Team:ETH Zurich/Achievements

"What I cannot create I do not understand."
- Richard Feynmann

Achievements

We are proud to announce that we achieved the following goals

  • We designed a novel system for detection of circulating tumour cells in blood samples using genetically modified bacteria.

  • We found a method to do single cell analysis by expressing a protein (Annexin V) on the E. coli membrane that makes them stick to apoptotic mammalian cells.

  • We characterized parts of the natural E. coli lldPRD-operon, on which there is only a very limited amount of information present in the literature.

  • We designed a genetic circuit that integrates two different cancer specific signals (lactate and AHL) and modelled the system.

  • We characterized many parts and determined many parameters of our system performing various experiments.

  • By modelling the system we showed that the system as a whole can work.

  • We documented and submitted XX new basic parts to the iGEM parts registry and created a part collection with XX parts.

  • We designed a chipfor later easy application of our MicroBeacon E. coli.

  • We collaboratedwith the team from Stockholm by testing some of their constructs.

  • We contributed to the Newsletters from Amoys team, met with the Darmstadt team, helped with a survey from EPFL and provided Colombias team with protocols and advice when their transformations did not work.

  • We interviewed many different experts from various fields, such as medical doctors, somebody from the ethics commission, the founder of a start-up or an expert in patents law and integrated the advice and ideas we got from them into the design.

  • We went to two different schools, thaught the children about what DNA is, performed experiments with them and published an article about it in the local newspaper.

  • We told the ETH-student magacine polykum about iGEM and gave an interview.

  • We attended the safety instrucions from the department D-BSSE in basel where we have our lab.

  • We participated in the interlab study.

    • Medal Criteria

    Register for iGEM, have a great summer, and attend the Giant Jamboree. Going for it!
    Complete the Judging form
    Create a Description of the team's project
    Document the team's parts using the Registry of Standard Biological Parts
    Present a poster and a talk at the iGEM Jamboree. Going for it!
    Create a page on your team wiki with clear attribution of each aspect of your project.
    Document one new standard BioBrick Part or Device
    Experimentally validate that at least one new BioBrick Part of your own design
    Submit this new part to the iGEM Parts Registry.
    Human Practices in iGEM. Demonstrate how your team has identified, investigated and addressed one or more of these issues in the context of your project.
    Expand on your silver medal Human Practices activity
    Help another university to characterize a part
    Improve the characterization of a previously existing BioBrick Part or Device

    We would like to thank our sponsors