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Design Project: Using Bacteria to Cure Iron Deficiency Anemia

Design Project: Using Bacteria to Cure Iron Deficiency Anemia. Katherine Kenneally. Most common nutritional deficiency in the world Iron deficiency is when there is too little iron in the body Iron deficiency anemia- body does not have enough iron to make healthy red blood cells

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Design Project: Using Bacteria to Cure Iron Deficiency Anemia

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  1. Design Project: Using Bacteria to Cure Iron Deficiency Anemia Katherine Kenneally

  2. Most common nutritional deficiency in the world • Iron deficiency is when there is too little iron in the body • Iron deficiency anemia- body does not have enough iron to make healthy red blood cells • Has many severe health consequences • Affects 30% of world’s population Iron Deficiency/Anemia

  3. Provide back-up source of iron to prevent development of iron deficiency • Build upon and improve body’s already existing iron regulation mechanism • Engineer bacteria to produce modified form of protein that stores and releases iron Solution Overview

  4. All other treatments used to treat iron deficiency/iron deficiency anemia when diagnosed • Some examples: • Iron therapy: only for severe anemia, iron injected into muscle or through IV • Iron supplements: pills or liquid • Diet adjustments: eating more iron rich foods • Vitamin C: helps body absorb iron better • Treatment continues for 3-12 months Competing Technology

  5. Bacteria will live in small intestine • Engineer bacteria to produce modified ferritin • Ferritin- protein that stores iron and releases it when needed • Bacteria will produce ferritin that has more stored iron than normal Design Proposal

  6. Bacteria will have AND gate • Need to parts for transcription: an iron sensitive promoter and a repressor that transferrin will bind to when there are increased transferrin levels. Design and Function of Bacteria

  7. Prevents iron deficiency from developing • Easier for people in developing countries or those who cannot pay for doctor visits • Enormous positive health impact • Saves money • Immediate help • Increases productivity Advantages and Effects

  8. Very small chance of any problems, bacteria are very safe • Problems that could occur (all very unlikely): • Hard to get to people everywhere • Mutations could damage either ferritin or bacteria • Take precautions to protect health and environment • Only inefficiency: iron not produced/released directly • Initial introduction of bacteria is invasive Potential Problems

  9. Test first on mice • Have control mice and mice given iron deficient diet • Some mice on low iron diet given bacteria • Monitor all mice Testing

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