Contribution

Experiments

Created a Concentration-dependent Lead-Detecting Biosensor Using pPbr with Chromoprotein Reporting

We have successfully constructed a biosensor using pPbr (BBa_K5152004), which can detect the presence of heavy metals and report the signal through a chromoprotein. The visible signal intensity correlates with the concentration of the metal, allowing detection by the naked eye.

In several experimental designs, we verified that our lead biosensor responds specifically to the presence of lead. The signal is generated through the chromoprotein reporter, making it easily observable without the need for specialized equipment.

Additionally, we demonstrated that the color intensity produced by the biosensor is proportional to the concentration of lead within a certain range. This proportionality enhances the practical applicability of our biosensor, allowing for quantitative estimation of lead concentration.

These findings suggest that our biosensor design has the potential to evolve into a user-friendly and practical tool for detecting heavy metals. It could be particularly useful for individuals without specialized skills or equipment, broadening its application scope.

All results have been documented in our Results and Engineering pages, and the corresponding information is available in the Parts.


Created a Cadmium Biosensor Using pCadA with Chromoprotein Reporting

We preliminarily tested several other heavy metal biosensor devices. Among them, the MerR-pCadA biosensor for cadmium (BBa_K5152006) exhibited a promising response, while others require further verification.

The MerR-pCadA design produced a blue color reporter signal upon cadmium addition, indicating its potential as a cadmium biosensor.

However, designs such as pZnt (BBa_K5152009) and pYodA (BBa_K5152007) could not be fully verified due to leaky expression in the negative control. Despite this, we consistently observed deeper coloration in setups exposed to heavy metals, suggesting these designs could function as biosensors if the leaky expression issue is resolved with further modifications.


Contribution of New Expression Data to Chromoprotein and Metal-Inducible Promoter Parts

As part of our project, we expressed chromoproteins and contributed new data on their expression profiles, including amilCP, tsPurple, eforRed, and cjBlue. We also revalidated the vibrant expression, functionality, and appearance of dTomato (BBa_K4813005), which was optimized and created by our previous team, using our biosensor design.

Additionally, we utilized metal-sensitive promoters from existing parts, verified them, and added new measurements using our composite device designs. Specifically, for the lead-inducible promoter pPbr (BBa_I721001) and the cadmium-inducible promoter pCadA (BBa_K1724000), we documented their responses from our biosensors.

For further details, please refer to the Parts page and Part Registry.

Hardware

Engineered a Biosensor Integrated Machine

We developed “Metalytic”, a compact bacterial culturing system that integrates AI vision and IoT technology for automatic detection and notification of color changes in bacterial cultures. Our system demonstrates the connectivity of AI and IoT with biological systems, specifically using genetically modified E. coli that adheres to the central dogma of molecular biology. This integration enables automated detection of heavy metals.


Potential Applications of Our Biosensor
  • Bacterial Cultivation: Metalytic serves as a low-cost, portable system for cultivating bacteria, making it suitable for a wide range of projects that require bacterial cultures.
  • Real-Time Protein Monitoring: Our device can automatically monitor chromoprotein expression in cultures using AI and IoT technology. With some modifications, it could be adapted to provide real-time records of protein expression in bacteria.

    • For further details, please refer to the Hardware page.

Please come visit our booth Booth T-8 (Group A) to see the final product of our hardware!

Education

Our Education Journey in iGEM

Since 2016, our team has been the first high school group from Hong Kong to join iGEM. Our goal is to promote synthetic biology and encourage more people to participate. We’ve organized educational programs like teacher workshops, summer camps, and training sessions. We also support other schools in Hong Kong by providing guidance for their iGEM involvement.

This year, we held over 20 educational events, reaching a wide audience including the public, students, media, and schools. Our activities included workshops, promotions, publications, and exhibitions. Here are some highlights:

Workshops for Students

We ran interactive workshops for primary and secondary students to help them understand synthetic biology. These sessions included fun activities about heavy metals in the environment. By using relatable examples and hands-on experiments, we made complex science easy and interesting. Our workshops reached over 1,000 students, creating an exciting learning atmosphere.

Promotional Publications

We created and shared materials with local high schools to spark interest in iGEM. These publications explained synthetic biology, showcased past projects, and highlighted the benefits of joining iGEM. By reaching out to teachers and students, we aimed to inspire future scientists and encourage new teams.

Biotechnology Learning Curriculum

We developed a complete learning curriculum and materials for biotechnology. These have been used in several rounds of training, helping students progress from beginners to performing basic biotech techniques. The materials are distributed to participants, encouraging them to share and use them widely.

Media Engagement

We worked with TVB, Hong Kong’s largest broadcaster, and other media to share our project and the iGEM competition with the public. Through interviews and features, we raised awareness about synthetic biology and highlighted the innovative work of young iGEMers.

Advisory Role for Other iGEM Teams

Our Principal Investigator advised another iGEM team, offering guidance and expertise. This mentorship helped teams collaborate, sharing ideas and resources. By creating a supportive environment, we contributed to the growth of the iGEM community and promoted teamwork.

Interactive Learning Tools

To engage younger audiences, we developed educational games like a Scratch-based snake game and a Blooket Quiz Game. These tools help students learn while sparking their curiosity about synthetic biology. Our storybook and board game explain heavy metal contamination in a fun and simple way, encouraging deeper exploration of these topics.

Souvenirs for Awareness

We designed creative souvenirs like memo pads, stickers, and posters to highlight our project on heavy metals. These items are informative and eye-catching, helping to raise public awareness about important environmental issues. By distributing these souvenirs, we hope to inspire conversations about understanding and reducing heavy metal contamination.

For further details, please refer to the Education page.

Figure 1: Scratch Code for our Snake Game - Metal Snake