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

Courtney Harbin Senior, Biochemistry

Lauren Beatty Undergraduate, Junior, Biomedical Engineering

Scott Tran Undergraduate, Junior, Biological Engineering

Sam Pote Undergraduate, Freshman, 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 18- Group meeting with faculty, Publicity and preparation for Jamboree discussed.
• August 16- Planning for Jamboree with help from James.
• August 15- Group meeting with James our Ambassador. iGEM presentations given by James.
• August 14- Digested plasmids to test the ligation of HybB (unsuccessful).
• August 13- Isolated plasmids HybB-Q04121-E0430 and HybB-Q04400-E0430.
• August 9- Ligation of HybB promoter with the two constructions.
• 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.