Team:St Andrews

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We're still working here, so things may change under your feet. Do feel free to browse though!
We're in week 9 / 10 of the iGEM project! The end is nigh! :D

The site will be all ready and presentable by autumn.

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University of St Andrews team for the 2012 International Genetically Engineered Machine competition

Solving the resource problems of the twenty-first century

University of St Andrews coat of arms

Metal binding protein

Precious metals are costly and the effects of mining are frequently undesirable. At the same time platinum, from catalysts within our cars, literally crumbles away onto our road surfaces. The iGEM Team St Andrews are among the first to advance into the shaft of de novo research that is metal capture technology. Producing platinum-binding proteins in E. coli will provide a framework which can be modified to produce an extracellular membrane-bound binding site.

ω−3 Fatty acids synthesis

ω-3 Fatty acids are an essential component of our diet and are para-mount to maintaining human health. Our team is recreating this synthetic pathway in E. coli, using genes from the cyanobacteria Synechocystis and the trypanosomatid Leishmania major. Combining the DNA code for elongase and desaturase enzymes, we can convert the plain fatty acid of E. coli into highly valuable ω-3 fatty acids.

Scientific impact of iGEM

We investigate the relationship between the iGEM competition and the rest of the scientific community. Is iGEM really having scientific impact? How often, how fairly and by whom are iGEM teams cited?

Modelling ω−3 depletion

We investigate the global effects of industrial omega-3 production from alternative sources using mathematical models. How quickly must this production be instated to preserve marine wildlife diversity? What happens if this is not done?


Sponsors

iGEM

The International Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) is the premiere undergraduate Synthetic Biology competition. Student teams are given a kit of biological parts at the beginning of the summer from the Registry of Standard Biological Parts. Working at their own schools over the summer, they use these parts and new parts of their own design to build biological systems and operate them in living cells. This project design and competition format is an exceptionally motivating and effective teaching method.

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University of St Andrews, 2012.

Contact us: igem2012@st-andrews.ac.uk, Twitter, Facebook

This iGEM team has been funded by the MSD Scottish Life Sciences Fund. The opinions expressed by this iGEM team are those of the team members and do not necessarily represent those of Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited, nor its Affiliates.