General Timeline

We started work on this project at the beginning of the school year in January 2025. We expect to continue towards development of minimum viable product through the end of the year and beyond.

January

• Chose to solve a pain firefighters have
• Interviewed firefighters
• Discovered they are exposed to high levels of carcinogens
• Interviewed Jeff Burgess from University of Arizona on firefighter health on January 17th, 2025
• Brainstormed potential solutions to monitor carcinogens
  
• Made a preliminary app and electronics to show potential customers

February

• Chose to focus on PFOA as the carcinogen
• Settled on using aptamers as the primary detection method
  
• Found aptamers from a paper to use
  
• Decided to split our company website off from our IGEM wiki page
  
• Need for an app to aid in effectiveness of our product was determined
  
• Started research into how to predict long term effects from varying PFAS exposure
  
• Interviewed firefighters about our potential solutions
• Learned our solution would need National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) approval
• Planned to combine aptamer sequence with fluorescence detecting
• Bought the PFOA aptamers for testing

March

• Tested aptamer binding feasibility on PFOA
• Started manufacturing of the microfluidic chips
• Built and wired the PFOA housing
• Interviewed firefighters and found they weren’t very concerned about being exposed to PFOA, despite being informed of the danger
• Learned that progesterone is an indicator of miscarriages
• Got in contact with OBGYNs and interviewed them
• Began ideation on the creation of a progesterone monitor
• Began interviewing those who have experienced miscarriages to see how we can tailor our technology to best suit their needs
• Created a survey and sent it out

April

• Researched a new type of aptamer to better suit our needs
• Decided on a design similar to a CGM
• Began advertising
  
• Designed the applicator
• Attended the BYU Women’s conference 50th anniversary and surveyed 116 women

May

• Began running tests on aptamers
  
• Began analyzing the data from initial test
  
• Worked on the ads
• Tested the applicator

June

• Ran ITC and CD experiment on aptamer
• Started identifying influencers to help get the word out
• Refined the logo
• Created the instruction manual
  
• Issues with purchasing the aptamers for further tests

July

• Purchasing delays and difficulties
  
• Planned trip for IGEM (July, 8th, 2025)
• Worked on branding

August

• Made promotional video for IGEM (August 7th, 2025)
• Regrouped after summer didn’t go our way
• Renewed focus on the impact
  
• Finally got the electrochemically modified progesterone aptamers after delays in purchasing (August 25, 2025)
• Got trained on how to use AC voltammetry lab equipment
• Began updating the user manual
• Researched ways to increase the length of time the aptamer can be used
• Focused on the interfaces of our technology

September

• Began work on the provisional patent
  
• Researched the adhesive for the monitor
  
• Performed market analysis
• Ran tests with the aptamer
• Interviewed more women to make sure they have positive experience with our technology
  
• Identified a miniaturizable potentiostat design
• Planned our way forward till December and began plans for 1.5 years after December
  
• Researched grants and funds to continue working on our technology
  
• Created a business plan

October

• Submitted provisional patent
  
• Finalized Wiki for IGEM
• Work on longer project video deliverable
• Continuing wet lab experiments and progress toward minimum viable product