Identifying the Problem
Parasitic infestations, such as scabies, are a growing health concern, especially as reports of treatment resistance increase in certain regions, including Spain. Traditional treatments, while still effective for many, are becoming less reliable due to this resistance. As a result, there is an urgent need for innovative approaches that go beyond conventional chemical treatments. While scabies is a prominent example, the broader issue lies in how we approach parasitic diseases in general—relying on methods that may not hold up against evolving challenges.
We recognized this growing gap in effective treatments and saw an opportunity to leverage synthetic biology to address scabies and a range of parasitic conditions. Our project is built on the understanding that parasitic infestations require a more versatile, adaptable, and targeted approach. Scabies serves as the proof of concept for what we envision as a revolutionary platform that can be expanded to treat other parasitic diseases.
Proposing a Solution
To tackle the issue of treatment resistance and provide a more sustainable solution, we propose SkinBAIT—an innovative synthetic biology platform designed to target parasitic infestations at their root. By focusing on scabies as our initial application, we are developing a biologically engineered product that delivers precise, effective treatment. This approach not only addresses the immediate challenge of scabies but also demonstrates the broader potential of our technology to combat various parasitic diseases.
SkinBAIT offers a new line of defense that can be adapted as parasites evolve. Our goal is to create a safe, effective product that can enter the market and set a new standard for treating parasitic skin infections, positioning SkinBAIT as both a solution for today’s challenges and a platform for future innovation.
Integrated Human Practices - A Puzzle Approach
Human Practices in iGEM are about ensuring that our work is not done in isolation from the world around us. It connects the project to the societal, ethical, and real-world contexts in which it will exist. Every iGEM project is different, and so too are the Human Practices plans. They must be tailored to each project’s goals, stakeholders, and impact. In the words of the iGEM Human Practices guidelines,
A project is not complete until it has been shaped by the world it will enter. Human Practices guidelines
For our project, which aims to create a product that will enter the market and provide a new solution for parasitic infestations, the Human Practices framework we designed is not just an add-on —it is central to ensuring our success. We have constructed a comprehensive and tailored plan that goes beyond lab-based research. Our focus is on creating a marketable product, ensuring public trust, and addressing the real needs of patients and healthcare professionals.
The development of SkinBAIT, like solving a complex puzzle, involves many interconnected elements that complement each other to influence and enhance our project. We have identified key pieces that are essential for making SkinBAIT successful in the lab, the clinic, and ultimately, in the marketplace.
- SkinBAIT Team: As a Team, we have to reflect on how the world shapes our project and implement the insights we gain.
- Ethical Aspects: We must consider the safety and fairness of introducing engineered products. Addressing ethical concerns is crucial for public trust and regulatory approval.
- Stakeholders: To bring SkinBAIT to market, we must understand business viability, legal protection, and scalability. This ensures our project’s commercial potential is considered.
- Public Engagement: Understanding public concerns and expectations ensures SkinBAIT is accepted and trusted by the community, essential for successful market entry.
- Distribution and Societal Integration: Considering how to distribute SkinBAIT, especially in underserved regions, ensures we address inequalities in access to healthcare solutions. Different strategies may be required for our local community versus global markets.
- Professionals' Opinions: Input from experts, such as SynBio researchers, dermatologists, and parasitologists, helps ensure SkinBAIT aligns with clinical needs and standards.
Each of these puzzle pieces is critical for SkinBAIT’s success, and they all interlock to create a complete, market-ready product that solves a real-world problem while being shaped by the broader societal and ethical context in which it will be used. Our Human Practices plan is more than just a checklist; it is a carefully crafted strategy that ensures our product is practical, ethical, and effective in addressing the challenges of parasitic infestations in the 21st century.
Below, you’ll find a timeline of our Human Practices journey—a journey that not only shaped SkinBAIT but also transformed our mentality as a team. Each action started with a plan, an idea of where we wanted to go. But through human interaction —discussions with experts, feedback from stakeholders, and conversations with the public— our project evolved. We didn't just adapt to challenges or questions raised; we gained insights that made our work richer, more thoughtful, and more attuned to the world around us.
This timeline represents how our plans were continuously reshaped by the invaluable input we received, making our project stronger and more aligned with the communities it’s meant to serve.
Initial Brainstorming Sessions
Early April 2024
Input
We entered this phase with each team member having researched past iGEM projects and identified a local problem we could focus on. We considered several possibilities, including sewer odor in local communities, fungus infestations in agriculture, cloud microbiota to combat low precipitation, and parasitic infestations. Our goal was to discuss the feasibility, relevance, and potential impact of these ideas.
