PolyU Students Secure Gold in iGEM 2024 for Innovative Dual-Targeting Nanobody Against Pancreatic Cancer Drug Resistance
A team of students from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been awarded a gold medal at the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) 2024 Grand Jamboree, held in Paris. They were also recognized among the top 10 undergraduate teams and received nominations for the Best Oncology Project and Best New Composite Part. The team’s project focused on developing a dual-targeting nanobody aimed at addressing drug resistance to gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer patients.
Challenges of Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Pancreatic cancer presents notable treatment challenges, characterized by a high mortality rate and significant drug resistance issues associated with traditional therapies. Gemcitabine, a common chemotherapy drug, often fails to be effective against early-stage pancreatic cancer due to the development of resistance in patients.
The PolyU Team’s Innovative Approach
To tackle this issue, the PolyU team used bioinformatics to identify two essential cell surface receptors—EGFR and HER2—that are associated with tumor growth and resistance to gemcitabine. From this, they designed a nanobody called “Panobody,” which specifically inhibits both the EGFR and HER2 signaling pathways. Initial experimental results indicated that Panobody, when used independently or in conjunction with gemcitabine, significantly reduced the growth of pancreatic cancer cells and improved their sensitivity to chemotherapy.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Community Engagement
The interdisciplinary team, consisting of eleven students from the Departments of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and Electrical and Electronic Engineering, dedicated eight months to intensive laboratory research and project development. They collaborated with clinical specialists in pancreatic cancer and engaged in public outreach initiatives to increase awareness of the disease. These initiatives included creating an interactive educational game and partnering with the Hong Kong Cancer Fund.
Leadership and the iGEM Competition
Under the leadership of Professor Terence Lee and a team of experts, the project illustrates a blend of scientific research and community engagement. The iGEM competition, initiated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2004, invites participants from around the globe, including undergraduate and high school students, to develop solutions for real-world issues through the use of synthetic biology.
Further Information
For further details about the winning project, additional information is available through the official PolyU iGEM 2024 site.
This article is based on information from PolyU.
