Team:Groningen

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Latest revision as of 07:25, 16 October 2014

Home > Overview

We are still looking for sponsors

Please contact our acquisition team via Anna Lauxen if you want to sponsor us. You can reach her via annalauxen@igemgroningen.com.

Project

Read everything about our project.

Building manual

Problem making the paper toy on the flyer? Click here!

Abstract (Click to see all 11 languages):

Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa often pose problems for burn wound treatments. We developed a new kind of bandage that prevents these infections and reduces the use of antibiotics, thereby lowering the risk of developing antibiotic resistance. The bandage consists of a hydrogel that contains genetically engineered Lactococcus lactis with nutrients. The engineered strain of L. lactis detects the quorum sensing molecules of the two pathogens in the wound and subsequently produces the antimicrobial nisin as well as some other Infection-Preventing-Molecules (IPMs). These IPMs are the anti-biofilm protein Dispersin B and the quorum quenching protein AHLase. The gel is placed between two layers, a top layer to allow diffusion of gases and a bottom layer to contain the bacteria within the bandage. Hydrating the gel by breaking adjacent water pockets initiates the growth of the bacteria, thereby activating the bandage.

Policy and Practice

We reached out to the public and spread amazement and inspiration. Apart from that, we considered the ethical implications and future of our project and constructively thought about GMO regulation.

View our medal checklist

A quick link to the medal requirements we fulfilled.

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-    The new burning aid
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-    Our aim is to introduce a ‘smart’ bandage that will moderate the use of antibiotics in modern healthcare. As a case-study for this concept, we want to make a bandage specifically designed for burn-wounds that offers an alternative to the current (antibiotic-intensive) treatment. With the ever increasing antibiotic resistance it will become harder to treat all kinds of bacterial infections, thus an alternative to the use of antibiotics is sought for.
-When activated, our bandage aims to abate the most common infections in burn-wounds. These are caused by either Pseudomonas aeruginosa and/or Staphylococcus aureus. Our bandage will secrete three kinds of anti-microbial molecules, each targeting a different aspect of the infection. The first molecule is the lantibiotic called nisin, which aims to kill the gram-positive S. aureus. Nisin is used more often in the food industry, but seldom used for medical purposes. Besides nisin we want AiiA (auto inducer inactivator) and DspB (Dispersin B) to be secreted by our bandage. The AiiA protein is a quorum quenching molecule that will disturb the quorum sensing of P. aeruginosa. DspB is an anti-biofilm molecule, which will destroy the biofilm formed by P. aeruginosa. Similar to nisin, AiiA and DspB are not widely used in a medical context. In line with our choice for reducing the general use of antibiotics, the three anti-microbial compounds only are to be secreted when the pathogens are present. The key lies with the fact that the bandage will be activated when an infection arises. At this point, secretion of anti-microbial compounds will start. The system thus prevents an excess use of antibiotics. As a chassis we will use Lactococcus lactis. The modified L. lactis will be put into a contained compartment within the bandage and will not be able to enter the wound or environment. As a back-up, the bandage should be able to sense these kind of infections by producing a blue chromoprotein, amilCP. This helps users to know if they should seek further medical attention. To increase the safety of our product we are considering certain kill switches that come into play when the bacterium is released into the
-environment (e.g. when the bandage is thrown in the dustbin).</p>
-<p>
-This bandage minimizes the use of antibiotics when treating burn-wounds. In the future, this system of
-detection and secretion of anti-microbial molecules might be used in other fields, thus preventing antimicrobial
-resistance and helping society.</p>
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