Team:Penn State
From 2011.igem.org
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<h2>Ben Alouidor</h2> | <h2>Ben Alouidor</h2> | ||
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/9/99/Ben_Pic.png" height=" | + | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/9/99/Ben_Pic.png" height="300px" /> |
<p>Senior </br> | <p>Senior </br> | ||
Biotechnology and Microbiology</p> | Biotechnology and Microbiology</p> | ||
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<div class="bio"> | <div class="bio"> | ||
<h2>Brian Avison</h2> | <h2>Brian Avison</h2> | ||
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/3/39/PSUBrian.jpg" height=" | + | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/3/39/PSUBrian.jpg" height="300px" /> |
<p>Junior </br> | <p>Junior </br> | ||
Engineering Science </p> | Engineering Science </p> | ||
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<h2>Alex Bina</h2> | <h2>Alex Bina</h2> | ||
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/1/1d/Profile_pic.jpg" height=" | + | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/1/1d/Profile_pic.jpg" height="300px"/> |
<p>Junior</br> | <p>Junior</br> | ||
Bioengineering</p> | Bioengineering</p> | ||
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<div class="bio"> | <div class="bio"> | ||
<h2>Jamie Colleta</h2> | <h2>Jamie Colleta</h2> | ||
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/9/95/PSUJamie.jpg" height=" | + | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/9/95/PSUJamie.jpg" height="300px" /> |
<p>Jamie is a junior majoring in Biological Engineering. He joined the iGEM team because of the research and learning opportunity it presented. He has always found the field of genetic engineering uniquely fascinating and loved the freedom and creativity which iGEM offered. Jamie spends his time outside of the lab as an active member of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Society, the Atlas THON organization, Italian Student Society, and also Pizza Club</p></div> | <p>Jamie is a junior majoring in Biological Engineering. He joined the iGEM team because of the research and learning opportunity it presented. He has always found the field of genetic engineering uniquely fascinating and loved the freedom and creativity which iGEM offered. Jamie spends his time outside of the lab as an active member of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Society, the Atlas THON organization, Italian Student Society, and also Pizza Club</p></div> | ||
<div class="bio"> | <div class="bio"> | ||
<h2>Anisha Katyal</h2> | <h2>Anisha Katyal</h2> | ||
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/2/2c/PSUAnisha.jpg" height=" | + | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/2/2c/PSUAnisha.jpg" height="300px" /> |
<p>Anisha is a senior majoring in biology. She heard about iGEM through a friend and thought it would be a great research experience. When she is not in the lab, she is actively involved in the biology club.</p> | <p>Anisha is a senior majoring in biology. She heard about iGEM through a friend and thought it would be a great research experience. When she is not in the lab, she is actively involved in the biology club.</p> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class="bio"><h2>Elyse Merkel</h2> | <div class="bio"><h2>Elyse Merkel</h2> | ||
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/6/64/PSUElyse.jpg" height=" | + | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/6/64/PSUElyse.jpg" height="300px" /> |
<p>Elyse is a senior majoring in Engineeing Science. She has always had an interest in genetic engineering and iGEM provided her with a unique opportunity to pursue this interest. When not in the lab, Elyse spends her time participating in all things Penn State, including Relay For Life of Penn State, THON committees, and Lion Ambassadors.</p></div> | <p>Elyse is a senior majoring in Engineeing Science. She has always had an interest in genetic engineering and iGEM provided her with a unique opportunity to pursue this interest. When not in the lab, Elyse spends her time participating in all things Penn State, including Relay For Life of Penn State, THON committees, and Lion Ambassadors.</p></div> | ||
<div class="bio"> | <div class="bio"> | ||
<h2>Byron Pierce</h2> | <h2>Byron Pierce</h2> | ||
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/a/ab/PSUByron.jpg" height=" | + | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/a/ab/PSUByron.jpg" height="300px"> |
<p>Senior</br> | <p>Senior</br> | ||
Chemical Engineering</p></div> | Chemical Engineering</p></div> | ||
<div class="bio"> | <div class="bio"> | ||
