Team:UT Dallas

From 2013.igem.org

(Difference between revisions)
 
(48 intermediate revisions not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
-
__NOTOC__
+
{{:Team:UT_Dallas/Templates/template1}}
<html>
<html>
-
<!-- Internet Explorer PNG fix - START /-->
+
<div id="bottom-panel">
-
<!--[if lt IE 7]>
+
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2013/e/ea/DogWithToothBrush-cartoon.png" style="float:right;margin-left:30px"><br>
-
<script src="http://ie7-js.googlecode.com/svn/version/2.1(beta4)/IE8.js">IE7_PNG_SUFFIX=".png";</script>
+
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cavities are primarily caused by the bacteria <i>Streptococcus mutans</i>, which creates a biofilm in the mouth over time. Within this biofilm, <i>S. mutans</i> digest certain mono and disaccharides, consequently forming lactic acid that can lead to tooth decay. Our goal is to detect the presence of the saccharides essential for <i>S. mutans</i>’ survival in the dextran biofilm and implement a system to decrease the population of <i>S. mutans</i> in the mouth, thereby preventing cavity formation. Our project works by taking advantage of the quorum sensing system in <i>S. mutans</i> and involves generating large amounts of Competence Stimulating Peptide to induce cell death. Working from within the dextran matrix to reduce harmful bacteria provides future possibilities, such as biofilm reduction, in this multifaceted approach to the problem of tooth decay.<br>
-
<![endif]-->
+
<br>
-
<!-- Internet Explorer PNG fix - END /-->
+
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The goal of the 2013 University of Texas at Dallas IGEM team is to control the population of <i>S. mutans</i> in the mouth and prevent cavity formation using genetically engineered <i>E. coli</i>. Our techniques for cavity prevention will provide a novel way to selectively destroy the harmful bacteria. We hope that this could be applied as a method for cavity prevention first in animals and eventually in humans. Please check our 2 minute project overview video!<br>
-
<link href="https://2012.igem.org/Team:UT_Dallas/test/page.css?action=raw&ctype=text/css" rel="stylesheet">
+
<iframe width="640" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/e05e2sL8K4M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen style="display: block;margin: 20px auto 0;"></iframe>
-
<style type="text/css">
+
</div>
-
<body>
+
<script language='javascript'>
-
Project Description:
+
$('#t1_link').css('color','#982f00');
-
 
+
aid='t1_link';
-
Dental cavities have been a worldwide problem faced by many in both industrialized and underdeveloped nations. Streptococcus mutans has been determined as the primary contributor to dental plaque and cavities. S. mutans lives in the mouth and converts sucrose into lactic acid and fructose/glucose. The fructose/glucose combination forms a sticky polysaccharide called dextran. This molecule is responsible for dental plaque and creates the optimal matrix for growth of colonies on the surface of the teeth. The goal of the 2013 University of Texas at Dallas IGEM team is to control the population of S. mutans in the mouth and prevent cavity formation using genetically engineered E. coli. Our group has completed the preliminary steps of placing a set of genes into biobricks. Our techniques for cavity prevention will provide a novel way to selectively destroy the harmful bacteria. We hope that this could be applied as a method for cavity prevention first in animals and eventually in humans.
+
changeImage();
-
</body>
+
</script>
</html>
</html>

Latest revision as of 00:40, 16 October 2013


     Cavities are primarily caused by the bacteria Streptococcus mutans, which creates a biofilm in the mouth over time. Within this biofilm, S. mutans digest certain mono and disaccharides, consequently forming lactic acid that can lead to tooth decay. Our goal is to detect the presence of the saccharides essential for S. mutans’ survival in the dextran biofilm and implement a system to decrease the population of S. mutans in the mouth, thereby preventing cavity formation. Our project works by taking advantage of the quorum sensing system in S. mutans and involves generating large amounts of Competence Stimulating Peptide to induce cell death. Working from within the dextran matrix to reduce harmful bacteria provides future possibilities, such as biofilm reduction, in this multifaceted approach to the problem of tooth decay.

     The goal of the 2013 University of Texas at Dallas IGEM team is to control the population of S. mutans in the mouth and prevent cavity formation using genetically engineered E. coli. Our techniques for cavity prevention will provide a novel way to selectively destroy the harmful bacteria. We hope that this could be applied as a method for cavity prevention first in animals and eventually in humans. Please check our 2 minute project overview video!

Retrieved from "http://2013.igem.org/Team:UT_Dallas"