The Action
We first debated our ideas, sharing the pros, cons, and our initial research findings. After a few days of further investigation, we reconvened with our instructors. They helped guide our discussions, ensuring our ambitions were realistic while still pushing us to explore innovative solutions. The discussions encouraged us to focus on real-world problems affecting our local community and their broader implications.
Insights
Gained
We gained a deeper understanding of iGEM’s project limitations, particularly around feasibility and scope. We also realized the importance of choosing a problem that was not only scientifically interesting but impactful for real people and situations.
Implementation
From these sessions, we decided to focus on parasitic infestations, specifically using skin microbiota to address this issue. This idea became the foundation of our SkinBAIT project, blending practicality with innovation and a clear connection to real-world needs.
Defining SkinBAIT
Mid-April 2024
Input
We entered this session with the general concept of using skin microbiota to fight parasitic infestations. Each team member brought different ideas to the table regarding potential chassis, toxins, and alternative methods to reach our goal. Our focus was on selecting safe, effective, and practical solutions.
The Action
During this session, we discussed various options, from different bacterial chassis to potential toxins that could target parasites without harming the human host. We consulted with our instructors and supervisors for their expertise and took the time to research each idea in greater detail. Our discussions and research focused on safety, effectiveness, and the feasibility of each option.
Insights
Gained
We learned about the importance of safe design, particularly in selecting organisms and compounds that wouldn't pose a risk to human health and the general environment. We also considered specificity—how well our chosen system would target parasites without affecting the rest of the microbiota. Finally, we realized the importance of applicability, making sure our design could be practically implemented on human skin.
Implementation
We chose C. acnes as our chassis due to its natural presence on the skin, its safety, and our team's expertise in working with it. For the toxic agent, we selected the Cry protein family because of its specificity to target parasites while being harmless to humans and other mammals. This solidified the core of our experimental design, laying the foundation for the first pipeline detailed on the Engineering Page (see that page for more info).
Conference “Dia Mundial de la Propietat Intel·lectual”
April 26th, 2024
Input
We attended a conference that took place in our university, due to the World Intellectual Property Day. Days prior to the conference, our instructors started to warn us about the potential problems related to intellectual property, in the case we were to commercialize our product in the near future. The conference would be the perfect opportunity to know more about intellectual property, and hopefully meet professionals that were willing to guide us.
The Action
The conference was very valuable for us, as it featured five different speakers from diverse fields, yet all were united by a common theme: intellectual property (IP). Each speaker brought a unique perspective, allowing us to explore IP from various angles. At the end we approached the speakers in order to get some feedback about our project and we were also able to schedule a meeting with Cinta Díez, one of the speakers, for further insights and guidance.
Insights Gained
- From a legal perspective, we gained some understanding of the frameworks and regulations of intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
- On the accounting side, another speaker delved into the financial implications of IP, discussing how intangible assets like patents and trademarks can be a significant part of a company's valuation.
- Perhaps the most impactful and helpful were the personal experiences shared by entrepreneurs, as they spoke about the challenges of navigating IP in real-world business scenarios.
Implementation
All the knowledge gained from the conference, at that moment, was applied in our IGEM project to integrate strategies for securing intellectual property early in the design phase. Additionally, the contact we made with Cinta Díez would prove to be invaluable for the early development of our project.
Meeting with Cinta Díez, In Vivo Partners
May 2nd, 2024
Input
We scheduled a meeting with Cinta Díez, whom we met at the IP conference. Cinta is a potential stakeholder and member of In Vivo Partners, a management company investing in early-stage companies in the healthcare sector. Our goal was to showcase our idea of using skin microbiota to produce a Cry toxin that would be ingested by parasites to kill them. We sought feedback on the viability and market potential of our approach.
The Action
During our conversation, Cinta offered invaluable insights from a business and stakeholder perspective. She raised important points about market strategy, funding, and broader applications of our technology. Additionally, she gave us practical advice on how to refine our sales pitch, emphasizing the importance of focusing more on the problem—parasitic infestations—and their impact on people, rather than diving too deeply into the experimental specifics. This helped us rethink how to communicate the urgency and relevance of our solution. She also recommended that to attract more stakeholders, we should add another element to the project beyond simply transforming bacteria in a lotion—something more innovative or impactful.
Insights Gained
- Pursuing funding through competitions, public funding, or innovation prizes instead of targeting established businesses.
- Conducting deeper research on the economic and social impact of current treatments for parasitic infestations.
- Exploring applications of our technology in developing countries and difficult markets, as well as its use in treating animal parasites.
- Improving our sales pitch by focusing on the situation's urgency and the potential impact of our solution, rather than technical details.
