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Results Page

Degradation

First, vectors that can stably replicate in Z. mobilis were constructed. Using the techniques Gibson assembly and homologous recombination in yeast, new vectors called pMQ95+tet and pMQ97+tet were constructed from replacing the original gene resistances on pMQ95 and pMQ97 with tetracycline and transformed into E. coli colonies. The next step was to identify and obtain the genes that code for the degradation enzymes of allose. It was found that one of the standard laboratory strains of E. coli had the genes for allose degradation enzymes, which are collectively called alsBACEK. This collection of genes was amplified out of the E. coli genome and used to construct new expression plasmids by joining the vectors and alsBACEK. Finally, the plasmid was transferred into Z. mobilis using 4 parent conjugation.

The liquid minimal media cultures were plated on LB after two weeks, and significant growth was observed, indicating that growth had taken place in the minimal media cultures. To further isolate these organisms, each culture was then plated on solid minimal media with the carbon source added, and growth was again observed. As a control, the cultures were also plated on solid minimal media without the carbon source and failed to grow, indicating that they are not using agar as a carbon source.

The 16S sequences of these organisms were amplified via PCR and sequenced, and compared with NCBI’s nucleotide database. The lignin-degrading cultures were identified to be Sphingobacterium multivorum, and the polystyrene-degrading cultures were identified to be Raoultella terrigena.

Biofuel

Proteorhodopsin

We conducted an ATP assay on our proteorhodopsin strain to determine if it effectively produced a proton gradient to generate more ATP. Unfortunately our results were inconclusive. In this experiment, we expected to see increased ATP generation when the promoter was induced and light was available for the proteorhodopsin pump. We used cyanide (CN) to inhibit the electron transport chain, and covered tubes in foil to imitate darkness. A 60 Watt incandescent light bulb was used for excitation. aTc was used to bind to the R0040's tetR repressor. Luminescence correlates to ATP concentration.

In the J123106 strain, we saw an unexpected slight increase in luminescence when there was no light source, meaning the proteorhodopsin did not yield increased ATP. The cells treated with CN did not produce markedly higher levels of ATP, suggesting that a 1 mM concentration of cyanide may have been insufficient in shutting down the electron transport chain.

When we sequenced the proteorhodopsin strain, we found that we had the sequence we expected. However, there are many reasons that our proteorhodopsin did not behave as we expected in the characterization assay. Missing from our part is the ribosome binding site; this could cause lack of expression of the gene. Another issue may be our protocol for reading luminescence. We plan to add a ribosome binding site and research our plate reader protocol for further characterization of the part.

Bacterial Animation

For the results of the bacterial animation project, we have successfully created two constructs that we have submitted to the Parts Registry as BioBricks: mCherry-LVA in pSB1C3 and mCherry-AAV in pSB1C3. We ran a RFP assay on our two parts and found that _______. We are still in the progress of making the bacterial animation system. On the side, we also had an exhibit at Cal Arts on bacterial plate art and had students draw on and make their own plate art.