Team:New York City/Human Practices

Human Practices

Introduction to Public Engagement:
Last year, our team focused on developing a modified RNA protein replacement technology for treating Huntington’s Disease. We were motivated to delve further into research at the RNA level after collaborating with the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Through our collaboration, we realized that current research in Huntington’s Disease was not selective in specifically targeting mutated Huntingtin RNA strands. Instead of targeting mutated strands only, research would try to target both endogenous and mutated strands, thereby stopping all production of the Huntingtin protein and resulting in undesired side effects. To resolve this, our team began developing modified RNA technology that would specifically target mutated Huntingtin mRNA strands through a specific toehold recognition and exchange process, allowing the mutated strands to be replaced by a corrected synthetic mRNA strand. This year our team is taking this research further by testing the efficacy of the modified RNA replacement technology in Huntingtin cell lines to determine whether our treatment decreases the levels of mutated Huntingtin protein.

Music Video
New York City iGEM Team produced a fun video parody of Uptown Funk music video. We placed this video on YouTube and has been spreading it on social media channels to popularize the iGEM and the science. Enjoy! :)

October 18, 2018:
New York City iGEM Team registered to join HDSA Research Webinar with Julia Alterman, a PhD student at the University of Massachusetts, presents her work on RNA interference strategies for huntingtin-lowering in HD. TOPIC: RNAi-based huntingtin lowering in the central nervous system: a new potential Huntington's disease therapeutic.

October 15, 2018:
We had a great opportunity to present HD Resolution iGEM project to Stuyvesant High School community of students, student leaders and teachers. Thanks to Hedy, Selena, Julia, Erica, Jennifer for organizing this event. Stuyvesant students also filled out our two questionnaires about their knowledge about Huntington's disease and Ethics.

September 15 2018:
New York City iGEM Team started fundraising for Huntington's Disease Society of America Team Hope Walk in New York City and joined New York City HDSA Team Hope on Hudson River Park - River 46 on Saturday September 15.

September 11, 2018:
New York City iGEM Team registered for HSG 2018: Unlocking HD Nov. 8-10, 2018, Hotel ZaZa, Museum District, Houston, Texas 25th Anniversary Celebration Over the past 20 years, the Huntington Study Group (HSG) has hosted an annual, internationally recognized forum for training and education of Huntington disease (HD) researchers and for presentation of new research findings and treatments to the worldwide community, plus much more…

September 9 2018:
New York City iGEM Team is excited to volunteer and support Huntington's Disease Society of America NY Team Hope Walk in Long Island NY tomorrow Sunday Sep 9.

September 8 2018:
New York City iGEM Team joined as a member to Huntington Study Group, a world leader in facilitating high-quality clinical research trials and studies in Huntington disease (HD). We have the first and largest HD clinical research network of over 400 active and compassionate investigators, coordinators, scientists and HD experts at over 120 HSG Credentialed Research Sites across the globe dedicated to seeking treatments that make a difference and improving the quality of life and outcomes for families affected by HD.

August 20, 2018
New York City iGEM Team joined Steptember campaign of Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation a non profit organization to fund the world's best research to treat, prevent and ultimately find a cure for cerebral palsy (a generic brain disorder)