Team:Imperial College/Chassis 1
From 2008.igem.org
m |
(Grammar: relatively->relative) |
||
(8 intermediate revisions not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Imperial/StartPage2}} | {{Imperial/StartPage2}} | ||
- | |||
+ | === Why ''B. subtilis''? === | ||
{{Imperial/Box2||This page offers a brief overview of how ''B. subtilis'' meets our main project specifications - to a much higher degree than ''E. coli''! You will find information on the main mechanisms behind our biofabricator and some very interesting biology too. If you would like even ''more'' in-depth information, please click on ''Details'' under each section. | {{Imperial/Box2||This page offers a brief overview of how ''B. subtilis'' meets our main project specifications - to a much higher degree than ''E. coli''! You will find information on the main mechanisms behind our biofabricator and some very interesting biology too. If you would like even ''more'' in-depth information, please click on ''Details'' under each section. | ||
|}} | |}} | ||
Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
Light is the most obvious candidate, as holography allows us to generate complex patterns with well defined edges in 3D. After examining a number of light sensing pathways, we decided to utilise a native pathway involving YtvA, which is a protein used by ''B. subtilis'' to detect blue light. YtvA triggers a cascade of interactions, but some way down the chain, a molecule called sigma B (σ<sub>B</sub>) is produced. This, in turn, boosts the synthesis of YtvA. | Light is the most obvious candidate, as holography allows us to generate complex patterns with well defined edges in 3D. After examining a number of light sensing pathways, we decided to utilise a native pathway involving YtvA, which is a protein used by ''B. subtilis'' to detect blue light. YtvA triggers a cascade of interactions, but some way down the chain, a molecule called sigma B (σ<sub>B</sub>) is produced. This, in turn, boosts the synthesis of YtvA. | ||
- | We plan to over-express YtvA and use σ<sub>B</sub> as a promoter for genes which stop movement and produce biomaterial. Therefore, when the bacteria detect blue light, those genes will turn on, the bacteria will stop and biomaterial synthesis will begin. <br><br>[ | + | We plan to over-express YtvA and use σ<sub>B</sub> as a promoter for genes which stop movement and produce biomaterial. Therefore, when the bacteria detect blue light, those genes will turn on, the bacteria will stop and biomaterial synthesis will begin. <br><br>[[Team:Imperial_College/Light |'''>>> Details >>>''']]|[[Image:Imperial_2008_Hologram_Art.png |200px | 3D blue holographic image by sculptor Eileen Borgeson[http://www.eileenborgeson.com/default.htm]]}} |
Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
To draw a parallel with a car, currently available synthetic methods of stopping bacteria are akin to destroying the engine. Our method is analogous to putting the car into neutral - disengaging the engine from the driveshaft. It is an elegant solution that offers us quick control and also the opportunity for quick reversal (putting the car back into "drive"). | To draw a parallel with a car, currently available synthetic methods of stopping bacteria are akin to destroying the engine. Our method is analogous to putting the car into neutral - disengaging the engine from the driveshaft. It is an elegant solution that offers us quick control and also the opportunity for quick reversal (putting the car back into "drive"). | ||
<br><br> | <br><br> | ||
- | [ | + | [[Team:Imperial_College/Motility_Details|'''>>> Details >>>''']]|[[Image:B_subtilis_Clutch_Mechanism.png|center|400px|Motile ''B. subtilis'' cells are powered by interactions between protein complexes, generating torque for locomotion. The protein EpsE acts as a molecular clutch to disengage the flagellar motor, leaving the flagellum intact but unpowered. This quickly halts locomotion[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/320/5883/1599.pdf]]]}} |
- | |[[Image:B_subtilis_Clutch_Mechanism.png|center|400px|Motile ''B. subtilis'' cells are powered by interactions between protein complexes, generating torque for locomotion. The protein EpsE acts as a molecular clutch to disengage the flagellar motor, leaving the flagellum intact but unpowered. This quickly halts locomotion[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/320/5883/1599.pdf]]]}} | + | |
Line 28: | Line 27: | ||
3D bio-scaffolds are very useful for tissue culture and regenerative medicine, as they offer a suitable 3D enviroment for implanted cells to grow and proliferate. A good analogy would be scaffolding used in the construction industry. Our blue-sky aim is to construct a genetically-engineered machine that can fabricate bio-scaffolds with precise 3D shapes, directed by 3D holography. | 3D bio-scaffolds are very useful for tissue culture and regenerative medicine, as they offer a suitable 3D enviroment for implanted cells to grow and proliferate. A good analogy would be scaffolding used in the construction industry. Our blue-sky aim is to construct a genetically-engineered machine that can fabricate bio-scaffolds with precise 3D shapes, directed by 3D holography. | ||
<br><br> | <br><br> | ||
- | [ | + | [[Team:Imperial_College/Biomaterial_Details|'''>>> Details >>>''']]|[[Image:Imperial_2008_Scaffold.png|right|300px|3D Scaffold]]}} |
<hr><br> | <hr><br> | ||
- | {{Imperial/Box2||So ''B. subtilis'' fulfils our main specifications perfectly, and can be made to meet our minor specifications with | + | {{Imperial/Box2||So ''B. subtilis'' fulfils our main specifications perfectly, and can be made to meet our minor specifications with relative ease. On top of that, it does have other benefits, along with some challenges. These are listed on the next page, together with an overview of our development of ''B. subtilis'' as a chassis. |
<br><br> | <br><br> | ||
[[Team:Imperial_College/Chassis_2 | '''>>> Benefits ''vs'' Challenges >>>''']]}}{{Imperial/EndPage|Project|Chassis_2}} | [[Team:Imperial_College/Chassis_2 | '''>>> Benefits ''vs'' Challenges >>>''']]}}{{Imperial/EndPage|Project|Chassis_2}} |
Latest revision as of 03:42, 27 July 2009
Why B. subtilis?
|