DKU iGEM

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, leading to motor impairments such as tremors and rigidity. Current treatments rely on L-DOPA supplementation, but long-term use results in decreased efficacy and severe side effects. To address these limitations, we propose engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) to biosynthesize and regulate L-DOPA production using the yeast codon-optimized CYP76AD6 gene partnered with the AR2 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana. By integrating metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, our system aims to improve L-DOPA bioavailability while reducing treatment-related complications. The system incorporates sophisticated feedback mechanisms to maintain optimal L-DOPA levels, offering a potentially groundbreaking approach to PD therapy.