IGEM:IMPERIAL/2008/New/Home

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{{Imperial/Box1||For the 2008 iGEM competition, the Imperial team is designing a biofabricator using the Gram-positive bacterium ''Bacillus subtilis'' as our chassis. We will exert fine control over its movement via a recently-discovered clutch mechanism, using light as our stimulus to localise the bacteria. We then intend to trigger production and secretion of a self-assembling biomaterial in a set 3D pattern.  
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{{Imperial/Box1||This year the Imperial College iGEM Team aims to develop a genetically-engineered Biofabricator, using the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Our Biofabricator aims to produce self-assembling biomaterials in specified 3D shapes, using light as the trigger. This is achieved in three stages. First using 3D holography and by utilising an endogenous light-sensing mechanism, the bacteria is captured in the desired location. Next bacterial locomotion is suspended in the region of interest using a recently-discovered clutch mechanism. This involves disengaging the flagellum from the motor protein. Finally, when our bacteria are stationary in the correct location, the biomaterial production is triggered. These biomaterials can self-assemble to form a 3D bio-scaffold. Applications range from regenerative tissue engineering to Bio-Couture.
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3D bio-scaffold materials have many applications in tissue engineering. Our blue-sky aim is to synthesise a precise biofabricator that can accelerate tissue engineering processes, hence making a contribution to the field of regenerative medicine.
 
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This diagram gives an overview of how our system works. Initially, ''B. subtilis'' are motile and are not producing biomaterials. If we want to construct an "I" shaped 3D bio-scaffold, we shine a 3D hologram of the correct wavelength (red is used as an arbitrary example here) onto the growth medium.
 
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[[Image:Imperial_2008_Bioprinter_Cartoon.png |center|500px| Overview of our planned system]]  
[[Image:Imperial_2008_Bioprinter_Cartoon.png |center|500px| Overview of our planned system]]  

Revision as of 12:45, 27 September 2008






Welcome to the Imperial 2008 iGEM project page. It's Wednesday, June 19 and a great day to read about an awesome iGEM project!


This year the Imperial College iGEM Team aims to develop a genetically-engineered Biofabricator, using the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Our Biofabricator aims to produce self-assembling biomaterials in specified 3D shapes, using light as the trigger. This is achieved in three stages. First using 3D holography and by utilising an endogenous light-sensing mechanism, the bacteria is captured in the desired location. Next bacterial locomotion is suspended in the region of interest using a recently-discovered clutch mechanism. This involves disengaging the flagellum from the motor protein. Finally, when our bacteria are stationary in the correct location, the biomaterial production is triggered. These biomaterials can self-assemble to form a 3D bio-scaffold. Applications range from regenerative tissue engineering to Bio-Couture.



Overview of our planned system



Bacteria will sense that light and start to produce a clutch molecule. The clutch disengages the flagella from the motor quite quickly, rendering the subtilis stationary. Coupled with the clutch is a gene for expression for biomaterial synthesis. Should any individuals stray from the correct area, the clutch should disengage and material synthesis should stop.

Basic Circuit Diagram



We hope to build up our bio-scaffold material pixel by pixel in the defined area - the basis of our 3D biofabrication process.

Please continue on to our project pages - you may want to start with our >>> Project Specifications >>>


Imperial's 2008 iGEM team has received sponsorship from a number of generous companies.



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