Guidance Session with Ankit Basak (MIT, USA)

Introduction

A key theme throughout our project is the use of interdisciplinary concepts in answering fundamental questions. In addition to validating our understanding with renowned experts in materials science and peptide engineering, we also needed to gather perspectives from current students who are at the forefront of this field. Public validation is crucial for any initiative that seeks to enhance lives and address specific societal issues. It is with this mindset that we decided to engage in conversation with esteemed people around the globe to gather their opinions and valuable suggestions for improving our project.

Talk with Ankit Basak, an undergrad at MIT

To begin, we decided to engage in conversation with PhD researcher Mr. Ankit Basak from MIT, in order to strengthen the scientific and translational aspects of our iGEM 2025 project on heavy metal bioremediation. With his strong foundation in physical chemistry and active research in biophysics, the researcher brought an interdisciplinary perspective that resonated strongly with the bioengineering focus of our project. His insights are rooted in fundamental research and real-world solutions that involve elements aligning with our spirit of synthetic biology.

Key Themes and Takeaways

1. Filter Design: Specificity vs. Breadth
   A particularly engaging part of the conversation was around the specificity of our filter system. We explained that we are engineering metallothionein peptides to selectively bind specific metals of our interest. The researcher suggested that we consider a practical perspective and favour a broad-spectrum filter, allowing it to capture multiple metals simultaneously.
   This led to a productive conversation where we clarified that our engineered peptides not only enhance specificity but also significantly increase binding affinity. This dual benefit enables us to tailor our system to specific contamination profiles in different geographic regions. The researcher appreciated this direction and further suggested that our filter unit could be integrated with other existing purification methods to form a composite, field-deployable solution.
2. Material-Protein Interactions
   Another technical insight involved the peptide-polymer interaction within our prototype. The concern was whether our peptide, if merely adsorbed or physically trapped, would have strong and stable binding to the polymer matrix over time. He emphasized the potential advantage of covalently attaching the peptide to the polymer backbone, which would enhance the system's mechanical and chemical stability.
   Following this suggestion, we explored and identified EDC-NHS coupling chemistry as a viable method for forming peptide bonds between carboxyl groups on the polymer and free amines on the peptide—a direction we are now actively incorporating into our design.
3. Diagnostics and Sensing Integration
   Pushing our thinking beyond remediation, the researcher encouraged us to explore the diagnostic potential of our system. Specifically, he proposed that if a colorimetric or visual cue could be integrated into the polymer matrix, it might enable on-site detection of heavy metal contamination. This idea of combining filtration with sensing aligns strongly with our broader vision of building smart and accessible environmental tools, and is now under further exploration.
4. Comparative Binding Efficiency and Layer Design
   The researcher suggested comparing multiple layers of natural peptides with a single layer of engineered peptides in terms of binding efficiency. We clarified that our engineered peptides are designed to target metals such as Fe, Al, and Cr, whereas native peptides bind more effectively to metals like Pb and Cd.
   In short, the crux of our project does not depend on layering, but the choice depends on the target metals and field requirements. His point reminds us about the cost and scalability of our solution, but engineered peptides offer higher binding affinity, metal capture purity, and customizability, making them more sustainable and effective in targeted deployments.
5. Market Viability and Sustainability
   Finally, the researcher emphasized the importance of considering market feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. He advised that capturing metals in purer forms enhances their potential for industrial reuse, which adds a strong layer of sustainability to our system. This directly supports one of our Human Practices goals: to not only clean contaminated water but to also create circular economy opportunities by recovering usable materials.

Reflections and Outcome

This talk not only provided a technical review of our system but also evolved into a collaborative exchange of ideas. The feedback we received was constructive, critical, and grounded in real-world applicability with years of experience guiding it. Many of the points discussed, ranging from protein stability to material integration and all the way to economic feasibility, have led us to rethink, redesign, and strengthen key aspects of our systems for a much refined version.
What stuck with us was how closely the advice we received all aligned with the long-term goals of our project: modularity, field deployability, sustainability, and scientific rigor. This discussion has not only reinforced our confidence in pursuing this targeted approach but has also encouraged us to think expansively about reuse and impact, while necessitating consideration of its potential global implications.

The discussion with Ankit Basak proved to be immensely helpful in refining our project plannings and proceedings. His insights bridged the gap between our scientific goals and our approach.

Moving Forward

Inspired by her mentorship, we incorporated her advice into our workflow: restructuring our internal documentation system, updating our project wiki outline, and organizing weekly review meets to track progress. Her session reinforced our belief that effective science communication is as essential as scientific rigor—both together define the true spirit of iGEM.