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<p><br>We are always happy to hear from individuals, groups or organisations that would like to support our project. If you wish to discuss a collaboration, sponsorship or if you just want to learn more about the project, please get in touch using the contact details on the right. Alternatively, if you would like to donate a small amount to fund our project, you can do so through <a href="https://experiment.com/projects/genetically-engineered-microbes-for-sustainable-agriculture" target="_blank">Experiment.com</a> - an online platform for discovering, funding, and sharing scientific research. | <p><br>We are always happy to hear from individuals, groups or organisations that would like to support our project. If you wish to discuss a collaboration, sponsorship or if you just want to learn more about the project, please get in touch using the contact details on the right. Alternatively, if you would like to donate a small amount to fund our project, you can do so through <a href="https://experiment.com/projects/genetically-engineered-microbes-for-sustainable-agriculture" target="_blank">Experiment.com</a> - an online platform for discovering, funding, and sharing scientific research. | ||
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− | Any support is greatly appreciated and funds raised will be used in all areas of the iGEM project | + | Any support is greatly appreciated and funds raised will be used in all areas of the iGEM project - such as lab equipment, human practices research, merchandise and travel to jamboree in Boston, USA.</p> |
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Revision as of 12:37, 15 August 2018
Welcome to Alternative Roots
Alternative Roots
Newcastle iGEM
Hello There
We are Alternative Roots
Sustainability is a topic of increasing concern in the fields of agriculture, food security and rural development. There is a dire need for innovation in this field; primarily driven by predictions of substantial global population increase coupled with severe pressure on non-renewable resources. The result is a necessity to increase food production whilst reducing our impact on the environment. As such, our aim is to find sustainable solutions that address some of these issues.
Nitrogen-fixation for fertilizer production is extremely energy-intensive, accounting for 80% of energy use in agriculture. This is due to the high temperatures and pressures involved in the Haber-Bosch process. Nitrogen is essential for plant growth but cannot be directly accessed from the atmosphere by plants despite its abundance. If an alternative to fertilizers could be developed to provide nitrogen for plant growth that is cheap, easy to use and sustainable, then energy use in the agriculture sector could be greatly reduced.
In 2018, Team Newcastle aim to engineer microbes for sustainable agriculture. The team shall build upon Newcastle University’s long and illustrious history in agriculture and food security research by engineering root colonising microbes. The microbes will attract bacteria that modify the soil's composition including nitrogen content, in a fashion that is suitable for uptake by plants via the roots.
BILLION PEOPLE WILL
INHABIT EARTH BY 2050
MILLION EXTRA PEOPLE
NEED TO BE FED EACH YEAR
MILLION PEOPLE SUFFER
FROM HUNGER WORLDWIDE
MILLION TONNES OF
FERTILIZER USED ANNUALLY
2018
Meet the Newcastle Team
Luke Waller
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/b/bc/T--Newcastle--Luke.png)
Luke’s my name, Conner is my game. I am the engineering part Conner wants to intertwine with. Having finished my
third year I am staying on at Newcastle to complete my masters, hopefully getting into robotics.
I took this role as I wanted to explore an avenue of engineering I was not familiar with and work with a multi-disciplined team.
Frank Eardley
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/0/04/T--Newcastle--Frank.png)
I am a 4th year MBiol Cellular & Molecular Biology student. I joined iGEM
for the opportunity to work with students from other academic fields and learn
more about synthetic biology. Outside of my degree, I am a scuba diving instructor
and enjoy jumping in the North Sea whatever the weather.
Will Tankard
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/0/00/T--Newcastle--Will.png)
I’ve just completed my second year as an Architecture student. iGEM was a step
into the dark for me, the last time I did anything biology related was during my GCSE’s.
I’m interested how the architecture and biology disciplines can merge. Synthetic Biology
offers a new perspective on design starting with a bottom up approach.
Heather Bottomley
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/8/81/T--Newcastle--Heather.png)
Heather's the name, not doing the wiki is my game. I've just finished my third year of MBiol Cellular and Molecular Biology. I joined iGEM as an opportunity to formulate
a novel idea and work in a multi - disciplinary team enhancing my biological knowledge.
