Welcome to [http://www.msstate.edu Mississippi State University!]

[http://www.abe.msstate.edu/Undergraduate/Biological/ Swalm Engineering Building]

The Team

Faculty Members:

Dr. Filip To Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Dr. Bob Reese Electrical and Computer Engineering

Dr. Tod French Chemical Engineering

Dr. Din-Pow Ma Bio Chemistry

Students:

Teri Vaughn Undergraduate, Senior, Biomedical Engineering

Lauren Beatty Undergraduate, Junior, Biomedical Engineering

Scott Tran Undergraduate, Junior, Biological Engineering

Robert Morris Grad student, Biological Engineering

Meng-Hsuan Ho Grad student, Molecular Biology

Brendan Flynn Grad student, Mechanical Engineering

Jaclyn Isonhood Grad student, Chemical Engineering

Project Abstract

• "H₂ Reporter Using E. coli"
• We want to build a machine that will quantify H₂ produced from burning biomass

To Do List

1. Continue student lab work in Dorman 406 to build H₂ Reporter
2. Possibly modify BioBricks for design/creation of machine
3. Publicity: Submit article and pictures to [http://www.engr.msstate.edu/alumni_friends/momentum_magazine/Momentum]

Introduction

• International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) is a student-led competition to build the most innovative "machine" by synthetic biology.
• Headquarters is located at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• In 2006, 38 schools and over 400 students from around the world are participating in projects to construct biologically engineered systems.
• Task of each team is to apply engineering methodology to design and develop a new biological system ("machine") through the use of existing and/or newly formed microscopic biological parts (termed BioBricks).
• Type of the "machine" is chosen by each individual school participating, and the only criterion is that the "machine" be made entirely of the functional units of DNA called BioBricks.
• A registry of all BioBricks is kept in the MIT Registry of Standard Biological Parts, which is regularly updated to include new parts developed by teams.
• Parts for each iGEM team are obtained through the Registry for a fee.
• Jamboree for students to present their projects will take place at MIT in November.

H₂ Reporter

• Syngas is a renewable source of energy that has the potential to improve and relieve the energy crisis in the world today. Syngas has the capability to produce products such as ethanol, bio-diesel, and bio-oil, which have the potential to replace gasoline and diesel in the future. The problem, however, lies in the process of producing a high-quality syngas. In general, a high-quality syngas consists of low tar content and high levels of H2 and CO. The high levels of H2 and CO increase the combustibility and heating value of the syngas, making it more efficient and effective.