Difference between revisions of "Team:Queens Canada/Collaborations"

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<h2>External Collaborations</h2>
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<h2>External Collaborations</h2>
  
<h3><em>The Ontario Genetically Engineered Machine Network (oGEM)</em></h3>
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<h3><em>The Ontario Genetically Engineered Machine Network (oGEM)</em></h3>
<p>Queen’s Canada attended the annual oGEM meeting hosted by the McMaster University. We had the pleasure  
+
<p>Queen’s Canada attended the annual oGEM meeting hosted by the McMaster University. We had the pleasure  
of being in the company of iGEM teams from the Universities of Toronto, Guelph, Waterloo, Brock,  
+
of being in the company of iGEM teams from the Universities of Toronto, Guelph, Waterloo, Brock,  
Ottawa, and Western Ontario. McMaster iGEM Team directed the conversation on the awareness and  
+
Ottawa, and Western Ontario. McMaster iGEM Team directed the conversation on the awareness and  
challenges faced by the synthetic biology community in Canada. The lack of self and social awareness  
+
challenges faced by the synthetic biology community in Canada. The lack of self and social awareness  
in the community was thought to be caused by the fact that synthetic biology is indeed an  
+
in the community was thought to be caused by the fact that synthetic biology is indeed an  
interdisciplinary subject and it requires expertise in all branches of science and engineering.  
+
interdisciplinary subject and it requires expertise in all branches of science and engineering.  
It is quite difficult for such a large multidisciplinary group to recognize themselves, and other  
+
It is quite difficult for such a large multidisciplinary group to recognize themselves, and other  
members as one of their own, leading to the absence of communication and combined resources. On top  
+
members as one of their own, leading to the absence of communication and combined resources. On top  
of that, as a newly emerging field of study, synthetic biology has yet to be clearly defined. The  
+
of that, as a newly emerging field of study, synthetic biology has yet to be clearly defined. The  
general public might have the foggiest idea what this community aims to achieve, and misconceptions  
+
general public might have the foggiest idea what this community aims to achieve, and misconceptions  
about genetic engineering continue to cause fear and resistance in the society. The rest of the  
+
about genetic engineering continue to cause fear and resistance in the society. The rest of the  
conversation was dedicated to devising solutions to these challenges. Firstly, it is important that  
+
conversation was dedicated to devising solutions to these challenges. Firstly, it is important that  
the synthetic biology community finds a suitable definition for its work which would be agreed by  
+
the synthetic biology community finds a suitable definition for its work which would be agreed by  
all of its members. The second focus shall be improving education at the undergrad level to increase  
+
all of its members. The second focus shall be improving education at the undergrad level to increase  
student interests in synthetic biology. All the iGEM teams present were very eager to share their  
+
student interests in synthetic biology. All the iGEM teams present were very eager to share their  
experiences in recruitment and outreach, members from the University of Western have especially  
+
experiences in recruitment and outreach, members from the University of Western have especially  
shared their path of creating a program for synthetic biology at their university. The discussion  
+
shared their path of creating a program for synthetic biology at their university. The discussion  
was concluded with remarks on actions to be taken to gather resources and suggestions for future  
+
was concluded with remarks on actions to be taken to gather resources and suggestions for future  
Canada-wide conferences.
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Canada-wide conferences.
</p>
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</p>
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/0/04/T--Queens_Canada--ogem.jpeg" width=60% height=60% />
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/0/04/T--Queens_Canada--ogem.jpeg" width=60% height=60% />
  
