IndieBiotech:Research: Difference between revisions
(Some of the past, current and planned work at Indie Biotech.) |
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===DIY Oligosynthesis=== | ===DIY Oligosynthesis=== | ||
Ongoing theoretical work focused on methods of directing the assembly of | Ongoing theoretical work focused on methods of directing the assembly of short or medium length oligos. Premier requirement is a system that doesn't need odd ingredients such as phosphoramidites; DNA synthesis should only require DNA monomers, enzymes and a way to address assembly efficiently and reliably. A DNA printer should be able to replicate all of its parts, and inputs should be brewable on-site in the lab. | ||
Latest revision as of 10:04, 14 March 2012
Home - Contact - Internal - Lab Members - Publications - Research - Talks
Current Work
Constructs
pIND01 - A stable, biobrick compatible, antibiotic-independent B.subtilis cloning vector for DIY synthetic biology. Designed to minimise risk of deletions or plasmid remodelling. Should support large inserts. Low-Medium copy number. Will be licensed under an open-source equivalent, mirroring the function of CC-BY-SA, potentially involving an "Open Source DNA" MTA. Under validation.
Protocols
- Transformation of B.subtilis (under investigation)
- DNA staining in-gel with Crystal Violet and Methyl Orange (under ongoing investigation)
Prior Work
Equipment
- Dremelfuge: An open-source, printable centrifuge rotor for use with Dremel multitools. Available as Makerbot-printable file or for direct purchase through Shapeways. Easily achieves practical speeds required for microbiology and molecular biology tasks.
Protocols
A strong focus on DIY protocols for lab tasks is part of the core ethos of Indie Biotech.
- Making DIY Lysogeny/Luminescence Broth or Agar from OTC ingredients (achieved, requires re-write)
- Isolation and Culture of Photobacterium (AKA Vibrio) phosphoreum (achieved, requires re-write)
- Isolation and Culture of Gluconacetobacter xylinum (Achieved, To be written)
- Transformation of E.coli using OTC laxatives and epsom salts (Achieved, to be written)
Events
- "Synthetic Biology Crashcourse" at Science Gallery, Ireland, 2011
- "Intro to DIYbio & Microbiology Workshop" at Mindfield, Ireland, 2011
- "Intro to DIYbio & Microbiology Workshop" at Nexus Cork, Cork Lifelong Learning Festival, 2011
- Ignite-format Introduction to DIYbio/Synthetic Biology at Ignite Dublin #6
Planned Research
Replicative Synbio Toolkit
A suite of enzyme-producing constructs that use the same highly standardised method of enzyme purification. Purification route should require no special resins, columns or buffers that can't be easily made at home. The toolkit should be open-source licensed to enable rapid growth of the amateur synbio community as well as to slash costs of common enzymes used in molecular biology labs worldwide.
Other constructs or strains for polymers (i.e. agarose, biothermoplastics such as PLA), dyes and solvents (improved strains for ethanol, acetic acid, butanol..) would ideally be included eventually also.
Replicative Medicine Toolkit
A suite of medicine-producing constructs; antibiotics, antihelminthics, essential hormones (insulin/thyroxine), topical disinfectants
DIY Oligosynthesis
Ongoing theoretical work focused on methods of directing the assembly of short or medium length oligos. Premier requirement is a system that doesn't need odd ingredients such as phosphoramidites; DNA synthesis should only require DNA monomers, enzymes and a way to address assembly efficiently and reliably. A DNA printer should be able to replicate all of its parts, and inputs should be brewable on-site in the lab.
