Team:INSA-Lyon/Purpose

From 2014.igem.org

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<div align = "justify"> <p>Our human practices include an original approach of social sciences and design. The light of humanity is always the guide for scientific explorers. But at the same time, scientists also need to explain the value of their work not only to prove they’re not wasting their time but also to get new inspirations. Now, our precious guests, in this part of Human Practices, we’re treating you with a former and luxury dinner in the theme of ‘CurLy’on’. For starters, we’re going to take you through different researches of environmental problem so you can understand the interests of the project. Then, a sci-fi main dish, which is a real master piece of literature, is presented by our heart full of imagination. As for dessert, a delicate design of prototype will amaze you and swipe away your fatigue. So, I hope you’re hungry. </p></div>
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<div align = "justify"> <p>Our Human Practice includes an original approach of social sciences and design. First, we'll go through a detailed explanation of the means and ends of our project and how it fits the actual research on water decontamination. Secondly, the project is presented in a creative and inspiring way through a true sci-fi literature master piece. As a finishing touch, we designed and created a 3D-printed prototype that will be used in Boston for pedagogical purposes and hopefully explain in an original way what we did at the wet lab.
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Our team contacted a number of experts in order to think about what problems caused by nickel could be found in society. This step led us to a feasible and useful project. We are thankful for the technical and scientific information given by : </br> </br>
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Our team contacted a number of experts in order to think about what problems caused by nickel could be found in society. This step led us to a feasible and useful project. We are thankful for the technical and scientific information given by : </br>
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<li> Michèle OTTMANN, virologist (P3 et P4) associate professor of Biosecurity at the University Lyon I. </li>
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<li> Lydie NEMAUSAT, assignment manager at FRAPNA-Rhône, water treatment plant of Pierre Benite.</br>  (http://www.frapnarhone.org / lydie.nemausat@frapna.org)</li>
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<li> Adeline KISSANE, water quality manager in Grand Lyon. </li>
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<li> Marc BOOGAERTS, health executive in the dialysis center at Clinic of Tonkin, Villeurbanne. </li>
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<li> Baptiste LAUBIE, associate professor, LRGP, Université of Lorraine (CNRS 7274).</li> </ul></br>
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– Michèle OTTMANN, virologist (P3 et P4) associate professor, responsible of Biosecurity courses at the university Lyon I </br>
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Our project concerns environmental, industrial, health, social and humanitarian aspects.</p></br></br> </div>
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– Lydie NEMAUSAT, assignment manager at FRAPNA-Rhône, water treatment plant of Pierre Benite. [http://www.frapnarhone.org/ lydie.nemausat@frapna.org]</br>
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– Adeline KISSANE, water quality manager in Grand Lyon. </br>
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– Marc BOOGAERTS, health executive in the dialysis center at Clinic of Tonkin, Villeurbanne. </br>
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– Baptiste LAUBIE, associate professor, LRGP, Université of Lorraine (CNRS 7274).</br></br>
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Our project concerns the environmental, industrial, health, social and humanitarian aspects.</p></br></br> </div>
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<div align = "justify"><p><b>Why are we struggling against heavy metals?</b></br></br>
<div align = "justify"><p><b>Why are we struggling against heavy metals?</b></br></br>
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First of all, you must know heavy metals are defined as natural metallic elements with a volume density below 5g/cm, like lead, zinc, cadmium or nickel. It is well know that heavy metals are naturally present in the water, the air and the ground in tiny concentrations (a few ppb). However, human activities contribute to spread them in the environment (nickel is commonly used to make coins or orthodontic braces for example), leading to abnormally high concentrations in the ecosystems. As you may know, heavy metals aren’t biodegradable and accumulate in alive organisms, becoming more and more toxic. </p></br></br></div>
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First of all, you must know heavy metals are defined as natural metallic elements with a volume density below 5g/cm, like lead, zinc, cadmium or nickel. It is well known that heavy metals are naturally present in water, air and ground in tiny concentrations (a few ppb). However, human activities contribute to spreading them in the environment (nickel is commonly used to make coins or orthodontic braces for example), leading to abnormally high concentrations in the ecosystems. As you may know, heavy metals aren’t biodegradable and accumulate in alive organisms, becoming more and more toxic. </p></br></br></div>
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<p>a) <i>CurLy’on could enable purification plants to filter the nickel present in  water, purifying it.</i></br>
<p>a) <i>CurLy’on could enable purification plants to filter the nickel present in  water, purifying it.</i></br>
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Nature, plants and algae are damaged by rain that contain high levels of Nickel. To understand environmental issues at a city scale, our team visited a water treatment plant to know more about the controls of heavy metals in the water. Astonishingly, we found out there is no control of heavy metals' concentration, so these pollutants are absorbed and eliminated in sludge. Nickel is therefore released in the environment and can be found in the water we use.</p></br>
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Nature, plants and algae are damaged by rain that contain high levels of nickel. To understand environmental issues at a city scale, our team visited a water treatment plant to know more about the controls of heavy metals in the water. Astonishingly, we found out there is no control of heavy metals' concentration, so these pollutants are absorbed and eliminated in sludge. Nickel is therefore released in the environment and can be found in the water we use.</p></br>
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<p>b) <i>CurLy’on gives the possibility of chelating nickel that could be recycled afterwards.</i></br>
<p>b) <i>CurLy’on gives the possibility of chelating nickel that could be recycled afterwards.</i></br>
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As far as recycling is concerned, nickel stocks don’t exceed sixty years. These stocks are present in Australia, Russia,  Canada, New Zealand, Cuba. 60% are used to create inox.  Protecting stocks and improving their use is necessary. Nowadays, nickel is recycled at 55%.</br> In France, there are some Nickel directed research projects (labex Ressources 21 with Baptiste Laubie)  that aim to study strategic elements and the recycling process. Nickel has a big economic importance and it is necessary to focus on news ways of stocking it considering its impact on the biosphere.</p></br>