- Adding an extra element beyond just transformed bacteria in a lotion to make the project more attractive to stakeholders.
Implementation
This meeting inspired us to expand our market research, as detailed on our Project Implementation Page. We performed a thorough SWOT analysis, better segmented our target audience, and started exploring the needs of markets beyond our initial focus. We also improved our communication strategy, placing a stronger emphasis on the broader impact of our project. Additionally, we took her advice to enhance the innovation aspect of the project, which is reflected in our first engineering cycle of the experimental pipeline. This conversation broadened our vision, helping us refine our approach and expand the project’s potential applications.
Meeting with Sergi Bonilla, Tech Transfer UPF
May 9th, 2024
Input
We approached Sergi Bonilla with many questions about intellectual property (IP), technology transfer, and funding opportunities. Our main concerns revolved around protecting our ideas, managing funding, and navigating the commercialization process while remaining aligned with university policies.
The Action
During our meeting with Sergi, we discussed a wide range of topics, including the basics of patenting, funding sources available through UPF, and how to handle information dissemination without jeopardizing potential intellectual property claims. Sergi gave us valuable insights into what is needed for patenting (novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability) and advised us to carefully monitor what we reveal in public, ensuring we protect the novelty of our idea.
We also explored possible avenues for funding, including UPF-FLAMA for early-stage projects, Innovalora for more developed ones, and various competitive funding opportunities such as Caixa Research. Sergi suggested looking into both public funding and potential collaborations with private companies, ensuring we use confidentiality agreements when necessary.
Insights Gained
- Patenting: We learned the importance of keeping certain aspects of our project confidential to preserve the novelty and inventive steps required for patenting. Sergi highlighted the need to carefully consider when and how to share details of our project, particularly regarding C. acnes and our use of Cry toxins.
- Funding: Sergi introduced us to multiple funding avenues, ranging from early-stage grants to more substantial opportunities like Caixa Impulse and Innovalora. He emphasized the importance of aligning with public funding sources initially before exploring private investments.
- Collaboration: He encouraged us to engage with the university's business development and communication departments, suggesting they could act as valuable allies in securing funding and giving visibility to our project.
Implementation
Following this meeting, we became more cautious about what we shared publicly and during interviews with experts, stakeholders, and on social media. This shift in approach ensured that we maintained control over our IP, allowing us to protect our innovative work while still engaging with the public and potential investors.
Interview with Dr. Gemma Martín-Ezquerra
May 9th, 2024
Input
We interviewed Dr. Gemma Martín-Ezquerra, Dermatologist and Head of the Sexually Transmitted Infections Unit at Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, to gain expert insights into scabies, its current treatment challenges, and her perspective on our approach using C. acnes to produce anti-parasitic toxins. We also sought her opinion on the current clinical landscape for treating scabies and the potential of microbiome-based therapies for both prevention and treatment.
The Action
Dr. Martín-Ezquerra began by expressing her growing concern over the rising resistance of scabies to current treatments. She emphasized that this has become a significant challenge in her practice, and she had been searching for collaborators to work on new solutions. She found our idea promising, particularly given the need for innovative approaches in combating this resistance.
However, she raised several important concerns regarding the safety and ethical implications of our project. Specifically, she was worried that introducing engineered bacteria onto the skin could disrupt the natural microbiome, potentially causing dysbiosis in patients. She also noted the absence of a regulatory mechanism to control the engineered bacteria, recommending that we explore how to incorporate a fail-safe system to regulate their activity. Without such a safeguard, she felt that the clinical community might hesitate to adopt this approach.
Dr. Martín-Ezquerra also appreciated the preventive aspect of our proposal, noting that, in Spain, scabies often go undetected for up to two months before patients seek medical attention. During this time, infected individuals unknowingly spread the disease, which makes containment difficult. The idea of a preventive solution intrigued her, as it could reduce transmission rates and provide a much-needed tool in combating outbreaks in settings like schools, where she has seen significant challenges.
Insights Gained
- Resistance and Clinical Need: Dr. Martín-Ezquerra confirmed that resistance to scabies treatments (and other parasitic infestations) is becoming a real problem, and there is a clear clinical need for new approaches. This validated our project’s relevance and motivated us to focus on this aspect during further development.
- Safety and Ethical Concerns: Her concerns about potential dysbiosis prompted us to reflect deeply on the safety of using engineered bacteria on the skin. The idea of incorporating a regulatory mechanism for the bacteria (such as a kill switch or a system that prevents overgrowth) became a priority for improving our design.
