Team:KULeuven

KULeuven 2011 iGEM Team

'E.D. Frosti'': Dual function for E. coli, anti-freeze and ice-nucleation

Our team will make a bacteria that can perform 2 useful functions in winter using two different stimuli: The first function is the ice-formation function using Ice Nucleating Proteins (INP), our purpose is to use bacteria in lakes to make the ice stronger. Maybe in future, we can have again a “11-stedentocht” in the Netherlands. You could use this property as well for fluorescent ice on ski-slopes or for trendy cocktails with glowing ice cubes in it. Also, it would decrease ice-melting of glaciers, thereby effectively slow down global warming. The signal is red color induced by lycopene pigment if the plasmid is compatible with inner genetic networks and functions well. The second function of ''E.D. Frosti'' is the anti-freeze function using Anti Freeze Proteins (AFP), then you can use the bacteria as anti-freeze biofilms on roads, which would help the roads become ice and snow free in winters. The signal is black color induced by melanin pigment if the plasmid is compatible with inner genetic networks and works well.