Team:Yonsei Korea/Implementation
Introducing:
PathoSense
The revolutionary technology utilizing a nanobiosensor to detect inconspicuous pathogens
While our project focuses on designing and developing a Cu2+-dependent DNAzyme detection kit for the early detection of Magnaporthe oryzae in rice crops, thus far we have only been able to achieve the benchtop level. It is our goal to see this project scaled into a product for many applications in the real world. Our concept and prototype here entails a novel detection system that allows local South Korean farmers to quickly test their rice plants for signs of infection before lesion visibility is to be developed. When the characteristic lesions have appeared on the rice plant, it signifies that the fungus has already reproduced and spread its spores. Nevertheless, we aim to develop a detection system that will be able to detect this infection before it is able to reproduce and spread through the rice crops.
While undertaking routine field checks, farmer A would remove rice leaf, stem, and root samples. This sample can be ground into a juice using a pestle and mortar. The green, chlorophyll pigmented liquid would be filtered off through a column and then applied to a vessel or sensor capsule of a pre-prepared nanoparticle solution under set conditions, which should give a visual feedback notable by the eye.
In principle, the sensors allow for DNA hybridization under room temperature and pressure. If the target fungus is in the plant, it should bind to the complementary DNA, inherently inducing nanoparticle aggregation, which causes a color shift from red to purple. Whereas if the plants are perfectly healthy, the red solution will be observed.
This detection technology would by far change the ease of handling severe fungal infections in food crop cultivation beyond rice production. Every farmer would have a handy tool to do a self-diagnosis before employing radical, costly measures that most times end with the spraying of environmentally harmful pesticides and substantial financial costs in rice production for small-scale farmers. If this can be implemented, crop loss is prevented as rice blast infections are notorious for causing total yield loss in the case of late detection.
However, like any other scientific prototype, our sensor handling raises concerns for safety and security. According to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in South Korea, handling the pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae is prohibited unless in designated laboratories. Hence, using any organisms directly from this pathogen would require approval from the ministry due to its risk as a bioweapon. Therefore, to ensure the safety of our team members and environment and rice cultivation, we ought to carry out all our responsibilities and endeavors responsibly and ethically as we pursue the implementation plan for this research and concept.
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Yonsei_Korea is a convergent team of students based in Seoul, South Korea striving to create meaningful change utilizing synthtic biology in the iGEM 2021 Competition.