<aside> 💡 See past projects here: Google Slide Deck.
</aside>
FibroidSense is a paper-based cell-free biosensor platform enabling early detection of uterine fibroids in resource-limited settings, particularly targeting Caribbean communities where prevalence is disproportionately high. The system uses commercially available CRISPR-Cas12a to detect synthetic RNA sequences mimicking fibroid-specific biomarkers (PLP1, FOS) with minimal equipment requirements. The freeze-dried format eliminates cold chain dependency, making it suitable for tropical climates with limited infrastructure. Instead of complex smartphone integration, a simple colorimetric readout provides binary results interpretable by community health workers without specialized training. This project leverages cell-free synthetic biology approaches taught in HTGAA to create accessible diagnostics that address a critical women's health disparity. By focusing on practical platform development with synthetic targets, this proof-of-concept demonstrates how synthetic biology tools can create affordable diagnostic solutions for conditions affecting underserved women globally.
a. Explain your motivation for pursuing your project
As a young woman growing up in Barbados, I have firsthand experience of the discrepancies facing women's health in the Caribbean. Even with my privilege of access to Canadian healthcare, I was still subject to stigmatization and lack of education surrounding women's reproductive health. Only since moving back to Canada and reevaluating my biases have I realized how I can best help my island nation.
Before university, I pursued a keen interest in medicine by shadowing an endovascular radiologist in Barbados. Working alongside this British surgeon in both clinical and operating room settings, I observed the stark contrasts in medical practice between the UK and the Caribbean. One experience particularly stands out: assisting during a hysterectomy necessitated by advanced uterine fibroids. The surgeon explained that such radical interventions were rarely required in the UK due to differences in lifestyle, early screening protocols, and access to non-invasive gynecological procedures.
This experience illuminated a critical healthcare disparity. Uterine fibroids disproportionately affect women in developing regions, particularly those of African descent in Caribbean communities, where prevalence reaches up to 80% by age 50. Despite this burden, screening remains largely inaccessible due to reliance on expensive imaging technologies. This inaccessibility creates a cascade of negative outcomes, as late diagnosis often leads to severe anemia, fertility complications, and unnecessary hysterectomies-permanently altering women's reproductive futures.
b. Describing the current state of knowledge related to your project. Try to cite at least 2 peer-reviewed research papers.
Uterine fibroids diagnosis currently relies primarily on ultrasound and MRI, technologies often unavailable in resource-limited settings. Recent research has identified promising biomarkers for non-invasive detection.
Wong et al. (2016) demonstrated that proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) serves as a highly specific biomarker for uterine fibroids, achieving 79.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity in serum detection compared to surgical pathology. PLP1 is significantly upregulated in fibroid tissue versus normal myometrium.
Additionally, Stewart et al. (2021) identified FOS as another fibroid-associated biomarker involved in autophagy regulation. Their research showed FOS expression correlates with fibroid size and growth rate, potentially enabling not just detection but also severity assessment.
c. Describe how your project is innovative and expand upon the significance of your final project.
FibroidSense innovates by adapting CRISPR diagnostic technology typically used for infectious disease detection to women's reproductive health. The project's key innovations include:
The significance extends beyond technical innovation to address crucial healthcare equity issues. This project establishes a technological framework that could be further developed for clinical deployment, potentially improving reproductive healthcare accessibility in underserved communities.
1. Synthetic Target Design and Validation
2. CRISPR-Cas12a Biosensor Assembly