Apoorv Gupta (WITTRUP & PRATHER LABS)

Dynamic Metabolic Engineering in Bacteria Using Quorum Sensing Circuits

Traditional methods to engineer strains for bioproduction of desired compounds have involved overexpressing select genes or deleting competing pathways. In more complex scenarios, such as when the competing pathway is essential to cell survival, these “static” strategies cannot be implemented. Using quorum sensing parts, we have engineered circuits to dynamically modulate expression of any target gene. These circuits allow strains to autonomously downregulate competing pathways that cannot be knocked out, and siphon flux to product formation.

Jaideep Dudani (LANGER & BHATIA LABS)

Noninvasive Prediction of Aggressive Prostate Cancer Through Protease Nanosensors

Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous cancer in men, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 6. Mortality from prostate cancer, however, is low relative to its prevalence, which has led to concerns of overdiagnosis and patient mismanagement. There is a critical need for biomarkers that classify aggressive from local, indolent cancer. Proteases are candidate enzymes for detection as they play critical roles in almost every hallmark of cancer. I will discuss our efforts towards building protease nanosensors to classify aggressive prostate cancer.