This year, we have been fortunate enough to get the chance to cooperate with team TEC CCM Mexico. First of all, we pointed out the concepts of our projects and they mentioned that they were working on a lateral flow assay (LFA) based on a colorimetric detection method related to aging by selecting the aptamer with the highest affinity to the CRP. As they won the gold medal in 2021 iGEM design league, they aim to repeat their achievement. They clarified that the project is based on a cell-free system working on a toe-hold switches. Later on, they explained to us the mechanism of toehold switches and how implementing them to the cell-free system increases the selectivity and sensitivity of the approach. So, we advised them to change or choose another biomarker for aging, due to high false-positive results that can occur. Then, we presented the different methods of colorimetric detection as using fluorescence quencher technique or using gold nanoparticles aggregates to improve the signal enhancement. Furthermore, they virtually joined our meetup and gave an awareness campaign about phenylketonuria and they represented their project idea to the attendees.
After our team decided to implement a platform working on aptamers-based immunoassay, we started communicating with other teams working on diagnostic kits using the same method. That’s why we got in contact with team IISER Tirupati India, to enrich our knowledge and share experiences. We started our meeting with a general discussion on both projects, brainstormed some ideas, and reached some conclusions that can improve the project design and the biosensing mechanism. Afterwards, they clarified that they faced problems with choosing the proper aptamer sequence, so our scientific team guided them to the use of directed evolution technique to detect the proper aptamer sequence and how they can improve it to get the best results. Moreover, we had to contemplate some ideas about the detection method used in their microfluidics technique. Overall, we had some good experience with microfluidics during our early brainstorming steps while choosing the appropriate device for implementing our biosensing system.
In order to identify the critical factors for a reliable and trustworthy research environment, we participated in a Freiburg team survey about scientific integrity and good science practice. We did so because we have extensive experience in scientific work and intend to have future publications.
iGEM Mohali conducted a survey in collaboration with Team-Patras Greece and Team IISER TVM India to better understand public perception of genetic engineering and synthetic biology around the world. We were honored to be a part of their effort and to translate the survey into "Arabic," our native language, as well as to promote their survey to as many members of the community as possible.
The IGEM Maastricht and Bio-Brussels teams wanted to help improve IGEM by gathering feedbacks on the competition. So, we completed their survey to assist them in assessing the IGEM experience and identifying some problematic areas.
iGEM Patras team provided us with great assistance as they translated our Mothers' Guidebook into Greek.
We collaborated with iGEM IISc-Bengaluru by translating their educational material about synthetic biology into Arabic, our native language. We also had the opportunity to review some parts of it. Moreover, we gave them feedback about the material by filling their review survey. On the other hand, they helped us in raising awareness about phenylketonuria by translating our Mothers' Guidebook into Marathi.
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