Team:HKUST

ShellBi

Project
Description Design Engineering Proof of Concept Implementation Safety Contribution Notebook
Wet Lab
Experiments Results
Dry Lab
Model
Reach
Human Practice Collaboration Communication Education Sustainable
Parts
Basic Parts Composite Parts
Team
Team Attributions

There is something dangerous in the water……
and you can’t even see it. Detect & Prevent We are building a biosensor
for Shellfish Toxins

What Is PST?

Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PST), such as saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin, are neurotoxins that cause
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning.

These toxins block ion channels in nerves, causing symptoms ranging from lightheadedness, headache, diarrhea, all the way to flaccid paralysis, respiratory failure, and even DEATH.

Despite what the name “shellfish toxin” suggest, they are actually produced by freshwater cyanobacteria and algae. 

Wild bivalve shellfish, like clams, mussels, and scallops, ingest these organisms and accumulate the toxins — now called Paralytic Shellfish Toxins!

THE PROBLEM

rising problem

Due to climate change, there is now an increase in Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) around the world, and worryingly also in regions where there were no algal blooms before! 

Shellfish that grow during HABs may be contaminated by toxins.

As the seafood demand increases, we need to find ways to protect the population from Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning.

THE PROBLEM

in detection

The most accepted and ‘gold standard’ for PST testing still remains the highly unregulated and unethical mouse-poison bioassay.  

Despite being able to mitigate risks, there are downsides that we cannot ignore.

We think we can do better ...

ShellBi's Approach

ShellBi could offer a more Ethical, Easy, and Cheap way to detect a wide range of PSTs. 

When exposed to shellfish samples, the genetically engineered cells will glow red in the presence of PSTs, or green in the absence of PSTs. 

Advantages

Ethical Non-vertebrate bioassay - Involves prokaryotes.

Advantages

Easy Follow a protocol, wait and observe colour change.

Advantages

Cheap No maintenance cost. Can test multiple samples with just one kit.

Advantages

Sustainable ShellBi kit has self-replicating cells with stable reagents.

Advantages

Versatile Can detect a wide range of PST. Receptor based technology, not limited by detection probe.

Meet ShellBi

Description

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Engineering

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IHP

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Implementation

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Our Team

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Check Out Our Achievement!

PROJECT

• Description
• Design
• Engineering
• Proof of Concept
• Implementation
• Safety
• Contribution
• Notebook

WETLAB

• Experiments
• Results

DRYLAB

• Model

REACH

• Human Practice
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Education
• Sustainable

PARTS

• Basic Parts
• Composite Parts

TEAM

• Team
• Attributions