- Preventive Potential: The emphasis she placed on prevention, especially given the delay in diagnosis, highlighted an additional strength of our project. We started considering how to better position our solution as both a treatment and a preventive measure, which could significantly impact how scabies is managed in the future.
Implementation
As a result of this meeting, we re-evaluated our project design with a focus on incorporating safety measures for the engineered bacteria. Dr. Martín-Ezquerra’s feedback on the need for a regulatory mechanism led us to explore different genetic safety systems, which could prevent unintended side effects or over-proliferation of the bacteria.
Additionally, her enthusiasm for the preventive aspect of our product reinforced its importance in our development strategy. We realized that by positioning SkinBAIT as both a treatment and a preventive solution, we could address the root cause of many scabies outbreaks and contribute to more effective disease control.
Dr. Martín-Ezquerra’s input was essential in shaping the evolution of our project, pushing us to consider practical, clinical applications beyond the laboratory and ensuring that our solution could be safely and effectively implemented in real-world healthcare settings.
Interview with Dr. Cristina Pascual Valdés
May 19th, 2024
Input
We interviewed Dr. Cristina Pascual Valdés, a dermatologist at Dermatodex and Hospital Universitario Dexeus, to seek her expert opinion on scabies and potential treatments. Our aim was to further refine our project, focusing on real-world clinical experience.
The Action
During the interview, Dr. Pascual Valdés highlighted the common misinformation among younger patients regarding skincare and emphasized that treatments should be personalized. She described scabies as a highly contagious condition that burrows into the epidermis, causing itchiness and skin lesions. The treatment she typically recommends includes oral ivermectin combined with sulfur-based products, antihistamines, and continuous moisturization.
When we presented our project to her, she noted her previous attempts using probiotics for skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and rosacea had shown limited results. However, she supported the idea of altering the skin microbiome, provided we focus on strengthening the skin’s natural barrier and maintaining its pH and hydration. She also brought up research linking gut and skin microbiomes, revealing broader aspects for us to consider.
Insights Gained
Dr. Pascual Valdés’s feedback provided critical points of reflection. Her experience with scabies treatment underscored the importance of reinforcing the skin’s barrier. Her skepticism about probiotics pushed us to carefully evaluate our engineered bacteria's impact on skin health, ensuring they wouldn’t disrupt the skin's natural defenses. The gut-skin connection she mentioned opened up additional avenues for exploration, particularly regarding immune responses to skin conditions.
Implementation
Based on her input, we are focusing more on ensuring that our engineered bacteria will enhance, not compromise, the skin’s natural protective mechanisms. We are also considering the inclusion of features in the final marketable product that help maintain skin hydration and pH levels, aligning with Dr. Pascual Valdés’s advice.
Team Meeting - Implementation of Insights into Experimental Pipeline
Late May 2024
Input
Following multiple consultations with professionals and stakeholders, our team held a critical meeting to integrate all insights gathered from our Human Practices work into the experimental pipeline. We aimed to address concerns about safety, efficacy, and investor appeal, and to ensure the feasibility of our project with the guidance of our instructors.
The Action
- Dermatologists raised concerns about the potential for dysbiosis caused by introducing genetically modified C. acnes to human skin.
- Investors suggested that the project needed a more innovative edge to increase its market appeal.
- Our internal doubts surfaced around the effectiveness of delivering the Cry toxin to scabies mites directly through the bacteria.
Insights Gained
- Safety Mechanism: It was essential to create a safety mechanism to prevent our modified C. acnes from disrupting the skin microbiome. This would address the concerns about dysbiosis raised by dermatologists and improve the ethical viability of our project.
- Toxin Delivery: We needed a more reliable method to ensure the Cry toxin reached the scabies mites effectively, overcoming concerns about whether the toxin would be released in a way that could target the mites.
- Innovative Design: To make the project more appealing to investors, we realized the importance of incorporating advanced design elements, such as regulatory mechanisms and alternative toxin delivery systems, to showcase the project’s novelty and market potential.
Implementation
- RNA Thermometer and Endolysin: We integrated an RNA thermometer that activates at 37°C, triggering an endolysin to lyse C. acnes. This mechanism would enhance safety by reducing the risk of dysbiosis.
- Optimized Toxin Release: With the endolysin system, the bacteria would release the Cry toxin directly onto the skin, improving delivery to scabies mites.
- Broader Testing Scope: We decided to test additional constructs and Cry toxins, including the MG10 promoter for initial experiments in E. coli, conserving time and resources.
Meeting with Rafael González, professor at UPF and IL3-UB
Early August 2024
Input
Following the action plan developed with Cinta Díez and Sergi Bonilla, we aimed to identify a strategy for bringing our product to market. This led us to consult Rafael González, a professor in the Master MBA from school of management of UPF and the logistics innovation master from the IL3-UB, with over 25 years of experience in logistics, to seek advice on our implementation plan and explore the steps we could take to further develop it.
