Team:USTC/HP/Gold Integrated
We recognize the vital importance of how our project can actually be put into practice to promote social development, and the best way is to find out what the problem is and what people really need. Specifically,
We studied to lots of previous works in biological cathode to find out current limits of microbes in MES and got inspiration from the work of Prof. Yang Peidong and other researchers [4].
After aiming our project at optimizing biological cathode to make biological synthesis more efficient, we went to a pharmaceutical company to seek advice on project design to better serve the needs of industrial production.
Communication With Pharmaceutical Company
We recognize the vital importance of how our project can actually be put into practice to promote social development, and for undergraduates, field work is essential. After aiming our project at optimizing biological cathode to make biological synthesis more efficient, we went to a pharmaceutical company to seek advice on project design to better serve the needs of industrial production.
The company roots in Hefei and has a complete pharmacy chain from research development, production to market. Medication includes both chemicals and bio-antibodies. We presented our ideas and investigation, and thanks for their kind interpretation in this field and useful advice, we learned so much about bio-pharmacy and organized our project in a more practical way. Key points of our exchange are as follows.
Firstly, they stressed that bio-pharmaceuticals are taking up greater percentage in medication and according progress is desired by both the market and the public. Bio-medicine is generally more environmental-friendly, and is more specifically aimed for a disease. It would be easier to seek investment or funds if we focus on optimizing the production of some specific bio-drug with the project, or organizing a universal platform that enables various potential use.
Choosing a microbe competent for industrial use is important. For more complex bio-products like antibodies, bacteria are replaced by mostly yeast and other platforms are still under research. Learning that compared with other bacteria, E-coli is the most commonly used with well exercised techniques and relatively simple condition demands for industrial use, we decided to establish our system in E-coli.
However, a problem follows that the CCM system is off in E-coli when oxygen is present, which might lower the productivity of E-coli by limiting its growth with oxygen present. To provide an alternative for this potential problem, we decided to establish a plasmid with CCM and a specially designed operator to allow its expression with oxygen.
Impact on environment and safety is especially highlighted. Investigation and measures for Cadmium ion and possible production of hepatic gas is stated in Safety.
