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Auxin Results

Chapter 1: Assembly of genetic constructs

We wish to build a single expression plasmid that can express IaaH and IaaM. While this task can be summarised in one sentence its execution is not as short. The first problem lies in the size of these two enzymes which both exceed 1kbp making their synthesis a problem. We therefore created a new standard for biobrick assembly to tackle this issue. We broke up these large sequences into four fragments that were ordered at the end of week 3. In preparation for the arrival of these fragments (circa 8-10 days) we started to transform our cells with the pVEg+pSB1C3 backbone constructs in order to make enough genetic material for a gibson assembly reaction. This chapter will describe our struggles and successes throughout this grueling and yet rewarding process.

29th of July

Our first transformations were a success! We have managed to transform our competent cell colonies with pSB1C3 containing BBa_K398500 and J23100 promoter to produce cell line 6. We also transformed the cells with part BBa_K316001 to produce cell line 7 and part BBa_K316005 to produce cell line 8. With these cell lines we will be able to make more copies of each part in preparation for the arrival of our synthesized sequences. We are under a tight schedule so efficiency is key.

[Insert photo of three cell lines here]

Also, the cell line with the superfolded GFP integrated in its genome has been plated successfully. We have confirmed that these are the correct cell lines by looking at them under UV light. Their green glow was brighter than we expected. However, cell line 1 did not grow in the liquid broth media at the same concentration of kanamycin. We will create an assay to ascertain the optimum kanamycin concentration. This is both a bizarre and unexpected result that must be rectified.

30th of July

The previous day, we had obtained the mcpS gene in a pRK415 plasmid from Spain. We then performed a transformation on the competent 5α cell line and obtained the results on this day. Out of the four plates one of them contained transformed cells. We named these cells 10.

1st of August

A month has already passed since we started our project. The experiments that were conducted on this day were a mini-prep on samples 6,7,8 and 10 that were inoculated into an LB broth culture the night before. We used a mini-prep kit to obtain the plasmid DNA that we wanted from the transformed cells. Then, once we obtained the DNA, we started a restriction digest using PstI and EcoRI for 1.5 hours to confirm that the samples from the mini-prep contained the DNA that we wanted (the pSB1C3 backbone with the appropriate promoters).
Sadly, once we tried to visualize the results on a gel, the results were less than satisfactory. Mini-prep 6a and 7b seems to have failed and the rest of the bands do not make much sense. The experiment had to be repeated.

2nd of August

Today we attempted the restriction digest again and the results verified that samples 6,7 and 8 were actually pSB1C3 constructs with the required components. Therefore, the mini-prep experiment had worked and did not need to be repeated. It is a great feeling when everything comes together.