Team:NYU Gallatin/Project/Socializing

From 2012.igem.org

(Difference between revisions)
m
m
Line 171: Line 171:
<li>Results are 95 percent confidence +/- 7.5 percent. </li>
<li>Results are 95 percent confidence +/- 7.5 percent. </li>
<li>Further research needed to examine the mechanism affecting approval.  We believe perceived risk versus reward and emotions of disgust and fear are likely drivers.  </li>
<li>Further research needed to examine the mechanism affecting approval.  We believe perceived risk versus reward and emotions of disgust and fear are likely drivers.  </li>
-
</ul></div></div></div>  </div>
+
</ul><h1>The Shop</h1>
 +
<p>To showcase the wonder and power of genetically modified products to the public, we setup a one-day-only popup shop in Brooklyn, NY on the day of the biggest street fair in New York City -- The Atlantic Antic!  With tons of street traffic and several film crews documenting the day and interviewing visitors, the store was a huge success.  Check out some of the "products" we were selling that day.</p>
 +
<h2>GMO based consumer products: Present and Future</h2>
 +
<h3>Living Watch</h3>
 +
<p><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8172/8052323830_97938ac8b7_n.jpg" class="border" />   <img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8321/8052326135_e8fa43ac12_n.jpg" /></p>
 +
<p>This biologically based oscillator is attuned not only to lunar and solar cycles, but to biological circadian rhythms as well. Housed in an organic scaffold and bezel setting, the time is digitally indicated by truly organic light emitting diodes; cells that have been genetically modified to bio-luminesce in response to oscillating genetic circuits. With a housing and strap made from laboratory grown keratinocytes and chondrocytes (a.k.a. Victimless Leather), it ensures complete biodegradability when time runs out. </p>
 +
<p><i>Availability: Near Future</i></p>
 +
<h3>BioCrete</h3>
 +
<p><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8042/8052317291_0bf8cd8cc3_n.jpg" class="border" />   <img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8320/8052332604_63b1440577_n.jpg" class="border" /></p>
 +
<p>Did you know that the production of cement is a very energy intensive process and is a source of 5% of industrial CO2 emissions?  Build your foundation instead using BioCrete. A genetically engineered strain of a naturally occurring bacterium, Sporosarcina pasteurii, has been designed to secrete both calcium carbonate and spider silk proteins to generate a very durable cement to produce concrete with optimum tensile strength. The strain has also been engineered to be salt tolerant and photosynthetic. Mix with some soil and water, add the freez-dried bacteria, expose to moderate sunlight and grow your dream house!</p>
 +
<p><i>Availability: Near to Far Future</i></p>
 +
<h3>Microbial Fuel Cell / Engineered ProBiotics</h3>
 +
<p>Always feel as if you’re flushing money down the drain? With the Microbial Fuel Cell, you can generate enough power to light up your home. Attaches easily to existing waste water pipes and harnesses bacteria to generate a steady and reliable output of “Bac-tricity.” Naturally occurring E. coli colonize high-surface area carbon nanotube anodes and contribute electrons from their membrane surface. With our genetically modified probiotic supplement, you can “turbo-charge” your gut microbes with probiotic strains over-expressing proteins that optimize the external transfer of electrons. These will yield up to 10 times the current flow as natural strains, ensuring that your roll-on OLED display and Xbox Holodeck doesn’t run out of power. Don’t forget to ask your pharmacist about the “Do Your Duty” Federal Tax Credit available upon purchase.<br />
 +
Availability: Far Future</p>
 +
<h3>MicroAlgae BioDiesel</h3>
 +
<p><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/8052312163_c33467fdc5_z.jpg" class="border" /></p>
 +
<p>Everyone is going green these days, including the U.S. Navy! The grown photosynthetic algae harvests CO2 directly from the atmosphere and uses sunlight to biosynthesize energy packed hydrocarbons. Since the CO2 that is subsequently released from the burning of this fuel has been taken up from the atmosphere, the result is a net carbon-neutral load on the environment. New strains are being genetically engineered to produce higher yields of hydrocarbons which can be used to power everything from F-18 Hornets to the family sedan. </p>
