Team:Manchester-Graz/Design
Applied Design
iGEM Manchester-Graz’s took the first steps in the development of a novel technology for drug delivery by developing self-regulating, drug-producing bacteria. In the near future, they could be incorporated into patients’ gut micro flora to secrete medicines directly inside the body. We focused on the treatment of early stages of Parkinson’s disease, for which the current treatment involves oral administration of L-DOPA. Our talks to experts (Interviews) in the medical field showed that one of the common side effects of oral L-DOPA treatment is rapid depletion of the jejunum, were L-DOPA is mainly absorbed. In consequence L-DOPA cannot be administered orally anymore and a PEG-PEJ tube needs to be installed surgically. This way L-DOPA is injected continuously direct into the jejunum in lower concentrations (20-200mg/h) via an external pump. This so called Duodopa® therapy is not only a massive decrease of life quality but treatments costs also accumulate to over 100000$ a year per person. (Interview with Dr. Högenauer)
Fig 1 Administration of L-DOPA via bacteria in the patient's gut
Furthermore, the talks to industry representatives and further investigations showed that the system can also be used as a green alternative to current chemical processes producing Dopamine or L-DOPA in the pharmaceutical industry. A greener industrial process leads to sustainable handling of natural resources and much lower waste removal or recycling costs (Industry).