Injectable Protein S Medication
Created by: Stony Brook University’s official iGEM Team, 202267 backers contributed $ 4,585.44 to help bring this project to fruition.
Latest update: January 2023
About this campaign
Project significance
Genetics & Minority Groups
The exact prevalence of acquired and inherited cases of Protein S deficiency are unknown, with higher prevalence in certain African, Caribbean and Asian populations. The traditional treatments for blood clotting disorders such as Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) include drugs, like Heparin and Warfarin, which usually have to be taken life-long and have several severe side effects, like internal bleeding, bleeding gums, excessive bruising, nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged bleeding and even birth defects in pregnant women.
Unlike in European populations, the genetic risk factors for VTE disorder have not yet been thoroughly studied in the African American community. One reason for this is that the clinically presented variant in African Americans for the gene that encodes this protein PROS1 V510M, is not seen in those of European descent. African Americans experience a 30-60% higher incidence of VTE than those of European descent. African-American representation in clinical studies are necessary to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how VTE affects this community. To avoid the devastating impacts of this disease, it is imperative that more awareness is brought to our communities about the prevalence of protein S deficiency. Our ambitions for this project are not solely limited to the work we are doing in the lab. We strive to connect with our community to raise awareness about this disorder through community outreach events to inform and encourage Protein S deficiency screenings.
Severe COVID-19 & Protein S Levels
Research has shown that among several other menacing side effects associated with severe COVID-19, is a reduction in the levels of key blood anticoagulants like Protein S; causing for higher rates of blood clot formation in patients.
Interactions of Protein S with Protein C and Factor IXa is paramount in maintaining homeostasis. Severe COVID-19 infections can trigger a hyperactive immune response, characterized by a cytokine storm which is speculated to be responsible for drop in Protein S levels, leading to COVID-19 associated thrombotic complications and coagulopathy. Formation of microthrombi in lungs damages the endothelial lining, leading to organ failure. This is thought to be a major cause of COVID-19 related mortality. Moreover, researchers who analyzed the correlation of COVID-19 infections with Protein S deficiency and the resulting complications suggest administration of Protein S as a therapy in severe COVID-19 cases as opposed to the traditional treatment using Heparin.
Project budget
The total cost of bringing this project to fruition (from experiments to attending the iGEM conference) is $41,400. Our team has been able to have a large portion of this amount covered through internal grants, corporate donations and collaborating labs.
We are raising $10,000 on WeSci to reach the total needed to carry out this project from start to finish and participate at the iGEM Jamboree conference in October 2022.
Total cost: $41,400.
Graph amounts in USD.
Grants & donations
Disposables
$685 donated by Thermofisher
Solutions, media & reagents
$1,600 donated by Thermofisher and New England Biolabs
Vectors, cell lines, antibodies, etc.
Donation from Dr. Michael Airola & Dr. Steven Glynn
Kits
$515 donated by New England Biolabs
iGEM conference registration & attendance fees
$11,500 covered by Stony Brook University’s Research Fund
Shared facilities & machinery fees
$9,200 provided by the Undergraduate Biology Program at Stony Brook University
Meet the team!
Eva Paruch, Team leader (Class of ‘23)
Eva is a biochemistry undergraduate who hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in biochemistry and structural biology, and become a biochemistry researcher. Eva works on uncovering the mechanisms of transcription as an undergraduate member of Professor Ed Luk's laboratory. Outside of science, Eva is a jazz pianist and an enthusiast of all music. During her time on the executive board of a not-for-profit organization The Play It Forward Project at Stony Brook, Eva advocated for board-certified music therapy on a neurological basis.
Divleen Kaur Singh, Team leader (Class of ‘25)
Divleen is pursuing a major in Biology on the Pre-Med track. She is a part of the Stony Brook Scholars for Medicine B.S./M.D. Program and the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Honors Program. She is currently the WISE Student Leadership Council freshman liaison for the class of 2025 and will be the event coordinator for the WISE Student Leadership Council from Fall 2022 to Spring 2023. She is the event coordinator for the Stony Brook Red Cross Club and a volunteer for New York Telehealth Access for Seniors. Furthermore, she is a licensed EMT in the state of New Jersey. She aspires to become a surgeon in the future. Divleen enjoys cooking, baking, listening to music, gardening, and reading.
Maulik Masaliya (Class of ‘22)
Maulik is a Human Evolutionary Biology major and on the Pre-Med track at Stony Brook University.
