2015 Spring FINAL REPORT

Introduction

Welcome to our final report page. This report will explain the bachelor project of the team 2015 during this semester.

Our work was to improve the prototype and we decided to work on different orientations. But the first few weeks, we got in touch with the project as a whole. We first learnt to build the prototype (by doing some soldering and electronics). Then we learnt how to behave in a Lab working with bacteria and we performed an experiment to test the LSS mOrange bioreporter. Finally, we got in touch with Arduino, making some LED blink for example. After this introduction of the project, we separated into three subprojects. Marie W. and Dounia worked on the prototype debugging, Marie D. and Colombine on Arsenic sonification and finally Mathilde worked on facilitating and securing the sample in the field and made few lab sessions on characterize the new bioreporter LSS mOrange .

The aim of our work this semester was based on:

- LSS mOrange characterization : getting familiar with the protocol, comparing it with eGFP, the bioreporter used at this moment, and finally proposing some possible experiments to characterize LSS mOrange.

- The prototype debugging: light scattering analysis. We would like to know if the light scattering distorts the results.

- The Sonification of Arsenic: the aim was to make the prototype more intuitive by producing a sound output depending on the arsenic water concentration.

- Facilitating and securing water sample collection in the field : the idea was to make a double cap which connects the bioreporter vial containing GMO and the collected water vial together. They must be linked from field collection sample when we bring together the two  vials until the moment we return in the lab, where we destroy the GMO. This cap must be hermetic to prevent the GMO outflow.

The plan of our report is below. We wish you a pleasant reading!

LSS mOrange bioreporter

1. Enunciation of the problem and goals

2. First experiment : getting familiar with the protocol and first results

3. Second experiment : working with different strains to compare LSS mOrange and eGFP

4. Proposed experiments for LSS mOrange characterization

5. Conclusion

Prototype debugging

1. Introduction

2. The Light Scattering

3. Cell lysis

4. Test

5. Conclusion

Sonification of Arsenic

  1. The Idea behind Sonification
  2. First Circuits
  3. Music Box
    • Prototype
    • Printed Circuit
  4. Working with a Shield
    • With a Counter
    • With an Interrupt
    • With two Arduinos
  5. Future Directions and Conclusion

Assuring secure sample collection in the field :

1. About the previous kit

2. Goals of the new kit

3. Workflow of the double cap

4. Design of the double cap :

5. Sealing the vials

6. Legal aspect

7. Open source hardware

8. Conclusion

Conclusion

What we first liked about this project is the fact that it seemed quite different from other projects and that it had a multidisciplinary and humanitarian aspect. At the end of this semester, we realised that we had been the whole time working as a team, even if we did not work on the same things; We had a global vision on the entire project.

In May, we presented our work at the STIL (Salon des Technologies et de l'Inovation de Lausanne). This motivated us, because we were well welcomed and people were really interested in what we were doing. They were trying to find solutions that we did not necessarily thought of. In the end, we had a concrete external feedback on our project, which made us proud of it. (Read our Biodesign entry to know more about it).

What we will remember about this project:

The concept of Open Source, which was new for us. We discorvered that it helped to share. That it is what makes Science evolve faster.

The notion of Community, which was reinforced by the fact that we worked the whole semester at Hackuarium, a place where we felt like home and where we could share with other people.

And finally the Do-It-Yourself aspect of the project, which makes us believe that the democratisation of science is possible, that building with their own hands will make people concerned about the problem and provoke more easily reflexion.

Eventually we want to thank Sachiko Hirosue and Robin Scheibler for the experience they made us live. The Hackuarium team for the place and welcome they did. And all the other people that were there when we needed some help.