Difference between revisions of "Team:Bielefeld-CeBiTec/Results"

Line 73: Line 73:
 
</h2>
 
</h2>
 
<article>
 
<article>
−
Considering Dual Use issues is the principle of considering in which ways the project can be used and misused. After realizing that we never came in touch with this term in our whole academic education we decided to find out more.
+
We analyzed the awareness of Dual Use Research of Concern issues through a nationwide and an international survey.  
 +
Furthermore, our survey revealed missing unified definitions and insufficient education and science communication as major problems. To improve the situation and prevent regulations on free research, we spread awareness through sufficient
 +
science communication, appealed to the science community and provided open source media.
 
</article>
 
</article>
  
Line 79: Line 81:
  
 
<article>
 
<article>
−
„Any modeling project should be tempered by the morality of laziness.“ (Barnes et. al., 2010).
+
We used modeling in several project parts to improve our project. One modeling identified lethal metal ion
−
We model time until cell death, siRNA/RNAi interaction, ferritin characterization and process control parameters for our cross-flow reactor.  
+
concentration and led to the construction of a ROS reducing system to reduce toxicity. Furthermore,  
 +
we used the modeling to improve our hardware prototype by modeling certain process parameters.  
 
</article>
 
</article>
  
Line 86: Line 89:
  
 
<article>
 
<article>
−
Due to the lack of data on precise promoter strength data a new measuring system had to be established.
+
After we identified the lack of reliable promoter strength data as a hugh problem for our project, we tested a promoter and RBS library regarding their strength.
 +
Furthermore, we constructed a backbone which enables the promoter strength measurement normalized to a second reporter in the backbone and could be expanded by further iGEM teams.
 
</article>
 
</article>
  
Line 93: Line 97:
  
 
<article>
 
<article>
−
Metal ions cause hydrogen peroxide to form toxic reactive oxygen species. To counteract, new H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> scavenging BioBricks were needed.
+
Metal ions have a toxic effect on <i>Escherichia coli</i> cells. We identified critical concentrations for our experiments and developed several methods to reduce ROS.
 
</article>
 
</article>
  
Line 100: Line 104:
  
 
<article>
 
<article>
−
Metal ions need transport proteins to enter the cells. New BioBricks are required to increase the uptake of metal ions to increase the nanoparticle yield.
+
To increase the nanoparticle yield, we cloned and characterized importers for metal ions. We investigated the specifity towards their respective ions and the influence on the growth.
 
</article>
 
</article>
  
Line 108: Line 112:
 
<article>
 
<article>
  
−
Knocking out copper exporters causes cell death. Precise control over the translation process leads to a better growth condition for the cell.
+
We designed and cloned assembled vectors for testing and expressing siRNAs. We used our software to design suitable siRNAs and developed an improved vector set.
 
</article>
 
</article>
  
Line 115: Line 119:
  
 
<article>
 
<article>
−
Nanoparticles are materials on nano scale. They show different physical properties and thus, are of high interest for industry, medicine and science.
+
We were able to enhance iron nanoparticle formation by overexpressing ferritin in <i>Escherichia coli</i>. Furthermore, we were able to use a mmutated variant of the human ferritin to produce gold an silver nanoparticles.
 
</article>
 
</article>
  
Line 122: Line 126:
  
 
<article>
 
<article>
−
To filter high amounts of mining drainage without releasing GMO into the environment a hardware need to be designed, constructed and optimized.
+
We designed a costumized cross-flow bioreactor to filter hugh amounts of mining drainage while accumulating metal ions. Through modeling and feedback we improved our prototype and developed an improved bioreactor for our hardware.
 
</article>
 
</article>
  
Line 129: Line 133:
  
 
<article>
 
<article>
−
Different applications for nanoparticles received through synthetic biology are investigated.
+
During our project we were able to accumulate metal ions in <i>Escherichia coli</i>, while reducing the toxicity. We engineered ferritin to build enable iron, silver and gold nanoparticle formation. Furthermore, we showed that nanoparticles could be used to print conductive paths.
 
</article>
 
</article>
  

Revision as of 22:52, 17 October 2018

Results Overview
This is nanoFactory. A combined system with the goal to clean up mining drainage and produce nano particles.

Dual Use

We analyzed the awareness of Dual Use Research of Concern issues through a nationwide and an international survey. Furthermore, our survey revealed missing unified definitions and insufficient education and science communication as major problems. To improve the situation and prevent regulations on free research, we spread awareness through sufficient science communication, appealed to the science community and provided open source media.

Modeling

We used modeling in several project parts to improve our project. One modeling identified lethal metal ion concentration and led to the construction of a ROS reducing system to reduce toxicity. Furthermore, we used the modeling to improve our hardware prototype by modeling certain process parameters.

Promoter Collection

After we identified the lack of reliable promoter strength data as a hugh problem for our project, we tested a promoter and RBS library regarding their strength. Furthermore, we constructed a backbone which enables the promoter strength measurement normalized to a second reporter in the backbone and could be expanded by further iGEM teams.

Toxicity

Metal ions have a toxic effect on Escherichia coli cells. We identified critical concentrations for our experiments and developed several methods to reduce ROS.

Accumulation

To increase the nanoparticle yield, we cloned and characterized importers for metal ions. We investigated the specifity towards their respective ions and the influence on the growth.

Silencing

We designed and cloned assembled vectors for testing and expressing siRNAs. We used our software to design suitable siRNAs and developed an improved vector set.

Nanoparticles

We were able to enhance iron nanoparticle formation by overexpressing ferritin in Escherichia coli. Furthermore, we were able to use a mmutated variant of the human ferritin to produce gold an silver nanoparticles.

Reactor

We designed a costumized cross-flow bioreactor to filter hugh amounts of mining drainage while accumulating metal ions. Through modeling and feedback we improved our prototype and developed an improved bioreactor for our hardware.

Proof of Concept

During our project we were able to accumulate metal ions in Escherichia coli, while reducing the toxicity. We engineered ferritin to build enable iron, silver and gold nanoparticle formation. Furthermore, we showed that nanoparticles could be used to print conductive paths.