<h3><em>Team Stony Brook</em></h3>
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<h3><em>Team Stony Brook</em></h3>
<p>This project required the use of a directed evolution approach using error-prone PCR methods. While  
+
<p>This project required the use of a directed evolution approach using error-prone PCR methods. While  
reading about other team’s projects, we came across a fellow iGEM team located at Stony Brook University  
+
reading about other team’s projects, we came across a fellow iGEM team located at Stony Brook University  
in New York was evaluating the use of directed evolution of <em>Synechococcus elongatus</em> to create  
+
in New York was evaluating the use of directed evolution of <em>Synechococcus elongatus</em> to create  
sustainable sucrose feedstocks for ethanol biofuel production. This discovery created the basis for  
+
sustainable sucrose feedstocks for ethanol biofuel production. This discovery created the basis for  
further discussion about which protocols are most efficient when performing directed evolution. Upon  
+
further discussion about which protocols are most efficient when performing directed evolution. Upon  
speaking with our fellow iGEM team, we learned about other directed evolution techniques, such as UV  
+
speaking with our fellow iGEM team, we learned about other directed evolution techniques, such as UV  
mutagenesis and phage display directed evolution. With these ideas in mind, we collectively decided  
+
mutagenesis and phage display directed evolution. With these ideas in mind, we collectively decided  
that other teams may also be trying to determine the most effective type of directed evolution for  
+
that other teams may also be trying to determine the most effective type of directed evolution for  
their project and thought we could combine each of our groups’ knowledge and experiences to aid future  
+
their project and thought we could combine each of our groups’ knowledge and experiences to aid future  
iGEM teams. We believe that an effective route to convey this information would be in the format of a  
+
iGEM teams. We believe that an effective route to convey this information would be in the format of a  
short, detailed video, that both of our teams could collectively contribute to, as well a pamphlet  
+
short, detailed video, that both of our teams could collectively contribute to, as well a pamphlet  
highlighting a variety of directed evolution techniques, available resources and current literature.
+
highlighting a variety of directed evolution techniques, available resources and current literature.
</p>
+
</p>
  
<h3><em>Makerere University</em></h3>
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<h3><em>Makerere University</em></h3>
<p>After being graciously awarded an Opentrons OT-2 automatic pipetting robot, we were eager to find other  
+
<p>After being graciously awarded an Opentrons OT-2 automatic pipetting robot, we were eager to find other  
teams that we could share protocols and tips with. Speaking with iGEM Makerere, we both had a lot of  
+
teams that we could share protocols and tips with. Speaking with iGEM Makerere, we both had a lot of  
questions surrounding wet lab protocols, dry lab modelling, and practical applications of our respective  
+
questions surrounding wet lab protocols, dry lab modelling, and practical applications of our respective  
projects that could be answered by the other team’s diverse knowledge and unique experiences. For  
+
projects that could be answered by the other team’s diverse knowledge and unique experiences. For  
example, the Makerere team stated that a metabolic by-product of the degradation of plastics by microbes  
+
example, the Makerere team stated that a metabolic by-product of the degradation of plastics by microbes  
is ethylene glycol, however they couldn’t decide on a practical use for this by-product. As Canadians,  
+
is ethylene glycol, however they couldn’t decide on a practical use for this by-product. As Canadians,  
we know ethylene glycol well, as it is the major component of antifreeze for windshield frost in the  
+
we know ethylene glycol well, as it is the major component of antifreeze for windshield frost in the  
winter! We suggested that their by-product could be used in cryopreservatives here in Canada.  
+
winter! We suggested that their by-product could be used in cryopreservatives here in Canada.  
Ultimately, through various Skype calls and email exchanges, members of both our teams were able to  
+
Ultimately, through various Skype calls and email exchanges, members of both our teams were able to  
assist the other with different aspects of the projects. Our dry lab teams were able to collaborate with  
+
assist the other with different aspects of the projects. Our dry lab teams were able to collaborate with  
various 3D modelling techniques in PyMOL, as well as wiki formatting.
+
various 3D modelling techniques in PyMOL, as well as wiki formatting.
</p>
+
</p>
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/5/54/T--Queens_Canada--MakerereUni.png" width=40% height=40% />
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/5/54/T--Queens_Canada--MakerereUni.png" width=40% height=40% />
</div><br>
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</div><br>
  
  
<div class="column full_size">
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<div class="column full_size">
<h2>Internal Collaborations</h2>
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<h2>Internal Collaborations</h2>
  
