Northwestern University
Northwestern is working on a project to visualize UV damage on the skin. This works using the natural SOS mechanism that responds to damage by stopping the cell cycle and activating DNA repair mechanisms. Northwestern is working towards marking this response using a biological circuit hosted by E-coli, they are using GFP as an indicator. We partnered with Northwestern to work towards getting a biobrick (BBa_J04454) they planned on using as part of an internal reference control system to function properly. They were having trouble transforming the biobrick into E-coli using the DH5ɑ strain, so we reattempted the transformation using our own strain of E-coli, genehog. The transformation was successful.
To ensure the success of the part and the functionality of the mCherry gene that was needed by Northwestern, we conducted a fluorescence characterization tracking expression over a period of 4 hours. This yielded positive results. A two-tailed t-test of 0.05 significance between Hour 0 and Hour 3 produced a p-value of 0.000135. This indicates there was significant expression of the mCherry gene over the course of the experiment. To learn more about our collaboration with Northwestern University and the details of their project, click here.
Results
Purdue
The Purdue University iGEM team is working on combating the M. oryzae fungal infection which infects rice plants and results in a significantly decreased crop yield. In order to fight M. oryzae’s ability to bypass the rice plants’ immune response, Purdue is attempting to instigate a preemptive response. To learn more about the project click here..
We conference called with Purdue and discussed troubleshooting our respective projects, they offered us advice on protocol alterations that might help with our characterization of BBa_K584000. In turn, we offered advice on trouble they were having with the formatting of their website.
Jillin China
The Jillin iGEM team set out to develop a system to sense and then subsequently inhibit Candida albicans infection, what is more commonly referred to as a yeast infection. We conferenced with Jillin towards the beginning of both our projects and discussed potential routes of development we could both take.