<h2> Jim Rose </h2> | <h2> Jim Rose </h2> | ||
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/9/9a/Jim.jpg" height=" | + | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/9/9a/Jim.jpg" height="300px" /> |
<p>Jim is a senior majoring in biotechnology. He joined the iGEM team because it is "freaking awesome". Jim spends his time outside of iGEM doing research in the biochemistry department on the JC virus, and getting stuck in freezers.</p></div> | <p>Jim is a senior majoring in biotechnology. He joined the iGEM team because it is "freaking awesome". Jim spends his time outside of iGEM doing research in the biochemistry department on the JC virus, and getting stuck in freezers.</p></div> | ||
<div class="bio"> | <div class="bio"> | ||
<h2>Lauren Rossi</h2> | <h2>Lauren Rossi</h2> | ||
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/d/d9/PSULauren2.jpg" height=" | + | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/d/d9/PSULauren2.jpg" height="300px" /> |
<p>Lauren is a senior majoring in Microbiology with a minor in Spanish and Biology and Molecular Biology. She was a participant of the Penn State iGEM team in 2010 and through this experience she developed a interest in synthetic biology. After attending the Jamboree last year, she knew she wanted to participate in iGEM again. When she is not in the lab, Lauren spends her time as a TA for a microbiology lab and is also the Vice President for the American Society for Microbiology.</p></div> | <p>Lauren is a senior majoring in Microbiology with a minor in Spanish and Biology and Molecular Biology. She was a participant of the Penn State iGEM team in 2010 and through this experience she developed a interest in synthetic biology. After attending the Jamboree last year, she knew she wanted to participate in iGEM again. When she is not in the lab, Lauren spends her time as a TA for a microbiology lab and is also the Vice President for the American Society for Microbiology.</p></div> | ||
<div class="bio"> | <div class="bio"> | ||
<h2>Vishal Saini</h2> | <h2>Vishal Saini</h2> | ||
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/6/6c/PSUVisha.png" height=" | + | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/6/6c/PSUVisha.png" height="300px" /> |
<p>Vishal is a senior double majoring in Science and Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. He wanted the chance to get a unique research experience and thought iGEM would offer him this opportunity. Vishal spends his time outside the lab serving as the THON Chair for OPENN State and helping students as undergraduate Chemistry Tutor. He is also a Resident Advisor and an active member of the Global Medical Brigades.</p> | <p>Vishal is a senior double majoring in Science and Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. He wanted the chance to get a unique research experience and thought iGEM would offer him this opportunity. Vishal spends his time outside the lab serving as the THON Chair for OPENN State and helping students as undergraduate Chemistry Tutor. He is also a Resident Advisor and an active member of the Global Medical Brigades.</p> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class="bio"> | <div class="bio"> | ||
<h2>Kristen Salava</h2> | <h2>Kristen Salava</h2> | ||
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/2/29/PSUKristen.jpg" height=" | + | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/2/29/PSUKristen.jpg" height="300px" /> |
<p>Kristen is a junior majoring in bioengineering. She heard about iGEM from one of her bioengineering professors and thought it would be a great way to learn more about what synthetic biology can do. Outside of the lab, she spends most of her time with her sorority where she is the Vice President of Standards. She also is an International Envoy within the college of engineering.</p></div> | <p>Kristen is a junior majoring in bioengineering. She heard about iGEM from one of her bioengineering professors and thought it would be a great way to learn more about what synthetic biology can do. Outside of the lab, she spends most of her time with her sorority where she is the Vice President of Standards. She also is an International Envoy within the college of engineering.</p></div> | ||
<div class="bio"> | <div class="bio"> | ||
<h2>Swati Prasad </h2> | <h2>Swati Prasad </h2> | ||
- | <img src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/33732_1233155236790_1466430277_30981088_6209224_n.jpg" height=" | + | <img src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/33732_1233155236790_1466430277_30981088_6209224_n.jpg" height="300px" /> |
