Team:University of Sheffield

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[[Image:UniShefBanner.jpg|center]]
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!align="center"|[[Team:University_of_Sheffield |Introduction]]
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!align="center"|[[Team:University_of_Sheffield /Project|Our project]]
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!align="center"|[[Team:University_of_Sheffield /Project|Project]]
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!align="center"|[[Team:University_of_Sheffield /Modelling|Modelling]]
!align="center"|[[Team:University_of_Sheffield /Modelling|Modelling]]
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!align="center"|[[Team:University_of_Sheffield /Wet Lab|Wet Lab]]
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!align="center"|[[Team:University_of_Sheffield /Lab Books| Lab Books]]
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!align="center"|[[Team:University_of_Sheffield /Lab Books| Our team]]
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!align="center"|[[Team:University_of_Sheffield /Calendar| Calendar]]
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!align="center"|[[Team:University_of_Sheffield /Timetable| Timetable]]
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!align="center"|[[Team:University_of_Sheffield /Administration|Administration]]
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!align="center"|[[Team:University_of_Sheffield /Misc| Miscellaneous]]
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=On a Mission for Luminescence...=
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[[image:GFP_E.coli.jpg|frame|200px|right|E.coli transformed with GFP plasmid.]]
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=On a Mission for Fluorescence...=
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[[image:GFP_structure.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Structure of GFP courtesy of [http://www.tsienlab.ucsd.edu Tsien Lab]]]
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Hygiene related diseases have an undeniably huge impact on the world we live in, where many deaths are preventable if sanitary conditions could be improved. This issue is not limited to developing countries: outbursts of diseases caused by water contamination still occur all around the world including the most developed regions. Efficient testing of water is an essential part of preventing these incidents, especially after natural disasters. It needs to be quick, easy enough for anyone to use, cheap and reusable. This was the idea behind the University of Sheffield’s project in its first entry into iGEM.
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By manipulating a pathogen's quorum sensing system and hijacking a pathway already in E.coli, we wanted to build an E.coli cell that could detect ''Vibrio cholerae'' and produce a GFP glow. This would provide the criteria for a good water tester, and hopefully a springboard into the development of other pathogen-detecting E.coli.
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Adding further depth to the project, our sensor was to be focused around the building of a fusion receptor protein. This would consist of the ‘sensing part’ of the pathogen’s receptor (which detects its own quorum signals) fused to the response regulator of the chosen E.coli receptor. GFP fused downstream of the E.coli receptor’s target genes mean that pathogen present = glow!
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You can read more about our project [[Team:University_of_Sheffield_/Project | here]], or use the navigation bar above.
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The aim of this year’s project is to engineer a biological machine which can sense cholera contamination in water, and rapidly test if water is potable. Technically, to achieve this easy way of testing water contamination the team is planning to apply quorum sensing. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quorum_sensing Quorum sensing] bacteria have the ability to both secrete signaling molecules and receive them. When signaling molecule is present in the environment it binds to the receptor and activates a particular action within the organism. [https://2008.igem.org/Team:University_of_Sheffield_/Project More].
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=Sheffield University=
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==Abstract==
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[http://www.shef.ac.uk/ The University of Sheffield] is one of the top 'Russel Group' universities in Great Britain, with very highly ranked Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and Engineering departments - which is handy for iGEM!  Alternatively, if you fancy a visit, we are home to the best Students Union in the country!
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Expression of non-native receptor proteins in bacteria often  
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[[Image:Firth_court.png|center|250px|Firth Court, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology department]]
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involves extensive genetic modifications that can be difficult to carry out.
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One way of addressing this problem involves creating a fusion receptor protein consisting of the 
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sensing part from the foreign species and the signal transmitting part native to the organism
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in which receptor is to be expressed.
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The fusion receptor we have designed consists of Vibrio Cholerae's sensing module fused to
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E.coli's signal conveyer.
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The receiver part of the receptor should bind to 
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signaling molecules excreted by V.cholera and pass it downstream through signal 
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transmitter to DNA. The expression of a reporter molecule will indicate water contamination. 
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As a result, the fusion receptor could be utilised as the basis for a
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cheap water contamination sensor.
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=Sponsors=
=Sponsors=

Latest revision as of 14:35, 29 October 2008

UniShefBanner.jpg


Introduction Our project Modelling Wet Lab Our team Timetable Miscellaneous


On a Mission for Fluorescence...

Structure of GFP courtesy of [http://www.tsienlab.ucsd.edu Tsien Lab]

Hygiene related diseases have an undeniably huge impact on the world we live in, where many deaths are preventable if sanitary conditions could be improved. This issue is not limited to developing countries: outbursts of diseases caused by water contamination still occur all around the world including the most developed regions. Efficient testing of water is an essential part of preventing these incidents, especially after natural disasters. It needs to be quick, easy enough for anyone to use, cheap and reusable. This was the idea behind the University of Sheffield’s project in its first entry into iGEM.

By manipulating a pathogen's quorum sensing system and hijacking a pathway already in E.coli, we wanted to build an E.coli cell that could detect Vibrio cholerae and produce a GFP glow. This would provide the criteria for a good water tester, and hopefully a springboard into the development of other pathogen-detecting E.coli. Adding further depth to the project, our sensor was to be focused around the building of a fusion receptor protein. This would consist of the ‘sensing part’ of the pathogen’s receptor (which detects its own quorum signals) fused to the response regulator of the chosen E.coli receptor. GFP fused downstream of the E.coli receptor’s target genes mean that pathogen present = glow!

You can read more about our project here, or use the navigation bar above.

Sheffield University

[http://www.shef.ac.uk/ The University of Sheffield] is one of the top 'Russel Group' universities in Great Britain, with very highly ranked Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and Engineering departments - which is handy for iGEM! Alternatively, if you fancy a visit, we are home to the best Students Union in the country!

Firth Court, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology department

Sponsors

[http://smic.group.shef.ac.uk/04b_ChELSI.html ChELSI]
[http://www.shef.ac.uk/mbb/staff/poole/poolelab.html Professor Robert Poole]
[http://eu.idtdna.com/Home/Home.aspx IDT DNA]
[http://www.fusionip.co.uk/ Fusion IP]
[http://www.icheme.org/enetwork/MainFrameset.asp?AreaID=171 Institute of Chemical Engineering]
[http://www.shef.ac.uk/union/ Sheffield University Union of Students]
Retrieved from "http://2008.igem.org/Team:University_of_Sheffield"