Team:USP-Brazil/Hardware
Rediscovering bioproduction
genSwitch is a genetic circuit able to make E.coli recognize blue led light and switch between two different states of genetic activation
What is bioproduction?
Bioproduction is a process used in industries that generates useful products through microorganisms. The most common inductor used in bioproduction are chemical compounds (like IPTG and arabinose) that are, not only expensive, but also lacks fine control of induction. Our goal is to built a genetic circuit that can switch between two different states of activation with just a single input of blue led light. The circuit was built in E.coli and works based on inhibition handles and recombinases that can invert the promoter region according to the presence and absence of the same type of blue light. In addition, fluorescent proteins such as GFP, RFP and YFP function as outps for our circuit. We also compared the efficiency between chemical induced promotors and light-induced ones by evaluating strength and lack. Finally, with our circuit, bioproduction can become more practical, controlled and economical.
Why use light?
Light is a fine, precise inductor, as the specificity of the signal is in the amissor, the wavelength and intensity, and in the receptor, in our case, a protein, that recognize a specific wavelength ortogonali. Besides that, light can be activated instantaneously, simply by turning on it’s source. To stop the induction, it’s not necessary to change the culture media or wash the culture, a process that can make some bioproduction impossible. Using light opens new possibilities for this industry.
Why make a switch?
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Hardware
Best Hardware Special Prize
In addition to encouraging teams to work with DNA parts and build biological devices in the lab, iGEM also encourages other types of technical solutions for synthetic biology. This can include physical devices (hardware) related to robotic assembly, microfluidics, low-cost measurement devices, to name a few examples. There are many exciting opportunities for hardware innovation in synthetic biology.
Teams who are interested in working with hardware in their project, or as a side project, are encouraged to apply for the Best Hardware award.
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Inspiration
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