Team:Shenzhen/Project/YAO.Genome

Introduction

    YAO. Genome is the core part of YAO which’s similar to genomes of mitochondria and chloroplasts but ready to be embedded any new system. Here, we proposed YAO. Genome has two features, self-replication and high capacity of genes. Construction of YAO.Genome contains three stages. First, transform a GFP gene into the mitochondria by homologous recombination. Second, build shuttle plasmid which can replicate both in E. coli and mitochondria, but only contain a GFP gene. And then we introduce it into MT. Third, redesign a genome satisfying all the criteria as we mentioned before. As experiment time is limited, we only fulfilled the first part, mitochondria expressed GFP, design the second part, shown in table of BioBricks, and drew picture of our imagination of the last part.

Key Features

• Self-replication

 - YAO. Genome can replicate in YAO and provide a stable circumstance for embedding any other system.

• High capacity of genes

 - YAO. Genome can embed more than one system and each of them won’t disturb others from working well.

Stages Towards YAO.Genome

• Homologous Recombination

    First, transform a GFP gene into the mitochondria by homologous recombination.

    As we all know, tungsten powder is bigger than recombinant plasmid. While covering tungsten powder with recombinant plasmid and 和重组质粒一块打到细胞里面并且可以让成功打进去的细胞在筛选培养基存活的那个质粒, both of these plasmids will be appear on tungsten powder.

    After using gene gun to inject plasmids into Rho 0 cell, 用来筛选的那个培养基的名字或者功能加名字 will be used to select cells with plasmids in them, which are called Rho- cells.

    After Rho- cell mated with Rho+ cell, homologous recombination will happen. Mitochondria in them will fuse together, and a cell with GFP gene in it will be obtained if luckily.

• Shuttle Plasmid

    Second, build shuttle plasmid which can replicate both in E. coli and mitochondria, but only contain a GFP gene. And then we introduce it into MT.

    Shuttle plasmid contains components, which can make sure shuttle plasmid can work independently in mitochondrion, such as promoter, control elements, terminator, etc. No homologous recombination will be processed because there is no need and will disturbed shuttle plasmids’ expression. If shuttle plasmid inject into mitochondria successfully, GFP gene will be expressed in mitochondria.

• Final YAO.Genome

    Finally, redesign a genome satisfying all the criteria as we mentioned before. It would be a chassis for embedding any other system like metabolites producing system or signaling system, as we want. Moreover, original systems which are not necessary to our function system will be removed.