Team:Nanjing-China/gene

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Revision as of 08:55, 26 September 2013 by GaoJian NJU (Talk | contribs)

Gene Guard
As our project suggests the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment, we feel it is necessary to reduce the risk of horizontal gene transfer. To prevent horizontal gene transfer of the genes, we have designed a system based on the genes encoding holin/endolysin and anti-holin, Colicin-E3 and Colicin Immunity E3, Endonuclease EcoRI and Methyltransferase EcoRI. There is no doubt that our multi-containment systemis more secure than a single-containment system.

Holin/Endolysin will be carried on a plasmid and the anti-holin on the genomic DNA. The other gene pairs act in the same the way (Fig. 7-2-1). Anti-holin will prevent the holin and endolysin encoded on the plasmids to lyse the cell. However, if the plasmid is transferred to any other bacterial that is not our modified bacteria, it will induce cell lysis, thereby preventing the spread of genetic information contained in our genetically modified bacteria. And the other gene pairs act in the same the way. Therefore, we can prevent the transfer of synthetic genes into wild type bacteria by our treble safe guard.

Fig. 7-2-1 Gene guard system.