Nowadays, due to irregular eating and resting habits, CRC is one of the most common cancers globally and has a soaring death rate. Indeed, based on ACS (American Cancer Society), by 2020, 10% of the 19.3 million of new cases was CRC, and it followed right after lung cancer, with an estimated 9.4% deaths for both sexes.
Despite having quite advanced detection tests, like colonoscopy, CT scan, MRI, etc., people are unwilling to get tested because of the side effects or discomfort felt after such tests. Consequently, it leads to cancer spreading, complications, and death.
Noticing these drawbacks, we aim to use a stool sample, a non-invasive method, to detect the CRC polyps. Compared to current detection tests, stool testing is less uncomfortable and easier to carry out for patients; therefore, more people would be willing to get tested when the symptoms occur. Hopefully, the death rate of CRC would decrease as the polyps would be detected earlier and more treatments could be provided.
YiYe-China
Our goal is to detect cancer polyps through DNA methylation, along with a toehold switch.
Aiming to detect TFPI-2 and SDC2 in the stool sample, we can compare them with a standard DNA sample to see if it is positive or negative by doing DNA bisulfite conversion and PCR amplification of the methylated DNA. Then we will see the DNA glow if it has been methylated, signifying the possibility of cancer polyps, through our naked eyes with the help of the TaqMan on the toehold switch.
YiYe-China is composed of 10 high school students, 2 advisors, and 1 instructor. We have teammates coming from all over the world, like from Wuhan, Shandong, the US., Canada, etc.
As a new team, we have faith that we could face the challenges and contribute all into this competition! Let's go, YiYe!
The results from our lab showed that toehold with trigger DNA reflected more Red fluorescent signal than toehold without trigger. Moreover, in cell free system, by using qPCR, the experimental groups demonstrated greater relative gene expression of our trigger DNA than the control groups. In other words, the data proved the validity of our ideal system.
To demonstrate our project's value, we hosted several in person public campaigns in Wuhan, publicizing our idea and collecting people's feedback. We also sent out online questionnaires to hear from more people's thoughts about our project.
In addition, we consulted several professors and doctors specilized either in cancer detection and treatment or gastroenterology. They offered us their insights about our project.
We are hornored to collaborate with two amazing college teams: BIT-China and HZAU-China.
With BIT-China, we have similar project, both doing early detection of CRC. Thus, we hosted a virtual activity together, talking about what CRC is. Also, we had more parternships with respect to our lab results and wiki websites.
On the other hand, HZAU-China mentored us on mathematical modeling, offering us great suggestions and ideas.
According to GLOBOCAN 2018 data, CRCs are the third most commonly diagnosed form of cancer globally, comprising 11% of all cancer diagnoses. Together, 1.8million of new cases of CRC are estimated to be diagnosed by year. Moreover, the CRC is the second most deadly cancer worldwideIn, comprising 5.8% of all cancer deaths.
The relation between trends in CRC incidence and mortality can be characterized into three distinct global categories. The medium HDI nations, such as Brazil, Russia, China, Latin America, the Philippines, have witnessed an increase in both incidence and mortality in the past decade. These nations are undergoing an economic transition, which is probably the cause of the increase in CRC incidence. The second category, comprised of mostly high-HDI nations such as Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), Denmark, and Singapore, has seen an increase in incidence but drop-in mortality due to improved treatment options. Lastly, the third category of highest HDI nations such as the US, Iceland, Japan, and France has witnessed a drop in both mortality and incidence due to successes in prevention and treatment.
Although patients over 50 years of age have seen decreases in CRC incidence over the past decades, those aged 20–49 years have actually seen a growing incidence: the incidence rates of CRC for ages 20–49 years was 9.3 per 100,000 in 1975 and now is up to 13.7 per 100,000 in 2015, a percentage change of 47.31%. Researchers believe this may be a reflection of a more sedentary lifestyle and have recommended lowering the screening age to 45 years in order to detect cases in younger adults earlier.
In sum, the global burden of CRC is expected to increase by 60%, to over 2.2 million new cases and 1.1 million annual deaths, by the year 2030, resulted from environmental changes, like more sedentary lifestyle, greater obesity, processed food, alcohol, and meat consumption, etc.
Incidence Rate
Death Rate
Average Survival Rate
Gender ratio
We are thrilled to announce that in less than a month, we have received hundreds of people donating to our foundation, with a total amount of 12700RMB ($1960) through Dreamore. We are grateful to people who strongly support our group! Without them, it would be difficult to carry out our project. Subtracting all the expenses, we still have $1000 left. To pass down our love and gratitude, we decide to donate the rest of our money to the future iGEM high school teams.
We have created several social media accounts: Wechat, Instagram, Twitter, Weibo. So far, we have 75 followers on Instagram, 57 on Wechat. More amazingly, we have collected nearly 200 surverys filled online, not to mention some surveys done in person while having our public campaign. All the numbers indicate our partial success. We are glad to see so many people interested in us and follow us. Their encouragement is our greatest motivation!
