Overview

Our team developed two sets of hardware to address problems in synthetic biology.
The first problem is that while optogenetics in synthetic biology is progressing at an exciting pace, the development of custom tools to support the research of optogenetic circuits still lags behind. Examples of the most current hardware tools available: Moglich and colleagues modified a Tecan microplate reader and added light illumination, but their approach is costly and requires specialized knowledge of the microplate reader model. Tabor et al. constructed an open-source light exposure tool for a 24-well plate. Based on literature review it seems that tools have been developed only for well plates. However there are certain reasons why researchers would like to choose petri dishes and erlenmeyer flasks over well plates when studying optogenetic circuits. We needed to use these when developing our biomanufacturing process. We thus created PDF-LA! to empower optogenetic researchers. We validated this using modelling and characterization of our own blue-light repressible circuits. Read more here.
The second problem is that so far, while Zhao et al. have increased yield of isobutanol from yeast by using a blue light repressible system in a simple bioreactor, they did not optimize the duration or intensity of blue light, and shone blue light periodically. Dynamic regulation is a good method for optimization. Argeitis et. al developed automated optogenetic feedback control for precise and robust regulation of gene expression and cell growth. However after examining his method, we found that while his feedback control system was closed-loop, his physical system was not. Measurement samples were discarded as waste. This is not advantageous to biomanufacturing as this will lead to much product being wasted, lowering effective yield. To solve this, we combined the insights and design features from these two systems to create Light Wait, a closed-system, closed-loop photobioreactor. We validated this through hardware testing. Read more here.

Optogenetics

The use of optogenetics in synthetic biology requires hardwares to control on and off, intensity of light. We designed and built light inducible or repressible hardware for the use in laboratory. Devices used to induce gene expression through light is developed. Devices range from small volume of 12 well plate to larger volume of bioreactor.

Methodology

IN progress.

12 Well Plate LED System

IN progress.

Petri Dish/Flask LED System

IN progress.

Small Bioreactor LED System

IN progress.

Industrial Scale Bioreactor

IN progress.

Bio-production

It’s important to have automation in bioproduction especially in industrial level. We designed a small bioreactor system which incorporated optical density (OD) and fluorescence sensors to control the metabolic behaviours in E. coli.

Automated Control through feedbacks

IN progress.

OD/F sensor

IN progress.

Pump

IN progress.