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Title

Iron coli Project

Authors

Emiel van der Kouwe, Guillaume Mercy, Baptiste Baudu, Audam Chhun, Florent Amiot, Gabriel Guillocheau, Léni Le Goff, Hippolyte Léger, Louis Ujéda, William Rostain, Cyrille Pauthenier, Tristan Cerisy, Pierre Parutto, Alfonso Jaramillo, Andrew Tolonen and Nicolas Pollet

Abstract

This year, our project focuses on hematological disorders. More specifically, we focus on diseases that are subsequent to an iron overload such as hemochromatosis and thalassemia. For hereditary hemochromatosis, the symptoms are due to the overabsorption of iron from the duodenum by the mutation of the HFE protein. However, in case of thalassemia, patients excessively absorb iron because of a subsequent metabolic perturbation.

Nowadays, the iron overload is mainly treated by bloodlettings for hemochromatosic patients but cannot be extended to thalassemic patients who suffer from anaemia. The aim of our project is to prevent the intestinal absorption of iron, thus acting directly at the source.

Using the Ferric Uptake Regulation (FUR) system that controls siderophore biosynthesis (iron chelator), we engineer Escherichia coli in order to produce these siderophores in response of high concentrations of iron. To reduce the patient's iron absorption, our bacteria will be placed in a capsule and will be ingested during a meal. Once it will arrive in the duodenum, our bacteria will produce the siderophore at their full potential and chelate the iron.