Team:DTU-Denmark/Experiment2

From 2013.igem.org

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{{:Team:DTU-Denmark/Templates/StartPage|Characterize anaerobic production of N<sub>2</sub>O in ''E. coli''}}
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{{:Team:DTU-Denmark/Templates/StartPage|Anaerobic production of nitrous oxide from nitrite}}
__TOC__
__TOC__
== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
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In this anaerobic experiment we add nitrite  (NO<sub>2</sub><sup>-</sup> ) in a series of spikes to an untransformed strain of ''E. coli'' and to an untransformed strain of ''P. aeruginosa'', and to a strain of ''E. coli'' transformed with the Nir gene from ''P. aeruginosa'' in order to characterize how readily nitrite is converted to nitric oxide (NO), and subsequently to nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O). We also monitor nitrite, ammonia and nitrate concentrations before each spike.  The concentrations of both gasses are measured continually, and the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate concentrations are measured at a series of time points around the spike.   
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In this anaerobic experiment we add nitrite  (NO<sub>2</sub><sup>-</sup> ) in a series of spikes to:
 +
* an untransformed strain of ''E. coli''
 +
* an untransformed strain of ''P. aeruginosa''
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* Mutant 2: a strain of ''E. coli'' transformed with the Nir gene from ''P. aeruginosa''  
 +
in order to characterize how readily nitrite is converted to nitric oxide (NO), and subsequently to nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O). We also monitor nitrite, ammonia and nitrate concentrations before each spike.  The concentrations of nitrous oxide is measured continually and the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate concentrations are measured at a series of time points around the spike.  For some experiments, we have data for the concentration of nitric oxide as well, however, the sensor frequently gave unreliable results and was replaced during the summer.  While we were waiting for the new one to arrive, we were not able to take NO measurements.
==Methods==
==Methods==
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For the calibration of the electrodes we follow the [[Team:DTU-Denmark/Methods/Calibrating_Electrodes#Calibration_of_NO_and_N2O_electrodes.2Fprobes|Calibration protocol]]
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For the calibration of the N<sub>2</sub>O and NO electrodes we follow the [[Team:DTU-Denmark/Methods/Calibrating_Electrodes#Calibration_of_NO_and_N2O_electrodes.2Fprobes|calibration protocol]].
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The procedure is based on [[Team:DTU-Denmark/Methods/Determining_concentration_of_nitrogen_compounds/Experiment_2|Experiment 2]]
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The experimental procedure follows [[Team:DTU-Denmark/Methods/Determining_concentration_of_nitrogen_compounds/Experiment_2|Protocol for Experiment 2]].
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== Results ==
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== Results and Discussion ==
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In the following diagrams, vertical lines indicate the time at which we spiked with nitrite.   
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In the following diagrams, the y-axis shows mg of Nitrogen (as nitrite, nitrous oxide or other N-source) per litre vs time.  Vertical lines indicate the time at which we spiked with nitrite.  All experiments were performed anaerobically.
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=== Untransformed ''E. coli'' -- Round 1 ===
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=== Control: Untransformed ''E. coli'' -- Round 1 ===
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It appears that we observed a response from the cells after the third spike.  However, this could also be due to fluctuations in the sensor. 
[[File:DTU-Experiment-2-results.png|600px]]
[[File:DTU-Experiment-2-results.png|600px]]
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Mg of Nitrogen (as nitrite or nitrous oxide) per litre measured for varying concentrations of Nitrite added at t=0.  All experiments were performed anaerobically.
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=== Control: Untransformed ''E. coli'' -- Round 2 ===
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=== Untransformed ''E. coli'' -- Round 2 ===
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We repeated the experiment to try to reproduce the response that we saw in round 1.  We were not able to see a response. 
[[File:Dtu Experiment 2 round 2 --sample A.png|600px]]
[[File:Dtu Experiment 2 round 2 --sample A.png|600px]]
[[File:Dtu Experiment 2 round 2 -- sample B.png|600px]]
[[File:Dtu Experiment 2 round 2 -- sample B.png|600px]]
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=== Untransformed ''P. aeruginosa'' ===
=== Untransformed ''P. aeruginosa'' ===
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We also did not see a response for the P. aeruginosa, which we would expect. 
[[File:Dtu pseudo exp.png|600px]]
[[File:Dtu pseudo exp.png|600px]]
=== Nir Transformed ''E. coli'' ===
=== Nir Transformed ''E. coli'' ===
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Finally, we measured both N<sub>2</sub>O and NO, but did not see an increase in N<sub>2</sub>O.  The NO sensor did not stabilize over the course of the experiment, and these results are not realistic. 
[[File:Dtu-nir.png|600px]]
[[File:Dtu-nir.png|600px]]

Revision as of 13:31, 29 September 2013

Anaerobic production of nitrous oxide from nitrite

Contents

Introduction

In this anaerobic experiment we add nitrite (NO2- ) in a series of spikes to:

  • an untransformed strain of E. coli
  • an untransformed strain of P. aeruginosa
  • Mutant 2: a strain of E. coli transformed with the Nir gene from P. aeruginosa

in order to characterize how readily nitrite is converted to nitric oxide (NO), and subsequently to nitrous oxide (N2O). We also monitor nitrite, ammonia and nitrate concentrations before each spike. The concentrations of nitrous oxide is measured continually and the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate concentrations are measured at a series of time points around the spike. For some experiments, we have data for the concentration of nitric oxide as well, however, the sensor frequently gave unreliable results and was replaced during the summer. While we were waiting for the new one to arrive, we were not able to take NO measurements.

Methods

For the calibration of the N2O and NO electrodes we follow the calibration protocol.

The experimental procedure follows Protocol for Experiment 2.

Results and Discussion

In the following diagrams, the y-axis shows mg of Nitrogen (as nitrite, nitrous oxide or other N-source) per litre vs time. Vertical lines indicate the time at which we spiked with nitrite. All experiments were performed anaerobically.

Control: Untransformed E. coli -- Round 1

It appears that we observed a response from the cells after the third spike. However, this could also be due to fluctuations in the sensor. DTU-Experiment-2-results.png

Control: Untransformed E. coli -- Round 2

We repeated the experiment to try to reproduce the response that we saw in round 1. We were not able to see a response. Dtu Experiment 2 round 2 --sample A.png Dtu Experiment 2 round 2 -- sample B.png

Untransformed P. aeruginosa

We also did not see a response for the P. aeruginosa, which we would expect. Dtu pseudo exp.png

Nir Transformed E. coli

Finally, we measured both N2O and NO, but did not see an increase in N2O. The NO sensor did not stabilize over the course of the experiment, and these results are not realistic.

Dtu-nir.png