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Jamboree 2024 Result:

Awarded Gold

Nominated For:

Best Diagnostics Project

Best Presentation

Best Measurement

By utilising Synthetic Biology principles and through detailed engagement with stakeholders , we have developed a novel, rapid, on-site diagnostic test for Bovine Tuberculosis

Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) is a strain of zoonotic tuberculosis that predominantly infects cattle and has been devastating livestock for as long as the industry has been around.

Image of bacteria [representing btb] icon spreading to 3 cow icons

Three cow icons with bTB on them slashes with a red lines, representing cows slaughtered

From 2023 to 2024, 21,000 cattle were slaughtered in England due to bTB infections, a 5% increase from the previous year ^[1].

Both the infection and the mere threat of it have a profound effect on the country's economy, but the effect the disease has on farmer's livelihoods and wellbeing is often overlooked.

Same image of slashed infected cows as above but now with a stresed farmer beside them

While it is currently one of the UN's SDGs to reduce and eventually eradicate TB, the organisation has recognised the lack of attention bTB has received within the plan ^[2].

The University of Exeter resides in Devon, a county deemed as 'high risk' for bTB, a dangerous predicament for a region that is responsible for 11% of the country's cattle industry ^[1][3].

Icon of farmer talking to iGEM team member and two other members working in the lab with gained information

After consulting with local farmers, our team decided to contribute in the fight against bTB by developing a new diagnostic tool for the disease.

Our test aims to provide same-day results, be shelf-stable, and work on-site, allowing for more efficient diagnosis and monitoring of the disease within cattle herds. This would be an improvement from the current test has a number of issues.^[4].

Icon of gloved hand holding up a test tube of liquid, representing bTB diagnostic tool development. 3 upward arrows indicate it is an improvement of the current test

Diagram of how the Cas proteins work in relation to bTB RNA and DNA, cleaving the flourscent probe. This creates a flourescence detectable with a photodiode.

Our team has developed and expressed Cas proteins that can identify bTB related DNA or upregulated immune response biomarker RNA within infected cattle blood samples. Once identified, the Cas protein will cleave a nucleic acid linker between a fluorescent probe and a quencher. This will lead to a fluorescent signal that can be detected using a piece of custom hardware.

It is our ultimate goal to make this diagnostic device accessible to end users, including veterinary practitioners.

Icons of farmer and cow with a happy smile above them. bTB bacteria icon is crossed out in a red line above them.

That way, farmers can retain agency whilst having the tools to proactively detect bTB in their herds. This is a vital role in the fight against bTB, one that we hope will lead to a future without it.

Click for References

[1]Quarterly TB in cattle in Great Britain statistics notice: December 2023 [Internet]. GOV.UK. 2024. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/incidence-of-tuberculosis-tb-in-cattle-in-great-britain/quarterly-tb-in-cattle-in-great-britain-statistics-notice-december-2023

[2]UN and partners launch plan to stop transmission of bovine tuberculosis to humans | UN News [Internet]. news.un.org. 2017. Available from: https://news.un.org/en/story/2017/10/568442

[3] Stewart I. Farming and Food Statistics: South West England. House of Commons Library [Internet]. House of Commons Library; 2022 Feb 21 [cited 2024 Sep 29];32. Available from: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9458/CBP-9458.pdf

[4]de la Rua-Domenech R, Goodchild AT, Vordermeier HM, Hewinson RG, Christiansen KH, Clifton-Hadley RS. Ante mortem diagnosis of tuberculosis in cattle: A review of the tuberculin tests, y-interferon assay and other ancillary diagnostic techniques. Research in Veterinary Science. 2006 Oct;81(2):190–210.

