Team:Heidelberg LSL/Project Summary

• Home
• Team
  • Overview
  • Participants
  • Advisors
  • Scientific Environment
  • Gallery
  • Acknowledgements
• Project
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Sensor Construction
  • Measurements
  • Human Practice
  • Summary & Outlook
  • References
• Parts
• Notebook
  • Notebook-Timeline
  • Materials
  • Methods
  • Safety
• Online Store
• Sponsors

Summary & Outlook

Summery

Outlook

In the past few month the project was brought up to a great level. We have constructed different BioBricks which were sent to the partsregistry, tested our parts and designed a jewelry collection. But furthermore we have found difficulties that should be optimised in the future. We have worked with enthusiasm on the bacteria tool kit which can detect UV-radiation and have made a lot of progress, therefore we want to continue working on it.
In the future we want to create a clearer characterisation of different members of the same gene family as recA. So Our assumption is that different rec genes are activated based on a certain characteristic extension of DNA damage dependent on UV radiation. By linking these genes together we want to generate a more gradual UV response for the detection of qualitative UV-intensity. At UV intensities different genes are activated and a color gradient appears. This gradient will be used to determine the exact amount of radiation. This is important to give the bacteria tool kit the properties of a dosimeter. We started testing recB and recC, they already gave us a positive result, so that our assumption was right. Now we have to analyse the data to find their most effective use.
For the production of the jewelry, which shall be once a common product for the public, we need to simplify this system. Only the rec gene is needed that gives us the best adaptation to the human body. The bacterial suspension shall turn blue, when it is irradiated by too much sunlight, that is dangerous for the human. That is a really easy way to recognize UV-radiation, which does not need any further background in synthetic biology. At the moment our bacteria turn blue after 10 min exposure. But the human body can resist to much more UV-light without getting DNA-damage. We have to find a rec gene that show the most similarities with the human body.
Some more problems that came out while working on the constructs. At the moment we have to add X-Gal after the exposure to UV, because UV-radiation may degrade X-Gal. But when producing locked vial, X-Gal cannot added additional. Therefore we have to find by researching different ways to deal with X-Gal. Furthermore we have to take account of the use of suncream in connection with our iGEMs, because suncream delays the effect of UV-light. We are optimistic that we can find solutions to all problems and develop our project to a industrial standard.
Our project comprises a novel idea and opens up new perspectives, especially in Human Practices. The integration of the bacteria into jewelry represents a completely new and consumer-friendly solution to give the public an understanding of synthetic biology. We found an easy way for everyone to protect themselves from sunburn. The method to use dosimeters is old-fashioned, complicated and expensive. Lying on the beach, nobody uses dosimeters because they are too big and uncomfortable. Not only do our fancy iGEMS warn people of too intense UV-radiation but also are trendy accessories! People who wear our iGEMS are aware of the invisible danger and encourage other people to follow this upcoming trend.
In cooperation with the biotechnological companies and the jewelry industry we could develop a new branch of sustainable applications for biological systems.

Achievements

Three different UV-Sensor parts constructed and submitted to the registry
All parts were characterized carefully and show a UV-dose-dependent color-production
Outdoor-Test shows our parts to be working in a real application context
Human Practices - consumer product development for raising the public awareness of the “invisible danger” and presenting our project in an easy-to-understand way
Finally, we learned a lot about synthetic biology, laboratory methods and had a great time working together on our project, and are now looking forward to meeting the other teams at the iGEM HS Jamboree!