 +
<p><i>Availability: Near Future</i></p>
 +
<h3>Enzyme based Cleaners</h3>
 +
<p>The addition of genetically modified enzymes that degrade proteins (proteases), carbohydrates (amylases) and greases (lipases) to cleaning compounds such as detergents, surface cleaners, contact lens solutions, etc. ensures the speedy removal of accumulated dirt. In addition, enzymes function at lower temperatures, thereby reducing the need for hot water during cleaning. A sample, by no means complete, of some products that contain enzymes for cleaning purposes is on display here.</p>
 +
<p><i>Availability: Now</i></p>
 +
<h3>GloFish: Genetically Modified Pets</h3>
 +
<p>Originally engineered at the National University of Singapore to act as a biosensor to detect pollutants in rivers, these genetically modified zebra fish have proven to be a hit at pet stores nationwide. </p>
 +
<p>From <a href="http://www.glofish.com:">www.glofish.com:</a><br />
 +
“GloFish® are brilliantly wonderful fish that add color and excitement to any aquarium, whether at home or the office, or in classrooms. GloFish are similar to other fish, except they have a much brighter disposition. GloFish fluorescent fish are available for purchase in five stunningly beautiful colors: Starfire Red®, Electric Green®, Sunburst Orange®, Cosmic Blue® and Galactic Purple®. Each new GloFish fluorescent fish inherits its unique color directly from its parents, maintains the color throughout its life, and passes the color along to its offspring.”</p>
 +
<p><i>Availability: Now</i></p>
 +
<h3>The Harvard iGARDEN</h3>
 +
<p><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8314/8052349869_e465b14405_z.jpg" class="border" /></p>
 +
<p>Designed as an “open source tool-kit for plant engineering”, the iGARDEN kit was created by Harvard University students during the 2010 International Genetic Engineering competition.<br />
 +
From the Harvard Team IGEM 2010 website:<br />
 +
“The Harvard iGarden is a venture into plant engineering. Our aim is to create a toolkit for the cultivation of a personalized garden containing features introduced through synthetic biology. In addition to a "genetic fence" designed to prevent the spread of introduced genetic material, we have developed three independent features to be included in this toolkit - inclusion of novel flavors, knockdown of plant allergens, and modification of petal color. We envision the iGarden as a medium through which the non-scientist can see the power and potential of synthetic biology and apply it to everyday life.”</p>
 +
<p><i>Availability: Near Future</i></p>
 +
<h3>Gen2Seat (Generation 2, Seat)</h3>
 +
<p><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/8052319709_4ccaecde9b_z.jpg" class="border" /></p>
 +
<p>Furniture that is grown using biopolymers derived from genetically modified Acetobacter strains, isolated from Kombucha, that secrete chitin, a durable material also found in insect exoskeletons. What will they think of next! Draped over an interior cushioning derived from fungal mycelia, this chair is light, sturdy and eventually compostable. This consumer item is designed to be produced using a minimum of energy expenditure and is currently being developed by the NYU-Gallatin IGEM team, along with members of Terreform One and Genspace.</p>
 +
<p><i>Availability: Very Near Future</i></p>
 +
<h3>BioProgrammable Paint</h3>
 +
<p><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8320/8052327397_0d13a808e1_z.jpg" class="border" /></p>
 +
<p>Not sure what color to paint your walls? Decide later with programmable paint! Contains micro-encapsulated strains of genetically engineered B. subtilis bacteria. Each bacterium contains a series of genes cloned from various plant biosynthetic pathways that synthesize pigment molecules, such as red lycopene found in tomatoes and orange beta-carotene found in carrots. When freshly applied, the oxygen activated microbes get to work, producing a slowly changing spectrum of synchronized color on applied surfaces for up to a week, with previous pigments being degraded. When your favorite color comes into view, simply wave the enclosed UV emitting wand in the direction of the surface to disable the bacteria and lock in the color. Improved varieties of programmable paint are being worked on that will also absorb allergens and toxins such as carbon monoxide and mold spores.</p>
 +
<p><i>Availability: Far Future</i></p>
