Team:Gaston Day School/Results
Results
Results: Lab Images
Facing the possible risks of the transfer of plasmid DNA by different bacteriophages, in order to test our idea that there were bacteriophages in the environment, we were able to collect over 20 environmental samples from the areas near our school and test them on 5 different bacteria and 5 subtypes of E.coli K-12. Even though we did not discover any existence of the bacteriophages which belong to non-E.coli species, we found indications of phages that target E.coli B (from Carolina Biological), which was the most permissive one of the strains for growing and maintaining T4 bacteriophages.
The next step, we worked mainly on the T4 pages. RFP was used as a marker in the experiment and after the plasmid preparation in which we extracted and purified the E.coli, the plasmid could still be discovered, which proved that bacteriophage could make plasmid DNA transformation possible.
Through the project, it is significant for us to better understand the bacteriophage-assisted lateral transfer. First, the risk of spreading both antibiotic resistance and the specific gene released out of a certain space such as a biology lab would increase since we have known that phages are capable of transferring plasmid DNA. Also, we noticed that the remaining DNA of the bacteria as a plasmid further increases the danger through multiple mechanisms for the transfer. What is worth mentioning is that the at least environment uncontaminated like areas near our school provided lower risks of the lateral transfer due to the relatively very few existence of E.coli phages, while possible animal waste raises the likelihood for the E.coli to be detected.
Besides our wet lab experiments, our engineering sub-project to design more convenient and suitable equipment offered new options for students with low or even no vision as well as motor control problems to work in the lab to learn science using 3D printing. Along with results of the test with young students in school and other iGEM teams this year, we received very useful feedback and we were able to make improvements and made three prototypes step by step on time to fit their needs.