IGEM:Caltech/2007: Difference between revisions
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As an initial mechanism to target viruses to specific cell types, we will place the viral developmental genes under riboregulator control. Viral mRNAs for the regulated developmental genes will express with a stem loop sequestering ribosome binding sites, preventing translation. Specific mRNA in target E. coli will invade the stem loop, freeing the ribosome binding site and allowing proper translation. We believe this approach is more general than methods which might target specific cell-surface markers. Furthermore, if this method works, it would be possible in principle to extend viral mRNA regulation using aptamers capable of recognizing subtle signals such as post-translational modification. | As an initial mechanism to target viruses to specific cell types, we will place the viral developmental genes under riboregulator control. Viral mRNAs for the regulated developmental genes will express with a stem loop sequestering ribosome binding sites, preventing translation. Specific mRNA in target E. coli will invade the stem loop, freeing the ribosome binding site and allowing proper translation. We believe this approach is more general than methods which might target specific cell-surface markers. Furthermore, if this method works, it would be possible in principle to extend viral mRNA regulation using aptamers capable of recognizing subtle signals such as post-translational modification. | ||
We selected the viral developmental genes <i>N, Q,</i> and <i>cro</i> as promising targets for regulation. <i>N</i> and <i>Q</i> are <i>antiterminators</i> required for λ to transcribe its full set of genes. Viruses lacking these genes stall at extremely early developmental stages and are completely inviable, barely producing any viral mRNA. <i>cro</i> | We selected the viral developmental genes <i>N, Q,</i> and <i>cro</i> as promising targets for regulation. <i>N</i> and <i>Q</i> are <i>antiterminators</i> required for λ to transcribe its full set of genes. Viruses lacking these genes stall at extremely early developmental stages and are completely inviable, barely producing any viral mRNA. <i>cro</i> biases bias the virus' decision to either | ||
lyse a target cell or integrate into its DNA. This makes it an attractive candidate to investigate the rewiring goals explored above. | |||
Choosing an appropriate λ strain poses a challenge. Existing strains with defective <i>N, Q,</i> and <i>cro</i> genes lack unique restriction sites to clone our constructs into. Therefore, we will utilize recombineering to introduce introduce these mutations into phages specifically designed to accept cloning inserts. | Choosing an appropriate λ strain poses a challenge. Existing strains with defective <i>N, Q,</i> and <i>cro</i> genes lack unique restriction sites to clone our constructs into. Therefore, we will utilize recombineering to introduce introduce these mutations into phages specifically designed to accept cloning inserts. |
Revision as of 12:23, 26 October 2007
The Caltech iGEM 2007 team is composed of four undergraduates from Caltech and one undergraduate from MIT. Team members are current juniors and seniors in biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, and biological engineering. The team was advised by three graduate students and three faculty mentors.
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