Team:Paris Bettencourt/Achievements

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<div id="grouptitle">Achievements</div>
<div id="grouptitle">Achievements</div>
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==Achievements of all the different modules==
 
<table id="tableboxed">
<table id="tableboxed">
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'''Semantic containment [[File:SemanticContainment.png|frameless|link=https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Semantic_containment|right|75px]]'''
'''Semantic containment [[File:SemanticContainment.png|frameless|link=https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Semantic_containment|right|75px]]'''
 +
'''Aims'''
 +
* Creating a semantic containment system to prevent gene expression in natural organisms
 +
* Characterize the system
 +
* Use this system in all genes of the system, the critical genes first (e.g. [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Suicide colicin])
-
'''Aims :'''
+
'''System'''
-
 
+
*An amber codon (stop codon) embedded in protein genes to prevent their expression and an amber suppressor system in our genetically engineered bacteria
-
Creating a semantic containment system to prevent gene expression in natural organisms
+
-
Characterize the system
+
-
Use this system in all genes of the system, the critical genes first (e.g. colicin)
+
-
System
+
-
 
+
-
An amber codon (stop codon) embedded in protein genes to prevent their expression and an amber suppressor system in our genetically engineered bacteria
+
'''Achievements :'''
'''Achievements :'''
 +
* Construction and characterization of 2 biobricks :
 +
** [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914000 K914000] : P<sub>Lac</sub>-supD-T : tRNA amber suppressor
 +
** [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914009 K914009] : P1003* Ser133->Amber Codon : kanamycin gene resistance with 1 amber mutation
-
Construction and characterization of 2 biobricks :
+
Both part were well [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Semantic_containment#Results characterized] and works well. For the second parts, we show that as expected, one mutation is quite leaky, although it works qualitatively, but one mutation is not enough if we want to release such parts in nature. Other reasons emphasize this observation, notably the weakness of being at one mutation to recover the protein functionality.
-
K914000 : PLac-supD-T : tRNA amber suppressor
+
* Creation of a new category in the part registry : [http://partsregistry.org/Biosafety Semantic containment]. The aim of this category is to let people improving each part by adding for instance other amber mutations to existing part to increase the containment.
-
K914009 : P1003* Ser133->Amber Codon : kanamycin gene resistance with 1 amber mutation
+
<div id="boston">
-
Both part were well characterized and works well. For the second parts, we show that as expected, one mutation is quite leaky, although it works qualitatively, but one mutation is not enough if we want to release such parts in nature. Other reasons emphasize this observation, notably the weakness of being at one mutation to recover the protein functionality.
+
'''Achievements : '''
-
 
+
* Construction and characterization of 1 biobrick :
-
Creation of a new category in the part registry : Semantic containment. The aim of this category is to let people improving each part by adding for instance other amber mutations to existing part to increase the containment.
+
** [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914018 K914018] : P1003** Ser133 & Ser203 ->Amber Codon : kanamycin gene resistance with 1 amber mutation
 +
* Construction of 1 plasmid backbone :
 +
** [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914012 K914012] : pSB1A2 with one Amber Codon : Ampicillin gene resistance with 1 amber mutation
 +
</div>
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
</table>
</table>
 +
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<td>
<td>
'''Suicide system [[File:SkullIcon.png|frameless|link=https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Suicide|right|75px]]'''
'''Suicide system [[File:SkullIcon.png|frameless|link=https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Suicide|right|75px]]'''
-
 
'''Aims :'''
'''Aims :'''
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<b> Restriction Enzyme System [[File:RestrictionSystem.png|frameless|link=https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Restriction_Enzyme|right|75px]]</b>  
<b> Restriction Enzyme System [[File:RestrictionSystem.png|frameless|link=https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Restriction_Enzyme|right|75px]]</b>  
-
 
