To develop strains of bacteria that produce high levels of 1-butanol we have introduced the genes coding for a biochemical pathway from Clostridium acetobutylicum into a mutant E. coli strain that produces a high level of NADH.The combination of these chemical pathways is predicted to increase the level of butanol production.. >>
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The Etch-a-Sketch project aims to create a lawn of bacteria that can be drawn on with a laser pointer. This seemingly inconsequential task actually presents many interesting engineering challenges. We have designed a novel genetic switch to tackle these problems. If our work proves successful, it will serve as a useful model for future projects that require large signal amplification.
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The Etch-a-Sketch project aims to create a lawn of bacteria that can be drawn on with a laser pointer. There are quite a few obstacles in building this circuit. For example, the bacteria need to be sensitive enough to respond to a short light pulse from a laser, but still “selective” to not respond to ambient lighting.
We have designed a novel genetic switch to tackle these problems. This project will serve as a vital step to any other project requiring amplification. For example, researchers creating biosensors may find our work very helpful.
A new simplified first run target. This is our general plan for the circuit. If this runs, the bacteria will express mRFP and thus respond to the selected wavelength of light.
Plasmid 1
Plasmid 1 ligation plan was completed.
This plasmid is carrying the LovTap protein which activated the circuit due to it's sensitivity to blue light (470 nm)
mRFP in this plasmid is used as a sensor and an assay for the circuit.
Plasmid 2
Plasmid 2 is carrying most of the genes involved in the forming the locking switch which enables the bacteria to become independent from the light source.
This plasmid was completed excluding the last ligation (L23)
There needs to be a double terminator which will be inserted via roundhorn mutagenesis.