Design a GMO

Bio Zero Task: Developing GlowSense, an innovative wearable biosensor that merges synthetic biology and emotional well-being

Problem statement and concept

In today’s fast-paced world, emotional well-being often takes a backseat to productivity and external expectations. Chronic stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges are escalating concerns globally. Traditional methods for emotional assessment, like questionnaires or heart rate monitors, often fail to provide real-time, non-invasive, and intuitive feedback. This gap highlights the need for an innovative tool that bridges biology and technology to help individuals understand and manage their emotions better.

My solution is called GlowSense, a revolutionary wearable biosensor that uses genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to visualize emotional biomarkers like cortisol (a stress hormone) and dopamine (a neurotransmitter associated with happiness). The system combines bioluminescence with cutting-edge genetic engineering to provide users with an intuitive representation of their mental state through glowing patterns and colors.

GlowSense leverages synthetic biology to modify Vibrio fischeri, a naturally bioluminescent marine bacterium, as the host organism. Genetic circuits within these bacteria are engineered to react to hormonal levels detected in sweat, producing specific light patterns that correspond to stress or happiness. This visual feedback offers users a unique and immediate connection to their emotional states, fostering greater awareness and potential self-regulation.

AI image created to visualize the concept of GlowSense

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Technical info

Genes of interest and functionality

To achieve the bioluminescent response, GlowSense incorporates the following genetic modifications:

1. Cortisol-responsive circuit:

   • Promoter: A cortisol-inducible promoter derived from synthetic constructs used in E. coli biosensors.

   • Reporter Gene: Integrated with the lux operon to enhance light production in response to cortisol.

2. Dopamine-responsive circuit:

   • Promoter: A synthetic dopamine-sensitive promoter adapted from mammalian research.

   • Reporter Gene: Coupled with fluorescent proteins to differentiate dopamine-triggered light emissions from cortisol responses.

3. Lux operon pptimization:

   • Enhancements to the native Vibrio fischeri lux operon for brighter and more energy-efficient luminescence. This modification ensures high visibility in wearable applications.

Schematic diagram that demonstrates how genetically encoded fluorescent biosensor works

Schematic of a self-contained Lux operon system

Host organism: Vibrio fischeri

Key characteristics:

1. Vibrio fischeri naturally produces bioluminescence through the lux operon, which catalyzes the enzymatic oxidation of luciferin to emit light.

2. It is a non-pathogenic, biosafety level 1 organism, ensuring safe application in controlled environments.

3. Thrives in artificial saline media, making it compatible with wearable microfluidic systems.

Vibrio fischeri bacteria

Genetic modifications:

1. Amplified and optimized lux operon for enhanced luminescence.

2. Integration of synthetic cortisol and dopamine-sensitive promoters for precise hormonal detection.

3. Energy-efficient pathways to prioritize light production under limited nutrient conditions.

Containment and integration: The bacteria are housed in a sealed microfluidic chamber within the wearable device. Sweat-derived hormonal samples trigger luminescence, maintaining environmental safety while providing real-time feedback.

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Implementation

1. Design of the wearable:

   • The wearable device includes a transparent microfluidic system that houses the modified Vibrio fischeri.

   • LED backlights and a reflective casing amplify the glowing patterns for clear visualization.

   • Hormonal sensors extract cortisol and dopamine levels from sweat, channeling them into the bacterial chamber.

2. Visualization of emotions:

   • Stress (high cortisol): Bright blue/white luminescence.

   • Happiness (high dopamine): Shimmering green/yellow light patterns.

   • Neutral state: Baseline glow intensity.

3. User impact:

   • GlowSense promotes emotional awareness, providing a unique bridge between the user’s biological signals and mental state. Its visual simplicity makes it accessible to all age groups and backgrounds.

Visualization of emotions concept (created with AI)

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References

1. Meighen, E. A. (1991). Molecular biology of bacterial bioluminescence. Microbiological Reviews, 55(1), 123–142.

2. Ruby, E. G., & Nealson, K. H. (1976). Symbiotic association of photobacterium fischeri with the marine luminous fish monocentris japonica. Biological Bulletin, 151(3), 574–586.

3. Zhang, C., Xing, X.-H., & Lou, K. (2005). Rapid construction of bioluminescent bacterial biosensor for monitoring heavy metals and toxicity. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 20(6), 1173–1180.

4. Anderson, J. C., Voigt, C. A., & Arkin, A. P. (2007). Environmental signal integration by a modular AND gate. Molecular Systems Biology, 3, 133.

5. Inda, M. E., Lu, T. K., & Weiss, R. (2020). Investigating the modularity of synthetic hormone-responsive genetic circuits in Escherichia coli. Nature Chemical Biology, 16, 1127–1134.