Team:Cambridge

From 2011.igem.org

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(Bactiridescence)
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[[File:CAM_Iridescent.JPG | 400px | thumb | right | Iridescence in the eye of squid ''Loligo vulgaris'' ]]
[[File:CAM_Iridescent.JPG | 400px | thumb | right | Iridescence in the eye of squid ''Loligo vulgaris'' ]]
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[[Team:Cambridge/Project#Reflectin|Reflectins]] are a recently identified protein family rich in aromatic and sulphur-containing amino acids, responsible for the 'reflective' camouflage exhibited by certain cephalopods. To date, researchers have isolated the protein, reproduced it using ''Escherichia coli'' and shown it to exhibit self-assembling behaviour which leads to dynamic manipulation of incident light.
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We have two principle branches to our main project; ''in vivo'' studies, in which we will be investigating the properties of reflectin protein in live bacteria, and ''in vitro'' studies, in which we will be investigating the properties of reflectin protein that has been extracted from E. coli.
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''In vivo'', we believe that we will be able to engineer the reflectin gene such that it can be expressed in E. coli in a ‘properly folded’ state, something that has never been achieved before. We will then attempt to bind the protein to form an iridescent coating over the surface of the bacteria, creating what we term ‘bactiridescence’. If we could then control the colour changing behaviour of the reflectin, this could be a game-changing step for the future of biosensors.
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Under in-vitro conditions ''[[Team:Cambridge/Project#Kramer|Kramer et. al]]'' produced thin films, photonic gratings and fibres which exhibited  structural colour extending across the entire visual spectrum by varying the thickness. In particular the colour change was demonstrated to be reversible. It is hypothesized the colouration is a result of [[Team:Cambridge/Project#Bragg|thin film interference]].
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''In vitro'', we are confident that we can use the protein to make thin films with interesting optical behaviour (including colour change when someone breathes on it!) as well as diffraction gratings, which are virtually defect-free. There has already been an account of similar experiments in previous research, but we will be looking to extend it substantially. For example, we would like to create multi-layered thin films, which more accurately imitate the ‘natural’ arrangement of reflectin in squid tissue, and chemically induce colour changes, in ways that haven’t previously been attempted. These advances are necessary if reflectin is ever to be used in a commercial application.
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In addition, we are keen to expand the field of synthetic biology by making:
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*Improved software tools. Our new open-source web-based software tool, PyGen, will be used for sequence manipulation and display, also integrating related applications already available on the web (including Gibthon, created by Cambridge iGEM 2010). It is specifically designed to improve on areas in which current researchers find fault with current software; we are conducting extensive research among the international iGEM  community to ensure that it is consumer oriented. The open-source philosophy is deeply ingrained in the spirit of iGEM as well.
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Within the Atlantic squid ''Loligo pealeii'', ''[[Team:Cambridge/Project#Morse|Morse et.al]]'' found a multi-layer alternating structure of [[Team:Cambridge/Project#iridophore|iridophore]] platelets of reflectin and an unidentified material, each possessing different refractive indices. By studying tissue samples in-vitro the researchers observed conformational changes in the multi-layer structure due to phosphorylation. 
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*Open-source enzymes. Currently, many universities struggle to find the funding necessary to participate in the iGEM competition, or synthetic biology in general. Commercial enzymes are often particularly expensive, placing a severe limitation on research. We aim to create a number of ‘BioBrick’ genes which will allow laboratories to ‘grow their own’; this should prove much cheaper than commercial sources.
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As part of our iGEM project we propose to express reflectin in-vivo within ''Escherichia coli'' to reproduce the same multi-layer structure. Further we wish to demonstrate the ability to [[Team:Cambridge/Project#diridescence|dynamically tune]] structural colour in-vivo through phosphorylation. Our work will directly impact upon the design of next-generation of novel biosensors.
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==Editing the wiki==
==Editing the wiki==

Revision as of 18:55, 2 August 2011

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OVERVIEW
home

Welcome to the Cambridge iGEM 2011 team's wiki!

If you would like to contact the Cambridge iGEM 2011 team, please email us at cambridgeigem2011@gmail.com or find us on [http://twitter.com/#!/Cam_iGEM_2011 Twitter].

Bactiridescence

Iridescence in the eye of squid Loligo vulgaris

We have two principle branches to our main project; in vivo studies, in which we will be investigating the properties of reflectin protein in live bacteria, and in vitro studies, in which we will be investigating the properties of reflectin protein that has been extracted from E. coli.

In vivo, we believe that we will be able to engineer the reflectin gene such that it can be expressed in E. coli in a ‘properly folded’ state, something that has never been achieved before. We will then attempt to bind the protein to form an iridescent coating over the surface of the bacteria, creating what we term ‘bactiridescence’. If we could then control the colour changing behaviour of the reflectin, this could be a game-changing step for the future of biosensors.

In vitro, we are confident that we can use the protein to make thin films with interesting optical behaviour (including colour change when someone breathes on it!) as well as diffraction gratings, which are virtually defect-free. There has already been an account of similar experiments in previous research, but we will be looking to extend it substantially. For example, we would like to create multi-layered thin films, which more accurately imitate the ‘natural’ arrangement of reflectin in squid tissue, and chemically induce colour changes, in ways that haven’t previously been attempted. These advances are necessary if reflectin is ever to be used in a commercial application.

In addition, we are keen to expand the field of synthetic biology by making:

  • Improved software tools. Our new open-source web-based software tool, PyGen, will be used for sequence manipulation and display, also integrating related applications already available on the web (including Gibthon, created by Cambridge iGEM 2010). It is specifically designed to improve on areas in which current researchers find fault with current software; we are conducting extensive research among the international iGEM community to ensure that it is consumer oriented. The open-source philosophy is deeply ingrained in the spirit of iGEM as well.
  • Open-source enzymes. Currently, many universities struggle to find the funding necessary to participate in the iGEM competition, or synthetic biology in general. Commercial enzymes are often particularly expensive, placing a severe limitation on research. We aim to create a number of ‘BioBrick’ genes which will allow laboratories to ‘grow their own’; this should prove much cheaper than commercial sources.

Editing the wiki

To make a new page with all the right formatting, navigate to the page you want to create, click edit (you have to be logged in) and paste the following into the edit box, then work away. (I find [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Contents this] helpful.)

{{Template:Team:Cambridge/CAM_2011_TEMPLATE_HEAD}}

==Page Title==
Your text here

{{Template:Team:Cambridge/CAM_2011_TEMPLATE_FOOT}}