Team:Sharon BasicallyAcid
From 2012hs.igem.org
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Basically Acid: Bacteria that fix acid reflux
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Team
Our team currently consists of six students from Sharon High School that share an interest in biology. We are also guided by two high school biology teachers that have prior experience with iGEM.
Teachers
James Dixon
Zach Snow
Students
Rohit Krishnan
Leanne Lupone
Prashant Maddineni
Scott Xiong
Max Glanz
Luke Emery-Fertitta
Vithusha Thirumavalavan
Evan Kates
Project
What are you working on this semester?
This semester, we are working on engineering a bacteria with a pH sensor that will activate a gene in the presence of gastric acid (pH of 1.5 to 3.5). The gene will then allow the bacteria to excrete a base or stomach mucus to help neutralize the gastric acid in the esophagus, which is the leading cause of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
Notebook
Show us how you spent your days.
Fall 2011 - Learning the basics of the relevant biology
Winter 2012 - Brainstorming possible topics for our project.
3/6/12 - We settled on further investigating the use of a biological medicine to relieve the symptoms of Gastric Reflux Disease. The internet has been our primary method of research. We have found an available pH sensor and researched the current market of GERD medicines. We are currently looking for our desired method of neutralizing the stomach acid.
3/13/12 - We are looking at another iGEM project which featured a bacteria that secretes a base.
3/20/12 - We are continuing research and focusing on updating the wiki for now.
Results/Conclusions
What did you achieve over the course of your semester?
Safety
What safety precautions did your team take? Did you take a safety training course? Were you supervised at all times in the lab?
Every member of our team has experience in multiple laboratories through school and have digested a variety of safety training documents and videos. Additionally, we are supervised by two AP biology teachers in all of our experiments.
Attributions
Wiki Page
Scott ~ Luke ~ Rohit
Fundraising
Prashant ~ Max
Research
Leanne ~ Vithusha
Human Practices
What impact does/will your project have on the public?
Similar to TUMS tablets, our bacteria helps relieve the pain cause by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Some symptoms that we hope to relieve include heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and chest pain. To make the medicine more easily administered, it will take the form of a solution that can be taken either before or after a meal. One significant advantage of the biological engineering method is the ability to create sustainable bacteria. This will allow the administration of the bacteria to be preemptive in addressing the symptoms GERD, as opposed to the current system of administration after the onset of symptoms.
Considered Parts
Part:BBa_K174002