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From 2012.igem.org

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CANCEL the CANCER: A SynBio Approach to the Early Diagnosis of Cancer

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Our project is based on the early diagnosis of cancer. Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are the cells released into blood from early phase of the cancer. On the surface of these cells, there are specific antigens called epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). Furthermore, the free tumor DNA of the degraded CTC contains specific mutations. Our goal is to place appropriate antibodies for EpCAM antigens and DNA binding transcription activator-like effectors (TALE) proteins into the bacterial cell wall so that we can detect CTCs or the free tumor DNA, which is released by the lysis of the tumor cells and proceeds to the blood. In this way, we will hopefully diagnose cancer before it paves the way to metastasis. To amplify the signal, we want to use the quorum sensing mechanism in our bacteria. Finally, to prevent the production of possible unwilling genetically modified organisms (GMOs), we plan to induce self-destruction in our bacteria via emitting light.