[5]Bovine TB Testing in Cattle, Cows | TB hub UK [Internet]. tbhub.co.uk. 2019. Available from: https://tbhub.co.uk/tb-testing-cattle/#:~:text=The%20main%20screening%20test%20for"

Jamboree 2024 Result:

Awarded Gold

Nominated For:

Best Diagnostics Project

Best Presentation

Best Measurement

By utilising Synthetic Biology principles and through detailed engagement with stakeholders , we have developed a novel, rapid, on-site diagnostic test for Bovine Tuberculosis

Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) is a strain of zoonotic tuberculosis that predominantly infects cattle and has been devastating livestock for as long as the industry has been around.

From 2023 to 2024, 21,000 cattle were slaughtered in England due to bTB infections, a 5% increase from the previous year ^[1].

Both the infection and the mere threat of it have a profound effect on the country's economy, but the effect the disease has on farmer's livelihoods and wellbeing is often overlooked.

While it is currently one of the UN's SDGs to reduce and eventually eradicate TB, the organisation has recognised the lack of attention bTB has received within the plan ^[2].

The University of Exeter resides in Devon, a county deemed as 'high risk' for bTB, a dangerous predicament for a region that is responsible for 11% of the country's cattle industry ^[1][3].

After consulting with local farmers, our team decided to contribute in the fight against bTB by developing a new diagnostic tool for the disease.

Our test aims to provide same-day results, be shelf-stable, and work on-site, allowing for more efficient diagnosis and monitoring of the disease within cattle herds. This would be an improvement from the current test has a number of issues.^[4].

It is our ultimate goal to make this diagnostic device accessible to end users, including veterinary practitioners.

That way, farmers can retain agency whilst having the tools to proactively detect bTB in their herds. This is a vital role in the fight against bTB, one that we hope will lead to a future without it.

Watch Our Promotional Video Here:

Project Areas

Jamboree 2024 Result:

Awarded Gold

Nominated For:

Best Diagnostics Project

Best Presentation

Best Measurement

By utilising Synthetic Biology principles and through detailed engagement with stakeholders , we have developed a novel, rapid, on-site diagnostic test for Bovine Tuberculosis

Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) is a strain of zoonotic tuberculosis that predominantly infects cattle and has been devastating livestock for as long as the industry has been around.

From 2023 to 2024, 21,000 cattle were slaughtered in England due to bTB infections, a 5% increase from the previous year [1].

Both the infection and the mere threat of it have a profound effect on the country's economy, but the effect the disease has on farmer's livelihoods and wellbeing is often overlooked.

While it is currently one of the UN's SDGs to reduce and eventually eradicate TB, the organisation has recognised the lack of attention bTB has received within the plan [2].

The University of Exeter resides in Devon, a county deemed as 'high risk' for bTB, a dangerous predicament for a region that is responsible for 11% of the country's cattle industry [1][3].

After consulting with local farmers, our team decided to contribute in the fight against bTB by developing a new diagnostic tool for the disease.

Our test aims to provide same-day results, be shelf-stable, and work on-site, allowing for more efficient diagnosis and monitoring of the disease within cattle herds. This would be an improvement from the current test has a number of issues.[4].

It is our ultimate goal to make this diagnostic device accessible to end users, including veterinary practitioners.

That way, farmers can retain agency whilst having the tools to proactively detect bTB in their herds. This is a vital role in the fight against bTB, one that we hope will lead to a future without it.

Watch Our Promotional Video Here:

Project Areas

From 2023 to 2024, 21,000 cattle were slaughtered in England due to bTB infections, a 5% increase from the previous year ^[1].

While it is currently one of the UN's SDGs to reduce and eventually eradicate TB, the organisation has recognised the lack of attention bTB has received within the plan ^[2].

The University of Exeter resides in Devon, a county deemed as 'high risk' for bTB, a dangerous predicament for a region that is responsible for 11% of the country's cattle industry ^[1][3].

Our test aims to provide same-day results, be shelf-stable, and work on-site, allowing for more efficient diagnosis and monitoring of the disease within cattle herds. This would be an improvement from the current test has a number of issues.^[4].