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Team:ETH Zurich/Layout
From 2012.igem.org
E.colipse
Who’s your pABA ?
| We build a biological UV warning system in E.coli. The bacteria are able to detect UV light and can integrate the duration of their exposure to it. |
| UV-light exposure induces the production of para-Aminobenzoic acid (pABA), a common ingredient of sunscreen, as a protection against UV radiation damage. If the system is exposed to UV light for a duration sufficiently long or intense to be harmful to human skin, the cells produce a warning signal. As to our knowledge there is no specific UV light receptor in E.coli, we model and implement a spectral filter system out of different light receptors that responds only to UV light. |
| Our system could be integrated into bacteria living on human skin and therefore serve as an adaptive, intelligent sunscreen that protects the skin upon UV light exposure and also tells when it is time to avoid the sun. |
