CHE.496/2008/Projects/2/Group 2

List of initial ideas

 * Foundational
 * Parts for genetic circuits
 * New light sensor (i.e., new wavelength)
 * New chassis (e.g., yeast)
 * Standardized plasmids
 * Standardized restriction sites
 * Optimizing existing parts (e.g., inverter)
 * Compartmentalization/insulation
 * Molecular screens (filters) that enable signal isolation and insulation (inside the cells and in between cells)


 * Computational
 * modeling of biotech-relevant microorganisms


 * Synthetic Biology Tools
 * Quality characterization techniques
 * Ways to insulate biological signals


 * Genetic Circuit Engineering
 * Light-based repressilator
 * Light switch


 * Biosensing
 * Ethylene biosensor
 * Algae that sense light and displays permanent memory


 * Metabolic Engineering
 * Polysaccharide synthesis (for food)
 * Bioplastic production
 * Chemical degradation (toxin breakdown)
 * Oil
 * CO2
 * Plastics

List of top two project ideas

 * Biological production of plastic
 * Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are naturally synthesized polyesters in Ralstonia eutropha
 * These PHAs are used for energy storage
 * Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a PHA and could possible replace polypropylene
 * Biologically-produced plastics represent a sustainable chemical industry that is not dependent on petroleum
 * Three genes necessary for PHB synthesis: PhaA, PhaB and PhaC (from Pohlmann et al., 2006)
 * Pathway: 2 acetyl-CoA are condensed into acetoacetyl-CoA by PhaA. Then, PhaB (NADPH-dependent) reduces this to (R)-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA.  Finally, this is polymerized into PHB by PhaC.
 * PhaA (code for acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase) Nucleotide sequence
 * Possible use in tissue engineering applications (PHB is found in blood plasma)
 * Chassis: E. coli
 * Biological degradation of plastic
 * Biodegradation of natural plastics
 * PHAs are biodegradable.
 * Ralstonia eutropha breaks down PHB using PhaZ1, PhaZ2 and PhaY1.
 * Biodegradation of synthetic plastics
 * Streptomyces, a gram-positive bacteria, can naturally break down polyethylene
 * Phanerochaete chrysosporium manganese peroxidase breaks down polyethylene Nucleotide sequence