Line 72: | Line 72: | ||
<h3>Taurine</h3> | <h3>Taurine</h3> | ||
<p>  Taurine is a semi-essential amino acid appreciated for its role in neural development and neurogenesis as a neuroprotective agent. In chronically stress-induced depressive mice models, taurine dietary has increased the L-arginine concentrations in the hypothalamus with a significant decrease in the duration of immobility in forced swimming tests.<sup>[<a href="#ref6">6</a>]</sup></p> | <p>  Taurine is a semi-essential amino acid appreciated for its role in neural development and neurogenesis as a neuroprotective agent. In chronically stress-induced depressive mice models, taurine dietary has increased the L-arginine concentrations in the hypothalamus with a significant decrease in the duration of immobility in forced swimming tests.<sup>[<a href="#ref6">6</a>]</sup></p> | ||
− | <p>  Moreover, studies have shown that taurine with its metabolites could significantly reduce the level of both reactive oxygen species such as HOCL and IFN-γ. Further mechanisms will be discussed in the <b><a href="https://2021.igem.org/Team:NCKU_Tainan/Model">Model</a>.</</b | + | <p>  Moreover, studies have shown that taurine with its metabolites could significantly reduce the level of both reactive oxygen species such as HOCL and IFN-γ. Further mechanisms will be discussed in the <b><a href="https://2021.igem.org/Team:NCKU_Tainan/Model">Model</a>.</</b> |
<p>  These results strongly suggest taurine’s capability in reducing stress-induced depressive symptoms.</p> | <p>  These results strongly suggest taurine’s capability in reducing stress-induced depressive symptoms.</p> | ||
</section> | </section> | ||
Line 79: | Line 79: | ||
<h2 id ="Subtitle2">Approaches</h2> | <h2 id ="Subtitle2">Approaches</h2> | ||
<h3>Menble</h3> | <h3>Menble</h3> | ||
− | <p> | + | <p>  Menbles are bubbles containing our engineered <i>E. coli Nissle </i> which aims to alleviate chronic stress-induced depression by producing taurine when it senses a high concentration of IFN-γ and oxidative stress. As edible bubbles, Menbles are designed to be affordable and highly accessible product that can be easily incorporated into our daily lives, created to be an alternative solution for people who fear seeking medical help due to social stigma and/or low drug compliance<sup>[<a href="#ref9">9</a>,<a href="#ref10">10</a>]</sup>. |
The main ingredient of Menbles is sodium alginate, which is able to resist degradation in environments with low pH, such as in the stomach gastric acid<sup>[<a href="#ref11">11</a>,<a href="#ref12">12</a>]</sup>. In environments of higher pH such as in the small intestine (pH 7.4), Menbles are able to release our engineered bacteria into its surroundings and initiate the production of taurine.</p> | The main ingredient of Menbles is sodium alginate, which is able to resist degradation in environments with low pH, such as in the stomach gastric acid<sup>[<a href="#ref11">11</a>,<a href="#ref12">12</a>]</sup>. In environments of higher pH such as in the small intestine (pH 7.4), Menbles are able to release our engineered bacteria into its surroundings and initiate the production of taurine.</p> | ||
Revision as of 15:49, 19 October 2021