Implementation
A Powerful Diagnosis Biosensor Targeting at IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
Background
IBD (Inflammatory bowel disease) is a chronic disease that impacts a human being’s daily life. The typical symptoms of this disease include persistent diarrhea, abdominal pains or cramps, ulcers in the colon and rectum. According to World Gastroenterology Organisation, the incidence and prevalence of IBD have been increasing with time and in different regions around the world-indicating its emergence as a global disease.
However, because of the various clinical symptoms of IBD, there is no widely recognized diagnosis criterion or treatment method. Previously, it is reported that both S2O32-/S4O62- and NO3- can be used as biomarkers for IBD biosensors. On the basis of this, we aimed at build a Boolean logic circuit that combines two biosensors of thiosulfate/tetrathionate sulfate and nitrate.The biosensors will be used to help with diagnosing IBD.
The demonstration of our biosensor design is listed as follows:
Part1: PyeaR_HrpR, sensing NO3- to release the substance R;
Part2: PttB344_HrpS_PJ23105_ttrR, sensing S4O62- to release the substance S;
Part3: PhrpL_amilGFP_IL10_PJ23104_ttrS, will release fluorescence if sensing the substances, R and S released from Part 1(HrpR) and Part 2 (HrpS) both.
Our experiment results indicated the functionality of part 3, partially proving the success of our biosensors. Based on this, we plan to further extend our project.
Product
1) An engineered bacteria (E. coli Nissle 1917) works a diagnosis IBD biosensor
2) Development techniques of our IBD diagnosis biosensor
Potential End Users
1) General Public
Since the incidence rate of IBD has been increasing all these years, it is expected more and more people may be concerned about if they have been infected with such a disease. Thus, if our IBD biosensor may enter the market, it is possible to distribute it to ordinary people who want to have a test of IBD at home.
2) Hospital
IBD diagnosis has been a challenge for hospital because of its complex and various clinical symptoms. Thus, it should always be good to equip doctors with additional methods to help them better evaluate patients’ IBD related symptoms, which may help doctors enhance their diagnosis efficiency and efficacy.
3) Biotechnology Firms
If we treat our development technique as a product, it is also possible to identify biotechnology firms as our potential clients. The biotechnology firms may be willing to buy our techniques and make further optimization.
Safety
1) It is reported that E.coli Nissile 1917 may cause serious adverse effects such as sepsis in patients with immunodeficiency in the intestinal microbiota.
To mitigate this safety concern, firstly we will try to inquire patients about their immunodeficiency, if they are concerned about this issue, we will never approve their application of our products. Meanwhile, we may try to replace E. coli Nissile with Lactobacillus, which is also a safer choice.
2) Even though S2O32-/S4O62- and NO3- have been proved to be connected with interstitial inflammatory symptoms, additional official endorsement will be needed to support their diagnosis indication.
To mitigate this safety concern, we may try to collaborate with authoritative institutions to make further exploration of S2O32-/S4O62- and NO3-’''s effectiveness in diagnosing IBD. In parallel, we may try to position our biosensor as an auxiliary diagnosis methods for doctors and other potential users.