IGEM:MIT/2006/System brainstorming/Scent subprojects: Difference between revisions
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Currently, the cavity industry supplies dentists with nearly half of their annual income (around 27 billion dollars). Sucks for dentists i guess, but its pretty cool that cavities may soon be eliminated (think 3rd world countries), but why not eliminate bad breath in the american glucose-consuming population as well? | Currently, the cavity industry supplies dentists with nearly half of their annual income (around 27 billion dollars). Sucks for dentists i guess, but its pretty cool that cavities may soon be eliminated (think 3rd world countries), but why not eliminate bad breath in the american glucose-consuming population as well? | ||
It seems to me that there is a high likelihood that | It seems to me that there is a high likelihood that OraGenics will succeed in getting their new mutant strain of Streptococcus on the market. While they are working | ||
on that, we could further play with this bacteria -- i.e. introduce the scent enzyme into this bacteria and control the enzyme's activity through glucose levels | on that, we could further play with this bacteria -- i.e. introduce the scent enzyme into this bacteria and control the enzyme's activity through glucose levels | ||
Revision as of 20:34, 5 June 2006
Subproject 1: idea/references (if you wanna check out):
IDEA:
introduce the minty fresh smelling coding region/enzyme into an already discovered genetically engineered strain of Streptococcus mutans bacteria so that bacteria will produce good breath odor whenever you eat sugar (glucose)
SUMMARY:
Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium that inhabits the human mouth, causes cavities by converting sugar into enamel-corroding lactic acid. Dr. Jeffrey D. Hillman of the University of Florida College of Dentistry in Gainesville has developed a genetically modified strain of the bug that doesn't make lactic acid, but is able to shoulder out competing bacteria. The new bacterium, dubbed BCS3-L1, could prevent cavities by colonizing the mouth and getting rid of its cavity-causing cousin. This new GM "good bug" was publicly announced in 2002 and experimental treatment has been successful in animals. Also it was approved for human trials by the FDA in 2004, and is currently in phase I of those trials. Funding has been secured and this new product is proposed to be on the market by 2008.
Currently, the cavity industry supplies dentists with nearly half of their annual income (around 27 billion dollars). Sucks for dentists i guess, but its pretty cool that cavities may soon be eliminated (think 3rd world countries), but why not eliminate bad breath in the american glucose-consuming population as well?
It seems to me that there is a high likelihood that OraGenics will succeed in getting their new mutant strain of Streptococcus on the market. While they are working on that, we could further play with this bacteria -- i.e. introduce the scent enzyme into this bacteria and control the enzyme's activity through glucose levels
REFERENCES:
1. http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn1941
2.http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/08/050814175146.htm
3. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6629884
4. http://sec.edgar-online.com/2004/03/17/0001144204-04-003117/Section2.asp
