User:Jonathan Cline/Notebook/Melaminometer

Project Proposal

• User:Jonathan_Cline/Notebook/Melaminometer/As proof of DIY Bio

• User:Jonathan_Cline/Notebook/Melaminometer/Much needed product for world health

Background

• Melaminometer Toxicology Background

• Melaminometer Toxicology Details

Technical

• Melaminometer Technical Summary

• Melaminometer Current Practices of Detection

• Melaminometer Specific Metabolic Activity

• • Melaminometer Specific Sequences

• Melaminometer Related Metabolic Activity

• • Melaminometer Related Sequences

Historical Perspective

2008: Large-scale contamination found in wide variety of milk products exported from China. Hospitalized and/or affected population reported between 10,000 and 50,000 people in popular media.

2007: Pet food contamination triggers intensive research into chemically or physically determining presence of harmful agents & their metabolic pathways.

Mid 2000s: Metabolism of melamine and/or related compounds in bacteria metabolism studied in further detail using genetic analysis.

Mid 1990s: biotech interest in melamine metabolism due to possibility of enhancing plant nitrogen takeup in optimizing fertilization. Not much known about metabolic pathway. Nothing known about related gene expression. Bacterial strains known; Pseudomonas isolates, two Klebsiella isolates, and a Rhodococcus isolate).

Early 1990s: Melamine catabolism studied as means to degrade atrazine herbicide in the U.S. Pseudomonas used and first plasmids created.

Mid 1980s: HPLC analysis allows quantitative measurement of melamine pathway; prior to this, identification of intermediates is difficult.

Late 1970s: Partial, tentative, data into melamine degradation is published.

Dry Lab Design Method

1. Project definition
   1. Iteratively (re-)define project
   2. Verify theoretical feasibility
   3. Repeat from above
2. Project Feasibility
   1. Research existing metabolism/catabolism/enzymatic activity
   2. Research existing microbe structure
   3. Verify theoretical feasibility of inserting metabolic path into desired microbe
   4. Verify theoretical compatibility of biological components
   5. Repeat from above
3. Project Testability
   1. Research method for testing microbe
   2. Research required controls, blanks, positives, samples
   3. Repeat from above for design of test method, as necessary
4. Project Modeling
   1. Model theoretical operation of microbe
   2. Model theoretical compatibility of components
   3. Model testing method
   4. Obtain expert assistance/advice on design & models
   5. Repeat from above
5. Project Implementation Scoping
   1. Scope building organism (cost, labor, designer)
   2. Funding source
   3. Materials source
   4. Proceed to wet lab phase

Wet Lab Implementation Method

• TBD