<b> Aim: </b>
<b> Aim: </b>
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* Demonstration that all 3 generators (K914005, K914007, K914008) work and express I-SceI meganuclease in cells. [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Restriction_Enzyme#Measuring_the_efficiency_of_I-SceI_.28Cloned_parts.29 &#091;Read more&#093;]
* Demonstration that all 3 generators (K914005, K914007, K914008) work and express I-SceI meganuclease in cells. [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Restriction_Enzyme#Measuring_the_efficiency_of_I-SceI_.28Cloned_parts.29 &#091;Read more&#093;]
-
 
+
<div id="boston">
-
 
+
* '''[https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Restriction_Enzyme#New_Results &#091;Updated for Boston&#093; ]''' : Characterization of 2 biobricks from TUDelft [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Restriction_Enzyme#Measuring_the_I-SceI_efficiency_.28TUDelft_parts.29 &#091;Read more&#093;]:
-
* Characterization of 2 biobricks from TUDelft [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Restriction_Enzyme#Mesuring_of_I-SceI_efficiency_.28TUDelft_parts.29 &#091;Read more&#093;]:
+
** [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K175041 K175041]: p(LacI) controlled I-SceI homing endonuclease generator
** [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K175041 K175041]: p(LacI) controlled I-SceI homing endonuclease generator
** [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K175027 K175027]: I-SceI restriction site
** [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K175027 K175027]: I-SceI restriction site
 +
</div>
* [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Restriction_Enzyme#Characterization_of_pRha Characterization ] of the L-rhamnose-inducible promoter ([https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Restriction_Enzyme#Design  pRha]).  
* [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Restriction_Enzyme#Characterization_of_pRha Characterization ] of the L-rhamnose-inducible promoter ([https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Restriction_Enzyme#Design  pRha]).  
</tr>
</tr>
</table>
</table>
 +
 +
<table id="tableboxed">
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>
 +
 +
<b>Delay System [[File:DelaySystem.png|frameless|link=https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Delay|right|75px]]</b>
 +
 +
'''Aim :'''
 +
A programmed delay will allow the cell to perform its intended function before our DNA-degrading suicide machinery is expressed.
 +
 +
'''Experimental system:'''
 +
We used two different approaches to create this delay. The [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Delay#Simple_delay_system first one] is based on the gradual dilution of a regulatory transcription factor. The [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Delay#sRNA_delay_system second one] makes use of a stationary-phase specific promoter. Both systems eventually result in the expression of the restriction enzyme I-SceI. In the final design, I-SceI cleaves the antitoxin gene, ultimately dooming the cell. Each step in this causal sequence contributes to the overall delay in the system.
 +
 +
 +
'''Achievements :'''
 +
* Construction and characterization of the dilution delay system
 +
** [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914004 K914004] : P<sub>BAD</sub>-AraC-RBS-LacI ; [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Delay#Characterization characterization]
 +
* [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Delay#Refined_characterization_of_the_Yokobayashi_et_al._sRNA_repression_plasmidic_device Characterization] of the sRNA repression system of Yokobayashi ''et al.''
 +
* Cloning of the yiaGp stationary phase promoter
 +
<div id="boston">
 +
'''Achievements :'''
 +
* Partially biobricked sRNA system :
 +
**[http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914017 K914017] stationary phase promoter Yiagp
 +
**[http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914016 K914016] coding sequence of Colicin E2
 +
</div>
 +
 +
</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
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'''Achievements:'''
'''Achievements:'''
-
*Construction of colicin-like toxin by fusing Colicin E2 based "Synthetic Import Domain" with RNAse domain of colicin D
+
*Construction of colicin-like toxin by fusing Colicin D based "Synthetic Import Domain" with DNAse domain of colicin E2
*Constructon of FseI, I-SceI, LuxR active fragment, LacZ alpha fragment, PyrF and T7 RNA polymerase fused to the two types of "Synthetic Import Domains" from Colicin E2 and Colicin D
*Constructon of FseI, I-SceI, LuxR active fragment, LacZ alpha fragment, PyrF and T7 RNA polymerase fused to the two types of "Synthetic Import Domains" from Colicin E2 and Colicin D
*Proof of concept with LacZ alpha fragment fused to "Synthetic Import Domain" from Colicin D
*Proof of concept with LacZ alpha fragment fused to "Synthetic Import Domain" from Colicin D
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<td>
<td>
'''Encapsulation [[File:PhysicalContainment.png|frameless|link=https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Encapsulation|right|75px]]'''
'''Encapsulation [[File:PhysicalContainment.png|frameless|link=https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Encapsulation|right|75px]]'''
 +
 +
 +
'''Aim:'''
'''Aim:'''
Harness bacteria-containing gel beads to assure cell containment and complement activity of genetic safety systems.
Harness bacteria-containing gel beads to assure cell containment and complement activity of genetic safety systems.
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*we performed [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Encapsulation#Bristol_2010_Nitrate_Reporter additional characterization] of the Bristol 2010 nitrate reporter [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K381001 K381001]
*we performed [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Encapsulation#Bristol_2010_Nitrate_Reporter additional characterization] of the Bristol 2010 nitrate reporter [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K381001 K381001]
* Efficient killing by colicin producing cells was achieved within the beads.
* Efficient killing by colicin producing cells was achieved within the beads.
 +
<div id="boston">
 +
'''Achievements : '''
 +
*Covalently stabilized alginate beads by polyethyleneimine and glutaraldehyde [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Encapsulation#Covalent_Stabilization_of_Alginate_Beads treatment].
 +
*Demonstrated cells' ability to [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Encapsulation#Blue-White_Screening_Assay propagate and express proteins] within stabilized alginate beads.
 +
*Performed [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Encapsulation#Cell_Containment_Assay cell containment assay] that demonstrated stabilized beads' enhanced cell entrapment capacity in phosphate buffer.
 +
 +
</div>
</td>
</td>
</tr>
</tr>
</table>
</table>
-
==Human Practice==
 
