Team:TU-Eindhoven

Welcome to the homepage of the 2013 iGEM team of the Eindhoven University of Technology.

Project Description

Within our project we aim to focus on a relatively new form of MRI: CEST imaging. CEST imaging proteins contain hydrogen atoms which can be used to create the same image quality as when conventional heavy metals are used.

We will attempt to use E. coli K-12 strains to produce these proteins once the bacteria enters the body, allowing the E. coli to be our delivery system and production factory. Unique to our process is the injection of the protein producing bacteria into the patient, as well as the tumour targeting element of the bacteria. Tumours present a hypoxic environment, an attribute which allows them to be targeted by our bacteria. Furthermore, these hypoxic conditions will be the trigger for the production of our CEST proteins. This will ensure that MRI contrast is created where tumours are present, and also provides a good means of tumour targeting for drug delivery systems in the future. Once the CEST MRI images have been taken, the bacteria will be killed and eliminated from the body using our killing mechanism.

In order to achieve the production of our bacteria based CEST MRI contrast agent, we must create a series of diverse models focusing on the different components of the MRI contrast agent production. These models will range from the selection of the most adequate proteins for CEST MRI to the behaviour of the FNR promotor and the bacterial killing mechanism.

In the lab an attempt will be made to produce the CEST MRI proteins, both aerobically as well as anaerobically. To Enable the anaerobic expression specialized promotors will be designed which will react to the changes in oxygen saturation and ultimately trigger the protein expression. Should protein expression be successful either aerobically or anaerobically then these proteins can be tested for the quality of their contrast in an MRI machine.