Team:Imperial College/Chassis 1
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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>[http://openwetware.org/wiki/IGEM:IMPERIAL/2008/Prototype/Light '''>>> Details >>>''']|[[Image:Imperial_2008_Holgram_Art.jpg |200px | 3D blue holographic image by sculptor Eileen Borgeson[http://www.eileenborgeson.com/default.htm]]}} |
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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"). | ||
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- | [ | + | [http://openwetware.org/wiki/IGEM:IMPERIAL/2008/Prototype/Motility '''>>> 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]]]}} | ||
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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. | ||
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- | [ | + | [http://openwetware.org/wiki/IGEM:IMPERIAL/2008/Prototype/Biomaterials '''>>> Details >>>''']|[[Image:Imperial_2008_Scaffold.jpg|right|300px|3D Scaffold]]}} |
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Revision as of 00:03, 10 October 2008
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