 +
<div id="boston">
 +
 +
 +
'''Safety Assessment''' [[File:Paris_Bettencourt_2012_Safety-assessment.png|frameless|link=https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Modeling|right|75px]]
 +
 +
 +
'''Aims'''
 +
 +
Safety is an important issue in synthetic biology, especially for environmentally related projects. We started to answer the question, “how safe is safe enough?” by involving experts, the public and our fellow scientists, and also by building biosafety devices. However, to really answer the question, we need first to ask ourselves a more basic question, “how do we measure safety?”. As we see synthetic biology as an engineering approach to biology, we could think about the adaptation of safety engineering, a well studied engineering subset, that has been widely use to minimize risks in many fields of engineering, such as mechanical engineering, aircrafts, and manufactures. However, the risks they face are surely different from the risks of synthetic biology.
 +
 +
'''Objectives'''
 +
* Adapting existing safety assessment tools for synthetic biology
 +
* Proposing new methods to assess safety in synthetic biology
 +
 +
</div>
 +
 +
 +
 +
==Human Practice==
<table id="tableboxed">
<table id="tableboxed">
<tr>
<tr>
<td>
<td>
 +
[[File:ParisB_human_icon.png|frameless|link=https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Human_Practice/Frontpage|right|75px]]
 +
 +
<b>Aims</b>
 +
 +
 +
 +
Human concerns arose organically during the construction of the bWARE containment system, and human practices were intrinsic to every stage of our project. In designing and building our best genetic containment system, we often encountered limits on the ability of science alone to measure our performance. When is a biosafety system safe enough? The answer to this question is partially scientific, to the extent that horizontal gene transfer events can be observed and modeled. But the answer is also social, because ultimately the public will decide if a biosafety system works well enough to use. The only way for us to know if bWARE is a success is in conversation with experts and the community.
-
<b>Aim</b>
+
We propose and implement new ways for iGEM to organize and present biosafety information, both for scientists and the public. We believe our reforms to the BioBrick registry will help synthetic biologists to find the best biosafety tools for their application. We also imagine the beginnings of a quantitative, context-specific biosafety database serving citizen scientists. Practical safety data will feed an informed public forum.
-
To chart new venues of best practice for synthetic biology. To this end, we examined the ethical, biological and social concerns related to the release of genetically modified bacteria in the wild.
 
