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Team:METU Turkey/index.html
From 2013.igem.org
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| - | <p id="u3292-2"><span id="u3292"> In this year, in the kill switch part of our project, we use an mRNA interferase, MazF, which cleaves mRNA’s at specific sequences. In our kill switch, we used anti-sense RNA principle as a template. According to this principle, MazF, which is constantly produced via a constitutive promoter, is got inactivated by Anti-MazF construct. In order to trigger this mechanism, we used IPTG, a harmless molecule for the bee which at the same time does not appear in the honey too. When IPTG is present in the environment, LacI is inhibited by IPTG and therefore promoter gets activated. With the activated promoter of it, Anti-MazF is produced and inactive MazF. As long as IPTG exists, MazF gets inactivated continuously; therefore, the bacteria maintain their lives. On the other hand, if bacteria exists in a IPTG-free environment, Anti-MazF producing stops, which leads to MazF producing and bacteria get killed by MazF.</span></p> | + | <p id="u3292-2"><span id="u3292">{font-size: 65%} In this year, in the kill switch part of our project, we use an mRNA interferase, MazF, which cleaves mRNA’s at specific sequences. In our kill switch, we used anti-sense RNA principle as a template. According to this principle, MazF, which is constantly produced via a constitutive promoter, is got inactivated by Anti-MazF construct. In order to trigger this mechanism, we used IPTG, a harmless molecule for the bee which at the same time does not appear in the honey too. When IPTG is present in the environment, LacI is inhibited by IPTG and therefore promoter gets activated. With the activated promoter of it, Anti-MazF is produced and inactive MazF. As long as IPTG exists, MazF gets inactivated continuously; therefore, the bacteria maintain their lives. On the other hand, if bacteria exists in a IPTG-free environment, Anti-MazF producing stops, which leads to MazF producing and bacteria get killed by MazF.</span></p> |
<p id="u3292-4">In this circuit, we used the parts K143053 as a constitutive promoter and SpoVG RBS due to their more efficient works in Bacillus subtilis. Besides these two, we used the part I732820 to produce LacI, but we had to change the RBS of this system since RBSelowitz is less effective in Bacillus then RBSspoVG. With this change in the activity of the RBS, we can compete with the production of MazF.</p> | <p id="u3292-4">In this circuit, we used the parts K143053 as a constitutive promoter and SpoVG RBS due to their more efficient works in Bacillus subtilis. Besides these two, we used the part I732820 to produce LacI, but we had to change the RBS of this system since RBSelowitz is less effective in Bacillus then RBSspoVG. With this change in the activity of the RBS, we can compete with the production of MazF.</p> | ||
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Revision as of 01:25, 5 October 2013
As a well-known fact, bees take the major part in pollination, which leads to give fruit, while preparing honey. During the last few decades, some powerful insecticides like imidacloprid were developed to fight with harmful insects; however, the ability to kill almost all insects started to affect other insects, which they must not have affected from the beginning.
This was the start point of our project. We, as a group formed by mostly biological sciences students, knew that no ecological system can maintain without bees. When we looked into the source of the problem, it was clearly revealed that we couldn’t stop usage of imidacloprid. Then, we came up with an idea to protect bees against existing imidacloprid. Having known that drosophila has some sort of immunity to this insecticide, we planned to use it.
To protect the bees against living microorganisms that are dangerous for the bees is our aim. We made a research and we realized that bees recently suffer from insufficient feed.
Since beekeepers prefer to feed the bees with high-fructose corn syrup or sucrose because of the low prices, bees started to suffer from insufficient nutrition. Bees lost their ability of fighting against the pathogens, parasites and pesticides and this situation creates a major problem, colony losses. P-coumaric acid is the most important substance as one of these nutritions.
P-coumaric acid, a monomer of sporopollenin, is the essential substance for the bees’ diet.
{font-size: 65%} In this year, in the kill switch part of our project, we use an mRNA interferase, MazF, which cleaves mRNA’s at specific sequences. In our kill switch, we used anti-sense RNA principle as a template. According to this principle, MazF, which is constantly produced via a constitutive promoter, is got inactivated by Anti-MazF construct. In order to trigger this mechanism, we used IPTG, a harmless molecule for the bee which at the same time does not appear in the honey too. When IPTG is present in the environment, LacI is inhibited by IPTG and therefore promoter gets activated. With the activated promoter of it, Anti-MazF is produced and inactive MazF. As long as IPTG exists, MazF gets inactivated continuously; therefore, the bacteria maintain their lives. On the other hand, if bacteria exists in a IPTG-free environment, Anti-MazF producing stops, which leads to MazF producing and bacteria get killed by MazF.
In this circuit, we used the parts K143053 as a constitutive promoter and SpoVG RBS due to their more efficient works in Bacillus subtilis. Besides these two, we used the part I732820 to produce LacI, but we had to change the RBS of this system since RBSelowitz is less effective in Bacillus then RBSspoVG. With this change in the activity of the RBS, we can compete with the production of MazF.
Imidacloprid Immunity
Immune System Boost
Kill Switch
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First meeting of METU iGEM '13 team
It was a snowy day when we fell in love with iGEM.
The aseptic conditions are satisfied.
Researching for our project.
Optimizations for lab work
Collaboration with ITU iGEM team @ Istanbul
Collaboration with ITU iGEM team @ Istanbul
Seminar about synthetic biology given by us to METU College students
Hanging out with Baskent Uni iGEM team
Modelling team is working, not playing LoL.
Participating in Treasure Hunt '13 in METU
Modelling team saying goodbye to our captain, Buse Reis, who kept in touch with us in Cambridge.
Strengthening our bonds by group activities
The collaboration of all iGEM teams in Turkey. We presented our projects to each other and our advisors to improve them and to get feedback.
Making an introduction to lab works for ITU MOBGAM team
Making an introduction to lab works for ITU MOBGAM team
#direnplate
One of our meetings with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mesut MUYAN
Collaboration and education with mechanical engineers of METU
Ancient autoclave found in METU Biological Sciences building
Planning the circuits
Hosting future iGEMers from Güven Eğitim & Sağlık Vakfı in METU
Young iGEMers appreciating science
Our captain after doing hard laboratory work :D
SCIENCE B*TCH
Enjoying our bee cookies aseptically in lab
Thanks to Nihal'in Elinden for cookies
Enjoying our bee cookies not so very aseptically in lab
Falcon quality control :p
Modelling team at work
Raising awareness about synthetic biology in METU
Brainstorming for the project
SynBio Party poster
SynBio Party cocktails
SynBio Party people having fun
SynBio Party
SynBio Party 300 -500
SynBio Party
SynBio Party :D
SynBio Party which made us some funds
Synthetic Biology Day Crew
Our beloved participants in Synthetic Biology day
Synthetic Biology Day Crew and Participants
iGEM Stand in METU
iGEM stand in METU
Keep Calm and Follow Us
Hülooooğğğğ
Safety first :D
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