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== '''Project Overview: Elucidating an Experimentally Viable Repressilator''' ==
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== '''Project Overview: Synchronizing the Repressilator''' ==
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Although typically used to describe physical phenoma, oscillations are also observed in a range of biological processes such as the circadian rhythm, neuronal communication and nephron function. In 2000, Elowitz and Liebler described a theoretically viable bacterial system known as the ‘repressilator’ composed of three genes that repress one another circularly to generate oscillations in protein expression. Building on a previously established two gene system described by Macmillen et.al. that demonstrated instability over extended periods of time, the repressilator was posed as the solution to establish greater long-term fidelity in the oscillation patterns. Despite the potential advantages to reproducing such a system, the repressilator has yet to be rendered experimentally. Building on previous years of research, we intend to construct a viable set of bio-bricks that will maintain synchronous oscillations in a large population of cells. Once accomplished, our theorists and experimentalists will co-operate to refine this system using various modifications to further our understanding of biological clocks and their functioning.
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===Background===
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[[Image:Osc-rep.jpg||thumb|right|300px | A sinusoidal wave demonstrates a circadian rhythm]]Although typically used to describe physical phenomena, oscillations are also observed in a range of biological processes such as circadian rhythms, pacemaker cells, neuronal communication and nephron function. [http://www.aph.caltech.edu/people/elowitz_m.html Elowitz] and Leibler ([http://www.aph.caltech.edu/people/Repressilator.pdf 2000]) have designed a genetic system called the Repressilator, composed of three genes (&lambda;cI, TetR, LacI) tied in negative feedback loops, which generates oscillations in protein expression within ''Escherichia coli''.  
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===In a Nutshell===
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Unlike oscillating cells in the human body, the Repressilator does not allow for the synchronization of oscillations in a population of cells. We attempt to bring oscillating cells into phase with eachother by coupling via the "autoinducer" molecule AI. Our 2-gene construct may also be used in future genetic systems, making it a system of choice in a highly modular synthetic biology framework.
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===Relevance and inspiration===
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While it may be presumptuous to call the synchronization of Elowitz's Repressilator the proverbial '[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Grail Holy Grail]' of modern bioengineering, parallels can be drawn between these two that tempt the leap to association. Synchronization is a crucial stepping stone towards the understanding of natural oscillatory systems and towards creating a synthetic system that can accurately emulate this natural phenomenon. Innumerable past, present and future bioengineering projects in iGEM and the scientific community focus and revolve around this concept and its applications. By exploring the fundamental theory through mathematical models and empirical observation, we hope to understand the nature of these systems and develop future synthetic applications.
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[[Image:mcgillwinterpng.png|800px|center|McGill in winter]]

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Project Overview: Synchronizing the Repressilator

Background

A sinusoidal wave demonstrates a circadian rhythm
Although typically used to describe physical phenomena, oscillations are also observed in a range of biological processes such as circadian rhythms, pacemaker cells, neuronal communication and nephron function. [http://www.aph.caltech.edu/people/elowitz_m.html Elowitz] and Leibler ([http://www.aph.caltech.edu/people/Repressilator.pdf 2000]) have designed a genetic system called the Repressilator, composed of three genes (λcI, TetR, LacI) tied in negative feedback loops, which generates oscillations in protein expression within Escherichia coli.

In a Nutshell

Unlike oscillating cells in the human body, the Repressilator does not allow for the synchronization of oscillations in a population of cells. We attempt to bring oscillating cells into phase with eachother by coupling via the "autoinducer" molecule AI. Our 2-gene construct may also be used in future genetic systems, making it a system of choice in a highly modular synthetic biology framework.

Relevance and inspiration

While it may be presumptuous to call the synchronization of Elowitz's Repressilator the proverbial '[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Grail Holy Grail]' of modern bioengineering, parallels can be drawn between these two that tempt the leap to association. Synchronization is a crucial stepping stone towards the understanding of natural oscillatory systems and towards creating a synthetic system that can accurately emulate this natural phenomenon. Innumerable past, present and future bioengineering projects in iGEM and the scientific community focus and revolve around this concept and its applications. By exploring the fundamental theory through mathematical models and empirical observation, we hope to understand the nature of these systems and develop future synthetic applications. •

McGill in winter
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