Our Contribution
This year, our team made three kinds of contributions for future iGEMers.
- Registration of genetic parts with high versatility
- Developing an open-source fluorometer with low-cost parts
- Developing open-source software for predicting the infectious trends in dengue fever
Registration of genetic parts with high versatility
This year, our team could add mainly two new parts to the iGEM registry
When we introduce these parts into cells, N-Cre induces the expression of red fluorescent proteins in the target cells. BBa_K4419025 is optimized for human cells and BBa_K4419026 is optimized for mosquito cells.
Figure 1. Overview of the new parts system
These parts work based on the following steps.
Step 1
These genetic parts initially help the target cells produce green fluorescent proteins (EGFP) and N-terminal region of Cre recombinase enzyme. C-terminal region of Cre recombinase enzyme is induced.
Step 2
C- and N-terminal regions of Cre recombinase enzyme are reconstituted. Both C- and N-terminal region Cre enzymes cooperate to remove the sandwiched gene region between the first and second loxP sequences.
Step 3
After removing the EGFP-encoding sequence, red fluorescent proteins (mCherry) are produced.
Figure 2. Workflow of the new parts system
Advantages of this system for future iGEM teams
- Checking the green fluorescence of the cells before adding the inducer (C-terminal region of Cre recombinase enzyme), the quality of the cells can be confirmed.
- When the inducer (C-terminal region of Cre recombinase enzyme) is added, red fluorescence is observed, making the inducer a reporter gene. (For more detail: Wet lab section https://2022.igem.wiki/tokyotech/experiments)
Developing an open-source fluorometer with low-cost parts
(For more detail: Hardware section [https://2022.igem.wiki/tokyotech/hardware)
We developed an open-source fluorometer with low-cost parts. This device can determine whether fluorescence is present or not by comparing it with negative control.
Figure 3. Overview of the hardware system
Figure 4. Completed Product
Advantages of this system
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Open-source and available all the future iGEM teams (For more detail: Hardware section https://2022.igem.wiki/tokyotech/hardware)
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No special materials are required, and the system can be made with readily available items such as cameras, plastic boards, and black construction paper.
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Not a specific type of fluorescence, but any type of fluorescence can be measured by simply changing a few components such as filters and excitation light. Anyone who takes an interest in our system can lean more on the hardware page.
Developing open-source software for predicting the infectious trends in dengue fever
(For more detail: Software section)
Our greatest achievement has been the use of web-based software to visualize the results of our predictions. While it is important for an epidemic forecasting model to accurately predict the future, it is meaningless if the results are not communicated to people. Our software simplifies the complex process of data processing, making even those who are not familiar with programming competent data analysts.
It also has the ability to register new patients, manage existing patients, and trigger re-predictions. Thus, the software can be used as an all-in-one solution.
Figure 5. Software flow
Figure 6. Prediction system
Advantages of this system
- Open-source and available all the future iGEM teams (For more detail: Software section)
- Easy-to-use UI, even for non-programmers Trend forecasting models can be run on the web-based software.
- Can be applied to other infectious diseases by replacing the forecasting model.
Anyone who takes interest in our system can lean more on the hardware page.