Team:University College London/Module 3/Design

From 2012.igem.org

(Difference between revisions)
(Description)
(Description)
Line 8: Line 8:
<html><div align="center"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/7/7a/UcligemDegradation_BioBrick.png" alt="Degradation" /></div></html>
<html><div align="center"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/7/7a/UcligemDegradation_BioBrick.png" alt="Degradation" /></div></html>
 +
We identified two requirements for this system, and have designed the module to meet each requirement.
-
Visit here soon for more information!
+
'''Requirement 1: The bacteria should carry a system capable of degrading polythelene'''
 +
 
 +
Laccase, an oxidoreductive enzyme, is important in bioremediation. Laccase from Rhodococcus ruber c208 has been found to be involved in polyethylene biodegradation (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0964830512000637). The Laccase mechanism involves the generation of free radicals which encourages degradation of polyethylene. As Rhodococcus strains are presently unavailable to us, our system includes cueO, a laccase/multi-copper oxidase from E. coli.
 +
 
 +
'''Requirement 2: The system must be compatible with the marine environment'''
 +
 
 +
Our chosen enzyme has been suggested to survive in harsh conditions; laccase is thermostable (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14586105) and can function within a broad pH range, (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852412002234) therefore we expect our system will function in the marine environment.
{{:Team:University_College_London/templates/foot}}
{{:Team:University_College_London/templates/foot}}

Revision as of 18:35, 23 August 2012

Module 3: Design

Description | Design | Construction | Characterisation | Modelling | Results | Conclusions

Description

Degradation

We identified two requirements for this system, and have designed the module to meet each requirement.

Requirement 1: The bacteria should carry a system capable of degrading polythelene

Laccase, an oxidoreductive enzyme, is important in bioremediation. Laccase from Rhodococcus ruber c208 has been found to be involved in polyethylene biodegradation (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0964830512000637). The Laccase mechanism involves the generation of free radicals which encourages degradation of polyethylene. As Rhodococcus strains are presently unavailable to us, our system includes cueO, a laccase/multi-copper oxidase from E. coli.

Requirement 2: The system must be compatible with the marine environment

Our chosen enzyme has been suggested to survive in harsh conditions; laccase is thermostable (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14586105) and can function within a broad pH range, (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852412002234) therefore we expect our system will function in the marine environment.