Team:UTP-Panama/Experiments3

Our RENBO Biobrick Experiments

BBa_K672000

Objectives:
1. Test the BioBrick operation to different substrates and temperatures, using KNO3 40 mM: a. Substrates:

  i.	LB 

 ii.	Minimal essential medium

iii.	Saline solution

 iv.	Lunar land

b. Temperatures:

  i.	8°C

 ii.	23°C

iii.	37°C

2. Characterize the expression of the promoters and determine the device operation.
3. Define the more efficient temperature and substrate for the operation of this device to survive at low temperatures and be able to measure nitrate.

Methodology

We chose 4 temperatures:
• 5-10°C
• 10-20°C
• 20-30°C
• 37°C

These temperatures were selected so we could evaluate the response to cold shock in various ranges of our BioBrick. Since the lab equipments we had available couldn’t reach temperatures between 11-20°C this temperature was not used during the experience. Finally, the lab equipment allowed us to make the experiments in: 37°C, 23°C and 8°C.

We also chose 3 different Growth Media:
• Saline Solution
• Liquid LB
• Minimal Media

These growth medias where selected to evaluate the response of our BioBricks in different metabolic pathways. According to the characterization made by Team Edinburgh 2009, the Pyear promoter (BBa_K216005) used by Bristol 2010, works best in minimal media and complex media with a nitrate concentration of 40mM. Using this reference, we added 40mM of KNO3 to every growth media in the different temperatures for Bristol 2010 - BBa_K381001 and UTP-Panama 2011 – BBa_K672000.

We prepared 9 15mL Falcon Tubes, these tubes contained:
• First 3 (one for each temperature): 10mL of Saline Solution + a colony of the BioBrick + 40mM of KNO3.
• Second 3 (one for each temperature): 10mL of Minimal Media + a colony of the BioBrick + 40mM of KNO3.