 +
<h3>Genetically Modified Foods</h3>
 +
<p>Currently at the center of various controversies, genetically modified crops come in a range of varieties. Crops that have been developed today include varieties of maize, soy and alfalfa, that express genes from the naturally occurring soil bacterium B. thuringiensis. The expressed protein is fatal to insect larvae when they ingest the crops. Most current crops are engineered to be either pest or herbicide resistant. Future varieties of food crop plants are being engineered to have enhanced production of nutrients. Golden rice varieties have been engineered that produce beta-carotene (Viatmin A). Currently 80% of papayas grown in Hawaii are derived from a variety that has been genetically engineered to contain a gene making it resistant to papaya ringspot virus, a natural pest of the papaya plant.</p>
 +
<p><i>Availability: Now</i></p>
 +
<h3>Detergent enzymes</h3>
 +
<p>Taken From Novozymes.com:<br />
 +
Enzymes have been used in detergents since the 1960s. The use of enzymes in laundry and automatic dish washing detergents provides consumers with well proven benefits - both in the washing process itself and in terms of the wider environment.<br />
 +
Enzymes can reduce the environmental load of detergent products since they:<br />
 +
• Save energy and CO2 emissions by enabling lower wash temperatures while maintaining washing performance<br />
 +
• Partly replace other chemicals in detergents, such as surfactants<br />
 +
• Enable compactation, reducing packaging and transportation costs<br />
 +
• Are biodegradable, leaving no harmful residues<br />
 +
• Have no negative environmental impact on sewage treatment processes<br />
 +
• Do not present a risk to aquatic life<br />
 +
Laundry washing is one of the activities that consume the most energy in an ordinary household. By washing at 30 rather than 60 or 40 degrees, the CO2 savings potential in Europe and the US is around 32 million tons – equivalent to the emission of 8 million cars.</p>
 +
<p>Position on detergent enzymes<br />
 +
The use of enzymes in detergents provides consumers with well proven benefits. Detergent enzymes present no risk to consumers, nor to employees in detergent production, provided a few simple precautionary measurements are followed in order to avoid the generation of airborne enzyme dust or aerosol.</p>
 +
<p>No health risk<br />
 +
At Novozymes only well-known and safe microorganisms is used for enzyme production. Novozymes applies genetic engineering to benefit optimally from the company’s production plants and raw materials - to the clear benefit of the environment.</p>
 +
<p>During the production process the enzyme products are recovered from the genetically modified organisms (GMO) and purified. Therefore there are no GMOs present neither in Novozymes' enzyme products. Moreover, Novozymes' production activities are approved and closely regulated and monitored by the Danish environmental authorities.</p>
 +
<p>Encapsulated or liquid enzymes can be handled conveniently and safely.</p>
 +
<p>Modern biotechnology and detergent enzymes<br />
 +
Man's use of enzyme reactions dates back to antiquity. The making of cheese, vinegar and wine, the leavening of bread, and the brewing of beer are all enzymatic processes which have their origins in prehistory.</p>
 +
<p>In the past few decades the industry has increased its use of enzymes, and enzymes are now widely used in many different industries. As they can often replace harsh chemicals and help save on water, energy and raw materials, they have a positive impact on the environment.</p>
 +
<p>Enzymes are widely used in the detergent industry where they provide clear cleaning performance benefits in laundry and dish washing detergent products. Enzyme properties may also be improved by the use of protein engineering technique whereby specific amino acid substitutions in the enzyme are coded for in the enzyme gene.</p>
 +
<p>Examples are the surfactant replacing enzyme Lipoclean, the improved cold washing efficiency of Polarzyme, and the bleach-resistant starch degrading enzyme Duramyl.</p>
 +
<p><a href="http://www.root-cn.com/Laundry-Ball-Knowledge/Laundry%20Detergent%20%20How%20Enzymes%20are%20Changing%20Your%20Wash_663.Html">http://www.root-cn.com/Laundry-Ball-Knowledge/Laundry%20Detergent%20%20H...</a></p>
 +
</div></div></div>  </div>
    
    

Revision as of 02:05, 4 October 2012