<h3><em>Queen's Biomedical Innovation Team (QBiT)</em></h3>
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<h3><em>Queen's Biomedical Innovation Team (QBiT)</em></h3>
<!-- float image right??-->
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<!-- float image right??-->
<p style="float:left;"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/6/6a/T--Queens_Canada--QBIT.png" width=20% height=20% />
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<p><img style="float:left;" src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/6/6a/T--Queens_Canada--QBIT.png" width=20% height=20% />
The Queen’s Biomedical Innovation Team is an undergraduate student-run, interdisciplinary design team  
+
The Queen’s Biomedical Innovation Team is an undergraduate student-run, interdisciplinary design team  
that focuses on biomedical device design and innovation. This year QGEM has collaborated with QBiT in  
+
that focuses on biomedical device design and innovation. This year QGEM has collaborated with QBiT in  
the production of a pacifier devicer which will utilize our engineered protein construct for the  
+
the production of a pacifier devicer which will utilize our engineered protein construct for the  
detection of salivary analytes. Features of the pacifier design include:
+
detection of salivary analytes. Features of the pacifier design include:
</p>
+
<ul>
<ul>
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<li>A one-way valve nipple to passively collect saliva from the infants mouth, while preventing any  
<li>A one-way valve nipple to passively collect saliva from the infants mouth, while preventing any  
+
backflow of the engineered protein from the internal components towards the infants mouth.</li>
backflow of the engineered protein from the internal components towards the infants mouth.</li>
+
<li>A circuit board containing a photon-counter chip, a battery, and a Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon.  
<li>A circuit board containing a photon-counter chip, a battery, and a Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon.  
+
These three components allow for the detection of bioluminesce produced by active luciferase,  
These three components allow for the detection of bioluminesce produced by active luciferase,  
+
the transmission of this data over Bluetooth Low Energy to a smartphone device.</li>
the transmission of this data over Bluetooth Low Energy to a smartphone device.</li>
+
<li>A 3D printer polylactic acid polymer casing.</li>
<li>A 3D printer polylactic acid polymer casing.</li>
+
</ul>
</ul>
+
</p>
  
 +
<h3><em>Queen's Reduced Gravity Experimental Design Team</em></h3>
 +
<!-- float image right??-->
 +
<p style="float:left;"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/6/67/T--Queens_Canada--QRGX.png" width=20% height=20% />
 +
The Queen’s Reduced Gravity Experimental Design Team is an undergraduate student-run team which will be
 +
participating in an upcoming flight mission in collaboration with the National Research Council,
 +
Canadian Space Agency, and Students for the Exploration and Development of Space in July. QRGX are
 +
winners of the Canadian Reduced Gravity Experiment Design Challenge (http://seds.ca/projects) and have
 +
been selected to conduct an experiment comparing DNA Polymerase I processivity and error rate in
 +
microgravity vs normal gravity. This year QGEM will be accompanying them on their flight mission and
 +
providing them with technical expertise and access to our laboratory equipment.
 +
</p>
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</div>
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</body>
  
<h3><em>Queen's Reduced Gravity Experimental Design Team</em></h3>
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</html>
<!-- float image right??-->
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<p style="float:left;"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/6/67/T--Queens_Canada--QRGX.png" width=20% height=20% />
+
The Queen’s Reduced Gravity Experimental Design Team is an undergraduate student-run team which will be
+
participating in an upcoming flight mission in collaboration with the National Research Council,
+
Canadian Space Agency, and Students for the Exploration and Development of Space in July. QRGX are
+
winners of the Canadian Reduced Gravity Experiment Design Challenge (http://seds.ca/projects) and have
+
been selected to conduct an experiment comparing DNA Polymerase I processivity and error rate in
+
microgravity vs normal gravity. This year QGEM will be accompanying them on their flight mission and
+
providing them with technical expertise and access to our laboratory equipment.
+
</p>
+
</div>
+
</body>
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</html>
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Revision as of 00:31, 27 August 2018

External Collaborations

The Ontario Genetically Engineered Machine Network (oGEM)

