The iGEM team at Macquarie University are aiming to introduce the genes necessary for chlorophyllproduction into E.coli. We at Macquarie are confident that we can make scientific strides in the understanding and construction of a photosynthetic bacterium.
Currently we have 2 out of 12 biobricks assembled and sequenced in our system, with work continuing on the remainder.
Production of chlorophyll in E.coli would be the first steps towards the construction of photosystem II, a fundamental aspect of organic energy production. A better understanding of photosystem II opens the door to the production of harnessing green energy.
If successful this would be the first successful production of chlorophyll within non-photosynthetic bacteria.
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