Team:Penn/Achievements
From 2013.igem.org
Achievements
- Validated a novel methylation assay, MaGellin, to accelerate development of epigenetic engineering tools.
- Designed and characterized a functional fusion protein to facilitate epigenetic engineering. De-noised the complex TAL-effector system, with implications for other genome engineering applications.
- Built a complementary MaGellin software package to automate experimental analysis. Uniquely, it can interpret methylation-sensitive DNA digestion and then interpret gel electrophoresis images. It is being developed for use by the DIYBio community.
- Created a specification sheet for the MaGellin Assay workflow, to facilitate quick development of site-specific methylases.
- BioBrick'ed our MaGellin plasmid so other iGEM teams can build off our work
- BioBrick'ed the M.sssI methylase and the M.sssI methylase with the linker we used for other teams working with methylases.
- Wrote an article on the ethical implications of epigenetic interventions, accepted for publication in the "nation's premier peer-reviewed undergraduate bioethics journal".
- Developed an open-source Laboratory Information Management System to help teams keep their labs organized.
- Promoted iGEM, synthetic biology, and our research at numerous outreach events to inspire future scientists
- Featured in an interview.
- North American regional Grand Prize winners and winners of Best BioBrick Measurement Approach award for our gel-electrophoresis assay.
- Invited to tour and speak with epigenetics experts at New England Biolabs about our assay and project.
- Published on the Mack Institute for Innovation Management website for our regional success.
- Featured interviews in the Philadelphia Inquirer.