IIT Delhi: Eco.coli- A novel pollution crusader system

 

We dream of reviving our Mother Nature.

We aim for a pollution free Environment.

At IIT Delhi, we aspire to fight for the Future.

With Synthetic Biology in our arsenal.

 

 

OUR PROJECT

 

The Problem:

 

 

The world these days has turned into a junkyard of wastes. In today’s world, greenhouse gases such as NOx and SOx pose a global challenge to our sustainability which needs to be addressed on an immediate note.

• Being greenhouse gases, both NOx and SOx have a good hand in Global Warming, the most challenging problem these days. Considering the present rate of rise in temperature, the world’s certainly on the verge of destruction.
• These oxides increase the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere which is responsible for the photochemical production of ozone in the lower layers of the atmosphere which has detrimental effects.
• SOx is the main precursor of air pollution which is a deteriorating problem for all of us.
• Producing acid rain and acidified soils, Sulphur Oxides not only result in respiratory problems such as asthma and pneumonia, but also destroy farm crops, buildings and environment, causing huge economic losses every year.
• Both NOx and SOx also have detrimental effects on the environment.

 

 

 

An Innovative Solution:

 

Our team, iGEM IIT Delhi, plans to combat this catastrophic effect using one of the most promising field of research, Synthetic Biology.

• Firstly, we aimed to come up with a strain of engineered bacteria (using Synthetic Biology) which converts harmful components of exhaust gases coming out of chimneys of various industries and car exhausts into harmless by-products. And as a matter of fact, we have been successful in achieving this far. However, we have given a parallel thought about improving the efficiency and durability of the bacteria and also about including further gases with harmful consequences to be reduced as well.
• Secondly, we are aiming to build a working prototype using innovative techniques of mechanical and chemical engineering, thus giving an inter-disciplinary dimension to our project.
• The reactor which we are designing can be used on a multi-purpose basis to filter poisonous emissions from:
• Diesel Generators
• Car Engines
• Industrial Chimneys

Having completed the cloning and creation of our bacteria, all that remains is to incorporate our genetically engineered bacteria into the prototype which will give the final touch to our project and allow us to offer the world with a unique solution to address air pollution!WHY this Project:

The stats and figures for pollution are highly alarming. The rate at which pollution is rising, clean air could soon be a thing of the past in India. And that is why we at IIT Delhi, have decided to take a stand against this. No more sitting, hands folded, pointing out our helplessness. Someone needs to act fast, and who better to do that than ourselves? We are determined to bring about this change for the welfare of the people.

Before we bring this out in the city on a large scale, we have decided to give our idea a shot at one of the largest synthetic biology competitions across the globe. We have been representing IIT Delhi for the last two years in the Giant Jamboree Competition of iGEM, the biggest gathering for synthetic biology enthusiasts at a global level.

As a matter of fact, we had come up with this brilliant idea for the competition last year. Due to some unavoidable constraints, we were not able to complete it. Nevertheless, we didn’t lose hope and identified our short-comings. This year, we are continuing the same project, however, with double the enthusiasm, a clearer strategy, and certainly with lots of interesting changes. Firstly, we aim to take over the project from where we left last year and wrap up the unfinished work. In addition, we are also targeting to reduce CO2 (the most prominent contributor in Global Warming), N2O (green-house gas with other harmful effects) and Benzene (one of the most carcinogenic agent).

ABOUT iGEM

 

The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) is a worldwide synthetic biology foundation based in Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S.A. It was mainly aimed for undergraduate university students, but has since expanded to include divisions ranging from students to entrepreneurs.

 

This year, iGEM’s Giant jamboree (the biggest gathering of synthetic biology enthusiasts from all over the world) is going to be organised in Boston from 24th to 28th of September. With as many as 281 teams from all over the world, it certainly provides a global platform to represent our prestigious institute, IIT Delhi and certainly our nation India.

 

As a matter of fact, for the last 2 years, we were the only team from India participating in it, and have won a bronze medal both the times! This year, we are determined and our trying our best, to get us the coveted, elusive gold medal

 

 

 

WHY Should You Contribute?

First and foremost, we need some support in this war against pollution. We are absolutely positive that we are going to bring about our prototype in the market very soon, if we can get the right resources and support. The time to fight against pollution is now, and your support is crucial, for the sake of India, its inhabitants, and the children and youth of the nation.

Further, being the representative for our nation, India in a global platform like the Giant Jamboree where teams come from all around the world, we have been making our nation proud for the last two years with our significant but hard-earned achievements. And we have been working consistently with all our efforts to take the name of our Institution, IIT Delhi at par with the top institutes of the world like the Stanford or MIT.

