Design: We designed a cellulose-based hydrogel which we planned to coat on silicone catheters. Then we planned to dip these
catheters in a solution containing our engineered bacteria. Subsequently we hoped our engineered bacteria would colonise the catheter and hydrogel
environment.
Build:We built a computer model which estimated the characteristics of our hydrogel. We have adopted several mathematical
models that calculate the "relative diffusivity" of a solute species within the hydrogel as well as a few parameters needed.
Furthermore, we have constructed ensemble modelling algorithms that enable us to quantitatively analyse the effect of each parameter on the final
calculated results. We used these methods to account for the uncertainties in the parameter-gathering process, as well as more accurately predict the
performance of the designed device.
Test:The values we obtained from our model are as follows:
Average relative diffusivity in our hydrogel: 0.66
Learn: This result gave us the idea that certain properties must be prioritised in our hydrogel over others
Engineering our Hydrogel
Design: We designed a cellulose-based hydrogel which we planned to coat on silicone catheters. Then we planned to dip these
catheters in a solution containing our engineered bacteria. Subsequently we hoped our engineered bacteria would colonise the catheter and hydrogel
environment.
Build:We built a computer model which estimated the characteristics of our hydrogel. We have adopted several mathematical
models that calculate the "relative diffusivity" of a solute species within the hydrogel as well as a few parameters needed.
Furthermore, we have constructed ensemble modelling algorithms that enable us to quantitatively analyse the effect of each parameter on the final
calculated results. We used these methods to account for the uncertainties in the parameter-gathering process, as well as more accurately predict the
performance of the designed device.
Test:The values we obtained from our model are as follows:
Average relative diffusivity in our hydrogel: 0.66
Learn: This result gave us the idea that certain properties must be prioritised in our hydrogel over others
