Team:Ecuador/Background
PROJECT BACKGROUND
iGEM
TEAM
ECUADOR
PHASE 1 BACTERIAL CELLULOSE
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a glucose polysaccharide that exhibits numerous properties such as unique nanostructure, high water holding capacity, high degree of polymerization, mechanical strength and high crystallinity
These properties clearly show that BC has tremendous potential and provide a promising future in various fie.
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PHASE 2 FUSION PROTEIN CBD-ELP-BMP2
This fusion protein is composed by the cellulose binding domain cipA (CBD cipA) that exhibits a high affinity to cellulose, followed by an elastin like polypeptide (ELP) which allows us an easy and rapid purification and finally the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) that is a potent osteoinductive cytokine capable of inducing bone and cartilage formation.
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PHASE 3 BIOMATERIAL FUNCTIONALIZATION
In order to get an elastic and functional biomaterial the fusion protein CBD-ELP-BMP2 was coupled to bacterial cellulose by a crosslinking process. This biomaterial can be used in biomedical applications focused on bone and cartilage formation because of its compatibility with the human body.
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Phase 1
Cellulose was the most common biopolymer in the world. The primary form in which the material is found is lignocellulotic in trees, however there are other sources such as bacterial cellulose [1].This was first described by Luis Pasteur in the previous century and reported for the first time its use in a Philippine dessert called coconut cream, however, it was not until 1886 when it was reported as a type of cellulose in an acetic fermentation, after being observed as a floating film in a culture medium[2]. In recent years, several studies have been carried out on the usefulness of bacterial cellulose due to its high degree of purity and its simpler structure than that obtained from plants, in addition to the speed of polymer formation, reducing costs and environmental impact in the purification process to eliminate the lignin and other impurities of the material to be applied in the industries[3].
Bacterial cellulose has been used mainly in the paper industry, in the food for the realization of various desserts and strong dishes and as a material for garment development, due to its great flexibility, it is also impregnated with several nanoparticles to give antimicrobial, antifungal capacities[4]. Its ability to be combined with other proteins gives it the advantage to create new polymers with other desired properties such as bioplastics and drug administrators when combined with therapeutic proteins[5]. The existing biocompatibility between bacterial cellulose and human cells has led to the use of the polymer as a matrix for the regeneration of organs and tissues such as cartilage and skin[6].
References
1. Ummatyotin, S., & Manuspiya, H. (2014). A critical review on cellulose: From fundamental to an approach on sensor technology . Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 402-409.
2. Iguchi, M., Yamanaka, S., & Budhiono, A. (2000). Review bacterial cellulose-a masterpiece of nature's art . Journal of material science, 261-270.
3. Foresti, L., Vazquez, A., & Boury, B. (2016). Appiation of bacterial cellulose as precusor of carbon and composites with metal oxide, metal sulfide and metal nanoparticles. Carbohydrate polymers.
4. MAneerung, T., Tokura, S., Rujiracanit, & R. (2007). Impregnation of silver nanoparticles into bacterial cellulose for antimicrobial wound dressing. Carbohydrate polymers, 43-51.
5. Helenius, C., Backhdal, H., Bodin, A., Nannmark, U., Gatenholm, P., Risberg, & B. (2005). In vivo biocompatibility of bacterial cellulose. Wiley InterScience, 431-438.
6. Backdahl, H., Helenius, G., Bodin, A., Naanmmark, U., Johansson, R., Risberg, B., & Gatenholm, P. (2006). Mechanical properties of bacterial cellulose and interactions with smooth muscle cells. Biomaterials, 2141-2149.
Phase 2
Phase 3