Part:BBa_K5477051
Team UCopenhagen 2024: Parts Collection of MilkClear
Introduction
Our parts collection is a comprehensive and innovative toolkit designed to address critical environmental and health challenges, specifically focusing on the detection and detoxification of harmful contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and bisphenol A (BPA) . Leveraging synthetic biology, our collection includes an array of receptor modules, reporter modules, and detoxification enzymes, enabling the development of highly specialized biosensor devices. These devices not only detect contaminants but also actively detoxify them, making our parts both practical and forward-thinking solutions to address contamination in breast milk.
The importance of developing a biosensor that not only detects but also actively detoxifies contaminants in breast milk cannot be overstated. While detection is a crucial first step in identifying harmful substances, it only highlights the problem without offering a direct solution. By integrating a detoxification system, we take this innovation a step further, enabling immediate action to neutralize and remove dangerous compounds such as bisphenol A (BPA), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and dioxins. These contaminants are known for their endocrine-disrupting effects, which pose serious health risks to infants, who are particularly vulnerable during their developmental stages. Our dual-function device called SUPERMOM not only provides mothers with peace of mind by ensuring that harmful substances are identified but also guarantees a practical and efficient solution to detoxify the milk before it reaches the baby, ensuring that the nutritional and health benefits of breastfeeding are preserved. This combination of detection and detoxification offers a comprehensive approach to safeguarding infant health in an increasingly contaminated world, setting a new standard in maternal and infant care.
Our contribution to the iGEM community
We have designed and submitted a collection of modular, well-characterized parts to the iGEM community, significantly expanding the toolkit for environmental sensing and detoxification. These parts are fully compatible with existing iGEM standards, enabling teams to incorporate them into a wide range of projects. Below are the key ways we contribute to the iGEM community:
1. Biosensor Modules : Our parts include receptor modules, such as pRET2-LexA-ERα(LBD), which allow teams to detect endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA. These receptor modules are engineered to bind to specific contaminants and initiate a measurable reporter response, using constructs like Lex6Op-pLEU2-NanoLuc to output luminescence when contaminants are present. This system provides a ready-to-use platform for teams aiming to detect environmental pollutants.
2. Detoxification Systems: In addition to detection, we offer detoxification modules, such as CYP1A1-pGAL1/10-POR and UGT2B15, which metabolize and neutralize harmful compounds like BPA, PAHs, and dioxins. These parts are especially useful for projects aiming to create solutions that go beyond detection to actively remove toxins from the environment.
3. Modularity and Flexibility: All parts in our collection are designed with modularity in mind, enabling teams to mix and match receptor modules, reporter modules, and detoxification enzymes to create customized biosensor systems. This flexibility makes our collection an essential resource for any iGEM team working on environmental sensing, bioremediation, or public health projects.
4. Cross-Project Usability: Our parts collection is adaptable to various chassis and biological systems, from Saccharomyces cerevisiae</b> to other eukaryotic and prokaryotic hosts. This cross-compatibility ensures that iGEM teams from different domains can easily integrate our parts into their work, providing a universal toolset for detecting and managing environmental contaminants.
Sequence and Features
- 10COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[10]
- 12COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[12]
- 21COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[21]
- 23COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[23]
- 25COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[25]
- 1000COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[1000]
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