Team:NUS Singapore/Contribution

Contribution

Optogenetic Framework

Our PRYSM system implements several backend transcription factors into a single yeast strain, with relevant promoters on an episomal plasmid. The genes to be expressed can thus be easily switched out with scarless cloning methods such as Gibson Assembly. We hope that this will provide a framework for other teams to implement optogenetics into their projects by using our system to express various other genes for new purposes.

Our system is also the first to explore the use of dual wavelengths to control parallel channels of expression, and thus we hope this will allow future teams greater flexibility and control of their constructs.

Parts Improvement

In order to improve the biosafety of future bio-manufacturing projects, we decided to improve the kill switch part BBa_K1159105 by adding an additional nuclear localization sequence to increase it's potency. This kill switch is an endonuclease that helps to prevent both the escape of the live organism, as well as the modified DNA in our yeast.

We also took two existing parts from the registry and became the first teams to characterize as well as improve them. This includes BBa_K2935073, the gene for flocculation in S.cerevisiae, which provides a valuable tool for energy-neutral separation of cells, and BBa_K3570021, a blue light activated transcription factor, which we characterized and assembled into a positive feedback composite part to drive up the level of expression achievable with it.

Reactor

We have combined optogenetics and bioreactors to form HERO, a reactor that provides real time monitoring. Future iGEM teams that are working on relevant projects combining optogenetics and bioreactors can use our open-source materials and code to speed up the process!

Educational Materials

Build Your Own Circuit

The Build Your Own Circuit activity was used to simulate the BioBricks concept. In this, we created a Miro Board that will allow for remote collaboration in designing circuits based on different conditions given. This system is easy to modify and can be easily expanded to include more complex problems as well, serving as a tool to collaboratively explore the BioBricks concept. Check out the circuit template here!

μBioMachines Content Slides

The content slides designed for μBioMachines were built to make Synthetic Biology accessible to students at the high school level (aged between 14 - 18). Additionally, we made the content more inclusive for students with no background in biology. Hence, the materials we created alongside our collaborators Team NTU-Singapore, provide tools to effectively explain Synthetic Biology to a younger audience, potentially exciting students to pursue Synthetic Biology in their future Academic Pursuits. Click here to view the slides!