Team:Pitt

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<h1 id = "top">Pitt iGEM</h1>
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<h1 id = "top">Introduction</h1>
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<p>Acne vulgaris is an extremely common skin disease, affecting more than 80% of teenagers across most cultures. Certain strains of the bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes, have been associated with acne, yet pathogenesis of acne remains unclear. Furthermore, the frequent use of antibiotics to treat acne is one of several factors leading to a dangerous rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, scientists are unable to study P. acnes because P. acnes is resistant to traditional genetic engineering techniques.</p>
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<p style = "width:180px;margin-left:100px;margin-right:30px;margin-top:40px;">The goal of 2014 Pitt iGEM team was to find a better treatment of acne using skin bacteria. Acne is a common skin condition, yet current treatments are ineffective and/or harmful. Using genes from the iGEM Registry of Parts, we pioneered a new treatment for acne opening the door for future skin probiotics.</p>
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</p>We are developing a platform genetic vector to re-engineer P. acnes and to pioneer alternative treatments using P. acnes as a skin probiotic. Specifically, we are applying synthetic biology to a lesser known skin bacterium, P. acnes, using a bacterial plasmid and transformation protocol. Our project will allow scientists to study P. acnes for the first time using advanced research tactics (e.g., gene knockouts). In addition, we are using our plasmid to introduce an anti-microbial peptide (cathelicidin) into the P. acnes genome, which could then be used as a probiotic to potentially treat acne without prescription antibiotics.</p>
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</p>We are developing other projects, alongside our cathelicidin-producing bacteria, to improve acne treatment and promote skin health. Specifically, we are investigating the pathogenesis of acne through two separate computational models. The first model is a bottom-up approach, using logic-based modeling to analyze the inflammation pathways in the skin leading to acne. The second model is a top-down approach, using linear regression techniques to examine trends in acne across different cultures. Lastly, our team has created a community outreach module, dubbed “Dermalicious,” to teach children about skin health by making an edible model of the skin.</p>
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<p>The diversity of our project stems directly from the diversity of our team, and we believe our multi-pronged approach is necessary when trying to understand and study a complicated bacterium like P. acnes.</p>
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<h2>Project Background</h2>
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<h2 id = "crowd">Crowdfunding Campaign</h2>
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<p>In an effort to raise funds for the 2014 Giant Jamboree, the Pitt iGEM Team is using <a href = "https://experiment.com">Experiment.com</a> to crowd-fund our project. We would love to share our project with you, so please check out our experiment, entitled <a href = "https://experiment.com/projects/living-skin-therapeutics/">Living Skin Therapeutics</a></p>
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<p style = "margin:20px;margin-left:40px;">In the same way the Human Genome Project provides a wealth of knowledge on how our cells function, the <a href="http://commonfund.nih.gov/hmp/overview">Human Microbiome Project</a> is uncovering how our cells thrive within a vast microbial community. Research shows how healthy bacteria contribute to our well-being by protecting our bodies against more pathogenic bacteria.<br><br>
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Propionibacterium acnes is one of these common, healthy microbes that thrives in the sebum (oil) secreted by the skin of the face, chest, and back. Studies have associated certain strains of P. acnes with acne vulgaris, but the link is unclear. Unfortunately, research on P. acnes is scarce because current technologies for genetic engineering do not work on P. acnes. In addition to an array of skin probiotics, the 2014 Pitt iGEM Team has developed a genetic engineering chassis to aid further study of P. acnes.</p>
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<h2>Press</h2>
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•<a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/09/29/Competition-spurs-genetics-research-from-Pitt-CMU-students/stories/201409290214">Competition spurs genetics research from Pitt, CMU students</a>
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<br>•<a href="https://experiment.com/projects/living-skin-therapeutics">Crowdfunding raises $1,900 for U. Pitt Research Team</a>
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<p>The Pitt iGEM Team also shares a passion for writing, and we maintain a blog over at <a href = "http://igempitt.wordpress.com">igempitt.wordpress.com</a>, where we offer tips and tricks we have learned while living in the lab. Feel free to check out our most recent updates:</p>
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<p><a href = "http://igempitt.wordpress.com/2014/08/07/literature-guide-part3/">A Undergraduate Guide to Scientific Literature, Part 3</a></p>
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<p><a href = "http://igempitt.wordpress.com/2014/08/07/literature-guide-part2/">A Undergraduate Guide to Scientific Literature, Part 2</a></p>
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<p><a href = "http://igempitt.wordpress.com/2014/08/06/literature-guide-part1/">A Undergraduate Guide to Scientific Literature, Part 1</a></p>
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Latest revision as of 00:21, 18 October 2014

Introduction

The goal of 2014 Pitt iGEM team was to find a better treatment of acne using skin bacteria. Acne is a common skin condition, yet current treatments are ineffective and/or harmful. Using genes from the iGEM Registry of Parts, we pioneered a new treatment for acne opening the door for future skin probiotics.








Project Background


In the same way the Human Genome Project provides a wealth of knowledge on how our cells function, the Human Microbiome Project is uncovering how our cells thrive within a vast microbial community. Research shows how healthy bacteria contribute to our well-being by protecting our bodies against more pathogenic bacteria.

Propionibacterium acnes is one of these common, healthy microbes that thrives in the sebum (oil) secreted by the skin of the face, chest, and back. Studies have associated certain strains of P. acnes with acne vulgaris, but the link is unclear. Unfortunately, research on P. acnes is scarce because current technologies for genetic engineering do not work on P. acnes. In addition to an array of skin probiotics, the 2014 Pitt iGEM Team has developed a genetic engineering chassis to aid further study of P. acnes.



Press

•Competition spurs genetics research from Pitt, CMU students
•Crowdfunding raises $1,900 for U. Pitt Research Team

Next Page

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