"
Team:Calgary/Project/FinalSystem
From 2014.igem.org
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
<section class="Content Text Color-Normal"> | <section class="Content Text Color-Normal"> | ||
<h1>Final System</h1> | <h1>Final System</h1> | ||
| - | <p>Our <i>B. s.</i> detector addresses the global problem of malaria misdiagnosis. It is a DNA-based detection tool using <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> as a chassis, taking advantage of innate homologous recombination mechanisms. The bacteria exists in spore form, simply hydrated for activation.</p> | + | <p>Our <i>B. s.</i> detector addresses the global problem of malaria misdiagnosis. It is a DNA-based detection tool using <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> as a chassis, taking advantage of innate homologous recombination mechanisms. The bacteria exists in spore form, simply hydrated for activation. This feature will eliminate the need for refrigeration both during transport and long-term storage. Given its robust nature, our device should have the ability to function in even the modestly equipped clinics and laboratories.</p> |
<p><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/f/f8/PrototypeDesign2UCalgary2014Alina.jpg" width="50%" height="50%" class="Center"></p> | <p><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/f/f8/PrototypeDesign2UCalgary2014Alina.jpg" width="50%" height="50%" class="Center"></p> | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
<p><b>Thus, a colour output is given when the target DNA is present to cause de-repression of the reporter circuit.</b></p> | <p><b>Thus, a colour output is given when the target DNA is present to cause de-repression of the reporter circuit.</b></p> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Combining aspects of isothermal PCR, bacterial sporulation, and homologous recombination, our device will offer a multiplexed, low-cost diagnostic solution capable of functioning anywhere in the world. | ||
</section> | </section> | ||
</html> | </html> | ||
Revision as of 18:36, 17 October 2014
Final System
Our B. s. detector addresses the global problem of malaria misdiagnosis. It is a DNA-based detection tool using Bacillus subtilis as a chassis, taking advantage of innate homologous recombination mechanisms. The bacteria exists in spore form, simply hydrated for activation. This feature will eliminate the need for refrigeration both during transport and long-term storage. Given its robust nature, our device should have the ability to function in even the modestly equipped clinics and laboratories.
A small blood sample obtained from the patient is amplified using isothermal PCR, circumventing the need for hefty machinery to carry out thermocycling. This process is supplemented with a specialized Taq polymerase that is able to function well in the presence of blood.
The amplified product then travels to chambers containing B. subtilis engineered with pathogen-specific complementary flanking regions around the repressor in our genetic circuit. Thus, when B. subtilis is transformed with the product (via xylose induction) and target DNA is present, the flanking regions switch out the repressor. When the repressor is lifted, the reporter becomes active. This results in a colour output.
Thus, a colour output is given when the target DNA is present to cause de-repression of the reporter circuit.
Combining aspects of isothermal PCR, bacterial sporulation, and homologous recombination, our device will offer a multiplexed, low-cost diagnostic solution capable of functioning anywhere in the world.
