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Revision as of 23:22, 25 September 2018
OVERVIEW
A challenge of synthetic biology is repeating measurements in different laboratories. For example, fluorescence data is difficult to compare either because it is reported in different units, or because different groups handle raw data differently. iGEM’s Measurement Committee thus aims to use the InterLab Study to eventually develop absolute units for measurements of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in a plate reader. This will improve the measurement tools of synthetic biologists.
This year, the Committee aims to discover if it is possible to reduce lab-to-lab variability in fluorescence measurements by normalizing to absolute cell count or colony-forming units (CFUs) instead of optical density (OD). For this, we were required to measure the cell density of Escherichia coli (E. coli) DH5⍺ cells using the methods below.
Method 1: Converting between absorbance of cells to absorbance of a known concentration of beads
In the first method, silica beads are used to estimate the actual amount of cells during fluorescence measurement. These beads are modeled after a typical E. coli cell and are thus expected to scatter light in a similar way to E. coli cells. As a sample of these silica beads gives a consistent and known absorbance measurement at 600 nm, absorbance measurements from a sample’s cell density can be converted into an “equivalent concentration of beads” measurement that should be more universal and comparable between different labs.
Method 2: Counting colony-forming units (CFUs) from the sample
In the second method, cell concentration is approximated is by plating a known volume of the sample and letting bacterial colonies grow. As each bacterial colony is assumed to represent a single cell (for cells that do not stick together), the cell concentration in the sample is then directly proportional to the number of CFUs. Using a scaling factor computed from negative and positive control CFUs, a conversion factor from absorbance to CFU can be computed.
EXPERIMENTS
Abs600 |
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Fluorescence |
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OVERVIEW
Singapore has set its sights on becoming a global powerhouse in synthetic biology. The government is pouring money into a new research programme and is encouraging scientists to make synthetic microorganisms, or redesign natural ones, that can be used to produce food, electronics, medicine and energy.
- Yet after looking at biology syllabuses, we found that there aren’t many opportunities to learn about synthetic biology in tertiary education
- Insert pictures of biology syllabuses
- engineering biology in NUS n NTU – limited modules, also not a compulsory module…?
- There is a gap we can address because tertiary education is the best stage to attract/introduce people to synthetic biology
- We expect to be more relatable to such a target group as well
ORGANIZED A TERTIARY-LEVEL OUTREACH EVENT
- Lab tour
- Lectures
- Discussion of career prospects
- Development of a gene circuit design primer and educational game
- READY TO USE IN THE CLASSROOM
- USE THE SURVEYS TO SEE HOW TO IMPROVE THE GAME
- USE THE SURVEYS TO SAY THAT STUDENTS ENJOYED THE GAME
- Discussion of survey results
UNIVERSITY-LEVEL OUTREACH EVENTS
RC Teas
RCs are themed, meant to attract people who feel very strongly about those themes. Can try targeting such people, perhaps their passion makes them more predisposed towards synthetic biology (reasoning to be firmed up a la PW)
- Tembusu – women in synthetic biology
- Encourage girls to join STEM fields – why not encourage them to join synthetic biology?
- Inspiring
- RVRC – environmental conservation
- Show them the potential of synthetic biology to solve problems, give them another cognitive tool
SOCIAL MEDIA
Best way to directly communicate to our target audience
- Demographics
- Show continuous effort to engage with our audience
HEAR OUR STORY
We’re using synthetic biology to change the way the world thinks and functions.
We’re a little disruptive, dangerous and maybe a tad too bold. But the world needs some shaking up every now and then, and we think we’re just the right people for that.
Together we’re going to engineer biology and create something awesome.
CONTACT US
nusigem@gmail.com21 Lower Kent Ridge Rd, Singapore 119077