IllinoisSyntheticBiowetlab: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:IGB.jpg | [[Image:IGB.jpg|right|frame|The Illinois iGEM team's lab space is located here on campus, inside the Institute for Genomic Biology]]The simplest biological component that synthetic biologists use is the “part”. This | ||
is a defined sequence of DNA that encodes certain information and as a result | is a defined sequence of DNA that encodes certain information and as a result | ||
performs a defined function. This could be a gene regulatory function, such as a | performs a defined function. This could be a gene regulatory function, such as a | ||
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The list of possible functions encoded in individual parts is unlimited, simply | The list of possible functions encoded in individual parts is unlimited, simply | ||
reflecting the diversity of biology. | reflecting the diversity of biology. | ||
Among those we can mention: | Among those we can mention: | ||
Revision as of 21:15, 21 February 2009
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<tr> <td align="center" ><a class="mainLinks" href="http://openwetware.org/wiki/IllinoisSyntheticBio" >Home</a> </td> <td align="center" ><a class="mainLinks" href="http://openwetware.org/wiki/IllinoisSyntheticBiowetlab" >Team</a> </td> <td align="center" ><a class="mainLinks" href="http://openwetware.org/wiki/IllinoisSyntheticBio_igem_info" >About iGEM</a> </td> <td align="center" ><a class="mainLinks" href="http://openwetware.org/wiki/IGEM:UIUC-Illinois/2011/Notebook/UIUC_Illinois_iGEM_2011" >Lab Notebook</a> </td> <td align="center" ><a class="mainLinks" href="http://openwetware.org/wiki/IllinoisSyntheticBio/Application" >Application</a> </td> <td align="center" ><a class="mainLinks" href="http://openwetware.org/wiki/IllinoisSyntheticBio_FAQ">FAQ</a> </td> </tr>
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How synthetic biology is done
is a defined sequence of DNA that encodes certain information and as a result performs a defined function. This could be a gene regulatory function, such as a promoter of gene expression, a ribosome-binding site to direct protein translation, or an open reading frame coding for a particular protein. Many different parts can be combined into a “device”.
Multiple devices can be hooked together thereby creating “systems” or “modules” capable of complex behaviors. Device “A” responds to the presence of a chemical “a” by expressing the gene “A2”, which in turn acts binding to a DNA promoter region (part “B1” in the device “B”) thereby inducing transcription of the gene B2.
The list of possible functions encoded in individual parts is unlimited, simply
reflecting the diversity of biology.
Among those we can mention:
- Parts that regulate gene expression (promoters or enhancers, which are DNA
sequences to which activators or repressors (proteins that regulate the activity of DNA polymerases in a positive or negative manner) bind
- Different enzymes responsible for catalyzing a myriad of chemical reactions
within organisms
- Localization signals, which are generally short amino acid segments that when
added to a given protein localize them to particular regions within the cell
- Interaction modules, which are protein domains (or smaller motifs) that help
proteins interact with specific partners
- Etc, etc, etc…
By combining many different systems (or modules), complex behaviors can be engineered. Moreover, an even higher level of complexity can be achieved by utilizing different cell types (each one with different embedded synthetic modules).
--UCSF
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Judging Criteria
The requirements to earn a Gold Medal, in addition to the Silver Medal requirements, are any one OR more of the following:
- Characterize or improve an existing BioBrick Part or Device that was distributed via the 2008 iGEM BioBrick Parts collection, and enter this information back on the Registry.
- Help another iGEM team by, for example, charactering a part, debugging a construct, or modeling or simulating their system.
- Develop and document a new technical standard that supports the (i) design of BioBrick Parts or Devices, or (ii) construction of BioBrick Parts or Devices, or (iii) characterization of BioBrick Parts or Devices, or (iv) analysis, modeling, and simulation of BioBrick Parts or Devices, or (v) sharing BioBrick Parts or Devices, either via physical DNA or as information via the internet.
- Outline and detail a new approach to an issue of Human Practice in synthetic biology as it relates to your project, such as safety, security, ethics, or ownership, sharing, and innovation.
