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From 2013.igem.org

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	<h1>Stanford-Brown iGEM </h1>		<h1>Stanford-Brown iGEM </h1>
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		+	<B>BioWires -</B> We seek to utilize recent advances in nucleic acid chemistry to replace hydrogen bonds between mismatched DNA bases with cations. A kelation event has been described for mismatched pyrimidines, and we have selected a C-Ag+-C bond for silver's uniquely powerful conductivity. We will rigorously test the structural and thermodynamic properties of this bonding system. Our hope is to show that silver kelation by cytosine mismatches is able to enhance the conductivity of DNA. By engineering cytosine mismatches into synthetic oligonucleotide duplexes, we seek to establish a reliable platform for nanowire and nanodevice assembly. We will design and test various nucleic acid secondary structures, and hope to ultimately produce a DNA-based nanowire system that is conductive enough to be utilized in microchip design and other bioengineering applications.
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-	BioWires - We seek to utilize recent advances in nucleic acid chemistry to replace hydrogen bonds between mismatched DNA bases with cations. A kelation event has been described for mismatched pyrimidines, and we have selected a C-Ag+-C bond for silver's uniquely powerful conductivity. We will rigorously test the structural and thermodynamic properties of this bonding system. Our hope is to show that silver kelation by cytosine mismatches is able to enhance the conductivity of DNA. By engineering cytosine mismatches into synthetic oligonucleotide duplexes, we seek to establish a reliable platform for nanowire and nanodevice assembly. We will design and test various nucleic acid secondary structures, and hope to ultimately produce a DNA-based nanowire system that is conductive enough to be utilized in microchip design and other bioengineering applications.	+
		+	<B>Bacterial Immunity -</B> Over half of bacteria species contain a CRISPR immune system capable of sequence-specific surveillance and targeting. Recently, the CRISPR gene Cas9 was adapted to activate or repress arbitrary genes. We combine Cas9 transcriptional regulation with horizontal gene transfer for two purposes: vaccination and DNA-based communication. We adapt Cas9 as a vaccine by transferring the system into pathogenic bacteria, in which it inactivates disease-causing genes without killing the cell. Because the approach avoids strong selective pressure, we believe it will circumvent the resistance mechanisms that have rendered many antibiotics therapeutically useless. We also adapt Cas9 to read and respond to DNA messages transferred into the cell. The system functions as a switch capable of uniquely responding to millions of possible messages, exponentially more than provided by existing chemical communication systems.
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Revision as of 19:10, 9 August 2013

Stanford-Brown iGEM

Project Descriptions:

BioWires - We seek to utilize recent advances in nucleic acid chemistry to replace hydrogen bonds between mismatched DNA bases with cations. A kelation event has been described for mismatched pyrimidines, and we have selected a C-Ag+-C bond for silver's uniquely powerful conductivity. We will rigorously test the structural and thermodynamic properties of this bonding system. Our hope is to show that silver kelation by cytosine mismatches is able to enhance the conductivity of DNA. By engineering cytosine mismatches into synthetic oligonucleotide duplexes, we seek to establish a reliable platform for nanowire and nanodevice assembly. We will design and test various nucleic acid secondary structures, and hope to ultimately produce a DNA-based nanowire system that is conductive enough to be utilized in microchip design and other bioengineering applications.

Bacterial Immunity - Over half of bacteria species contain a CRISPR immune system capable of sequence-specific surveillance and targeting. Recently, the CRISPR gene Cas9 was adapted to activate or repress arbitrary genes. We combine Cas9 transcriptional regulation with horizontal gene transfer for two purposes: vaccination and DNA-based communication. We adapt Cas9 as a vaccine by transferring the system into pathogenic bacteria, in which it inactivates disease-causing genes without killing the cell. Because the approach avoids strong selective pressure, we believe it will circumvent the resistance mechanisms that have rendered many antibiotics therapeutically useless. We also adapt Cas9 to read and respond to DNA messages transferred into the cell. The system functions as a switch capable of uniquely responding to millions of possible messages, exponentially more than provided by existing chemical communication systems. I'm A Badass Caption: I can haz links, style or anything that is valid markup :)