-
<b>Metodology</b>
+
<b>Methodology</b>
#'''''Interviews with experts''''' which enabled us to have a broad overview of the state of the art. [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Human_Practice/Interview Read More]
#'''''Interviews with experts''''' which enabled us to have a broad overview of the state of the art. [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Human_Practice/Interview Read More]
#'''''Interaction with high-schoolers''''' to have first-hand appreciation of reactions from first exposure to synthetic biology
#'''''Interaction with high-schoolers''''' to have first-hand appreciation of reactions from first exposure to synthetic biology
#'''''We screened previous iGEM team’s wikis''''' to trace the evolution of biosafety concerns and devices in the iGEM community, focusing on proposed containment systems. [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Human_Practice/WikiScreen Read More]
#'''''We screened previous iGEM team’s wikis''''' to trace the evolution of biosafety concerns and devices in the iGEM community, focusing on proposed containment systems. [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Human_Practice/WikiScreen Read More]
-
#'''''We focused on horizontal gene transfer as main generic risk factor'''''.  
+
#'''''We focused on horizontal gene transfer as the main generic risk factor'''''.  
-
#'''''Synthetic report''''' where we addressed the concerns raised by synthetic biology per se, that is, as a technique. Then, we analyzed the specific concerns that arise from synthetic biology’s potential applications in nature.  [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Human_Practice/Report Read More]
+
#'''''Comprehensive report''''' where we addressed the concerns raised by synthetic biology per se, that is, as a technique. Then, we analyzed the specific concerns that arise from synthetic biology’s potential applications in nature.  [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Human_Practice/Report Read More]
<b>Main Conclusions</b>
<b>Main Conclusions</b>
# Societal interaction:  
# Societal interaction:  
-
#:*'''''The need to raise awareness''''' of synthetic biology in the population so people can decide in the most enlightened way possible if they want of this new technology and of its applications (A),
+
#:*'''''The need to raise awareness''''' of synthetic biology in the population so people can decide in the most enlightened way possible what they want from this new technology and of its applications (A),
#:* '''''The need of a discussion''''' between society’s different protagonists to set goals, define what they would consider as benefits and acceptable risks (B),
#:* '''''The need of a discussion''''' between society’s different protagonists to set goals, define what they would consider as benefits and acceptable risks (B),
# Best research practice:
# Best research practice:
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You can find the full list of proposals [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Human_Practice/Report#III_Proposals here]
You can find the full list of proposals [https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Human_Practice/Report#III_Proposals here]
 +
 +
<div id="boston">
 +
'''Achievements : '''
 +
* Team aWAREness
 +
During this summer, all of us gained knowledge in synthetic biology and learned lab skills, but that wasn't all. From the beginning of our brainstorming sessions, safety questions came up in our discussions. Our mutual interest in this topic lead us to center our project on safeguard systems and human practices related to public awareness and risk assesssment. This meant that we had to work hard not only on our wet lab project, but also on human practices. To our delight, this effort resulted not only in community outreach, but also changed our own opinion on biosafety in the context of synthetic biology. We feel that our Human Practice project changed each and every one of us.[https://2012.igem.org/Team:Paris_Bettencourt/Human_Practice/perception Here are our personal perceptions.]
 +
</div>
</td>
</td>
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{{:Team:Paris_Bettencourt/footer}}
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Latest revision as of 00:05, 27 October 2012


iGEM Paris Bettencourt 2012

Achievements


Semantic containment
SemanticContainment.png

Aims

  • Creating a semantic containment system to prevent gene expression in natural organisms
  • Characterize the system
  • Use this system in all genes of the system, the critical genes first (e.g. colicin)

