Collaboration Wageningen - Thessaloniki

Introduction

We met the Thessaloniki iGEM team in the first week of July. It turned out to be one of the most productive and promising connections we have made over our journey. The exchange of ideas, the collaborations on many fronts and the mental support of having a sister iGEM team fighting against the same disease was encouraging.

The common goal: Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

When we reached out to NeuroMuSceteers, it was already evident to both teams that MS is not a disease you can easily tackle – especially not during the small time-frame of an iGEM season. We, miRADAR, are focused on drastically improving MS diagnosis, and the NeuroMuSceteers is attempting to introduce something groundbreaking for its therapy. When we discovered we were both working towards the same goal, we joined forces to have the most impact on improving the health care options for MS patients worldwide.

microRNAs

Both our projects detect microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers, for different outcomes. We identify miRNAs as targets for disease detection, while NeuroMuSceteers distinguishes two categories of useful miRNAs. One that enhances remyelination pathways and one that ensures specificity by releasing the remyelinating miRNAs from the mechanism only under disease- specific conditions. The second category, the specificity mechanism, was the point of interest for them. We conducted independent searches and then compared methods and results to determine if our projects sought the same miRNA biomarkers.

NUPACK modelling

Both our teams rely on RNA/DNA interactions to either diagnose or treat MS. We found common ground in using NUPACK, a crucial modelling tool for predicting these interactions.¹ Our teams exchanged tips, techniques, and troubleshooting advice, accelerating the development of our projects. In particular, miRADAR assisted with the hybridization chain reaction modelling for NeuroMuSceteers which posed significant logical challenges.

Human practices

Beyond the lab, we also collaborated on bioethics and public perception surrounding our projects. Together, we discussed our different approaches to addressing the public, focusing primarily on safety. The human practices team of iGEM Wageningen were the first among us to navigate the bioethics of how to protect patients in their public engagement approach. They consequently offered us important insights. Additionally, miRADAR connected NeuroMuSceteers with key stakeholders in the MS community, broadening their reach for Human Practices. NeuroMuSceteers connected us with the MS Centre in Thessaloniki, a unit of the B’ Neurological Department of their university hospital, where clinical and research work in the field of demyelinating diseases is being conducted.

Future

Looking forward, our collaboration will focus on creating a combined platform that integrates miRADAR’s diagnostic technology with NeuroMuSceteer’s therapeutic approach. This platform aims to streamline both early diagnosis and treatment, offering a more holistic solution for MS patients. Our beautiful commitment would be to make this system accessible to all communities, particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.

Aegean meet-up

Thessaloniki team hosted the Aeagean meeting in Thessaloniki from August 23th-25th and we were invited! Together with several teams from Greece we came together to present our projects and share insights. This also allowed both of our teams to finally meet in person after several online meetings. Apart from strengthening our bond, it enabled us to pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses in our projects, discuss team strategies face-to-face, rapidly resolve minute obstacles for which we had different levels of expertise and support each other farther towards the Grand Jamboree.

We are quite proud of our collaboration. We feel this showcases the iGEM community’s basic ideals of collaboration, innovation, and problem solving in the real world. We hope that by demonstrating our collaborative efforts, we will inspire other teams to reach out to one another and perceive each other as friends working together to change the world, brick by brick.