IGEM:MIT/2005/Application

Post what you think can be future application of our system, whether make flashy snazzy things, medical related, environmental cleaning, or other scientific applications. The point is to have a list of applications, discuss them, and be able to present them as part of our cool system by the Jamboree.


 * Build a meta system consisting of two smaller systems
 * Input: glucose. Output: proinsulin.
 * Input: proinsulin. Output: the enzyme that cleaves proinsulin to insulin.


 * Build a biosensor, using only a primary antibody rather than the modular two-antibody system, that can be put into lakes or rivers or the ocean, and can output toxin-response chemicals.


 * Build a cell signalling system, in which one cell line acts as a sender and another cell line acts as a receiver.


 * Machinery to make compounds that are difficult to synthesize.

Ideal Characteristics of System

 * Utilizes the honing mechanism of antibodies for target detection.
 * Standardized technology for detecting primary antibodies.
 * Programmable biological sensor with interchangeable parts.
 * Generalized system able to perform biospecific, and highly sensitive target recognition.
 * Sensor that can detect a specified antigen to produce PoPs.
 * Minimal Preparation
 * General receptor, programmable, signalling system for bacteria with architecture that allows for general use.
 * Quick, sensitive, robust, and has the ability for evolution.

boop.
We are building a platform for cellular sensing and reaction. The platform cell will be capable of sensing a nearly infinite set of molecules, with minimal preparation between sensing types. This could fit an array of applications where a specific molecule must be detected to trigger cellular (re)actions.