Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Scientific research has always had far-reaching significance in our study and daily routine, and even in the development of the whole society. Scientific research can comprehend us a better understanding of the nature and properties of matter. Analyzing the research objects elaborately can accelerate the development of human knowledge accumulation.

Our project follows a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet whose heart is the 17 sustainable development goals¹. We respond to the urgent call for action by all countries that end poverty and other deprivations, improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth¹.

This year, our team aims to provide a biological method for battling antibiotic-resistant pathogens by displaying nanobodies on the surface of the probiotics. Our method can not only reduce antibiotic resistance but minimize side effects including the degradation of GI tract microbiome diversity while having stronger pathogen inhibition compared to traditional probiotic treatment².

Project "GutGuard" is mainly based on Goals 3, 9, 17

Goal 3| Good health and well-being

Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all persons with disabilities.

We prospect our team's project can make our local community and even the world conscious of the prominence of life and health, especially the gut problem. The gut problem may cause a person to struggle to absorb nutrients and regulate blood sugar. Additionally, weight loss or gain may be caused by bacteria overgrowth or lack of nutrients.

The current therapeutics is antibiotics and the potential problem with the usage of antibiotics is that taking antibiotics too often or for the wrong reasons can change bacteria so much that antibiotics do not work against them³. Moreover, long-term use of antibiotics in late adulthood may be a risk factor for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality⁴.

As the current therapies of antibiotics promote Shigella to develop antibiotic resistance, we are inspired by this problem and focus on Shigella's drug. Reducing antibiotic resistance and minimizing the side effects including the degradation of GI tract microbiome diversity can be achieved compared to the traditional probiotic treatment². We mainly worked toward contributing to target 3.5 (Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol¹).

Goal 9| Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

We are capable to lead a new approach and ideologically telling certain product developers to dare to innovate and not to stick to antibiotics to create drugs. To contribute to the goal, we aimed at target 9.5 (Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending¹).

We proposed a novel scientific solution to an existing global problem. We mainly focused on a novel method for battling antibiotic-resistant pathogens by displaying nanobodies on the surface of the probiotics. While meeting the goal, our laboratory team did various ways (using three different cells for trial: E. coli, Yeast and Lactococcus lactis) to achieve and increase the possibility of success. Additionally, our team collaborates with other iGEM teams from developing countries to contribute to scientific advancement there.

Goal 17| Partnerships for the goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

We, as a team, share and hold the view of win-win cooperation. We know that iGEM is not just a competition, but a platform for mutual communication and cooperation. We welcome various teams coming from different backgrounds and help to create solutions to the question. Our team strictly followed target 17.16 (Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries¹).

Our team played an active part in collaborating with other iGEM teams (LZU and XJLTU) to gain insights into local society and comprehend more knowledge. This kind of collaboration enriched us and ensured the sharing of knowledge and raising of awareness on both sides.

Conclusion

To sum up, we address and fulfill sustainable development goals 3, 9, and 17. While meeting the goal of displaying nanobodies on the surface of the probiotics to battle antibiotic-resistant pathogens, we can also contribute to improved healthcare globally in the sustainable development aspect. It can not only reduce antibiotic resistance but minimize side effects including the degradation of GI tract microbiome diversity. The inhibition of the pathogen will be stronger compared to traditional probiotic treatment. Our methods are easy to use and can be improved for further applications.

References