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

From left to right: Teri Vaughn ₁, Scott Tran ₁, Lauren Beatty ₁, Robert Morris ₁, Victor Ho ₂, Dr. Din-Pow Ma ₂, Dr. Filip To ₁
[http://www.abe.msstate.edu/Undergraduate/Biological/ ₁ Biological Engineering Department] [http://www.msstate.edu/dept/biochemistry/ ₂ Biochemistry Department]

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 Biochemistry

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, Biological 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. Take pictures of students working in lab
3. Discuss presentation and future work with iGEM ambassador James on August 14-16 (dates?)
4. Possibly modify BioBricks for design/creation of machine
5. Publicity: Submit updates 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 yield products such as ethanol, bio-diesel, and bio-oil, which could replace gasoline and diesel as the major energy sources 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.

• Our purpose for iGEM 2006 is to build a machine containing a reporter capable of detecting the presence of H₂ and producing YFP if H₂ is present.

• Initially, we want to build the following two constructs:
  

File:IGEM construct.gif

Accomplishments

• August 7-Digested and purified the two constructions.
• August 3-Digested plasmids to confirm the constructions of Q04121-E0430 and Q04400-E0430.
• August 2-Isolated plasmids Q04121-E0430 and Q04400-E0430.
• July 31- Isolated and confirmed Q04400. Reconstructed Q04121-E0430. Constructed Q04400-E0430.
• July 28- Isolated and analyzed Q04121-E0430 (unsuccessful).
• July 27- Initial project information and pictures sent to Kirsten at Momentum.
• July 26- Ligased Q04121 and E0430 together and transformed into E. coli. Regrew Q04400 (first attempt at growth was unsuccessful).
• July 25- Performed polymerase chain reaction.
• July 21- Digested plasmid.
• July 19- Harvested cells and performed electrophoresis.
• July 18- Cultivated and innoculated colonies.
• July 17- Transformed DNA into E. coli.
• July 14- Removed chosen parts from DNA plates. Modified one part of design: E0430 substituted for E0432.
• July 13- Began lab work. Prepared agar plates.
• July 10- Student meeting, BioBrick parts chosen.
• July 6 - Group meeting with faculty, Steps to build machine defined and parameters discussed.
• June 8 - Group meeting with faculty, Project goals defined.