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Team:Grinnell
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<img alt="Caulobacter art" src='https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/0/06/BiofilmBuster.jpg' style='float:right; position:relative' width='450px' /> | <img alt="Caulobacter art" src='https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2011/0/06/BiofilmBuster.jpg' style='float:right; position:relative' width='450px' /> | ||
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| - | The Grinnell College 2011 iGEM Team wishes to investigate the degradation of biofilms. A biofilm is a complex bacterial community structure that can exist on many different surfaces such as teeth, medical devices, and water pipes. Biofilms can contain harmful bacteria that are difficult to remove from surfaces because they are encased in a protective exopolymeric substance (EPS) matrix containing protein, polysaccharides, lipids, and nucleic acids. We explore two enzymes that have been shown to degrade biofilms or inhibit their formation. Esp is a serine protease from ''Staphylococcus epidermidis'' and DspB is a polysaccharide depolymerase from ''Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans''. Both target the EPS layer of biofilms that hold the communities together and attract other cells. DspB catalyzes the detachment of cells from the biofilm, while Esp is observed to have a similar effect on ''Staphylococcus aureus''-induced biofilms. We will engineer the non-pathogenic aquatic bacterium ''Caulobacter crescentus'' to secrete these proteins by adding a ''Caulobacter''-specific secretion tag to the end of the proteins along with a promoter and a ribosomal binding site. We will test whether ''Caulobacter'' can secrete these proteins and then compare how well these proteins reduce biofilm formation. | + | The Grinnell College 2011 iGEM Team wishes to investigate the degradation of biofilms. A biofilm is a complex bacterial community structure that can exist on many different surfaces such as teeth, medical devices, and water pipes. Biofilms can contain harmful bacteria that are difficult to remove from surfaces because they are encased in a protective exopolymeric substance (EPS) matrix containing protein, polysaccharides, lipids, and nucleic acids. We explore two enzymes that have been shown to degrade biofilms or inhibit their formation. Esp is a serine protease from ''Staphylococcus epidermidis'' and DspB is a polysaccharide depolymerase from ''Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans''. Both target the EPS layer of biofilms that hold the communities together and attract other cells. DspB catalyzes the detachment of cells from the biofilm, while Esp is observed to have a similar effect on ''Staphylococcus aureus''-induced biofilms. We will engineer the non-pathogenic aquatic bacterium ''Caulobacter crescentus'' to secrete these proteins by adding a ''Caulobacter''-specific secretion tag to the end of the proteins along with a promoter and a ribosomal binding site. We will test whether ''Caulobacter'' can secrete these proteins and then compare how well these proteins reduce biofilm formation. |
In so doing, we will create a ''Caulobacter'' specific toolbox of BioBricks, facilitating future research with this versatile and useful bacterium. | In so doing, we will create a ''Caulobacter'' specific toolbox of BioBricks, facilitating future research with this versatile and useful bacterium. | ||
Latest revision as of 04:23, 29 September 2011
Project Overview
The Grinnell College 2011 iGEM Team wishes to investigate the degradation of biofilms. A biofilm is a complex bacterial community structure that can exist on many different surfaces such as teeth, medical devices, and water pipes. Biofilms can contain harmful bacteria that are difficult to remove from surfaces because they are encased in a protective exopolymeric substance (EPS) matrix containing protein, polysaccharides, lipids, and nucleic acids. We explore two enzymes that have been shown to degrade biofilms or inhibit their formation. Esp is a serine protease from Staphylococcus epidermidis and DspB is a polysaccharide depolymerase from Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Both target the EPS layer of biofilms that hold the communities together and attract other cells. DspB catalyzes the detachment of cells from the biofilm, while Esp is observed to have a similar effect on Staphylococcus aureus-induced biofilms. We will engineer the non-pathogenic aquatic bacterium Caulobacter crescentus to secrete these proteins by adding a Caulobacter-specific secretion tag to the end of the proteins along with a promoter and a ribosomal binding site. We will test whether Caulobacter can secrete these proteins and then compare how well these proteins reduce biofilm formation.
In so doing, we will create a Caulobacter specific toolbox of BioBricks, facilitating future research with this versatile and useful bacterium.