However, it’s a matter of utmost concern for our entire team that in spite of coming up with the prototype and having a clear idea about our work plan, we are not able to start our research in a full-fledged manner due to the lack of resources and lab equipment. Presently, we are at a shortage of enzymes, chemicals and reagents to carry on with the different bio-chemical reactions. Neither do we have the essentials to build our prototype. Basically, our entire research work is at stake, due to the limitation of resources. Unless we can meet up with these limitations, it will be really difficult for us to complete the project. At the same time, for participating in the Giant Jamboree to be organised this year in MIT Boston, we don’t have the required funds to meet with the on-spot registration and travel allowances. There has been minimal economical support from the Institute and we are finding it really difficult to carry on with our work. Neither were we able to gather much from sponsorships, and as a result, we are being forced to use old, outdated equipment and make-shift laboratories with sub-par safety standards.

 

 

 

Under such circumstances, we are looking forward to all those who want to bring some change in the way things are going in today’s world! We are really dependent on all of you and even your minimal contribution may provide us with the gateway to Giant Jamboree and carry on with the good work which we have started.

 

HOW Can You Contribute?

 

Contribute:

• You can make a contribution right here, right now. Be the cause for something really good and earn our utmost gratitude! And at the same time be honoured with our little tokens of love as a big Thank You for your most significant support.

Sponsor Us:

• Nothing can be better for us than if you’re sponsoring us! We will come up with beneficial returns and that’s for sure. If you feel interested in sponsoring us to whatever extent as per your convenience, please do drop a mail at iitd.igem@gmail.com. We promise to come up with our brochure and provide you with the detailed scenario concerning your gain from sponsoring our research work.

Spread the word:

• And we do need a good lot of supporters to reach our target! We will be really grateful to you if after showing your most valuable support, you are ready to do a bit more.
• Please do tell your friends and family to support the campaign as well. And it would be a bigger help if you start to follow as well as share our official pages on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

It makes all of us feel really proud to be among such people who still care about what’s going on around them and certainly with our combined efforts, we can surely make it happen!

It has been 2 years since we have been participating in this competition, being the only team form India.

 

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

• In 2013, in spite of being new to this competition and without any experience we were able to win a Bronze Medal at the Asian Jamboree held in Hong Kong.
• Next Year, we worked upon our shortcomings and were able to win a Bronze Medal at the Giant Jamboree held in MIT, Boston.
• This year we don’t want to leave any stone unturned and are working to win a Gold Medal at the Giant Jamboree which will again be held at MIT, Boston.

MEDIASCOPE:

 The Hindu

“There are 84 teams from Asia with China accounting for as many as 50. I found only one team from India: IIT, Delhi! We need academia-industry collaboration to embark on innovation and move beyond reverse engineering.” G. PADMANABAN Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

    The Indian Express: “Leave Delhi: That’s what doctors are prescribing to patients with serious respiratory ailments.”

• Beijing vs. Delhi: The Politics of Air Pollution (Wall Street Journal (blog)-14-May-2015
• India's first Air Quality Index: For better control of air pollution (Zee News-04-Jun-2015)
• Air pollution: Why a clutch of expats in Delhi are moving back home (Economic Times-07-Jun-2015)

 

 

 

ABOUT US:

Our Mentors:

• Manisha Lamba (P.hD, IIT Delhi)
• Omkar Vinchure (P.hD, IIT Delhi)
• Varsha Walvekar (MS/R, IIT Delhi)
• Shuddhodana Mukta (MS/R, IIT Delhi)

Our Team:

Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, IIT Delhi:

    4th Year:

• Chandel Angad

    3rd Year:

•  Nikhil Patidar
•  Mayank Sahu
•  Rishabh Mathur

    2nd Year:

• Kshitij Rai,
• Aniruddh Yadav
• Shreya Pal
• Yatish Aggarwal

    1st Year:

• Shashank Garg
• Vinay Kamju
• Shubham Goel
• Harshita Kejriwal

Department of Chemical Engineering,IIT Delhi: 

    2nd Year:

• Rishabh Verma
• Surbhi Singhla

    1st Year:

• Souhardya Roy
• Aparna Gupta

Department of Electrical Engineering,IIT Delhi:

    2nd Year:

• Karan Varshney

Department of Computer Science and Engineering,IIT Delhi: 

    1st Year:

• Prakhar Agarwal

     

   

CONTACT US:

 

+91-9582891119

iitd.igem@gmail.com

2014.igem.org/Team:IIT_Delhi

Follow Us on:
 

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/igemiitdelhi

https://twitter.com/iGEM_IIT_Delhi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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