Difference between revisions of "Team:Edinburgh"

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                     <h2 class="section-heading">Can SynBio be used to reduce the potential for drug-related harm?</h2>
 
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                    Thousands die each year from drugs that are contaminated with dangerous cutting agents or other more potent drugs. In addition, there has been a rise in accidental overdoses from users not knowing the purity of the drugs they consume.
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We believe that drug testing kits should be safe, affordable, and readily available to those at risk.
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              As students living in Edinburgh, a city sometimes dubbed "the drug capital of Europe", this problem is very close to our hearts.The question remains: can SynBio make a difference? 
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Where tests are affordable and understandable to the end-user, accuracy, and thus safety, is compromised. It is clear that the current methods for checking drugs are not adequate. To change this we envisioned a test designed and modelled around the fundamental needs of the users. This is a test built from their personal input and experience, to create the most useful and appropriate device possible. 
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We see an opportunity for synthetic biology to provide us with the winning combination of accuracy, ease of use, adaptability, low-cost and portability - a mix that neither simple chemical test-kits nor high-end analytical chemistry can provide. Synthetic biology has allowed us to present the best aspects of all the existing methodologies in one simple device, creating a feasible method of getting accurate safety information to all those who need it.  
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Through hard work, innovative thinking, strong end-user engagement and of course a hefty dose of synthetic biology, we embarked on a mission to use synthetic biology to make a difference.
 
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                    <h2 class="section-heading">We believe that this is possible.</h2>
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                      We are creating a cell-free, paper-based biosensor that can provide users with a better understanding of the composition of their drugs. Our biosensor will detect lethal contaminants and give a semi-quantitative analysis of purity. When paired with software it can red-light dangerously high purity levels and provide valuable information to users that could potentially save their lives.
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                Multiple tests will be integrated into one easy to use, portable and inexpensive biosensor. This summer we will focus on the development of three tests: Heroin Purity, PMA detection and DNP detection in Diet Pills.
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Revision as of 13:48, 9 September 2015

Looks Safe on Paper

Can SynBio be used to reduce the potential for drug-related harm?

We believe that drug testing kits should be safe, affordable, and readily available to those at risk.

Where tests are affordable and understandable to the end-user, accuracy, and thus safety, is compromised. It is clear that the current methods for checking drugs are not adequate. To change this we envisioned a test designed and modelled around the fundamental needs of the users. This is a test built from their personal input and experience, to create the most useful and appropriate device possible.

We see an opportunity for synthetic biology to provide us with the winning combination of accuracy, ease of use, adaptability, low-cost and portability - a mix that neither simple chemical test-kits nor high-end analytical chemistry can provide. Synthetic biology has allowed us to present the best aspects of all the existing methodologies in one simple device, creating a feasible method of getting accurate safety information to all those who need it.

Through hard work, innovative thinking, strong end-user engagement and of course a hefty dose of synthetic biology, we embarked on a mission to use synthetic biology to make a difference.