<p> Swati is a senior majoring in Marketing with honors and English with an emphasis in creative writing. She heard about iGEM from the outlaw Jimmy Rose and when she's not in the lab (Who are we kidding, she's never in the lab. She just makes the website pretty!) you can find her hoola-hooping in wal-mart.</p></div> | <p> Swati is a senior majoring in Marketing with honors and English with an emphasis in creative writing. She heard about iGEM from the outlaw Jimmy Rose and when she's not in the lab (Who are we kidding, she's never in the lab. She just makes the website pretty!) you can find her hoola-hooping in wal-mart.</p></div> |
Revision as of 17:35, 27 September 2011
Project Abstract
Ionizing radiation and radiation pollution is an important environmental problem that not only affects those working around radiation facilities, but those dealing with the aftermath of widespread nuclear disasters such as those at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor. Penn State’s team project designed and constructed a genetic circuit introduced into E. coli bacterial cells, in order to rapidly detect and report the presence of harmful ionizing radiation. We are working to create a robust and reliable biosensor that utilizes the lambda phage lytic-lysogenic switch as the radiation sensor. When the sensor detects radiation, it triggers one of three fast acting reporters we developed based on the concept developed by Imperial College’s 2010 iGEM team will be triggered. Each of the reporters features a different enzyme/substrate reaction (ß-galactosodise/ß-D-galactose, ß-glucurodinase/ß-D-glucuronide or C23O/catechol). We believe that the final construct may have the potential to rival current radiation detection methods, such as digital dosimeters.
.Team
Ben Alouidor
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/9/99/Ben_Pic.png)
Senior Biotechnology and Microbiology
Brian Avison
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/3/39/PSUBrian.jpg)
Junior Engineering Science
Alex Bina
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/1/1d/Profile_pic.jpg)
Junior Bioengineering
Alex wanted to join iGEM because he wanted to design and construct the genetically engineered spider that transformed Peter Parker into Spiderman. When he found out that was impossible, he used every opportunity to sabotage the Penn State iGEM team. No one has heard from Alex since August. Last we heard, he was moonlighting as State College's dark knight.
Jamie Colleta
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/9/95/PSUJamie.jpg)
Jamie is a junior majoring in Biological Engineering. He joined the iGEM team because of the research and learning opportunity it presented. He has always found the field of genetic engineering uniquely fascinating and loved the freedom and creativity which iGEM offered. Jamie spends his time outside of the lab as an active member of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Society, the Atlas THON organization, Italian Student Society, and also Pizza Club
Anisha Katyal
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/2/2c/PSUAnisha.jpg)
Anisha is a senior majoring in biology. She heard about iGEM through a friend and thought it would be a great research experience. When she is not in the lab, she is actively involved in the biology club.
Elyse Merkel
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/6/64/PSUElyse.jpg)
Elyse is a senior majoring in Engineeing Science. She has always had an interest in genetic engineering and iGEM provided her with a unique opportunity to pursue this interest. When not in the lab, Elyse spends her time participating in all things Penn State, including Relay For Life of Penn State, THON committees, and Lion Ambassadors.
Byron Pierce
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/a/ab/PSUByron.jpg)
Senior Chemical Engineering
Jim Rose
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/9/9a/Jim.jpg)
Jim is a senior majoring in biotechnology. He joined the iGEM team because it is "freaking awesome". Jim spends his time outside of iGEM doing research in the biochemistry department on the JC virus, and getting stuck in freezers.
Lauren Rossi
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/d/d9/PSULauren2.jpg)
Lauren is a senior majoring in Microbiology with a minor in Spanish and Biology and Molecular Biology. She was a participant of the Penn State iGEM team in 2010 and through this experience she developed a interest in synthetic biology. After attending the Jamboree last year, she knew she wanted to participate in iGEM again. When she is not in the lab, Lauren spends her time as a TA for a microbiology lab and is also the Vice President for the American Society for Microbiology.
