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Team:St Andrews
From 2012.igem.org
Lorem-ipsum-what!?
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.
re source
University of St Andrews team for the 2012 International Genetically Engineered Machine competition
Solving the resource problems of the twenty-first century
Metal binding protein
Precious and toxic metals frequently find their way into the environment. As their names suggest this is wasteful and damaging respectively. St Andrews iGEM '12 plans to take the first steps towards solving this problem using synthetic biology.
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.