Connor Trotter
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/d/dc/T--Newcastle--Connor.png)
Connor is the name, getting my name misspelled is the game. I'm currently entering my third year
of Biology which has, so far, been fuelled by an excess of caffeine and binge watching a lot
of Rupaul's Drag Race. I joined Newcastle's team to apply what I have learned in a unique fashion by intertwining elements of Engineering and Architecture into biological concepts.
Patrycja Ubysz
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/3/30/T--Newcastle--Patrycja.png)
I'm Pat, no game with my name. Just finished first year of Chemistry, I
probably liked it too much. I believe being interdisciplinary is crucial for research, especially
in Synthetic Biology. I want to contribute to the team using my chemical/physical approach. I
love working in the lab, however, would be happier without microbes. Basic coffee addict, bad
experience with BBQ parties. Probably follow every single NASA team account on Twitter.
Lewis Tomlinson
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/0/0e/T--Newcastle--Lewis.png)
Name: Lewis. Likes: llamas, guinea pigs, rock hyrax, all other animals, molecular biology, dungeons and dragons, science fiction and fantasy.
Life goal: llama sanctuary (including birds and rodents).
Sadiya Quazi
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/f/f2/T--Newcastle--Sadiya.png)
Sadiya’s the name, which most can’t pronounce (despite it being totally phonetic). Just completed first year of Chemistry after switching from Fine Art,
and yes, it’s been a huge change, as people always exclaim when I tell them. Both benefit from having that alternative perspective and this is what drew me to
iGEM - working as part of a very cross-disciplinary team.
Umar Farooq
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/8/84/T--Newcastle--Umar.png)
I'm Umar, a 1st year undergraduate studying Automation and Control Engineering. I joined IGEM for the
opportunity to work alongside a multi-disciplinary team and develop my skills outside of engineering. When
I'm not working on the project, I like swimming, playing the guitar and eating cake. Addicted to bad
jokes, allergic to onions.
Chris Carty
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2018/e/e4/T--Newcastle--Chris.png)
I’m Chris, 2nd year Architecture student, discovered iGEM when beginning my dissertation in the area of Bio-Materialism. I want to take organisms that have been designed at the genetic scale and design them for use at the human scale - aiding the transition from biologically inspired to biologically engineered design. Better at architecture than Will.
Parts
Check out what parts we're using
We will be utilising iGEM registry parts sequenced by IDT to construct a biosynthetic operon for expression in Escherichia coli. The operon will synthesise naringenin, a flavonoid that attracts nitrogen fixing bacteria. The operon will contain the genes for four enzymes: 4 – Coumaryl ligase – 4CL (BBa_K1033001), Tyrosine ammonia lyase - TAL (BBa_K1033000), Chalcone isomerase - CHI (BBa_K1497000) and Chalcone synthase - CHS (BBa_K1497001). Each of these parts contain a strong ribosome binding site (BBa_B0034). This construct will be under the control of a T7 promoter (BBa_I712074) to observe its expression in E. coli as a proof of concept. Once biosynthesis under the control of T7 is achieved, the construct will be tested under a constitutive promoter (BBa_J23100). Parts for biosynthesis in the final chassis organism, root-colonising Pseudomonas fluorescens, will be constructed in the plasmid backbone pBSC1C3.Our Sponsors
Newcastle iGEM is proud to be sponsored by:
Contact Us
Reach out for a collaboration or just say hello
Get Involved
We are always happy to hear from individuals, groups or organisations that would like to support our project. If you wish to discuss a collaboration, sponsorship or if you just want to learn more about the project, please get in touch using the contact details on the right. Alternatively, if you would like to donate a small amount to fund our project, you can do so through Experiment.com - an online platform for discovering, funding, and sharing scientific research.
Any support is greatly appreciated and funds raised will be used in all areas of the iGEM project - such as lab equipment, human practices research, merchandise and travel to jamboree in Boston, USA.
Contact Info
Where to Find Us
Devonshire Building
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU
Email Us At
igem.team@newcastle.ac.uk