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Team:TMU-Tokyo/Project/Idea
From 2013.igem.org
Overview
Our project, “GenomEngineer” has two aspects which are “Standardization” and “Implementation”.
We tried to create and standardize a new method to insert Biobrick parts or devices to a genome of E.coli and functionalize them. And we named this method, “NEWS” (→”Standardization”). Then, according to “NEWS”, we really inserted the device which we designed in a genome of E.coli and functionalized it (→”Implementation”).
Background and our goal
In iGEM, most teams have inserted their Biobrick parts or devices in plasmids and use them. It is true that there are many good points to use plasmids, for instance, it is easy to do transformation, and it is convenient to use high copy plasmid when you want to get high amount of gene expression. However, there are some bad points to use plasmids too. For example, when the reproduction starting point of plural plasmids are covered, they can’t be put in E.coli at the same time. Also it is difficult to control genetic expression closely. Additionally, it isn’t possible to clone the big size of fragment to plasmids. We summarized an advantage and a fault of the plasmid in a lower table. (Table1)
In order to solve these problems, we thought that we should create a new method of using Biobricks in a genome of E.coli. We think that using this method is more convenient and safe than using plasmids. There are several reasons that we think about like that. For instance,
- The size of the gene fragment which is inserted hasn’t a limit.
- The gene once inserted in the genome is hard to spread horizontally, so genes which was modified artificially are hard to spread.
(The gene inserted in plasmids is easy to move to other bacteria by the horizontal spread.)
→It contribution to the environment. - The gene once inserted in the genome is hard to deleted.(The gene inserted in plasmids is easy to deleted.) →It’s convenient to use.
Because of these reasons, we designed and created a new method to insert Biobricks into a genome of E.coli. Also we aimed that our project would contribute to environment, human beings, and other iGEMers.
