Team:UZurich
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Pseudonucleus
The first iGEM Team at the University of Zurich
Can we find a new way to compartmentalize prokaryotic cells?
We use bacteria for many things
Bacteria are not only used to make cheese and yoghurt. Humans also use them commercially to produce important molecules like Vitamins and Insuline! - With genetic engineering it is relatively easy to produce simple compounds on a large scale.
Complexity is the aim
One of the biggest challenges nowadays is to engineer whole synthesis pathways into bacteria, for example to produce viable bio-fuel from simple carbohydrates. By encapsulating reactions in bacterial micro-compartments (BMC's), researchers aim to greatly improve the efficiency and complexity of such pathways. However BMC's have limitations, their small size and inability to localize several enzymes in one compartment thus far seems like a roadblock.
We introduce our solution: an engineered phage protein shell!
A recently discovered phage envelops its DNA into a protein shell upon infection of bacteria. We are trying to find the minimal components of this structure so it can be assembled in a bacteria without the phage! - This phage compartment is significantly larger than the BMC's and is shown to be selective in import of not only bacterial but also phage proteins.What are we without our sponsors?
Thanks to our sponsors we are not only able to pay for the equipment and performing high quality science in the laboratory but we are also able to fund our trip to the giant jamboree in Boston.
Want to learn more about the biology behind the project?
Our project outline provides you with all the science you need in order to follow us through our iGEM adventure.And don't forget to follow us on Instagram 👇