Team:Aachen
We, the iGEM team Aachen 2018, are addressing a medical issue that has gained tremendous importance in past decades:
the diagnosis of melatonin under- and overproduction. Melatonin is primarily known as a sleep hormone. However, as the endocrine research reveals,
melatonin regulates all aspects of human physiology: day-night cycle, immune function, hormone release, muscle growth,
and reproduction are some of the many physiological properties that melatonin regulates.
Underproduction of melatonin is primarily associated with insomnia. However, melatonin also plays an essential role in
neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease), psychological disorders (depression and schizophrenia) and fibromyalgia.
Melatonin acts antiproliferative on inflammations, reduces reactive oxygen species and has oncostatic properties.
✔ Developed a concept for a novel biological and cell-free melatonin biosensor To bring our project forward, we integrated feedback from experts of different backgrounds in our project.
Therefore, we engaged in dialogues with medical and engineering professionals, as well as discussed the rights of melatonin deficiency treatments with the Medicines Evaluation Board.
During the last five months, the team experienced a new style of "life", we updated our biosafety level and got a new first home.
In the laboratory, gloves and tips, western blots and electrophoresis gels, were part of our new daily routine.
We thought, worked and lived together. Get to know our lab successes and failures in this
chronologic weekly overview.
When melatonin binds to the G protein-coupled receptor MT1, β-arrestins can be recruited.
We are going to use this mechanism by designing two fusion-proteins: on the one hand the MT1 receptor will be fused to a fragment of an enzyme,
on the other hand, the complementing enzyme fragment will be fused to the β-arrestin.
Thus, receptor activation leads to β-arrestin recruitment and therefore to the formation of an active enzyme.
Our project
Our innovative approach solves the problems of the current melatonin measurements.
Providing a faster, cheaper and a more versatile method, is our core motivation.
Key achievements
✔ Modified the DNA binding site of a melatonin sensitive transcription receptor
✔ Expressed the melatonin sensitive receptor in Escherichia coli
✔ Modeled our cell and cell-free approaches precisely
✔ Built first iGEM ever spectrometer with a resolution of 4 nm
✔ Successfully hosted a biotechnology conference in collaboration with iGME Utrecht
Human Practices
Besides, involving youth with synthetic biology was a part of our human practice. We cooperated with Germany's greatest scientific student competition "Jugend Forscht", the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and a school.
Collaborations and meetups enabled us to unite internationally.
We also took part in the international March for Science to demonstrate for free accessibility of scientific research, met Emmanuelle Charpentier and by radio, we raised awareness for melatonin-related diseases.
Wetlab
Hardware