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From 2011.igem.org

Project Abstract

Ionizing radiation and radiation pollution is an important environmental problem that not only affects those working around radiation facilities, but those dealing with the aftermath of widespread nuclear disasters such as those at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor. Penn State’s team project designed and constructed a genetic circuit introduced into E. coli bacterial cells, in order to rapidly detect and report the presence of harmful ionizing radiation. We are working to create a robust and reliable biosensor that utilizes the lambda phage lytic-lysogenic switch as the radiation sensor. When the sensor detects radiation, it triggers one of three fast acting reporters we developed based on the concept developed by Imperial College’s 2010 iGEM team will be triggered. Each of the reporters features a different enzyme/substrate reaction (β-galactosodise/β-D-galactose, β-glucurodinase/β-D-glucuronide or C23O/catechol). We believe that the final construct may have the potential to rival current radiation detection methods, such as digital dosimeters.

Team

Ben Aloudir

Junior
Biotechnology and Microbiology

Brian Avison

Junior Engineering Science

Alex Bina

Junior
Bioengineering

Jamie Colleta

Junior
Biological Engineering

Anisha Katyal

Senior
Biology

Elyse Merkel

Senior
Engineeing Science

Byron Pierce

Senior
Chemical

Jim Rose

Senior
Biotechnology

Lauren Rossi

Senior
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Vishal Saini

Senior
Neuroscience

Kristen Salava

Kristen is a junior majoring in bioengineering. Outside of the lab, she spends most of her time with her sorority where she is the Vice President of Standards. She also is an International Envoy within the college of engineering.

Mike Speer

Graduate Student

Dr.Tom Richard

Advisor
Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Dr. Howard Salis

Advisor
Assistant Professor of Agricultural Engineering

Brainstorming

BRAINSTORMING!!!

Research

Woo hoo!

Media

neat videos here!

Acknowledements

thank the academy.

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