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As far as recycling is concerned, nickel stocks don’t exceed sixty years. These stocks are present in Australia, Russia,  Canada, New Zealand, Cuba. 60% are used to create inox.  Protecting stocks and improving their use is necessary. Nowadays, nickel is recycled at 55%.</br> In France, there are some Nickel directed research projects (Labex Ressources 21 with Baptiste Laubie)  that aim at studying strategic elements and the recycling process. Nickel has a big economic importance and it is necessary to focus on news ways of stocking it considering its impact on the biosphere.</p></br>
<p>c) <i>CurLy’on purifies water used in food-processing and would be really useful in a humanitarian context.</i></br>
<p>c) <i>CurLy’on purifies water used in food-processing and would be really useful in a humanitarian context.</i></br>
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What’s more, by carrying heavy metals in the food chain, water plays a key role in pollution and a serious challenge to eliminate heavy metals pollution. That’s why we chose to focus on this special issue. Our final goal is to respect the European norms (especially the article L330/43 from 5 December 1998). This norms states that nickel concentrations must not go over 20 µg/L in drinkable water and that 0% of modified DNA or proteins must be found in water. In a humanitarian context, our project is really necessary to cleanse water.</p></br></br>  
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What’s more, by carrying heavy metals in the food chain, water plays a key role in pollution and a serious challenge to eliminate heavy metals pollution. That’s why we chose to focus on this special issue. Our final goal is to respect European norms (especially the article L330/43 from 5 December 1998). This norm states that nickel concentrations must not exceed 20 µg/L in drinkable water and that 0% of modified DNA or proteins must be found in water. In a humanitarian context, our project is really necessary to cleanse water.</p></br></br>  
<li><u>Health issues:</u></br></br>
<li><u>Health issues:</u></br></br>
<p>a)<i> Nickel risks.</i></br>
<p>a)<i> Nickel risks.</i></br>
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Nickel exposure in particular, especially in industrial and occupational settings, can present significant health hazards. Firstly, allergy to nickel is something that has become more and more important recently, mainly due to the introduction of inexpensive jewelry where one of the underlying metals is nickel. 10-12%  of the female population and 6% of the male population are believed to experience an allergy to nickel, caused by the nickel salts that are formed by sweat in contact with the nickel. Secondly, nickel is one of many carcinogenic metals known to be an environmental and occupational pollutant. It has been connected with increased risk of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological deficits, developmental deficits in childhood, and high blood pressure. Finally, nickel has been identified as a toxin that can lead to infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, and nervous system defects. All in all, nickel is suspected, on the one hand, to severely disrupt enzyme action and regulation and, on the other hand, to contribute to a high amount of oxidative stress.</p></br>
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Nickel exposure in particular, especially in industrial and occupational settings, can present significant health hazards. Firstly, allergy to nickel is something that has become more and more important recently, mainly due to the introduction of inexpensive jewelry where one of the underlying metals is nickel. 10-12%  of the female population and 6% of the male population are believed to experience an allergy to nickel, caused by nickel salts that are formed by sweat in contact with nickel. Secondly, nickel is one of many carcinogenic metals known to be an environmental and occupational pollutant. It has been connected with increased risk of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological deficits, developmental deficits in childhood, and high blood pressure. Finally, nickel has been identified as a toxin that can lead to infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, and nervous system defects. All in all, nickel is suspected, on the one hand, to severely disrupt enzyme action and regulation and, on the other hand, to contribute to a high amount of oxidative stress.</p></br>
<p>b) <i>Curly’on improves renal dialysis.</i></br>
<p>b) <i>Curly’on improves renal dialysis.</i></br>
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We were very concerned about renal impairment and dialysis. In the past, some intoxication problems arose and there is still a risk for dysfunctional renal cases. We visited a dialysis center to learn about this treatment and patient perception. Dialysis protocol requires sterilized water. The dialysis centre regulations include once a month, a physical chemistry analysis search for heavy metals in the system. During the last decades, the inox water pipes of the machines used for water distribution were changed and are now made of PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). This could restrict nickel propagation but our project makes possible to respect regulations without replacing the system, reducing the costs. European pharmacopoeia partially mentions heavy metal issues and doesn't have any information about Nickel. Also, since no specific tests are described in it, our project CurLy'on comes up with a new solution for pharmaceutical tests.<p/> </ul></div></br>   
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We were very concerned about renal impairment and dialysis. In the past, some intoxication problems arose and there is still a risk for dysfunctional renal cases. We visited a dialysis center to learn about this treatment and patient perception. Dialysis protocol requires sterilized water. The dialysis center regulations include once a month, a physical chemistry analysis search for heavy metals in the system. During the last decades, inox water pipes of machines used for water distribution were changed and are now made of PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). This could restrict nickel propagation but our project makes possible to respect regulations without replacing the system, reducing costs. European pharmacopoeia partially mentions heavy metal issues and doesn't have any information about nickel. Also, since no specific tests are described in it, our project CurLy'on comes up with a new solution for pharmaceutical tests.<p/> </ul></div></br>   
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<div align = "justify"><p><b>So how can our filter be used ?</b></br></br>
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<div align = "justify"><p><b>So how can our filter be used ?</b></br>
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<div align = "justify"><p>Two main fields are especially targeted : </p></br>
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<div align = "justify"><p>Two main fields are especially targeted: </p></br>
