"

From 2011.igem.org

Grinnell

Project Overview

The Grinnell College 2011 iGEM Team wishes to investigate the degradation of biofilms. Biofilms are a complex bacterial community structure that can contain harmful bacteria that are difficult to remove from surfaces. We explore two proteins that are known to decrease biofilm. Esp is a serine protease that targets the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) layer of biofilm that holds the communities together and attracts other cells. DspB catalyzes the detachment of cells from the biofilm. We will engineer Caulobacter crescentus to secrete these proteins by adding a secretion tag to the end of each protein along with a promoter and a ribosomal binding site. We will test whether C. crescentus can secrete these proteins and then compare how well these proteins reduce biofilm formation.