pGLOW Paper David Weber Julie Patterson

Problem Identification  Teacher sick days costs school districts thousands of dollars each year.  Students learn less with guest teachers.  There are more discipline issues on days when classroom teachers are absent.

 In institutional settings, germs are spread much more easily.  Teachers are especially susceptible to becoming ill due to their frequent contact with students and materials.  Collected papers and assignments contribute to this.

 What if teachers could identify and avoid germ-covered papers?  What if school districts could invest in a product that reduced teacher sick days?  Teachers, what if you could avoid working through illness?  Now you can…..

pGLOW Paper  This specially coated paper allows teachers to easily identify and avoid any paper contaminated by the Influenza virus.  How does it work?  Paper contaminated with Influenza “glows” when exposed to black light.  By avoiding contaminated papers, teachers can remain healthy.

Structure of Influenza Virus  Virus are composed of DNA & a protein coat  Glycoproteins, surround outside of protein coat  Influenza has specific glycoprotein  Hemagglutinin

How pGLOW Paper Works  pGLOW paper “senses” Hemagglutinin Glycoprotein(HGP) spikes of the influenza virus.  Plasmid HGP receptor activates expression of GFP protein  pGLOW paper contaminated with Infuenza glows, allowing teachers to avoid infection.

pGLOW Plasmid Design  Components of pGLO Plasmid  B ETA - LACTAMASE : provides resistance to antibiotic (Ampicilin)  HGP RECEPTOR GENE : turns on expression of GFP when Influenza (hemaglutinin) is present. No GFP production without.  GFP: green fluorescent protein gene

pGLOW Paper Design Process 1.Through bacterial transformation, introduce pGLO plasmid into non- virulent E.coli. 2.Through bacterial transformation, culture and mass produce selectively glowing E.coli. 3.Coat paper with selectively glowing E.coli. 4.Test contaminated paper with a black light.

Future Considerations  Possible product improvements:  pGlo spray for testing student surfaces  Expanded line of P-glow school supplies:  Pencils, Pens, doorknobs, etc.  Less virulent E.coli

References  anize-childs-completed-school-work.html anize-childs-completed-school-work.html anize-childs-completed-school-work.html  mages/influenzafigure1.jpg mages/influenzafigure1.jpg mages/influenzafigure1.jpg  nfluenzavirus.html nfluenzavirus.html nfluenzavirus.html  media/87/ gif media/87/ gif media/87/ gif