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<li><p>The metalworking and chemical industries release waste water that contains 10 to 100 times more nickel than river water. Despite those effluents being transferred to water treatment plants and transformed into sewage sludge, most of the metals particles are not eliminated. Considering that the sludge is then used for agriculture and farming, such pollution leads to risks of food contamination.
<li><p>The metalworking and chemical industries release waste water that contains 10 to 100 times more nickel than river water. Despite those effluents being transferred to water treatment plants and transformed into sewage sludge, most of the metals particles are not eliminated. Considering that the sludge is then used for agriculture and farming, such pollution leads to risks of food contamination.
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Following this idea, we visited water treatment and water purification plants to consider the possibility of using our system for depolluting water from the environment. It appeared that, despite heavy metals being considered as environmental issues, no technique was developed to decontaminate water from them. Water plants often monitor heavy metal concentrations, but the only thing they can do is to stop pumping water when the rates are too high. However, they set out the argument that heavy metal pollution comes mainly from the degradation of residential water pipes (as opposed to public water pipes), that are commonly made out of zinc or lead. </p></br>  
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Following this idea, we visited water treatment and water purification plants to consider the possibility of using our system for decontaminating water from the environment. It appeared that, despite heavy metals being considered as environmental issues, no technique was developed to decontaminate water from them. Water plants often monitor heavy metal concentrations, but the only thing they can do is to stop pumping water when the rates are too high. However, they set out the argument that heavy metal pollution comes mainly from the degradation of residential water pipes (as opposed to public water pipes), that are commonly made out of zinc or lead. </p></br>  
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<li><p>That leads us to our second target...The household who drinks the potentially contaminated water. Nowadays, the cost to replace all lead canalizations in France is estimated to be 15 billion euros, which isn’t affordable for the owners. The idea we came up with was to screw our filter directly to the tap in residential areas.</br> </br> </p> </div>
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<li><p>That leads us to our second target... households who drink the potentially contaminated water. Nowadays, the cost to replace all lead pipelines in France is estimated to be 15 billion euros, which isn’t affordable for the owners. The idea we came up with was to screw our filter directly to the tap in residential areas.</br> </br> </p> </div>
<div align = "justify"><p>Secondly, our filter can improve medical techniques such as dialysis. Indeed, the water used in dialysis often contains nickel coming from the stainless steel tube in which it is carried. The risk is then to transfer the metal particles into the blood of patients.</p></br>  
<div align = "justify"><p>Secondly, our filter can improve medical techniques such as dialysis. Indeed, the water used in dialysis often contains nickel coming from the stainless steel tube in which it is carried. The risk is then to transfer the metal particles into the blood of patients.</p></br>  
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<p>But we mustn’t forget that water pollution by heavy metals is a real health issue all over the world. </p>
<p>But we mustn’t forget that water pollution by heavy metals is a real health issue all over the world. </p>
<p>In our countries, the pollution can be caused  by a leak of chemical or metalworking purification circuits industries.</p>
<p>In our countries, the pollution can be caused  by a leak of chemical or metalworking purification circuits industries.</p>
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<p> In developping countries, the access to the technological means to purify polluted water is sometimes limited. Considering this, we met a person in charged of water-related humanitarian projects in hygiene and sanitation. He seemed interested by our biofilter, as it was a cheap method and  nothing had already been developed in poor countries to deal with heavy metals pollution. Moreover, he could easily imagine that people wouldn’t be as sceptic as in Europe regarding the fact that it’s a GMO product.</p></div></br></br>
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<p> In developing countries, the access to the technological means to purify polluted water is sometimes limited. Considering this, we met a person in charged of water-related humanitarian projects in hygiene and sanitation. He seemed interested by our biofilter, as it was a cheap method and  nothing had already been developed in poor countries to deal with heavy metals pollution. Moreover, he could easily imagine that people wouldn’t be as skeptic as in Europe regarding the fact that it’s a GMO product.</p></div></br></br>
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<div align = "justify"><p><b>What about the biosafety of our filter ?</b></br></br>
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<div align = "justify"><p><b>What about the biosafety of our filter ?</b></br></br><br/>
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<p> We didn't put aside the safety issues regarding our project. That's why we met Michelle Ottoman, virologist and professor of biosafety at the university Lyon I, who accepted to answer our questions, as summarized in the interview below : </p>
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<p> We didn't put aside the safety issues regarding our project. That's why we met Michelle Ottoman, virologist and professor of biosafety at the University Lyon I, who accepted to answer our questions, as summarized in the interview below : </p>
<div align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x285h5t_curly-on-meeting-with-biosafety-a-expert-french-subtitled-in-english_tech"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/9/94/Interview.png" alt="les filles au labo" width="500px"/></a></div><br/>
<div align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x285h5t_curly-on-meeting-with-biosafety-a-expert-french-subtitled-in-english_tech"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/9/94/Interview.png" alt="les filles au labo" width="500px"/></a></div><br/>
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“Cut!” The producer shouts. “Good job everyone, we’ll be back in 30.”</p></br>
“Cut!” The producer shouts. “Good job everyone, we’ll be back in 30.”</p></br>
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<p>On the screen, a video clip is playing. A woman holding a banner is sitting in front of the Louvre, two policemen are trying to move her away. After a few moments, things turn physical but the woman still won’t leave. The banner says “Devil’s winning!”</p></br></br>
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<p>On the screen, a video clip is playing. A woman holding a banner is sitting in front of the Louvre, two policemen are trying to move her away. After a few moments, things turn physical but the woman still won’t leave. The banner says “Devil’s winning!”</p></br>
   
