Team:WPI Worcester/Attributions
Attributions
The 2018 WPI iGEM Team would like to extend a sincere thanks to all those who contributed to the completion of our project! The team started working in D term, or late May, of 2018 and continued into October of 2018.
Team Members
What follows is a summary of the contributions of each team member.
Bailey Sweet:
Kylie Sumner:
Alex Rebello:
Camille Pearce:
Mei Hao:
Beck Arruda:
Arth Sharma:
In the lab, Arth helped purify the proteins ZeAFP, IAGFP, and GFP proteins from BL21 strains of E. coli for biofilm assays measuring the disappearance of biofilm with crystal violet assay. He also tested the antimicrobial properties of curcumin (the active ingredient of turmeric) in biofilm assays. With subcloning and protein extraction experiments, he aided in preparing cultures, measuring sample concentrations, and running SDS gels. Serving as Outreach and Engagement Chair, he aided the organization and documenting of public demonstrations and workshops in our lab.
Faculty:
A special thanks to the WPI faculty who have facilitated, assisted, and encouraged the ongoing research of iGEM and helped make the project possible.
Dr. Natalie Farny:
Advisor of WPI iGEM. Assisted in acquiring of plasmid vectors, reagents, ascertaining protocols, and in subcloning genes.
Mr. Mihail Bocka:
WPI Lab manager. Provided supplies and reagents for our experiments when needed.
Dr. Lou Roberts:
WPI teaching staff. Assisted in electroporation of NCTC.
Dr. Mike Buckholt:
WPI teaching staff. Aided in the usage of lab instruments.
Dr. Jill Rulfs:
WPI teaching staff. Provided assistance in troubleshooting broken equipment and gathering necessary lab supplies.
Project Inspiration:
With the recent outbreaks of pathogenic bacteria on leafy crops such as lettuce, we sought to address the problem with the research conducted by the 2015 WPI iGEM team. They had confirmed the antibacterial capacity of antifreeze proteins in disrupting biofilm development. Moreover, with the growing societal embracement of natural compounds to combat common pathologies, we assessed the utility of the flavonoid curcumin as an antibacterial.
Supporting Research
We borrowed the crystal violet assay protocol from the major qualifying project report, "Using Biofilms for the Detection and Bioremediation of Arsenic."
Outside Institutions
Alex, work your magic bro.
iGEM Teams
We would like to extend a deep thanks to the Pasteur Paris iGEM team for their biofilm assay protocol!