Leiden and Delft student teams ready for international competition iGEM

Imagine: you are just taking a sip of your drink when your phone's alarm goes off: 'GHB has been detected in your drink'. If it is up to students from team SPYKE (TU Delft), that will soon be possible. For the annual biology competition iGEM, they are working on an improved detection method for GHB.

The student team from Leiden University is developing a modified e. coli bacterium to improve treatment for head and neck cancer. From Oct. 26 to 28, the projects will be presented in Paris.

The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition is the largest in synthetic biology worldwide. Each year, more than 350 student teams are challenged to solve local and global problems by designing genetically modified organisms. Medical Delta is supporting the interdisciplinary student teams from Leiden (team Binanox) and Delft (team SPYKE).

GHB detection by an electrical biosensor in your glass or on your tooth

Drugging with GHB is an increasing problem and the drug is often used in rapes. Yet GHB use remains difficult to prove. This is partly because the substance can disappear from your blood after only three hours. In addition, the effects of GHB are very similar to alcohol.

TU Delft's iGEM team developed a method to detect GHB. "During a brainstorming session, we came across an article about a sensor on the tooth that measures sugar intake. This gave us the idea to make an electrical biosensor for on the tooth, but for GHB," says team member Brent van Schagen. When this sensor detects GHB, it can send a signal via Bluetooth. This way, a warning light can go on or an alarm can be sent to your phone. In this way, the team hopes to protect victims user from drugging and give them the evidence with which to report the crime.

The team paid close attention to social aspects during their project. For example, they spoke with police, prosecutors and club owners. Based partially on this feedback, the sensor in their final proof-of-concept is on the cup, rather than on the tooth. In addition, they are in the process of filing a patent application for their idea.

Modified e. coli bacteria to improve cancer therapy

A promising therapy for treating head and neck cancer is photothermal therapy. In photothermal therapy, nanoparticles are introduced into the patient's body. Because these nanoparticles bind to antibodies specific to tumor cells, healthy cells are left alone. When the nanoparticles are irradiated with a laser, heat is created, killing the tumor cells.

The most suitable nanoparticles for this therapy are made of silver and gold and have a very specific shape and size. However, these cannot yet be made chemically.

The goal of student team BINANOX from Leiden University is to make nanoparticles with the right specific shape and size using synthetic biology. To do this, they use the E. coli bacteria, adding silver and gold ions, among others. Thus, using various techniques, they can eventually create the right nanoparticles to use for cancer therapy.

More information about both projects can be found on the websites of iGEM Team Delft and iGEM Team Leiden.

Photo header: iGEM Foundation