Team:Fatih-Medical

A SynBio Approach to the Diagnosis of Cancer

Our project is based on the early diagnosis of cancer. Cancer tissues disseminate cells called CTCs (Circulating Tumor Cells) to the blood during early phases of the disease. On the surface of these cells, there are specific antigens called EpCAM. Furthermore, the oncogenic DNA of a CTC contains specific mutations. Our goal is to place appropiate antibodies for EpCAM antigens and DNA binding TALE proteins into the bacterial cell wall so that we can detect CTCs or the 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 GMOs; we plan to induce self-destruction in our bacteria via emitting light.