IGEM:IMPERIAL/2009/Feedback & Debriefs/Feedback 21 7

Tuesday 21st July 2009 - Presentation to Profs. & Advisors

Prof:

• Need a project overview
  
• Presentation does not follow the engineering process
  

- need 2-3 slides focusing on this

• PKU
  

- there is a real problem/real emotional message to get across
- is a novel application!
Focus on one application with the method being compatible to other applications

Advisor:

• Need details of the enzyme
  

- where it works
- where the conversion occurs etc.

• What is the recommendation per module?!
  

- Need a summary after each

Prof:

• More modelling
  

- Have the PKU pathway

Prof:

• How to trigger encapsulation process?
  
• How feasible is the killing strategy?
  

Prof:

• Which track are we aiming to enter?
  
• How close is this to previous projects?
  
• Need something that actually works with results
  

- killing strategy
- encapsulation

Prof:

• Match the thresholds and sensitivities
  

- can be done
- use GFP reporter with an optical read out?

Advisor:

• Produce 2 chassis/cells?
  
• Explore module, get genes, find existing bacillus/E.coli chassis, one with a good coat formation and one that can produce the drug.
  

Prof:

• Create new self encapsulation module
  
• Take out the biological pathway and place in Bacillus
  
• Drill down
  
• Make sure it’s quality controlled before consumption
  

Prof:

• Be brutal in testing the risk for each module
  
• Try to order parts ASAP
  

- waiting time should not be a limiting factor

• Come on a lot since Friday
  

- got bones of a good project
- like idea of modules

Advisor:

• Write a high level specification page (case study almost?!)
  
• Look at an E.coli apoptotic mechanism
  

- there is one

Prof:

• What about the proteases?!
  

- Use protein deficient strain?

• Still a lot of yes/no points we need to sort out
  

Deadline for BioBrick design: Friday

Prof & Advisor:
What is the critical path in the project?

Prof:

• Amalyse, protease, lipase deficiency?
  
• Enzyme deficiencies in the gut
  
• Need the pros and cons of different applications
  

- where are they on they wiki?
- convince what you want to pick is feasible/efficient
- what are the mechanisms (existing)
- why do we need the enzyme?
- regulation, control, how does it know what/how much to make?
- give details, details, details!