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Team:Wisconsin-Madison/home
From 2010.igem.org
iDIET
Lactose and gluten intolerance involve enzyme production deficiency in the digestive system. These disorders and high cholesterol could be treated by supplementation of the correct enzyme at the correct place in the digestive system. We have designed a universal platform for polypeptide release within the small intestine of the human gastrointestinal tract. Our automated, model system is designed to treat lactose intolerance where patients are unable to break down the lactose disaccharide into monomeric sugars due to deficiency of lactase. The system produces the enzyme beta-galactosidase, a functional homologue of human lactase, and releases it to break down lactose. Colonic acid production occurs prior to ingestion to shield the bacteria from the high acidity of the stomach. Lysis occurs in the duodenum of the small intestine through one of three proposed systems: a timed inducible/repressible system, a bile induced system, or an encryption system. Delivery of different enzymes can be accomplished by simple exchange of one part. .
