TB Breath Test Proposal: Difference between revisions
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'''Project Overview:''' Developing a novel biosensor device to diagnose tuberculosis infection quickly and efficiently. Our aim is to create an engineered bacterial system to detect unique volatile organic compounds in the breath of those infected with TB and produce a visible output within minutes. | '''Project Overview:''' Developing a novel biosensor device to diagnose tuberculosis infection quickly and efficiently. Our aim is to create an engineered bacterial system to detect unique volatile organic compounds in the breath of those infected with TB and produce a visible output within minutes. | ||
'''Background''' | '''Background''' | ||
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* to detect and concentrate the unique volatile organic compounds (VOC) released from ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' in the breath of infected patients | * to detect and concentrate the unique volatile organic compounds (VOC) released from ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' in the breath of infected patients | ||
* to engineer a biological system that amplifies the | * to engineer a biological system that amplifies the VOCs signal, and quickly produces a visual output | ||
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'''Predicted Outcomes:''' TBD! | '''Predicted Outcomes:''' TBD! | ||
* Experiment 1: Can our biosensor uniquely identify at least one of the TB-indicative VOCs? | |||
** If yes, move on! | |||
** If no, look for alternative methods of capturing VOCs. | |||
* Experiment 2: Can our biosensor translate the VOC input to a visual output? | |||
** If yes, move on! | |||
** If no, consider moving input amplification inside the biosensor (perhaps in a positive feedback inside the biosystem) | |||
* Experiment 3: Can our biosensor distinguish between healthy (negative control) and TB-infected individuals? | |||
** If yes, move on! | |||
** If no, identify better VOC-detector pairs. | |||
Revision as of 20:38, 3 December 2013
20.109 WF Pink Team Research Proposal
TB Breath Test
Project Overview: Developing a novel biosensor device to diagnose tuberculosis infection quickly and efficiently. Our aim is to create an engineered bacterial system to detect unique volatile organic compounds in the breath of those infected with TB and produce a visible output within minutes.
Background
Disease background
- Tuberculosis is an infectious (potentially fatal) disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- 1/3 of world population is infected; in 2011 alone, 9 million new cases, and nearly 1.4 million TB-related deaths worldwide
- TB usually affects the lungs, but can also affect brain, kidneys, spine
- symptoms include coughing (blood), chest pain, weight loss, night sweats, fever, and chills
- latent vs active infection
- latent infection becomes active if immune system cannot repress bacteria's growth
- 5-10% of latent cases will become active
2 widely used current tests:
- Mantoux TB skin test injects a small amount of tuberculin into the skin
- patient must return to clinic 48/72 hours later for evaluation of injection site
- TB blood test (interferon-gamma release assay) measures immune system reaction to TB bacteria
Problem/Goals Statement:
Motivation
- current TB tests (TB skin test and blood test) are invasive
- commonly used TB skin test requires a follow-up visit 48 to 72 hours after tuberculin injection - an inconvenience to both patients and doctors
- large need for administering TB tests (please see high-risk characteristics)
- false positives
- we propose the creation of a better TB detection method that will address these shortcomings through biological engineering
Goals
- to detect and concentrate the unique volatile organic compounds (VOC) released from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the breath of infected patients
- to engineer a biological system that amplifies the VOCs signal, and quickly produces a visual output
Details/Method:
- has been identified that TB has a distinct scent
- 4 volatile compounds from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis cultures grown in vitro that are distinctive volatile markers and detectable even before visible colony formation:
- methyl phenylacetate
- methyl p-anisate
- methyl nicotinate
- o-phenylanisole
- 4 volatile compounds from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis cultures grown in vitro that are distinctive volatile markers and detectable even before visible colony formation:
- VOCs can be detected in TB patient's breath
Predicted Outcomes: TBD!
- Experiment 1: Can our biosensor uniquely identify at least one of the TB-indicative VOCs?
- If yes, move on!
- If no, look for alternative methods of capturing VOCs.
- Experiment 2: Can our biosensor translate the VOC input to a visual output?
- If yes, move on!
- If no, consider moving input amplification inside the biosensor (perhaps in a positive feedback inside the biosystem)
- Experiment 3: Can our biosensor distinguish between healthy (negative control) and TB-infected individuals?
- If yes, move on!
- If no, identify better VOC-detector pairs.
Resources:
CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htm
- Basic information about TB
Cambridge Pubic Health Department: http://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/services/diseases-conditions/TB-program/index.php
- Test should be used on individuals with:
- risk of exposure to active TB (e.g. health care workers)
- immigration from TB prominent regions (Africa, Asian, Central and South America, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and the Middle East)
- abnormal chest X-ray
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1472979208000048
- Research that identified 4 unique VOCs in TB infections
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1472979212000790#
- Research that proved TB VOCs can be detected in patient breath