IGEM:NTU/2008/Brainstorming

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BIOMEDICAL

 * Drug delivery system
 * secretion turned on/off by extracellular conditions.
 * bacterial cell synthesizes biomatrix which encases the drug for delivery.
 * self-regulated dosage frequency & amount
 * protects drug from biological degradation en route to targeted cells.
 * characteristics of the drug: highlight issues of current drug delivery route -> optimum. injection/oral/why drug cant be delievered in any other form.
 * Type of bioproduct that bact can produce to encapsulate the drug ?
 * detachment of drug from biopolymatric material
 * where the biopolymatrix material goes - characteristics ? toxicity / carcinogenicity ?
 * FDA-approval of "shell" (non toxic/carcinogenic/irritation)
 * how shell moves to plasma - hydrophillicity / hydrophobicity.
 * Why deliver drug in the said way?
 * two mechanisms


 * Smoking cessation
 * switch off nicotine receptors - no withdrawal symptoms
 * interferance with other pathways ?
 * smoking is habitual ?


 * Biosensors
 * for detection of certain disease by detection of byproducts of the disease
 * BUT -> sustained period of use in body, how?

==> triggerred on/off by low insulin levels / high glucose levels.
 * Self-regulated insulin system


 * delivery of gene / protein
 * incorporation of growth factors into scaffolds
 * growth factor release from scaffold : to attract cells onto surface. adhesion
 * current mtds: (s)-(l) phase sep, leaching, chemi env too harsh for growth factors.


 * release of growth factors regulation
 * slow release to prevent shock to cell system.
 * incorporate microspheres into scaffolds ? HOW?


 * target cancer drugs to site
 * use of viral vectors / biological systems (enzy-substr recog) ?
 * inorganics : change particle to be controlled by external forces eg magnetic / electrical chemotaxi.
 * stem cells -> control env in which cells grow - Wang Dong An
 * Aging


 * molecular transport for gene / drug delivery
 * motor proteins already available; add on to library. ->Issue: energy
 * potential tag to specific cells ->detectable.

ENVIRONMENTAL
==> old idea, but can be refined. (PHB).
 * Autotrophic bacteria
 * produces carbohydrates upon exposure to light.
 * food, energy
 * Biofuels
 * synthesis of enzyme that converts cellulose to simple sugars
 * cellulose sources from non-edible parts of cultivational crop.
 * bioplastics
 * enzyme breaks down cellulose sugars into lactic acid -> polymer
 * grow corn crops for food and produce PLA / PHA
 * Electricity-generating bacteria
 * bacteria used for breaking down toxic wastes, at the same time generating electricity
 * self-sustaining system.
 * Ozone-releasing Bacteria
 * bacteria that breaks down pollutants and releases ozone?
 * Rebuilds ozone layer. Exposed to light produces oxygen
 * filter in industrial chimneys ?
 * self-sustaining, dont have to be replaced as often as catalytic converters

Biocomputers
Design of bacteria cells that react to physical conditions, eg electric potential, concentration gradient for use in Biocomputers. DNA molecules can store vast amounts of information

Silicon Wafers
Synthesizing silicon wafers using biological systems

Cell Phone

 * Cell making noises instead of flouresecent
 * Cell itself making sound
 * Cell producing a molecule that activates a sound making device
 * Hearing sounds made by cells.. raman spectroscopy
 * so cell exposed to physical stimulus produces a molecule that initiates a chain reaction to activate

Self regenerating Fire Extinguisher
Cell Matrix containing cell products that can extinguishes fire but can regenerate itself without refilling

Water-producing walls when exposed to high heat
Prevents collapsing of wall due to heat disintergration, delay collapse of walls, increasing survival rates in fires disaster for both victims and firefighters