He is a student ambassador for the World Pre-Health Conference and a volunteer for the American Red Cross. He is trained in Disaster Relief Operations and Mass Care, and is a recipient of NYC Mayoral Service Recognition. He hopes to pursue a career as a physician, and is interested in surgery and aerospace medicine. Maulik enjoys photography, music and reading books on astronomy.
Ya Jing Chen (Class of '24)
Ya Jing is a biochemistry major in the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Honors program.
Ya Jing likes to paint in her free time and wants to utilize her creativity in science. She hopes to apply this philosophy in research during her gap years prior to applying for a medical school. While multitasking, Ya Jing can almost always be found listening to an audiobook.
Stephanie Laderwager (Class of ‘22)
Stephanie is a biology major with a specialization in neuroscience. She plans on pursuing a PhD in neuroscience and work in research. She has a passion for medicine and has traveled to New Zealand and Fiji as part of a medical outreach team to aid those in need. When she is not studying or involved with iGEM her two daughters like to keep her on her toes. She loves to teach them all the wonders that science has to offer so that they know they could literally travel to the stars if they wanted to. Stephanie enjoys distance running, all things art, reading, and basketball.
Maira Riaz (Class of ‘24)
Maira is studying Biochemistry with a minor in the History of Health, Science, and the Environment. She is a member of the Honors College and hopes to become a physician in the future. She works as a pharmacy technician and crisis counselor at Response Crisis Center.
Maira also spends her time as a research assistant at the Laboratory for Clinical Affective Neuroscience. She enjoys baking, doing makeup, and spending time with family.
Isam Adnan (Class of '24)
Isam is pursuing a Biology B.S degree and is currently on the Pre-Med track. He is the club president for the Stony Brook American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (SBALCSI) and has taken many initiatives to allow underserved populations to receive proper lung cancer screening. Outside of iGEM, he conducts kidney disease research, is an undergraduate teaching assistant for many undergraduate chemistry courses, plays guitar, volunteers at the Food Pantry, is a licensed EMT in the state of New York, and enjoys playing basketball! He aspires to attend medical school and become a cardiothoracic surgeon in the future.
Lori Saxena (Class of '25)
Lori is a biology and journalism major and is interested in bridging the gap between scientists and the general public.
She is the news editor for the Stony Brook Statesman and does research in a biophysics lab on campus. In her free time, Lori enjoys listening to music and trying new foods.
Ahmed Rehman (Class of '23)
Ahmed is a health science major who obtained his associates in biology at SCCC.
He hopes in becoming a physician associate and travel to underserved countries to provide medical aide. Outside of IGEM, Ahmed is part of multiple club’s E-boards, workingout, gardening and cheffing it up in the kitchen.
Namrata Singh (Class of '25)
Namrata is a biomedical engineering major and Residential Assistant.
She hopes to research biomechanics and prosthetic technology and pursue a Master's degree.
Outside of iGEM, she enjoys feminist literature, science podcasts, and fashion shows.
Ziyin Zhang (Class of 2024)
Ziyin is a biology student majoring in developmental genetics. She is an international student from China who hopes to return to China to help improve biology college education after completing her studies and research.
Besides IGEM, Ziyin Zhang also participates in many clubs in Stony Brook Campus, such as volleyball and badminton.
Faculty & principal advisors
Biochemistry & Cell Biology
SUNY Distinguished Service Professor
Biomedical Engineering
Henry Laufer Professor
Biochemistry & Cell Biology
Associate Professor
Ecology & Evolution Associate Professor
iGEM competition & its significance
The iGEM Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of synthetic biology, education and competition, and the development of an open, collaborative, and cooperative community.
The iGEM Grand Jamboree is home of the world’s largest SynBio community of researchers, industry, investors, startups and policy makers where the future of synthetic biology is showcased every year. This year, 400+ multidisciplinary teams from 40+ countries will be presenting their projects on how to solve local problems, all over the world, using synthetic biology.
Presenting at the iGEM Grand Jamboree conference is an important aspect of our project because it is a resource-rich platform, where we can share our project to the world and work to make a real impact. Students, academics, investors, industry reps, journalists, and the public will convene for this 3-day world expo of synthetic biology in Paris, France. 350+ iGEM teams will present their projects to the world, and on the final day, the top projects will be celebrated with prizes and medals. The program is complemented by side events, including the Startup Showcase. iGEM projects serve as proofs of concepts and prototypes, and become startups and powerhouse companies. The iGEM EPIC program supports their development.
You can find our team’s iGEM participation letter here.