Queen’s Canada attended the annual oGEM meeting hosted by the McMaster University. We had the pleasure of being in the company of iGEM teams from the Universities of Toronto, Guelph, Waterloo, Brock, Ottawa, and Western Ontario. McMaster iGEM Team directed the conversation on the awareness and challenges faced by the synthetic biology community in Canada. The lack of self and social awareness in the community was thought to be caused by the fact that synthetic biology is indeed an interdisciplinary subject and it requires expertise in all branches of science and engineering. It is quite difficult for such a large multidisciplinary group to recognize themselves, and other members as one of their own, leading to the absence of communication and combined resources. On top of that, as a newly emerging field of study, synthetic biology has yet to be clearly defined. The general public might have the foggiest idea what this community aims to achieve, and misconceptions about genetic engineering continue to cause fear and resistance in the society. The rest of the conversation was dedicated to devising solutions to these challenges. Firstly, it is important that the synthetic biology community finds a suitable definition for its work which would be agreed by all of its members. The second focus shall be improving education at the undergrad level to increase student interests in synthetic biology. All the iGEM teams present were very eager to share their experiences in recruitment and outreach, members from the University of Western have especially shared their path of creating a program for synthetic biology at their university. The discussion was concluded with remarks on actions to be taken to gather resources and suggestions for future Canada-wide conferences.

Team Stony Brook

This project required the use of a directed evolution approach using error-prone PCR methods. While reading about other team’s projects, we came across a fellow iGEM team located at Stony Brook University in New York was evaluating the use of directed evolution of Synechococcus elongatus to create sustainable sucrose feedstocks for ethanol biofuel production. This discovery created the basis for further discussion about which protocols are most efficient when performing directed evolution. Upon speaking with our fellow iGEM team, we learned about other directed evolution techniques, such as UV mutagenesis and phage display directed evolution. With these ideas in mind, we collectively decided that other teams may also be trying to determine the most effective type of directed evolution for their project and thought we could combine each of our groups’ knowledge and experiences to aid future iGEM teams. We believe that an effective route to convey this information would be in the format of a short, detailed video, that both of our teams could collectively contribute to, as well a pamphlet highlighting a variety of directed evolution techniques, available resources and current literature.

Makerere University

After being graciously awarded an Opentrons OT-2 automatic pipetting robot, we were eager to find other teams that we could share protocols and tips with. Speaking with iGEM Makerere, we both had a lot of questions surrounding wet lab protocols, dry lab modelling, and practical applications of our respective projects that could be answered by the other team’s diverse knowledge and unique experiences. For example, the Makerere team stated that a metabolic by-product of the degradation of plastics by microbes is ethylene glycol, however they couldn’t decide on a practical use for this by-product. As Canadians, we know ethylene glycol well, as it is the major component of antifreeze for windshield frost in the winter! We suggested that their by-product could be used in cryopreservatives here in Canada. Ultimately, through various Skype calls and email exchanges, members of both our teams were able to assist the other with different aspects of the projects. Our dry lab teams were able to collaborate with various 3D modelling techniques in PyMOL, as well as wiki formatting.


Internal Collaborations

Queen's Biomedical Innovation Team (QBiT)

The Queen’s Biomedical Innovation Team is an undergraduate student-run, interdisciplinary design team that focuses on biomedical device design and innovation. This year QGEM has collaborated with QBiT in the production of a pacifier devicer which will utilize our engineered protein construct for the detection of salivary analytes. Features of the pacifier design include:

  • A one-way valve nipple to passively collect saliva from the infants mouth, while preventing any backflow of the engineered protein from the internal components towards the infants mouth.
  • A circuit board containing a photon-counter chip, a battery, and a Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon. These three components allow for the detection of bioluminesce produced by active luciferase, the transmission of this data over Bluetooth Low Energy to a smartphone device.
  • A 3D printer polylactic acid polymer casing.

Queen's Reduced Gravity Experimental Design Team

The Queen’s Reduced Gravity Experimental Design Team is an undergraduate student-run team which will be participating in an upcoming flight mission in collaboration with the National Research Council, Canadian Space Agency, and Students for the Exploration and Development of Space in July. QRGX are winners of the Canadian Reduced Gravity Experiment Design Challenge (http://seds.ca/projects) and have been selected to conduct an experiment comparing DNA Polymerase I processivity and error rate in microgravity vs normal gravity. This year QGEM will be accompanying them on their flight mission and providing them with technical expertise and access to our laboratory equipment.