Difference between revisions of "Team:UiOslo Norway"
Markushovd (Talk | contribs) |
Markushovd (Talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
margin-left: auto; | margin-left: auto; | ||
margin-right: auto; | margin-right: auto; | ||
| − | width: | + | width: 50%; |
margin-top: 10px; | margin-top: 10px; | ||
} | } | ||
Revision as of 12:50, 7 November 2018
Fast detection of vulvovaginal Candida albicans infections using CRISPR/dCas9
UiOslo_Norway
Awarded Best Diagnostic ProjectNominated Best Presentation
During their lifetime 75% of women will experience a Candida albicans infection, one of the most common vulvovaginal yeast infections. Currently there are no fast methods to detect whether an infection is caused by C. albicans. As a result, women purchase over-the-counter antimycotics without knowing the cause of their infection. This contributes to the rise of antimycotic resistance, making treatment of future infections more difficult.
Based on previous projects, UiOslo_Norway aims to develop a fast detection kit for C. albicans infections, using CRISPR/dCas9. Upon a suspected infection, a vaginal sample will be treated with glucanase to selectively lyse yeast cells walls, exposing the fungal DNA. Afterwards, modified dCas9 enzymes fused with split β-lactamase are added. Using specifically designed guideRNAs, the dCas9 complexes bind adjacently on C. albicans specific DNA sequences. This activates the β-lactamase to cleave its substrate nitrocefin, producing a colored product indicating the presence of C. albicans DNA.
Contact information: uioslonorway (at) gmail dot com