System

  • An amber codon (stop codon) embedded in protein genes to prevent their expression and an amber suppressor system in our genetically engineered bacteria

Achievements :

  • Construction and characterization of 2 biobricks :
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914000 K914000] : PLac-supD-T : tRNA amber suppressor
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914009 K914009] : P1003* Ser133->Amber Codon : kanamycin gene resistance with 1 amber mutation

Both part were well characterized and works well. For the second parts, we show that as expected, one mutation is quite leaky, although it works qualitatively, but one mutation is not enough if we want to release such parts in nature. Other reasons emphasize this observation, notably the weakness of being at one mutation to recover the protein functionality.

  • Creation of a new category in the part registry : [http://partsregistry.org/Biosafety Semantic containment]. The aim of this category is to let people improving each part by adding for instance other amber mutations to existing part to increase the containment.

Achievements :

  • Construction and characterization of 1 biobrick :
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914018 K914018] : P1003** Ser133 & Ser203 ->Amber Codon : kanamycin gene resistance with 1 amber mutation
  • Construction of 1 plasmid backbone :
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914012 K914012] : pSB1A2 with one Amber Codon : Ampicillin gene resistance with 1 amber mutation


Suicide system
SkullIcon.png

Aims : Implement a kill-switch that features population-level suicide and complete genome degradation.

System : A synthetic toxin-anti-toxin system based on the wild type Colicin E2 operon.

Achievements : We showed that Colicin E2 cells induce cell death in sensitive populations, and that these sensitive populations can be protected by providing them with our engineered immunity protein.

  • Construction of 2 biobricks :
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914001 K914001] : pLac-repressilator RBS-Colicin E2 immunity protein
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914002 K914002] :repressilator RBS-Colicin E2 immunity protein

Part K914001 is well characterized and provides immunity to sensitive cells against the Colicin E2 activity protein, but is leaky. Part K914002 is promoterless and allows users to easily plug in the appropriate promoter for their desired purpose.

  • Creation of a new category in the part registry : [http://partsregistry.org/Biosafety XNase]. The aim of this category is to provide users with DNase/RNase parts that can be used for improved kill switches featuring the degradation of genomic material.


Restriction Enzyme System
RestrictionSystem.png

Aim:

To design a plasmid self-digestion system.

Experimental System:

We are testing different combinations of promoters and restriction enzymes. We have to characterize both the promoters (by measuring the expression of RFP) and the restriction enzymes (by measuring killed cells).

Achievements :

  • Construction of 4 biobricks [Read more]:
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914003 K914003]: L-rhamnose-inducible promoter
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914005 K914005]: Meganuclease I-SceI controlled by pLac
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914007 K914007]: Meganuclease I-SceI controlled by pBad
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914008 K914008]: Meganuclease I-SceI controlled by pRha
  • Demonstration that all 3 generators (K914005, K914007, K914008) work and express I-SceI meganuclease in cells. [Read more]
  • [Updated for Boston]  : Characterization of 2 biobricks from TUDelft [Read more]:
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K175041 K175041]: p(LacI) controlled I-SceI homing endonuclease generator
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K175027 K175027]: I-SceI restriction site


Delay System
DelaySystem.png

Aim : A programmed delay will allow the cell to perform its intended function before our DNA-degrading suicide machinery is expressed.

Experimental system: We used two different approaches to create this delay. The first one is based on the gradual dilution of a regulatory transcription factor. The second one makes use of a stationary-phase specific promoter. Both systems eventually result in the expression of the restriction enzyme I-SceI. In the final design, I-SceI cleaves the antitoxin gene, ultimately dooming the cell. Each step in this causal sequence contributes to the overall delay in the system.


