Our Projects

PROMISE

2024

PROMISE is a vaccine platform using antigen-functionalized bacterial membrane vesicles (BMVs). Inspired by BCG, it reprograms innate immune cells without replication risks. By attaching disease-specific antigens to BMVs, PROMISE activates both innate and adaptive immunity. Its modular design allows adaptation for various diseases, with potential for personalized treatments.

cELPro

2023

cELPro is an affordable microbe-based therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Using Elastin-Like Polypeptides (ELPs), they modified E. coli to form an intracellular hydrogel preventing cell division, making it safer for ingestion while producing anti-inflammatory Interleukin 10 (IL-10). The treatment is designed as a probiotic pill to reduce intestinal inflammation in IBD patients.

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!MPACT

2022

!MPACT addresses the rare but severe ANCA-associated Vasculitis (AAV), an autoimmune disease that causes necrosis of blood vessels. Our solution is a Modular and Personalized Autoimmune Cell Therapy in which the patient’s own immune cells are genetically modified to produce an anti-inflammatory response upon targeting the pathogenic ANCA disease marker. This offers an improved and personalized alternative to current treatments.

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IBDETECTION

2021

IBDECTION developed a non-invasive diagnostic method for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Using genetically engineered E. coli bacteria that detect IBD biomarkers, they created a system where bacteria form gas vesicles in response to disease indicators. These vesicles can be detected using conventional ultrasound equipment, eliminating the need for invasive endoscopic procedures.

dCastect

2019

dCastect addressed antimicrobial resistance caused by overuse of antibiotics. They developed a specific, faster diagnostic method for bacterial infections to enable targeted treatment, reducing antibiotic misuse and preventing resistance development. This method uses a biosensor that detects bacterial presence and identifies the specific strain, allowing for tailored antibiotic therapy.

Gelcatraz

2018

Gelcatraz is a living biomaterial combining genetically modified bacteria with biocompatible materials. These bacteria can be tailored to produce specific proteins in response to various chemical, physical, or biological changes, creating versatile devices with applications across multiple fields.

GUPPI

2017

GUPPI aims to prevent cancer metastasis by encapsulating cancerous tissue. Using protein-protein interactions inspired by membraneless organelles, our system forms gel-like structures around targeted tissues when exposed to specific inducers, potentially enabling early-stage cancer containment.

SMMS

2016

In the emerging field of synthetic biology, many new innovations arise. To use them as efficient and safe as possible, regulation is key. Therefore, iGEM TU Eindhoven is developing new kinds of scaffold proteins, based on 14-3-3 proteins. These scaffold proteins have a wide range of applications in nature and can be used to regulate systems in synthetic biology.

COMBs

2015

The 2015 team developed a modular sensor system using Clickable Outer Membrane Proteins (COMPs) in E. coli. This universal approach addresses the lack of versatile detection tools, as most existing sensors were designed for specific molecules only.

Click Coli

2014

The team focused on engineering the outer membrane of E. coli. We have created a new tool for the synthetic biologist's toolbox; a tool that allows genetically engineered machines to have a specific coating.

MRiGEM

2013

The 2013 team created a safer alternative to toxic heavy metal MRI contrast agents by engineering E. coli to produce CEST proteins in hypoxic environments, eliminating the need for harmful substances like Gadolinium in MRI procedures.

SOMY-LCD

2012

SOMY-LCD is a bio-display using engineered yeast cells as pixels that produce fluorescent responses through calcium sensors when electrically stimulated, creating a biological alternative to traditional screens.