Team:Wageningen UR/Achievements
Achievements
This year, the Wageningen University's iGEM team Xylencer has been working hard all summer. During this time, we kept the medal requirements in the back of our minds. And we are happy & proud that this work was not in vain, since we have completed all medal requirements. On this page you can find the exact details on how we completed all of the requirements.
- We incorporated a broad range of computational biology techniques into our project. We made a model to gain insight into the interaction between Xylella fastidiosa and our Xylencer phage and their spread. We also performed protein modelling to predict the phage capsid fusion. Machine learning was applied to select the safest possible phage delivery bacterium.
- We improved BBa_K2003001, a CRISPR array for Cpf1. The improved BBa_K3286041 is a CRISPR array for Cpf1 with an improved method for exchanging spacers. This can be used to quickly generate a library of CRISPR arrays.
- The feedback of stakeholders inspired the approach of Xylencer, for example in the choice of automated detection. Experts also drove us to consider biosafety in our project, leading to the integration of safe-by-design, and ethical considerations for the use of our Xylencer phage.
- We demonstrated the detection of X. fastidiosa using LAMP. We gained control of phage promoters using a genetic circuit. We showed the chitin-binding ability of our adhesion proteins. We demonstrated flg22 to rescue diseased plants from bacterial infection.
- We validated the functionality of multiple different biobricks including BBa_K3286010, BBa_K3286106 and BBa_K3286040. More biobricks can be found on the Part Page.
- We collaborated with iGEM TU Eindhoven by troubleshooting our projects and with iGEM MSP Maastricht by veryfying experimental results.
- We spoke to experts and users regarding our project.
- We participated in and completed the RIVM Safe-by-Design challenge, for which we received a grant. We preformed a risk assessment, resulting in a novel approach to a kill switch.
- We registered for iGEM, had a great and productive summer and will attend the Giant Jamboree.
- We have completed all the competition deliverables.
- We have written an attributions page, where we clearly indicate everything that was not performed by the team of students. We were grateful to be able to honour all the people that helped us with our project on this page.
- We wrote a description and inspiration for our project.
- We contributed to the registry by adding experimental data on the existing biobrick BBa_K2558003.