Vishal Saini
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/6/6c/PSUVisha.png)
Vishal is a senior double majoring in Science and Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience. He wanted the chance to get a unique research experience and thought iGEM would offer him this opportunity. Vishal spends his time outside the lab serving as the THON Chair for OPENN State and helping students as undergraduate Chemistry Tutor. He is also a Resident Advisor and an active member of the Global Medical Brigades.
Kristen Salava
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/2/29/PSUKristen.jpg)
Kristen is a junior majoring in bioengineering. She heard about iGEM from one of her bioengineering professors and thought it would be a great way to learn more about what synthetic biology can do. Outside of the lab, she spends most of her time with her sorority where she is the Vice President of Standards. She also is an International Envoy within the college of engineering.
Swati Prasad
![](http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/33732_1233155236790_1466430277_30981088_6209224_n.jpg)
Swati is a senior majoring in Marketing with honors and English with an emphasis in creative writing. She heard about iGEM from the outlaw Jimmy Rose and when she's not in the lab (Who are we kidding, she's never in the lab. She just makes the website pretty!) you can find her hoola-hooping in wal-mart.
Mike Speer
Graduate Student
Dr.Tom Richard
Advisor Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Dr. Howard Salis
Advisor Assistant Professor of Agricultural Engineering
.Brainstorming
In the first few days of summer, we began discussing ideas for our project. Some of our first initial thoughts were to modify bacterial photosynthesis using the BCHM gene or to engineer a serotonin sensor. We thought about making a bacterial fuel cell by using Geobacter as a sacrificial anode. We also liked the idea of using bacteria to perform intelligent tasks, like mathematical arithmetic. The last idea we developed was to engineer a bacteria that would be able to detect radiation. The team spent a few days researching these topics to determine how plausible they would be and we finally unanimously agreed upon the bacterial radiation detector. With our full thoughts focused on this topic, we began looking into this idea further and discovered that the Penn State 2007 iGEM team had used the lambda phage system to also develop a bacteria that would test for radiation. However, they were not able to fully assemble their device or test it and we thought that we would be able to build upon their initial foundation.
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/0/0b/PSUBrainstorm.jpg)
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/a/ad/PSUBlackboard.jpg)
Research
After deciding to follow up on the bacterial dosimeter idea for our project, we as a team we had to first do some research on the effects of ionizing radiation in order to better determine what exactly we would be detecting. Currently all living organisms are exposed to a relatively low dose of radiation; this amount is so negligible that the negative effects are unnoticeable. The problem with ionizing radiation occurs when one is exposed to a high dose for a short period and/or low doses over an extended period of time. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommends nuclear industry employees to limit ones yearly exposer to 50 mSv, or 100 mSv over 5 years.1 One international study, composing 15 countries and encompassing 598,068 nuclear industry workers, found that an increased risk of cancer exists. Specifically, 99% of those tested were exposed to less than 50 mSv of radiation per year, and 1-2% of these cancer related deaths may be attributable to this exposer. It’s also estimated that 100 mSv of cumulative radiation exposer would result to a 5.9% increase chance of mortality.2 1. Cardis, E. "Risk of Cancer after Low Doses of Ionising Radiation: Retrospective Cohort Study in 15 Countries." Bmj 331.7508 (2005): 77. Print. 2. Shapiro, B. "1990 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection." European Journal of Radiology 15.1 (1992): 93. Print.
.Media
Team Introduction
A Day in the Life of PSU iGEM
Explaining some Common Techniques
What is Synthetic Biology?
.
Acknowledements
A Day in the Life of PSU iGEM
Explaining some Common Techniques
What is Synthetic Biology?
.
Acknowledements
Explaining some Common Techniques
What is Synthetic Biology?
.
Acknowledements
What is Synthetic Biology?
.
Acknowledements
Acknowledements
Affymetrix Life Technologies Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment Huck Institutes of Life Sciences
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/d/de/IGEM_basic_Logo_stylized.png)
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/a/aa/Affymetrix_logo.jpg)
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/0/02/LT_Logo_RGB.jpg)
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/b/b2/Sevilla_logo.jpg)
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/7/7c/PSIEE.jpg)
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/0/0c/Huck-logo.png)