BioBricks

Module 1: Plastic Detection

Figure 1: The figure above shows our genetic circuit for the Detection Module. The Constitutive Promoter (BBa_J23119) drives constant expression of the NahR protein BBa_K228004 (modified - see below). NahR is a transcriptional activator, which is activated in response to salicylate molecules. Our proxy for plastic - Persistant Organic Pollutants - have a salicylate-like domain, and are therefore capable of activating NahR. Activated NahR binds the p(sal) promoter (Figure 2) thus activating the circuit for Module 2 (Aggregation).

Modified BBa_K228004: The BBa_K228004 BioBrick must be modified as it combines both the NahR protein and the p(sal) promoter. We wish to seperate these.

Please see our Detection Description Subpage for more details on this Module.

Module 2: Aggregation

Figure 2: The Figure above illustrates our circuit for Module 2 (Aggregation). The p(sal) Promoter BBa_K228004 (modified - see below) which triggers the Aggregation circuit is turned on when bound by activated NahR protein from Module 1. Once the p(sal) promoter is activated, it drives expression of the Curli Cluster of genes (BBa_K540000). The individuals genes of the cluster are shown radiating from BBa_K540000.

Modified BBa_K228004: The BBa_K228004 BioBrick must be modified as it combines both the NahR protein and the p(sal) promoter. We wish to seperate these.

For more information on how this circuit is triggered, and the individual roles of the Curli genes, please visit our Aggregation Description Subpage

Module: Plastic Degradation

BBa_K729002 Laccase for Polyethylene Degradation Laccase for the degradation of polyethylene and organic pollutants.

Module: Buoyancy

BBa_K729000 Temperature regulated Gas Vesicle Polycistronic gene cluster composite This composite consists of the gas vesicle polycistronic gene regulated by heat shock promoter BBa_K338001, repressor tetR and corresponding promoter P(TetR), such that a reduction in temperature induces greater expression of the gvp gene cluster. Activation of Heat Shock Promoter, triggers expression of the repressor protein tetR, which binds and repressors the promoter p(TetR). p(TetR) is the promoter driving constitutive gas vesicle formation, and so activation of the repressor system down regulates gas vesicle formation.

Module: Salt Tolerance

BBa_K729001 irrE form Deinococcus radiodurans confers salinity and osmotic stress tolerance irrE confers salt tolerance in E. coli. Sequence pending

Module: Containment

BBa_K729010, BBa_K729009 Three fold active biological containment System