Team:Utah State/Team

The Utah State University iGEM team project is focused on creating an efficient system for production and monitoring PHA production in microorganisms. One goal of our research is to develop and optimize a method, using fluorescent proteins, for the detection of maximum product yield of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB, a bioplastic) in recombinant E. coli and in Cupriavidus necator. In order to develop an optimal PHB detection system, we focused on the identification of the most efficient reporter genes, and the best promoter sequences that would allow our reporter to indicate when PHB production was maximized.

FACULTY ADVISORS:

• Dean Scott Hinton: Dean of the College of Engineering, USU
• Dr. Charles Miller: Department of Biological and Irrigation Engineering, USU
• Dr. Ronald C. Sims: Department of Biological and Irrigation Engineering, USU

GRADUATE STUDENTS:

• Jun-Ling Huo: PhD student, Department of Biological and Irrigation Engineering
• Steven Merrigan: MS student, Department of Biological and Irrigation Engineering, USU
• Joseph Camire: MS student, Department of Biological and Irrigation Engineering, USU

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS:

• Trent Mortensen: "iGem spelled b-i-e, iGem"
• Libbie Linton: Department of Biological and Irrigation Engineering, USU
• Kirsten Sims: Department of Biological and Irrigation Engineering, USU
• Dan Nelson: Department of Biological and Irrigation Engineering, USU
• Rachel Porter: Department of Biological and Irrigation Engineering, USU

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:

• Garrett Hinton: Sky View High School
• Matthew Sims: Logan High School