Difference between revisions of "Team:Valencia UPV/Results"

Hardware

• Laboratory equipment has been designed around digital microfluidic technology. Giving the machine a great degree of control over the processes that occur inside. This equipment includes a thermal cycler and an electroporator.





Images 3-4.Electroporator proof of concept and PCB final design.

• The entry system of Printeria allows for quick placement of all the necessary consumables. In addition, it can be further customized for any kind of liquid.

  

  Image 5. Proof of concept of the entry system.

• Thanks to the use of Digital Microfluidics Printeria can produce all the reactions in a small space.

• All parts of the machine have been designed with individual use in mind.

• Sensors have been included to monitor bacterial growth.

• A functional, economical and easy-to-use solution has been achieved.

Software

• We developed Printeria Controller, a web application capable to control all the functions of our device.

  

  Image 6-7. Printeria controller software interface

• Through the application it is possible to select all the DNA parts needed to design a transcriptional unit.

• We didn’t implement the multi-genetic circuit constructions because the team considered this construction will be part of the future of printeria.

• A non-experienced user can print a genetic circuit already created and stored in our recipe repository.

  

  Image 8-9. Recipes and Parts interface of Printeria controller.

• We created a database with 27 recipes assembled with our basic parts using the Golden Gate technology.

• The clean and explicative interface of our software allows both experienced and non-experienced users to navigate through all the options.

• In the Inventory tab of the software it is possible to know which cartridges have been drained and register when they are filled.

  

  Image 10. Inventory interface of Printeria controller.

• With the modeling team we developed a simulation tool that allow us to predict the results.

Modeling

• Three types of mathematical models have been defined, with their scheme, reactions, parameters and equations: constitutive model, inducible model pBAD/araC and inducible model LuxR-LuxI.

• The simulations of the theoretical models have been executed and the analyses have been carried out modifying the parameters of the model in order to determine its influence.

  

  Image 11. Constitutive expression model analysis. The graph represents de PoI stationary value as function of C_R and p ratios. One example of how variable parameters influence the model.

• We have established a protocol of experimentation in the laboratory, a process of correction and transformation of the data, and a protocol of multiobjective optimization of parameters.

• Multiobjective experiments and optimization have been carried out satisfactorily with the constituent (changing promoters and RBS parts) and inducible LuxR-LuxI models and the optimal parameters of the parts have been estimated.

• The spectra of the different reporter proteins and the equivalence factors between fluorescence per unit of absorbance (FOD) and the equivalent molecules of fluorescein have been obtained in order to obtain a more exact and non-arbitrary estimation of the concentration of the protein inside the cell.

• Through experiments and the application of protocols, relevant information has been associated with the registered parts.

• The Simulation Tool has been developed in collaboration with Printeria Software team. That tool includes the mathematical models developed, and with it the user can predict the experimental results of a transcriptional unit just clicking a button.

Considerations for replicating the project

• Special care: The electroporator has a capacitor at a really high voltage, act with care and avoid direct contact. You can isolate the PCB further with a layer of nail polish.

• Ensure that if you use thermal paste on the peltier devices and the power resistor that is a non conductive paste.

• For 3D Printed parts we used the standar settings for PLA, 0.15mm layer height, 40% infill, 215Cº.

• The surface for the PCB is really hard to get right, give yourself some time to learn how to properly apply the coating.

• While preparing the cables for the connection with the PCB make sure that all of them make good contact.

• Remember that the experimental zone of the machine needs to be in complete darkness. We left the cover of that part transparent on the photos for display purposes.

• When replicating Printeria biological function, take into account that the pre-defined assembly protocol is originally conceibed to be use with Golden Gate standandardized basic DNA pieces. Thus, you can easily use the pieces of our Part Collection , or you can adapt your desired pieces to the Golden Gate Technology.

Human Practices

• The Kano model has been the axis of the Integrated human. With it: we have created a document that other teams can use, we have classified the feedback of our users and we have taken advantage of social engagement.

• We have made demonstrations in museums like the MAG (Mustang Art Gallery) and we have also agreed to make future in the creative space Hangar (Barcelona) and El planetari de Castellón (Castellón de la plana).

• We have had the opportunity to chat with experts about biotechnology and art. We have shown them Printeria and they have offered us their most sincere opinion that in many cases has been integrated in the design.

Considerations for replicating the project

• Special care: The electroporator has a capacitor at a really high voltage, act with care and avoid direct contact. You can isolate the PCB further with a layer of nail polish.

• Ensure that if you use thermal paste on the peltier devices and the power resistor that is a non conductive paste.

• For 3D Printed parts we used the standar settings for PLA, 0.15mm layer height, 40% infill, 215Cº.

• The surface for the PCB is really hard to get right, give yourself some time to learn how to properly apply the coating.

• While preparing the cables for the connection with the PCB make sure that all of them make good contact.

• Remember that the experimental zone of the machine needs to be in complete darkness. We left the cover of that part transparent on the photos for display purposes.

• When replicating Printeria biological function, take into account that the pre-defined assembly protocol is originally conceibed to be use with Golden Gate standandardized basic DNA pieces. Thus, you can easily use the pieces of our Part Collection , or you can adapt your desired pieces to the Golden Gate Technology.

Future plans

Until now, we have achieved the construction of transcriptional units, which is the basic level of assembly for any genetic circuit. However, our future aim is to finally achieve the contruction of multigenetical assemblies (Level 2), so increasing Printeria's application possibilities even more.

Moreover, we also want to reach the parallelization of several experiments. Currently, we are limited with the design of the input and output zones to only three reactions. Thus, in the future the modification of this design, expanding the carrousel and PCB, will allow us to do several more reactions at the same time.