   
<p><div align="center"><h6>Chapter 4</h6></br></div></br>
<p><div align="center"><h6>Chapter 4</h6></br></div></br>
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Today is about a brand new step. It’s a step towards the past, where there’s less pollution and more lives. It’s also a step towards the future, where we, a fragile species without sharp claws or poisoned teeth, keep living on this planet with less fear and more understanding.”</p></br>
Today is about a brand new step. It’s a step towards the past, where there’s less pollution and more lives. It’s also a step towards the future, where we, a fragile species without sharp claws or poisoned teeth, keep living on this planet with less fear and more understanding.”</p></br>
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<p>One week after the project cStraw was approved, 50 drones dropped 500 ‘straws’ into the north Atlantic in the US territory. One week later, the president of the US gave this speech on an aircraft and jumped into the water.</p>
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<p>One week after the project cStraw was approved, 50 drones dropped 500 ‘straws’ into the north Atlantic in the US territory. One week later, the president of the US gave this speech on an aircraft and jumped into the water.</p><br/>
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<div align = "justify"><p>Our team created a pedagogical object, a csgA structure, with a 3D printer for popularization of Curly’on and more than that, synthetic biology. You will see it <b>for the first time</b> during our oral presentation in Boston.</p>
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<div align = "justify"><p>Our team created a pedagogical object, a CsgA structure, with a 3D printer for popularization of Curly’on and more than that, synthetic biology. You will see it <b>for the first time</b> during our oral presentation in Boston.</p>
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/thumb/3/3c/Catia_CSGA.png/800px-Catia_CSGA.png" alt="Catia_CsgA" width="500px"/ align="center"></br>
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/thumb/3/3c/Catia_CSGA.png/800px-Catia_CSGA.png" alt="Catia_CsgA" width="500px"/ align="center"></br>

Latest revision as of 03:16, 18 October 2014

Curly'on - IGEM 2014 INSA-LYON


Our Human Practice includes an original approach of social sciences and design. First, we'll go through a detailed explanation of the means and ends of our project and how it fits the actual research on water decontamination. Secondly, the project is presented in a creative and inspiring way through a true sci-fi literature master piece. As a finishing touch, we designed and created a 3D-printed prototype that will be used in Boston for pedagogical purposes and hopefully explain in an original way what we did at the wet lab.


  • Heavy metals, environmental and health issues


  • CurLy'on in 2030?


  • Prototype