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<h4>Insulin is a hormone which is secreted by the β-cells of the pancreas. It has a major role in glucose metabolism, the main energy pathway of the body, as it induces cells to uptake glucose.<br><br> | <h4>Insulin is a hormone which is secreted by the β-cells of the pancreas. It has a major role in glucose metabolism, the main energy pathway of the body, as it induces cells to uptake glucose.<br><br> | ||
− | Diabetes is caused by issues with insulin production or activity. Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease causing the body’s immune system to attack the β-cells, causing an insulin deficiency. Type II diabetes occurs after prolonged high blood glucose levels | + | Diabetes is caused by issues with insulin production or activity. Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease causing the body’s immune system to attack the β-cells, causing an insulin deficiency. Type II diabetes occurs after prolonged high blood glucose levels cause the body’s cells to become less sensitive to insulin. All type I diabetes patients are dependent on insulin to survive, and 3 in 10 type II diabetes patients are dependent on insulin. Insulin is usually delivered to the body through an injection into the bloodstream. |
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− | <h4><br>br>Many insulins are also required to be kept at low temperatures. This poses difficulties for transportation of insulin, especially in remote areas where insulin transportation and storage facilities are scarce. Consequently remote areas, particularly in developing countries, can frequently experience insulin shortages, further increasing insulin prices and leaving many unable to obtain insulin. Overall, the global issues of insulin affordability and accessibility pose dire problems for millions around the world</h4> | + | <h4><br></br>Many insulins are also required to be kept at low temperatures. This poses difficulties for transportation of insulin, especially in remote areas where insulin transportation and storage facilities are scarce. Consequently remote areas, particularly in developing countries, can frequently experience insulin shortages, further increasing insulin prices and leaving many unable to obtain insulin. Overall, the global issues of insulin affordability and accessibility pose dire problems for millions around the world</h4> |
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<img class = "img-responsive" src = "https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/d/db/T--Sydney_Australia--description4.png" width="70%"> | <img class = "img-responsive" src = "https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/d/db/T--Sydney_Australia--description4.png" width="70%"> | ||
− | <h4>If there was an insulin that was both thermodynamically stable and cheap to produce, these problems could be overcome. Simplifying the production method of insulin would reduce the costs associated with producing insulin, allowing the overall price of insulin to be reduced. Furthermore, a more stable insulin would be much easier to transport as it would not require any specific conditions to be maintained over long distances and long periods of time. Reducing costs associated with insulin transportation would also allow for reductions in the price of insulin | + | <h4>If there was an insulin that was both thermodynamically stable and cheap to produce, these problems could be overcome. Simplifying the production method of insulin would reduce the costs associated with producing insulin, allowing the overall price of insulin to be reduced. Furthermore, a more stable insulin would be much easier to transport as it would not require any specific conditions to be maintained over long distances and long periods of time. Reducing costs associated with insulin transportation would also allow for reductions in the price of insulin. |
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− | Human proinsulin, the precursor to insulin, is an 11kDa molecule made up of three chains: an A-chain, a B-chain and a C-chain. To make active insulin from inactive proinsulin, the body cuts the C-chain off from the proinsulin, leaving the A and B chains of the active insulin. Human Insulin expired from its patent in 1996, but since then has remained at generally low levels in the market due to the introduction of insulin analogues. However, the WHO note that these analogues | + | Human proinsulin, the precursor to insulin, is an 11kDa molecule made up of three chains: an A-chain, a B-chain and a C-chain. To make active insulin from inactive proinsulin, the body cuts the C-chain off from the proinsulin, leaving the A and B chains of the active insulin. Human Insulin expired from its patent in 1996, but since then has remained at generally low levels in the market due to the introduction of insulin analogues. However, the WHO note that these analogues are no more beneficial than human insulin [1]. |
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<img class = "img-responsive" src = "https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/0/01/T--Sydney_Australia--description5.png" width="100%"> | <img class = "img-responsive" src = "https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/0/01/T--Sydney_Australia--description5.png" width="100%"> | ||
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We expressed each of our insulins in strains of Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis using the expression systems: | We expressed each of our insulins in strains of Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis using the expression systems: | ||
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<h3>Cytoplasmic expression in Shuffle<i>E. coli</i></h3> | <h3>Cytoplasmic expression in Shuffle<i>E. coli</i></h3> | ||
− | <div class = "divider42"></div | + | <div class = "divider42"></div> |
<h4>This method simplifies the molecular processes involved in directing insulin expression. | <h4>This method simplifies the molecular processes involved in directing insulin expression. | ||
<br><br>Therefore our Cytoplasmic Constructs were: <br> | <br><br>Therefore our Cytoplasmic Constructs were: <br> | ||
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<h3>Periplasmic expression in BL21 <i>E. coli</i></h3> | <h3>Periplasmic expression in BL21 <i>E. coli</i></h3> | ||
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<h4>This method is expected to enhance the folding of insulin, thus increasing the efficiency and safety of the insulin we produce.<br><Br> | <h4>This method is expected to enhance the folding of insulin, thus increasing the efficiency and safety of the insulin we produce.<br><Br> | ||
Our Secretory Constructs are:<br> | Our Secretory Constructs are:<br> | ||
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</center></li> | </center></li> | ||
<h3>Secretion by WB800 <i>Bacillus subtilis</i></h3> | <h3>Secretion by WB800 <i>Bacillus subtilis</i></h3> | ||
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<h4>This method greatly simplifies insulin purification. <br>Our Secretory Constructs are:<br> | <h4>This method greatly simplifies insulin purification. <br>Our Secretory Constructs are:<br> | ||
• YncM Proinsulin | • YncM Proinsulin | ||
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<img class = "img-responsive" src = "https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/8/85/T--Sydney_Australia--description7.png" width = "100%"> | <img class = "img-responsive" src = "https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/8/85/T--Sydney_Australia--description7.png" width = "100%"> | ||
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Latest revision as of 22:52, 22 November 2017