Estonia_TUIT team got the gold medal in 2021 iGEM competition!

Estonia_TUIT team participated in iGEM competition and received the gold medal for the project SALSASMILE. Students worked hard for 8 months and received well deserved medal.

iGEM competition

iGEM is the world’s largest synthetic biology competition where student teams try to solve global issues using synthetic biology. First created as a summer school in MIT in 2004, now with more than 6000 participants, over 300 teams from more than 40 countries participate every year. iGEM competition aims to push boundaries of synthetic biology and tackle world problems. It is a perfect opportunity for the overall development of the bachelor’s students: starting from idea brainstorming, its’ development and implementation, towards communication with other teams and experts, fundraising, scientific writing, public engagement, advertisements, and website design and construction. Participation in the course allows students to create a vast international network with other students and experts in the field from all over the world.

Estonia_TUIT team

iGEM is built into the Science & Technology curriculum as part of the elective module. Students have the unique opportunity to join Estonia_TUIT team already during the 2nd semester. Under the supervision of Ilona Faustova and other instructors, the student team brainstorms the idea, puts together the experimental plan, works in the lab, practices scientific writing, contributes to science popularization, collaborate with the teams from all over the world, communicate with experts in the field. The competition culminates with the Giant Jamboree, a conference, where all teams present their project to judges.

Estonia_TUIT team participates in the competition for the 5^th time, and got 3 gold and 2 silver medals. This year, the team worked on developing the new way to remove dental plaques from the tooth surface and, therefore, prevent tooth decay.

Celebration video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwxuISaoCXQ

2021 Project SALSASMILE

Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that bind the human SALSA protein on teeth’ surface, forming a biofilm and producing acids that destroy teeth. Estonia_TUIT engineer a protease to target the SALSA protein. Cleaving SALSA will remove bacteria even from the inaccessible areas, making oral hygiene more efficient.

The team develop a simple assay in yeast to select for proteases that cleave the desired sequence. Combined with deep mutational scanning or directed evolution, this is a powerful tool to engineer proteases.

Everyone, especially children, people with orthodontic cases, or disabled individuals could use SALSASMILE alongside tooth brushing for improved oral hygiene.

Want to learn more? Check the team’s wiki, promotion and project presentation videos!

Apply to Science & Technology BSc program and get a chance to join the first and only Estonian iGEM team!