Achievements :

  • Construction and characterization of the dilution delay system
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914004 K914004] : PBAD-AraC-RBS-LacI ; characterization
  • Characterization of the sRNA repression system of Yokobayashi et al.
  • Cloning of the yiaGp stationary phase promoter

Achievements :

  • Partially biobricked sRNA system :
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914017 K914017] stationary phase promoter Yiagp
    • [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K914016 K914016] coding sequence of Colicin E2


MAGE
MAGEgroup.png

Aims :

Removal of four FseI restriction sites from E. coli MG1655 genome.

Experimental System:

Using multiplex automated genome engineering (MAGE) - a technique capable of editing the genome by making small changes in existing genomic sequences.

Achievements:

Proof of concept by introducing a stop codon in the middle of the lacZ gene


Synthetic Import Domain
SyntheticImportDomain.png


Aim :

Creation of a novel protein import mechanism in bacteria.


Experimental System:

Exploit the natural Colicin import domain fused to any protein at will, dubbed here: "Synthetic Import Domain".

Achievements:

  • Construction of colicin-like toxin by fusing Colicin D based "Synthetic Import Domain" with DNAse domain of colicin E2
  • Constructon of FseI, I-SceI, LuxR active fragment, LacZ alpha fragment, PyrF and T7 RNA polymerase fused to the two types of "Synthetic Import Domains" from Colicin E2 and Colicin D
  • Proof of concept with LacZ alpha fragment fused to "Synthetic Import Domain" from Colicin D


Encapsulation
PhysicalContainment.png


Aim: Harness bacteria-containing gel beads to assure cell containment and complement activity of genetic safety systems.

Experimental system: Bacterial cells are encapsulated in alginate beads. We used a cell containment assay based on plating to assess the release of cells from alginate beads. In addition, we aimed at improving the entrapment of cells through stabilization by polyethyleneimine and covalent cross-linkage by glutaraldehyde.

Achievements:

  • Encapsulated cells achieved and their ability to propagate and express proteins within alginate beads demonstrated.
  • Stabilized alginate beads by covalent cross-linkage achieved and their ability to entrap cells demonstrated.
  • we performed additional characterization of the Bristol 2010 nitrate reporter [http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K381001 K381001]
  • Efficient killing by colicin producing cells was achieved within the beads.

Achievements :

  • Covalently stabilized alginate beads by polyethyleneimine and glutaraldehyde treatment.
  • Demonstrated cells' ability to propagate and express proteins within stabilized alginate beads.
  • Performed cell containment assay that demonstrated stabilized beads' enhanced cell entrapment capacity in phosphate buffer.



Safety Assessment
Paris Bettencourt 2012 Safety-assessment.png


Aims

Safety is an important issue in synthetic biology, especially for environmentally related projects. We started to answer the question, “how safe is safe enough?” by involving experts, the public and our fellow scientists, and also by building biosafety devices. However, to really answer the question, we need first to ask ourselves a more basic question, “how do we measure safety?”. As we see synthetic biology as an engineering approach to biology, we could think about the adaptation of safety engineering, a well studied engineering subset, that has been widely use to minimize risks in many fields of engineering, such as mechanical engineering, aircrafts, and manufactures. However, the risks they face are surely different from the risks of synthetic biology.

Objectives

  • Adapting existing safety assessment tools for synthetic biology
  • Proposing new methods to assess safety in synthetic biology


Human Practice

ParisB human icon.png

Aims


Human concerns arose organically during the construction of the bWARE containment system, and human practices were intrinsic to every stage of our project. In designing and building our best genetic containment system, we often encountered limits on the ability of science alone to measure our performance. When is a biosafety system safe enough? The answer to this question is partially scientific, to the extent that horizontal gene transfer events can be observed and modeled. But the answer is also social, because ultimately the public will decide if a biosafety system works well enough to use. The only way for us to know if bWARE is a success is in conversation with experts and the community.

