IGEM:IMPERIAL/2009/Specifications

Specifications

Tuesday 21st July 2009

Module 1

• Produce an enzyme (protein)
  
• How much? How long for? (GFP as a reporter gene?)
  
• Be able to control/regulate
  
• Cell proliferation?
  
• Inducible
  
• Do not secrete out of cell
  
• Switch off once desired compound is produced
  

Module 2

• Induce encapsulation
  
• Adequate mechanical/chemical deposition (bacterial control)
  
• Acid resistance (has to bypass stomach - capsule composition)
  
• Release in small intestine (module 5 delivery)
  
• Non toxic
  
• Be able to control & regulate; thickness, uniformity
  
• Time taken for encapsulation to take place (want ‘fast’ encapsulation)
  

Module 3

• 100% killing (high as possible killing rate)
  
• What is the probability of survival? (how do we know it has worked?)
  
• Failsafe mechanism (use timer?) vs double killing mechanism
  
• Do not want proteases to degrade our product
  
• Destruction of cell membrane? (to release our product)
  
• Non-toxic, fast, reliable
  
• when do we want to induce killing? Run in parallel? Overlap? Timer?
  
• how to induce? Light? Timer? Can’t be chemical
  

Timer

• Accurate
  
• pre-set (decide time to preset)
  
• module 1 → module 2
  
• module 2 → module 3
  

-delay timer for fail safe?

• module 5??
  

Compound

Ranking 1-3; most important(1) to least important (3).

• Sequence available 1
  
• Expertise/equipment available in College 1
  
• Stable - know production vs. degradation rates 2
  
• Compatible with available chassis 1
  
• Genes/pathway known 1
  
• Enzyme - specificity? Single enzyme, no crosstalk 1
  
• Functions in gut temp./environment. Survives and is absorbed 1
  
• No existing cheap solution → want advantage / benefit 1
  
• Optimum level/ dose control → does it naturally oscillate with the day? 1
  
• Impact, appeal, wow factor, high profile 2
  
• Not covered by previous iGEM teams 3
  

Provisional Flowchart

Currently under construction: