Team:University College London/Module 3/Design
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<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. | ||
- | + | '''Requirement 1: The bacteria should carry a system capable of degrading polythelene''' | |
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+ | 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. | ||
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+ | '''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. | ||
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Revision as of 18:35, 23 August 2012
Module 3: Design
Description | Design | Construction | Characterisation | Modelling | Results | Conclusions
Description
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.