The Action
Insights Gained
- Market segmentation: A key focus of these meetings was the market segmentation plan we were developing. Thanks to Rafael's insights, we clarified certain theoretical aspects we hadn't fully understood and gained valuable knowledge about the healthcare distribution system. He also advised us on how to visually represent the results of our market segmentation, using the plot shown on the page, which allows for a clear comparison of the extracted data.
- CAME analysis: Another key focus of these meetings was the development of a new complementary analysis for our product. Rafael emphasized the importance of demonstrating a thorough understanding of the SWOT analysis by Correcting our weaknesses, Adapting to threats, Maintaining our strengths, and Exploiting on opportunities. As a result, we needed to perform a CAME analysis.
Implementation
e for real-world application.
Engaging with other iGEM Teams
Early September 2024
Input
Our next action involved engaging with other iGEM teams to gauge awareness and perspectives on scabies. We created a Google Form with targeted questions about scabies, its transmission, treatment experiences, and preventive measures. We hoped that the issue was somewhat known, specially in the European context, given the recent parasitic infection breakouts.
The Action
Insights Gained
- Awareness Levels: While many respondents recognized scabies, some lacked detailed knowledge about its transmission and preventive measures, indicating a need for better education and awareness campaigns.
- Treatment Experiences: Responses revealed a mix of treatment efficacy; some participants reported positive outcomes with current medications, while others noted dissatisfaction due to secondary effects and suggested the need for improved treatment options.
- Community Impact: Several respondents shared personal or community cases, emphasizing that scabies remains a relevant issue in different regions, often associated with social stigma and prejudice, and lack of information about preventive measures.
- Prevention Suggestions: Participants offered practical recommendations for preventing outbreaks, such as increased hygiene awareness, public education campaigns, and regular health checks in at-risk communities.
Implementation
Interviewing Dr. Omar López López, from Dermalawi
September 10th 2024
Input
We decided to interview Dr. Omar López López, a medical specialist in Medical-Surgical Dermatology and Venereology at Mapfre Medical Center in A Coruña and coordinator of the Dermalawi volunteer program. Dermalawi is a healthcare initiative in Malawi that provides dermatological care, focusing on skin conditions like scabies. It combines treatment with educational campaigns to raise awareness about hygiene and prevention, ensuring accessible and effective care for the community. We aimed to gain some insight on what differences can be found between the clinical context in Malawi and in Spain, specially regarding parasitic infestations and distribution of resources.
The Action
Dr. López highlighted the use of various treatments for scabies, noting that while ivermectin is preferred for its ease of administration, topical treatments like permethrin and benzyl benzoate are also commonly used. He stressed the importance of effective, accessible, and easy-to-administer treatments, especially for vulnerable populations like pregnant women and infants.
Insights Gained
- Resistance Awareness: While some drug resistance is observed, it currently isn't a major concern as treatments remain effective, unlike in Spain. However, he highlighted it would be ideal to have an alternative before significative resistance occurs.
- Treatment Accessibility: There’s a strong emphasis on the need for treatments that require minimal applications and are affordable to ensure therapeutic adherence, as patient follow-up is not optimal.
- Community Dynamics: Unlike in Spain, there is no social stigma attached to scabies in Malawi. The community is knowledgeable about the condition and accepts it as a day-to-day occurrence.
- Environmental Context: The differences in healthcare conditions and community practices highlight the need for adaptations in treatment strategies, including the possibility of a mass drug administration (MDA) approach as oposed to pharmacy administration in Spain.
- Ecosystem Impact: Dr. López raised concerns about ensuring that our engineered C. acnes does not disrupt the normal skin microbiota or adversely affect local ecosystems.
Implementation
Interviewing the General Public
Late September 2024
Input
We realized that the only way to get the general public’s opinion was to go out to get it. Therefore, we decided to take to the streets and ask everyone about it. We wanted to have a representative sample of the population, so we needed to go to different neighbourhoods. We expected to find certain reticence when asked about some sensitive topics, so we designed the interview carefully.
The Action
Insights Gained
Implementation
Conclusions
As you have seen above, at every step, we went in with a specific goal or design. Through each engagement, we emerged with a deeper understanding of the complexities involved. The feedback and insights we gained were not just theoretical—they made SkinBAIT more practical, ethical, and ultimately, more human. This process of reflection and refinement made our project more than just a product; it became something rooted in real-world needs and informed by the people we aim to help.