Awarded in 2019
Home Department: Bioengineering
Faculty Advisors: Andrew Endy (Bioengineering) and Bruce Buckingham (Pediatrics - Endocrinology)

Research Title: Engineering a Live Bacterial Therapeutic for Type 1 Diabetes

Research Description: T1D is a chronic endocrine disorder that is characterized by dangerously high blood glucose levels. Inadequate glycemic control results in serious micro- and macrovascular complications. Advances in synthetic biology enable the possibility of developing novel therapeutics via engineered bacteria. Thus, Kaisha will develop a live bacterial therapeutic for T1D using the skin commensal bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis by integrating a genetic system that senses blood glucose and produces insulin in response to elevated blood glucose levels. This will pave the way for the development of a novel approach to TID treatment.