World Hepatitis Day: iGEM and SDG 3
“As we have learned from our own research, apparently esoteric observations made in distant and different cultures can lead to the prevention of disease and the preservation of life.”
Today is World Hepatitis Day, observed each year on July 28, the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg (1925 – 2011), who discovered the hepatitis B virus and later developed its diagnostic test and vaccine. World Hepatitis Day serves to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis, an infectious disease causing inflammation of the liver, leading to cirrhosis, liver cancer and death, that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D and E – all of which can be controlled or prevented through vaccination, diagnostic tests, medicines and education.
Viral hepatitis is one of the focus areas within UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Indeed, hepatitis is listed in SDG target goal 3.3 that specifies: “By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.”
In honor of World Hepatitis Day, we’d like to highlight some of the iGEM teams that have focused on hepatitis through the years:
Project Promotion Video via iGEM Video Universe
Moscow 2020 (Russian Federation) designed a fast, portable, and sensitive detection system for hepatitis C virus genetic variants that could be applied to the detection of any other RNA-viruses whose genotypes influence the treatment or vaccine development. Gold Medalist, Undergrad Division.
NYU_Abu_Dhabi 2019 (United Arab Emirates) created a proof-of-concept for detecting hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) with a non-invasive diagnostics technology platform that incorporates DNA amplification, microfluidics, and an integrated database for effective management of infectious disease. Silver Medalist, Nominee for Best Diagnostics Project, Undergrad Division.
UC San Diego 2018 (United States) designed a digital health platform for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma. Gold Medalist, First Runner Up for Grand Prize, Winner Best Diagnostics Project, Winner Best Poster, Winner Best Education & Public Engagement, Winner Best Entrepreneurship, Nominated for Best Integrated Human Practices, Undergrad Division.
H14Z1 Hangzhou 2018 (China) engineered “smart yogurt” as a means of delivering protective agents, glutathione and S-adenosyl methionine, to prevent and treat liver disease. Silver Medalist, Nominated for Best New Basic Part, high School Division
JNFLS 2018 (China) aimed to develop a highly efficient biosensor to test for the presence of hepatitis C virus in blood. Bronze Medalist, High School Division.
SDSZ-China 2017 aimed to develop a biological system to express the four enzymes in bear bile, which is one of the most famous animal drugs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for management of chronic hepatitis and other liver diseases. Silver Medalist, High School Division.
EPFL 2017 (Switzerland) developed a system and software for detection of hepatitis C virus that is not reliant on antibodies and could yield an instant, non-ambiguous result. Gold Medalist, Winner Best Education & Public Engagement, Nominated for Best Diagnostics Project, Best Integrated Human Practices, Best Software, and Best New Basic Part, Undergrad Division.
Munich 2017 (Germany) engineered an in vitro diagnostic device that could be used at the point-of-care to rapidly detect hepatitis C virus and other pathogens. Gold Medalist, First Runner-up for Grand Prize, Winner Best Diagnostics Project, Winner Best Model, Winner Best Applied Design, Winner Best Hardware, Winner Best Software, Nominated for Best Wiki, Best Poster, Best Presentation, Best Integrated Human Practices, Best Part Collection, Best New Composite Part, Best Measurement, Overgrad Division.
“A real-time visualization of our pharmacokinetic model depicting therapeutics concentrations in various tissues.” Slovenia 2012 designed a biological system for interferon treatment of hepatitis C that could increase compliance with therapy and improve quality of life.
SDSZ-China 2017 (China) aimed to develop a biological system to express the four enzymes in bear bile, which is one of the most famous animal drugs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for management of chronic hepatitis and other liver diseases. Silver Medalist, High School Division.
INSA-Lyon 2016 (France) developed an aptamer-based system for detecting hepatitis B virus and other pathogens that could be used as a self-diagnostic device and provide an alternative to sampling and laboratory testing. Gold Medalist, Winner Best Diagnostics Project, Nominated for Best Applied Design, Best Education & Public Engagement, Best Integrated Human Practices, Best Model and Best Software Tool, Undergrad Division.
Shenzen_SFLS 2016 (China) aimed to create a cell-free system on paper that could be used by people in low resource areas for detection of hepatitis C virus. Gold Medalist, High School Division.
HSNU-TAIPEI 2015 (Taiwan) designed a system to detect aflatoxin, a toxin in recycled oils that could cause liver disease or worsen disease in people who are asymptomatic for hepatitis B virus infection. Gold Medalist, Winner Best Applied Design, Winner Best Integrated Human Practices, Nominated for Best Education & Public Engagement, Best Wiki, Best Poster, Best High School Project, High School Division.
Video via YouTube
Slovenia 2012 (Slovenia) designed a biological system for interferon treatment of hepatitis C that could increase compliance with therapy and improve quality of life. Gold Medalist, First Runner Up for Grand Prize, World Championship Sweet Sixteen, Winner Best Health & Medicine Project, Winner Best Model, Winner Best Wiki, Undergrad Division.
Video via YouTube
Wageningen 2012 (Netherlands) developed a platform for vaccine and therapeutics development using modified virus-like particles that could improve prevention and treatment for hepatitis and other viral diseases. Gold Medalist, Best Presentation Europe, Undergrad Division.
We are proud of all iGEM teams for their dedication and accomplishments in using synthetic biology to improve the lives of people who suffer from viral hepatitis and other human health conditions all over the world.
