iGEM Evry 2013 achievements

Here we detail how we fulfilled each of the iGEM medal requirements.

Gold Medal (requires any one of the following goals)

• We improved the function of an existing BioBrick Part or Device. First, we re-characterize the LacO-RFP BioBrick BBa_J04450 (Biology Results Section) and improve it by integrating it with an aceB-LacI iron sensor (Biobrick BBa_K1163102). Together, these Biobricks create a Fur Inverter (see Biology Results Section) that activates gene expression in response to iron.
• We collaborated with some iGEM teams: we participated to Purdue and UGent online survey and had a nice workshop with Paris-Saclay team.
  We are also setting up a scientific collaboration with the Edimburgh iGEM team that is working on and environmental sensor using the Fur System.
• As our project involves treating a human genetic disorder using genetically-engineered bacteria, it has numerous implications for human health, safety and security, and ethics. To enable safe delivery of therapeutic bacteria to the human intestine, we designed and constructed a polymer-based capsule. We also explored safety and ethics consequences of our project as the Human Practices studies:
  1. We discussed the medical feasibility and implications of this treatment in a series of interviews and discussions with renowned experts on iron overload diseases.
  2. We carefully analyzed the safety issues and potential consequences of our bacteria using consequence-based decision tree.
  3. We organized and hosted a scientific conference on iron overload disorders and perceptions of our our project on 18 September 2013. This conference was attended by both medical experts and iron disorder patients.
  4. We prepared and disseminated a patient perception survey about how our treatment could potentially help hemochromatosis patients. We received and analyzed the results from over 250 patients who responded to our survey.
  5. We wrote an extensive report on our conclusions about synthetic biology , which is the fruit of our many discussions over the summer.

Silver Medal (requires each of the four following goals)

• We experimentally validated that the aceB-sfGFP biobrick acts as an iron-reponsive biosensor (see Fig 3 of Biology Results Section).
• We document the characterization of our aceB-sfGFP and other BioBricks in "Main Page" section of the Parts Registry.
• We submitted the following BioBricks parts to the iGEM Parts Registry. The 4 sGFP constructs function as iron sensors and the lacI constructs are used to build a Fur-based genetic inverter that activates gene expression in response to iron. These 8 Biobricks have been received and accepted by the Registry of Standard Biological Parts.
  • BBa_K1163102: AceB-sfGFP characterization
  • BBa_K1163103: AceB-lacI characterization
  • BBa_K1163105: FepA-sfGFP characterization
  • BBa_K1163106: FepA-lacI characterization
  • BBa_K1163108: Fes-sfGFP characterization
  • BBa_K1163109: Fes-lacI characterization
  • BBa_K1163111: YncE-sfGFP characterization
  • BBa_K1163112: YncE-LacI characterization
• We describe how our project has implications for safety and ethics

Bronze Medal (requires each of the five following goals)

• We registered our team for iGEM 2013 and are attending the European Regional Jamboree.
• We completed and submitted the Judging form.
• We made a comprehensive and accessible iGEM Evry 2013 Wiki to convey our educational and scientific advances.
• We will present a poster and give an oral presentation at the iGEM European Jamboree in Lyon, France.
• We document 22 BioBricks used in our project and submit 8 news BioBricks to the Parts Registry (see 8 submitted Biobricks in Silver Medal Requirements).