UST-Beijing

Welcome to UST-Beijing

The University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) was founded in 1952 following the amalgamation of the best departments in related fields of five eminent universities as a result of a nationwide reorganization of the higher education system. USTB values greatly and will for ever cherish its long tradition of being "Rigorous in Learning and Research and Venerating Practice". USTB is now working hard towards its goal of becoming one of the top-ranking research universities in China and an internationally renowned higher education institute with its own distinguishing features.

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Instructors

Prof.Ching Song

Doc. Huai Zhang

PROJECT

Gene H-transfer: bile acid receptor in E.coli & proteorhodpsin in mitochindrial inner membrane . In order to celebrate the power of gene H(orizontal)-transfer between pro- and eukaryotes, we constructed two fusion proteins and tested their function: (1). a synthetic bile acid receptor in E.coli using a mammalian nuclear receptor LXR. As proof-of-principle, the regulatory circuit in symbiotic bacteria could be harmoniously linked to metabolic pathway of their host. Potential application includes in situ synthesis of pharmaceuticals on-demand in the digestive tract. (2) a synthetic light-driven proton pump in human mitocondrial inner membrane using a bacterial proteorhodopsin. Preliminary testing demonstrated cellular sensitivity to light radiation. Application and utility relies on result of in-depth characterization of such system design. For (1).We are using lacI DNA-binding domain and LXRbeta ligand-binding domain, we made an artificial bile acid receptor which can regulate expression of target gene within a natural lacI operon. As proof of principle, we demonstrate that regulation of bacteria gene expression by host eukaryocyte metabolites is achievable using chimeric nuclear receptors. Through directed molecular evolution, a harmonious signal network regulating metabolism of both prokaryocytes and their host eukaryocytes in the digestive tract is feasible.

Parts Submitted to the Registry

Acknowledgement

TEAM

These are our team members for the 2011 iGEM, Do you want to know more about us ? ;click here

Safety

We had a serious discussion before and we asked ourselves the following four questions. And of course, We got the answers.

1.Would any of your project ideas raise safety issues in terms of: researcher safety, public safety, or environmental safety? Since modern time molecular biology and gene engineering is a "reverse engineering" process, which means that we discover and acquire research tools from the existing genes and structures, our iGEM projects in theory might influence natural and existing biological structures and functions in our laboratory.However, any reagents made in our lab is not infectious or contiguous; even in the case of being released by accident, will not impose safety threats to our lab members, people around us, general public, or environment in general. Early pioneers of molecular biology developed a self-disciplined code of ethics to prevent intentional usage of biological reagents, and engineered a stack of laboratory-dependent species for research-only use to prevent unintentional release and contamination of the environment. We plan to inherit the high standard ethical code of action and common molecular biology reagents to meet the requirement for human and environmental safety. In addition, we will introduce biosafety issues and guide-lines to the undergraduate students of life science major as an inseparable part of the academic curriculum to advocate biosafety awareness and promote biosafety education. Read more

Team:UST-Beijing

From 2011.igem.org

2011