Team:LMU-Munich/Germination Stop

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<p align="justify">The ''Bacillus'' life cycle can include both classic division as well as reproduction by sporulation and spore germination.
<p align="justify">The ''Bacillus'' life cycle can include both classic division as well as reproduction by sporulation and spore germination.
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In response to starvation of nutrients (including carbon, nitrogen, or phosphorus) or in response to peptides secreted by other cells which signal a high population densities, ''Bacillus'' cells form spores in a process called sporulation (Fig. 1).
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In response to starvation of nutrients (including carbon, nitrogen, or phosphorus) or in response to peptides secreted by other cells which signal high population densities, ''Bacillus'' cells form spores in a process called sporulation (Fig. 1).
The “mother” cell forms the endospore within its own cell membrane. The endospore contains its DNA in the spore core, which is protected by several layers of coats. The outermost layer is the spore crust. The spore is very dry, and contains a substance called dipicolinic acid (DPA), which is replaced with water when the spore germinates. Until the spore hydrates and swells out of its protective coats, it is resistant to a wide variety of environmental stressors, including UV radiation, toxic chemicals, freezing, high heat, dessication, and pH extremes. This resistance to stressors allows the spore to survive until conditions are good for growth.</p>
The “mother” cell forms the endospore within its own cell membrane. The endospore contains its DNA in the spore core, which is protected by several layers of coats. The outermost layer is the spore crust. The spore is very dry, and contains a substance called dipicolinic acid (DPA), which is replaced with water when the spore germinates. Until the spore hydrates and swells out of its protective coats, it is resistant to a wide variety of environmental stressors, including UV radiation, toxic chemicals, freezing, high heat, dessication, and pH extremes. This resistance to stressors allows the spore to survive until conditions are good for growth.</p>
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<p align="justify">On its inner spore membrane, the spore has germinant receptors. The spore coats are believed to be semipermeable or porous, in order to permit the passage of germinants to the receptors. When germinants such as amino acids and sugars reach the receptors, the spore begins the biochemical process of germination. It takes up water, shifts its pH, and swells. It breaks out of its coat and begins the outgrowth process (see Fig. 2). For our project, we wish to prevent the germination process.</p>
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<p align="justify">On its inner spore membrane, the spore has germinant receptors. The spore coats are believed to be semipermeable or porous, in order to permit the passage of germinants to the receptors. When germinants such as amino acids and sugars reach the receptors, the spore begins the biochemical process of germination (see Fig. 2).
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During germination, the spore replaces its DPA with water, shifts its pH, and swells. Lytic enzymes break down the rigid spore coat layers encapsulating the spore's core, allowing the spore core to swell further and begin the outgrowth process into a vegetative cell. When the spore coat is broken down by lytic enzymes, the spore's environmental resistance is lost. For our project, we wish to prevent the germination process.</p>
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Revision as of 16:58, 26 September 2012

iGEM Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Beadzillus

Team-LMU streaked plate.resized.jpg

The LMU-Munich team is exuberantly happy about the great success at the World Championship Jamboree in Boston. Our project Beadzillus finished 4th and won the prize for the "Best Wiki" (with Slovenia) and "Best New Application Project".

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