Team:HKUST-Hong Kong/Project

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Team:HKUST-Hong Kong - 2012.igem.org

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

B. hercules
------The Terminator of Colon Cancer

Millions of cancer patients around the world currently depend on conventional cancer therapies to extend their life. These conventional therapies, composed of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapies, have their limitations and shortcomings. Short term and long term side effects include vomiting, hair loss, organ failure or even induction of a second tumor brought about by the spreading toxicity of anti-tumor chemicals in the circulatory system, thus prompting active research into alternative cancer therapies. We, the 2012 HKUST iGEM team, have chosen to focus on colorectal carcinomas, the fourth most common cancer type, as our study object. We aim to use genetically modified Bacillus subtilis to execute targeted drug delivery to cancer cells in the intestinal tract, offering an advantage of minimal harm of the drug to normal colon epithelial cells.