2021 Virtual Undergraduate Research Symposium

2021 Virtual Undergraduate Research Symposium

Functionalization of Microwheels with Genome Engineering for Blood-Based Applications

Functionalization of Microwheels with Genome Engineering for Blood-Based Applications

PROJECT NUMBER: 8 | AUTHOR: Parker Delius​, Annie Friedman, Ayaka Hayashi and Danielle Loftis – Chemical and Biological Engineering

MENTORS: Josh Ramey and Nanette Boyle, Chemical and Biological Engineering

ABSTRACT

Our research group focuses on synthetic biological solutions to biomedical problems.
Blood banks across the country are at a near-constant shortage of high quality donations to give to patients due to many patients being unable to receive commonly-donated blood types. Our research guided us to a pair of enzymes produced in the human gut that can cleave off the antigens on blood cells to leave an O-type product that is more easily accepted. If these enzymes can be expressed and produced at scale, we can improve the availability of blood transfusions. Our research focuses on designing novel methods for the steady state conversion of blood type. The focus of our second project is blood clot lysis. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a protein that is used in conjunction with plasminogen to break up fibrin, the primary structural component of blood clots. Currently it is manufactured using recombinant DNA technologies and is injected into the body in a soluble form. Our research focuses on improving the modern treatment of blood clots by binding tPA to dynabeads which can be controlled magnetically to more accurately control the movement of tPA in the body and its ability to access the fibrin on the surface of blood clots.

PRESENTATION

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Parker Delius is a sophomore at Mines, studying Chemical Engineering with a focus in Biological Engineering and a minor in Biology. Parker is from Austin, Texas, and is interested in chemical process applications for renewable and alternative energy sources. Outside of Mines, Parker enjoys hiking and tele skiing. Parker joined iGEM in the spring of 2020, and focuses on community outreach for the club.

Annie Friedman is a sophomore studying Chemical Engineering on the Biological
Engineering track. Annie is in her second year with iGEM and is from Dallas, Texas. Annie hopes to pursue a career in the biotech industry.

Ayaka Hayashi is a sophomore undergraduate student pursuing a BS in Chemical Engineering with a focus in Biological Engineering. This is Ayaka’s second year in iGEM and she has loved the research and lab experiences she’s been able to learn from.

Danielle Loftis is a transfer student from Pikes Peak Community College and currently a
sophomore undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Biochemical engineering. Danielle joined iGEM in the spring of 2020. She loves working in the lab and doing research.

 

2 Comments

  1. Parker, great poster! Can you explain why you chose magnetic microbeads in the blood type conversion project? Do they provide increased conversion rates?

    • Great Question! The idea behind using the magnetic beads in a blood conversion settings is primarily for the separation of our enzymes after the process. We are able to remove the beads and therefore the enzymes before treated blood enters the patient. This is similar to heterogenous catalysis where we are hoping the beads provide significant contact area comparable to a porous media without having pores clogged by red blood cells.

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