01
Engineered Probiotics for Controllable Growth Factor Release
In our project, we utilized probiotics (Lactococcus lactis) as a controllable method for releasing growth factors. This technique allows probiotics to slowly release growth factors (GM-CSF), enabling gradual delivery of GM-CSF and providing a low-cost approach for using growth factors. Compared to wild-type strains, these engineered probiotics may yield higher efficacy. Compared to existing therapies, those based on engineered probiotics offer various advantages, such as cheaper formulations and fewer associated side effects. As synthetic biology advances, the engineering of probiotics is becoming increasingly complex yet represents a promising direction for medical development, facilitating the treatment and prevention of cancer, infections, metabolic disorders, and inflammation.
02
Connecting Biological Components to an APP
In our project, we employed Aptamers to detect harmful bacteria, connecting them to gold electrodes, and transmitting the signal to a circuit board for computation, ultimately outputting the data via Bluetooth to our developed mobile app. This integration of biological engineering components with traditional electromechanical engineering represents a significant advancement. Through this approach, we believe we are contributing to progress in the engineering field and driving developments in biological engineering. For instance, in our product, we can add a wider variety of Aptamers in the future, making wound detection more objective and quantitative. This information can be collected through the app and uploaded to the cloud for big data processing, potentially promoting public health in a smart city framework.
03
Discovering Bacterial Growth Curves that Differ from Existing Research Papers
In our project, we aimed to establish a model to predict bacterial growth over time, for which we referenced related papers and designed experiments to measure bacterial concentration over time, specifically using CFU assays. However, after completing the experiments and organizing the data, we were surprised to find significant differences in results, even with the same bacterial strain, culture medium, and temperature—especially regarding the time scale. We consulted our supervising professor about this situation, and he advised us that some literature results should only serve as references and should not be taken too seriously, particularly when the parameters of the bacterial growth environment are quite complex. This experience made us realize that future quantitative assessments or detections involving bacteria require careful consideration and evaluation.
04
Inhibition Curve of Antimicrobial Peptides (AMP) Against Bacteria (E. coli)
To understand the killing effect and inhibitory capacity of AMPs on E. coli, we successfully established an inhibition curve for antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) against bacteria. During the initial period after administration, we conducted intensive measurements and obtained a clear killing curve. This curve provides essential insights into how AMPs suppress bacterial growth, revealing the drug’s kinetics on a short time scale and its long-term effects on the target bacteria. We hope that our results will contribute to AMP research, with the expectation that they can effectively address the issue of antibiotic overuse, providing more targeted and effective treatments for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) diseases.