Paralyte
Background
1) Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) is caused by toxins produced in harmful algal blooms, which are taken up by shellfish.
2) We found that these blooms are increasing with climate change, which in turn is increasing poisoning cases. In severe instances, PSP can lead to death.
3) Right now, detection methods for paralytic shellfish toxins mainly rely on expensive lab equipment, and are very time consuming. For those that depend on shellfish as a primary food source, this is extremely inconvenient.
Objectives
We aimed to discover a biosensor from the metagenomic DNA, using highthrouput screening, with the goal to later implement it in an onsite detection device that would be inexpensive, portable, and accessible to remote communities.
Results
We collaborated with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Hallam Lab to carry out a procedure known as SIGEX, or Substrate Induced Gene Expression, to find genes or regulatory elements that responses to saxitoxin.
Our screening plasmids would fluoresce if they contained a saxitoxin regulatory unit and if our substrate, saxitoxin, was present. We found 9 strong candidates, which may indicate that they are suitable for use as a biosensor.
Presentations
International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition. iGEM foundation. Canada. November 2019. [oral and poster]
Life Science Research Night. The University of British Columbia. Canada. November 2019. [poster]
EOSCOPE Annual Banquet . The Ecosystem Services, Commercialization Platforms and Entrepreneurship (ECOSCOPE). Canada. January 2020. [oral]