Team:NPU-CHINA/Implementation
IMPLEMENTATION
We designed a gene-edited Bacillus Subtilis which can efficiently express aflatoxin degradation enzyme, organic selenium-rich simultaneously, sodium selenite can be converted to organic selenium nanoparticles, after reaching a plateau since start cracking protein synthesis, realization of live bacteria from cracking, aims to provide a kind of bacillus subtilis as the carrier of neotype, safe and selenium - rich high-value feed additive.
The early survey shows that the project product is widely supported by the public, including the target group of the product（feed mills and farmers）, and it is believed that the project product has satisfactory economic value, social value and application prospect.(More information on the Human Practice page)
There were two initial ideas for how the project products would be used.
Solution 1:Dehydrate the engineered strains to produce active bacteria powder, and the dehydrated nutrients and other substances required for normal growth of bacteria are added together in proportion,because of dehydration, bacteria will not grow and reproduce,farmers (our target audience) only need to add water according to the instructions provided by us to make the bacteria restore the growth state, and then spray it directly into the feed for livestock consumption after a certain time.
Solution 2:Directly add the active engineered strains at the mixing stage in the process of feed production to make them become an additive component of feed. After being ingested by livestock, the strains can play corresponding functions in the digestive system of livestock.
Source of Solution 1:In the survey, we found that some farmers would choose to use concentrated or premixd feed,this requires them to add their own feedstock products (corn) that provide energy,but these feedstock products are easy to mold and produce aflatoxin,which requires an economical, efficient and simple method to treat feedstock products, reduce aflatoxin pollution and improve feed quality.Interestingly, dry yeast powder, commonly used in flour fermentation, was found in this farmer's house (Dry yeast powder is packaged in a separate package and contains dehydrated active yeast, which is mixed with water and added to flour to complete the fermentation),we are inspired by this discover, think that packaging our products as active powder, imitating dry yeast powder, using the method of mixing with water, can help farmers solve existing problems.After inquiry, farmers showed great interest in this program, believing that this method is easy to understand and operate, which makes them accept this project products more.
Source of Solution 2:During our survey in feed mills, we learned that complete feed does not require additional feedstock products from farmers and can be used directly for feeding livestock.However, the feedstock products used in the production of feed mills are also easy to moldy, thus being polluted by aflatoxin. The existing methods to deal with aflatoxin pollution are not satisfactory.We try to find a suitable time in the production process of feed, without introducing additional steps to add our products and play an effect, to solve the problem of aflatoxin contamination in feed.The results showed that it was more feasible to add the active strain before pelleting and packaging after the feed was fully mixed.
No gene sequences or engineering strains with potential biosafety risks is involved in our project.The use and treatment of aflatoxin B1, a highly toxic substance, is also very strict, and as far as possible to reduce the chance of direct use of aflatoxin in the experiment
Challenges need to consider：
Is the acceptance of genetically modified live strain additives by the consumer community?
Can engineered bacteria play their role in the digestive system of livestock?What is the specific effect?
Will the engineered bacteria cause unexpected effects in animals and even harm them?
CONTACT NPU CHINA
NPU-CHINA is the iGEM team of Northwestern Polytechnical University
Address: 127 West Youyi Road Beilin District, Xi'an,
Shaanxi 710072, China
Contact: npuigem@outlook.com
bilibili: NPU-iGEM
