CHE.496/2008/Projects/2/Group 2

Group 2's project overview and part design

List of initial ideas

• Foundational
  • Parts for genetic circuits
  • New chassis (environment, etc.)
  • Optimizing existing parts (e.g., inverter)
  • Light sensor
  • Compartmentalization/insulation
  • Molecular screens (filters) that enable signal isolation and insulation (inside the cells and in between cells)

• Computational
  • modeling of biotech-relevant microorganisms

• Synthetic Biology Tools
  • Quality characterization techniques
  • Ways to insulate biological signals

• Metabolic Engineering
  • Polysaccharide synthesis (for food)
  • Bioplastic production
  • Chemical degradation (toxin breakdown)
    • Oil
    • CO2
    • Plastics

• Genetic Circuit Engineering
  • Light-based repressilator
  • Light switch

• Biosensing
  • Ethylene biosensor
  • Algae that sense light and displays permanent memory

List of top two project ideas

• Biological production of plastic
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are naturally synthesized polyesters in Ralstonia eutropha
  • These PHAs are used for energy storage
  • Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a PHA and could possible replace polypropylene
  • Biologically-produced plastics represent a sustainable chemical industry that is not dependent on petroleum
  • Three genes necessary for PHB synthesis: phaA, phaB and phaC (from Pohlmann et al., 2006)
  • Pathway: 2 acetyl-CoA are condensed into acetoacetyl-CoA by phaA. Then, phaB (NADPH-dependent) reduces this to (R)-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA. Finally, this is polymerized into PHB by phaC.
  • phaA (code for acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase) Nucleotide sequence
  • Possible use in tissue engineering applications
  • Chassis: E. coli
• Biological degradation of plastic
  • PHAs are biodegradable.