@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ In addition to frugal technologies, Lambert iGEM aimed to decrease the cost of R
## Estrogen
While researching CAD risk factors and statistics, we came across literature that informed us about disparities among the sexes concerning early CAD diagnosis. We first conferred with Dr. Mindy Gentry, a women’s cardiologist, to get her opinion on the sex differences in cardiovascular health. She confirmed our insights about estrogen being a factor in increased susceptibility to CAD in women. To further our scientific research, we spoke to Dr. DeLisa Fairweather, a director of translational research in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus. She educated us on estrogen and its role as a CAD suppressor, and explained how women after menopause are more likely to develop heart disease because estrogen levels drastically decrease after menopause, causing women to be more likely to develop inflammation. Dr. Fairweather detailed that women who have inflammation in the heart are more likely to develop autoimmune disease and CAD. Additionally, she also guided us in the further development of our inclusivity by discussing how the hormone affects men as well. She told us that since men have a low estrogen level that also remains stable, they would be an ideal demographi to test for consistency in results, unlike women who have fluctuating levels of the hormone. Under the guidance of Dr. Fairweather, we tested miRNA-20b using Rolling Circle Amplification. In the presence of estrogen, CAD suppressors are activated and miRNA-20b is produced. miR-20b causes a negative feedback loop and suppresses estrogen, which will in turn inhibit the CAD suppressors. Dr. Fairweather explained how in men, a high level of miR-20b means that they are likely to develop CAD, however, in premenopausal women with inflammation symptoms, miR-20b protects them from developing CAD. She explained how if there is a high level of 20b, it will inhibit the estrogen from causing a catalyst between the developing autoimmune disease and CAD. We tested miR-20b with the RCA mechanism and ran a 1% gel to validate the presence of our product (see Fig. 5). Ultimately, increasing the factors that can be tested to signify CAD correlation encompasses a wider yet specified group allows for quality proactive care to be implemented. (See Wetlab: Inclusivity)
While researching CAD risk factors and statistics, we came across literature that informed us about disparities among the sexes concerning early CAD diagnosis. We first conferred with Dr. Mindy Gentry, a women’s cardiologist, to get her opinion on the sex differences in cardiovascular health. She confirmed our insights about estrogen being a factor in increased susceptibility to CAD in women. To further our scientific research, we spoke to Dr. DeLisa Fairweather, a director of translational research in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus. She educated us on estrogen and its role as a CAD suppressor, and explained how women after menopause are more likely to develop heart disease because estrogen levels drastically decrease after menopause, causing women to be more likely to develop inflammation. Dr. Fairweather detailed that women who have inflammation in the heart are more likely to develop autoimmune disease and CAD. Additionally, she also guided us in the further development of our inclusivity by discussing how the hormone affects men as well. She told us that since men have a low estrogen level that also remains stable, they would be an ideal demographic to test for consistency in results, unlike women who have fluctuating levels of the hormone. Under the guidance of Dr. Fairweather, we tested miRNA-20b using Rolling Circle Amplification. In the presence of estrogen, CAD suppressors are activated and miRNA-20b is produced. miR-20b causes a negative feedback loop and suppresses estrogen, which will in turn inhibit the CAD suppressors. Dr. Fairweather explained how in men, a high level of miR-20b means that they are likely to develop CAD, however, in premenopausal women with inflammation symptoms, miR-20b protects them from developing CAD. She explained how if there is a high level of 20b, it will inhibit the estrogen from causing a catalyst between the developing autoimmune disease and CAD. We tested miR-20b with the RCA mechanism and ran a 1% gel to validate the presence of our product (see Fig. 5). Ultimately, increasing the factors that can be tested to signify CAD correlation encompasses a wider yet specified group, allowing for quality proactive care to be implemented. (See Wetlab: Inclusivity)
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ Human Practices involves speaking with various professionals, doctors, and resea
## Heart Health Awareness month
Lambert iGEM planned to expand upon the SynbioOutLoud podcast by hosting an audience consisting of Lambert High School’s HOSA chapter, Science Olympiad, and Women in STEM club members to listen to highlighted guest speakers and professionals in the field. However, we wanted to expand the outreach by increasing the number of people who had access to this opportunity, so we converted the event to virtual webinars that focus on all aspects of heart health, both proactive and reactive, for the entire month of September. As the name suggests, the “Science for All” purpose was to access a wider audience, thus further creating an inclusive approach to education. Lambert iGEM hosted webinars discussing the importance of nutrition and exercise to prevent heart disease, and the process of First Aid/CPR/AED as a response system for when heart emergencies occur. Lambert iGEM was also accompanied by the American Heart Association (AHA), who co-hosted the webinar, teaching the audience about emergency response and CPR. While the members were not certified due to safety concerns, they were equipped with the proper knowledge to be an upstander rather than a bystander in the event of a cardiac emergency (see Fig. 11). To conclude the event, we specifically presented our gender research of all iGEM teams, along with the analysis of the impact created and the perceived trend for future demographic distribution in science roles. By advertising the “Science for All'' webinars through the county for greater demographic participation, Lambert iGEM was able to address a larger number of people through social media connections, the involvement of the AHA in promoting the webinar, and outreach towards other STEM clubs such as Women in STEM, Science Olympiad, and HOSA. This event attempts to spread the knowledge of synthetic biology and STEM. We are also currently in the process of updating a formal inclusive Cardiac Emergency Response Plan to be implemented and piloted at Lambert High School.
Lambert iGEM planned to expand upon the SynbioOutLoud podcast by hosting an audience consisting of Lambert High School’s HOSA chapter, Science Olympiad, and Women in STEM club members to listen to highlighted guest speakers and professionals in the field. However, we wanted to expand the outreach by increasing the number of people who had access to this opportunity, so we converted the event to virtual webinars that focus on all aspects of heart health, both proactive and reactive, for the entire month of September. As the name suggests, the “Science for All” purpose was to access a wider audience, thus further creating an inclusive approach to education. Lambert iGEM hosted webinars discussing the importance of nutrition and exercise to prevent heart disease, and the process of First Aid/CPR/AED as a response system for when heart emergencies occur. Lambert iGEM was also accompanied by the American Heart Association (AHA), who co-hosted the webinar, teaching the audience about emergency response and CPR. While the members were not certified due to safety concerns, they were equipped with the proper knowledge to be an upstander rather than a bystander in the event of a cardiac emergency (see Fig. 11). To conclude the event, we specifically presented our gender research of all iGEM teams, along with the analysis of the impact created and the perceived trend for future demographic distribution in science roles. By advertising the “Science for All'' webinars through the county for greater demographic participation, Lambert iGEM was able to address a larger number of people through social media connections, the involvement of the AHA in promoting the webinar, and outreach towards other STEM clubs such as Women in STEM, Science Olympiad, and HOSA. This event attempts to spread the knowledge of synthetic biology and STEM. We are also currently in the process of updating a formal inclusive Cardiac Emergency Response Plan to be implemented and piloted at Lambert High School.
