Harnessing Synthetic E. coli with Visible Readouts for Biosensing and Bioremediation of Pharmaceutical Pollutants in Hong Kong
Improper disposal of pharmaceuticals and contamination from medical and agricultural sources have resulted in rising levels of pharmaceutical pollution across diverse environments. This project aims to develop integrated biosensor and bioremediator systems to detect and mitigate pharmaceutical contaminants. We designed cost-effective biosensors using visible reporters in engineered Escherichia coli for the detection of compounds such as tetracycline and salicylate. Beyond detection, synthetic organisms were constructed to degrade these pollutants, enabling effective bioremediation. Furthermore, an AI-assisted automated system was developed to bridge the gap between biotechnology research and practical applications, enhancing the accessibility, scalability, and real-world impact of our work.
Engineered E. coli strains express chromoproteins in the presence of tetracycline and salicylate, allowing identification and quantification of contamination through color intensity changes.
Integrated AI vision system monitors color changes in E. coli cultures, providing real-time insights into medication concentration levels with minimal human intervention.
Our system not only detects but also initiates breakdown processes for targeted pharmaceuticals, reducing environmental contamination, bioaccumulation, and preventing antibiotic resistance development.
This antibiotic contributes to bacterial antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments and harms beneficial microorganisms essential for ecosystem health.
These compounds alter microbial community structures in water bodies and indirectly promote the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria through continuous low-level exposure.
Pharmaceutical contaminants persist in water systems, affecting aquatic life and potentially entering human water supplies, contributing to the global antibiotic resistance crisis.
The Hong Kong Joint-Secondary School iGEM Team (HKJSS iGEM 2025) is a multidisciplinary group of passionate students. Since our first participation in iGEM in 2018, we have proudly grown through every challenge and are deeply grateful for the knowledge, experiences, and friendships gained within the iGEM community — including you!
This year, Team HKJSS 2025 unites talented students from Po Leung Kuk Celine Ho Yam Tong College, Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Secondary School, Pentecostal School, The Y.W.C.A. Hioe Tjo Yeong College, and Madam Lau Kam Lung Secondary School of Miu Fat Buddhist Monastery. Together, we collaborate across disciplines, driven by a shared passion for synthetic biology and its potential to combat pharmaceutical pollution.