Team Abstract

The UCL iGEM team of 2013 plans to create a potential treatment for AB plaque related diseases, notably Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia which costs the UK National Health Service more then Cancer and Stroke treatment combined. The aim is to use ''Microglial'' cells which are part of the brains natural immune defence and subsequently modify these cells to target and break down AB Plaques, which may delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease in patients.

The team aims to perform experiments to demonstrate engineered ''Microglial'' cells performing various tasks, including moving towards AB plaques via chemotaxis, as well as breaking down the plaques, which will result in several new parts being required, as well as using other systems previously seen in iGEM and improving them to meet the puroposes of the project.

As well as these experiments, the team will also perform various human practice events to raise awareness of Alzheimer's Disease; particularly focusing on the importance of memories, with memory loss being an major symptom of dementia. Speed debates and essays are planned for the project.