As shown below, the experimental tests of the software-designed RNA thermometers demonstrated that
some could indeed outperform iGEM kit thermometers created through more conventional methods. From this,
we can conclude that genetic algorithms are viable methods to design custom RNA thermometers when paired
with software such as NuPack which can predict basic properties of RNA thermometers.
In the future, the fitness functions could be better optimized to predict the performance of RNA thermometers.
Also, there is a large body on evolutionary algorithms that the software team was not able to explore, some of
which may allow for better performance.
This figure shows the performance of all the tested thermometers that performed better than
our positive controls at the temperature range. As we measured the thermometer performance based on mCherry expression, the
y-axis shows the ratio of mCherry expression at the temperature bounds.(30°C/25°C). "NC" stands for
No Chill, which is the collective name for the RNA thermometer parts our team released. "V"
thermometers
were designed but did not perform well enough to be included as parts. "K" thermometers were provided
with the iGEM kit.
This figure shows the performance of certain the tested thermometers that performed better than
our positive controls at the temperature range. As we measured the thermometer performance based on mCherry expression, the
y-axis shows the ratio of mCherry expression at the temperature bounds.(30°C/25°C). "NC" stands for
No Chill, which is the collective name for the RNA thermometer parts our team released. "V"
thermometers
were designed but did not perform well enough to be included as parts. "K" thermometers were provided
with the iGEM kit.
This figure shows the performance of all the tested thermometers that performed better than
our positive controls at the temperature range. As we measured the thermometer performance based on mCherry expression, the
y-axis shows the ratio of mCherry expression at the temperature bounds.(37°C/30°C). "NC" stands for
No Chill, which is the collective name for the RNA thermometer parts our team released. "V"
thermometers
were designed but did not perform well enough to be included as parts. "K" thermometers were provided
with the iGEM kit.
This figure shows the performance of all the tested thermometers that performed better than
our positive controls at the temperature range. As we measured the thermometer performance based on mCherry expression, the
y-axis shows the ratio of mCherry expression at the temperature bounds.(37°C/25°C). "NC" stands for
No Chill, which is the collective name for the RNA thermometer parts our team released. "V"
thermometers
were designed but did not perform well enough to be included as parts. "K" thermometers were provided
with the iGEM kit.
