- Genetically modified yeast-based biosensor - Our yeast biosensor in dry-yeast form, ready to be activated upon contact with sweat.
- Adhesive patch - Common transparent plastic or woven fabric (such as nylon) used by bandage manufacturers.
Section 3
Use this section to explain whatever you would like! Suggestions: Safety, Human Practices, Measurement, etc.
Biosensor things
What inspired your team? What motivated you to work on this particular project?
Idea
How are you going to solve the problem? Where did the idea come from?
Biosensor things
What inspired your team? What motivated you to work on this particular project?
Idea
How are you going to solve the problem? Where did the idea come from?
References and Acknowledgements
If not already cited in other sections of your poster, what literature sources did you reference on this poster? Who helped or advised you?