We propose and implement new ways for iGEM to organize and present biosafety information, both for scientists and the public. We believe our reforms to the BioBrick registry will help synthetic biologists to find the best biosafety tools for their application. We also imagine the beginnings of a quantitative, context-specific biosafety database serving citizen scientists. Practical safety data will feed an informed public forum.


Methodology

  1. Interviews with experts which enabled us to have a broad overview of the state of the art. Read More
  2. Interaction with high-schoolers to have first-hand appreciation of reactions from first exposure to synthetic biology
  3. We screened previous iGEM team’s wikis to trace the evolution of biosafety concerns and devices in the iGEM community, focusing on proposed containment systems. Read More
  4. We focused on horizontal gene transfer as the main generic risk factor.
  5. Comprehensive report where we addressed the concerns raised by synthetic biology per se, that is, as a technique. Then, we analyzed the specific concerns that arise from synthetic biology’s potential applications in nature. Read More


Main Conclusions

  1. Societal interaction:
    • The need to raise awareness of synthetic biology in the population so people can decide in the most enlightened way possible what they want from this new technology and of its applications (A),
    • The need of a discussion between society’s different protagonists to set goals, define what they would consider as benefits and acceptable risks (B),
  2. Best research practice:
    • Zero risk is impossible to achieve as no containment system can be 100% safe (bacteria can always escape by mutations) (C),
    • There is a lack of quantitative data evaluating the probability of failure of any synthetic biology engineered system, in particular containment systems (D),
    • There is a lack of quantitative data evaluating the risk of HGT assuming containment systems failed (E),
    • The compiling of the wiki screen shows that no containment systems created in iGEM is robust: they lack the above quantification and are mostly one mutation away from failure. We call for major effort of the iGEM community to quantify available containment systems and search for new solutions (F),
    • The need for an INDEPENDENT cohort of scientists to test experimentally any application of synthetic biology that requires releasing in the environment (G),

You can find the full list of conclusions here

Main Proposals

  1. Societal interaction:
    • Organizing a workshop on synthetic biology and a tour of our lab for 60 high school students, (addresses issue A and B) Read More. First initiative for teaching synthetic biology in French high-school leading to a high-school iGEM team. Ultimately, we would like interaction with high school or middle school students to be a requirement for an iGEM gold medal.
    • Organizing a debate with 10 non expert students from various background, and then opening the debate to the floor (the public), which was made up of both experts and non experts, (addresses issue A and B) Read More.
    • Creating a page to explain horizontal gene transfer to non scientists. Go to HGT page
  2. Best research practice:
    • Creating a system as robust as possible, that is many mutations away from failure (this is what our bench work has been all about) (addresses issue C and F),
    • Creating a safety page on the biobrick registry where all the safety devices that exist are listed and characterized (included evaluation of their robustness) in order for iGEM teams to pick the most appropriate device to add to their newly created genetic circuit. Ultimately, we would like the integration of safety modules and risks assessments to be part of of every synthetic biology project from the very start (already listed in the safety page or created de novo by the team) (addresses issue D, F), [http://partsregistry.org/Biosafety Go to safety page]
    • The community has to build a collection of bio-safety devices for future engineers
    • Each synthetic biology application should assess and disclose a list of application-specific risks and hazards.
    • Development and adoption of a safety chasis for synthetic biology research and prototyping.

You can find the full list of proposals here

Achievements :

  • Team aWAREness

During this summer, all of us gained knowledge in synthetic biology and learned lab skills, but that wasn't all. From the beginning of our brainstorming sessions, safety questions came up in our discussions. Our mutual interest in this topic lead us to center our project on safeguard systems and human practices related to public awareness and risk assesssment. This meant that we had to work hard not only on our wet lab project, but also on human practices. To our delight, this effort resulted not only in community outreach, but also changed our own opinion on biosafety in the context of synthetic biology. We feel that our Human Practice project changed each and every one of us.Here are our personal perceptions.


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