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Team:Bilkent UNAM Turkey
From 2011.igem.org
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Biodegradation of TNT and TNT derivatives by nfsI-transfected Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii
Abstract
We aim for the genetic modification of the unicellular microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by introducing the nfsI gene belonging to the bacterium Enterobacter cloacae in order to investigate how nitroreductase expressing-microalgae respond to trinitrotoluene (TNT) exposure. Our experimental design is as follows: firstly, obtain a synthetic gene of nfsI with flanking prefix and suffix of standard Biobricks, and ligate this insert to pRbcBRL, a vector with appropriate expression and selection system for Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and obtain pRbcnfsI. Then, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii will be transfected with the with the designed plasmid. The transfected algae will then be grown in presence of TNT and/or TNT derivatives and the effectiveness of nitroreductase activity on biological degradation of TNT will be investigated.
Introduction:
TNT or 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene was produced in 1863 by Wilbrand, and then used as the primary explosive by military forces in the world for several decades. The storage, usage, and disposal of TNT is a worldwide problem. TNT can enter into biological systems and constitutes a significant risk to human health. The adverse effects of TNT were indicated for humans such as irritation of the skin, aplastic anemia, cataract or spermatozoa malformancy. Furthermore, there is a high risk of contamination of food and water resources by TNT leakage from the contaminated areas. Thus, removal of TNT is highly important.
- I’m Ebuzer, graduated from the Middle East Technical University and I’ am starting my PhD in UNAM. My hobbies consist of football, squash, Dota, watching movies, pen spinning. My favourites are shawshank redemption (movie), Game of thrones (book), Dexter (series). At last I am really interested in biodiesel production and algal systems. This year we got a grateful team, working hard and getting fun are our basic rules.
- I am Tarkan and one of the member of the Bilkent – UNAM – Turkey team. I love watching and playing sports especially football and basketball just as usual Turkish guys do. I love dancing but generally too shy to start doing it in public. I like talking and meeting new people. Telling jokes and amuzing people is my style of communication, because that is the best way of telling your good intentions towards others. I participate volunteering action a lot in the campus and that actions target poor, rural and disabled children. I love them and enjoy spending time with. So, that is it for me now.
- It is Burcu from Bilkent University, Institute of Material Science and Nanotechnology. I am very proud of being a member of Bilkent UNAM Turkey team because I think; here we reflect the real team spirit. Here is a brief information about me: I spent every minute of me by listening music! Nothing makes me happy like talking with people. I do love sports activities if I can bring down my laziness. Reading books is not for me but reading articles has become my pleasure for a long time. As many members of my team, it is my first IGEM participation. I hope we will rock the IGEM world with our endless energy and success!
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I’m Ufuk, sophomores of Bilkent University, Molecular Biology and Genetics Department. Playing squash and Dota are my favourite activities, if I win. Fantastic books are fascinates me. First book, I read was One Thousand and One Nights. In iGEM; I like its fun and working style. Everything happens together. I like to watch movies especially with friends. This is my first iGEM experience, I am thankful to my team members for sharing their fun.
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