Difference between revisions of "Tracks/New Application"

The New Applications tracks in iGEM is possibly the most difficult to describe. Without using the term "catch-all", there is a certain diversity of projects that is not found as much in other tracks. New Application teams work to create novel, forward thinking projects and innovative ideas that don't fit into conventional paradigms.

New Application is an apt description for a track that doesn't have a common problem, or focus tying all projects together. It is the novelty of ideas and approach in investigating a question that may never have previously been examined that qualifies a project in the New Application track.

You will find images and abstracts of the winning New Application teams from 2011 to 2013 in the page below. Also, follow the links below to see projects from all the New Application track teams.

Recent New Application projects to win best in track

Winning New Application projects in 2013 Undergrad: Wormboys

Valencia Biocampus

Project abstract: Bacteria are essential in biotechnology, but they can hardly move. Nematodes, such a C. elegans, are fast crawling organisms, but they have limited biotechnological applications. By combining the best from both organisms, we present the first artificial synthetic symbiosis with bacteria engineered to ride on worms, which concentrate in hotspots where bacteria perform a desired biotechnological process, such as bioplastic (PHA) production. We have engineered Pseudomas putida with a whole operon that allows the formation of a biofilm on the worm. Biofilm formation is swhitched on and off depending on the media, and thus bacteria get on and off the worm like travellers on a bus. We have also engineered a third partner, E. coli, to express an interference RNA that promotes clumping. Taken together, our artificial symbiosis allows biotechnologically interesting bacteria to travel on nematodes, reach nutrient-rich biomass spots and maximize the efficiency of biotechnological fermentations in heterogenous substrates.

Winning New Application projects in 2013 Overgrad: Engineering synthetic microbial consortia

Braunschweig

Project abstract Bacterial consortia offer a great benefit for synthetic biology due to the ability to perform complex tasks by splitting the whole reaction into smaller reactions and share the task among different specialized strains. Also, a self-regulating bacterial culture with intra consortial dependencies offers great advances in biosafety. To shut down the whole bacterial consortium, only on strain has to be eliminated. We engineer three different E. coli strains to grow in a consortium exploiting different Quorum Sensing systems. Each strain maintains a constitutive expression of an inactive transcription activator (LuxR, LasR or RhlR). Inducers are synthesized by different synthases (LuxI, LasI or RhlI) that are each expressed in one strain and subsequently secreted into the medium. Once taken up by a cell, the inducers bind to the corresponding, inactive transcription factors to render them functional. As a result, an antibiotic resistance under the control of an inducible promoter is expressed.

Winning New Application project in 2012: Beadzillus: Fundamental BioBricks for Bacillus subtilis and spores as a platform for protein display

LMU Munich

Project abstract : We chose to work with Bacillus subtilis to set new horizons and offer tools for this model organism to the Escherichia coli-dominated world of iGEM. Therefore, we created a BacillusBioBrickBox (BBBB) composed of reporter genes, defined promoters, as well as reporter, expression, and empty vectors in BioBrick standard. B. subtilis naturally produces stress resistant endospores which can germinate in response to suitable environmental conditions. To highlight this unique feature using the BBBB, we developed Sporobeads. These are spores displaying fusion proteins on their surface. As a proof of principle, we fused GFP to the outermost layer. Expanding this idea, we designed a Sporovector to easily create any Sporobead imaginable. Because the Sporobeads must be biologically safe and stable vehicles, we prevented germination by knocking out involved genes and developed a Suicideswitch turned on in case of germination. With the project Beadzillus, our team demonstrates the powerful nature of B. subtilis.

Winning New Application project 2011: (Tie) Brown-Stanford and ZJU-China

Mars BioTools: Synthetic Biology for Space Exploration

Project abstract: "One of the major challenges of space exploration is the enormous cost of launching materials, limiting the size and affordability of long-term missions. Synthetic Biology can revolutionize space exploration and settlement by providing a microbial platform for catalyzing critical reactions and manufacturing essential products. Biological devices have a major advantage over classical machines: the ability to self-replicate and regenerate. Project RegoBrick uses bacteria to cement Martian and Lunar regolith simulant into a concrete-like compound. Extraterrestrial settlements will be able to use such a process to build structures using resources readily available in the environment, instead of having to transport materials from Earth. Project PowerCell develops a universal energy source from engineered cyanobacteria, which generate carbon and nitrogenous nutrients from sunlight and air and secrete them to sustain other microbes. This system will allow future settlers to transform resources on other planets into fuel, food, drugs, and other useful products."

Rainbofilm

Project abstract: Rainbofilm is a stratified expression system in biofilm, a self-organized module extensible for various needs. Researchers found a vertical oxygen gradient establishes in the biofilm. Such property allows us to use oxygen sensitive promoters to artificially induce differentiated functions through the spatial distribution of cells. Thus, the multi-step reaction can be processed within the different layers of the biofilm. The biofilm and its layered structure form spontaneously. Also biofilm has the natural resistance to high levels of toxin. These two properties render the Rainbofilm a convenient stable system for bio-production and bio-sensor. The system can cater to different needs simply by changing downstream genes. One possible application is ethanol production. The cellulose is degraded to monose from the bottom to the middle layer, and the ethanol is produced and secreted in the surface to minimize the toxicity to the inner cells.

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 <p>
-Manufacturing is already an area of demonstrable success in synthetic biology. It is built on diverse history of previous work in metabolic pathway engineering with work such as the production of human insulin using recombinant DNA technologies, starting in the early 1980's. The most well known current example is likely Amyris' engineering of the antimalarial drug precursor, artemisinic acid. Other companies are demonstrating the production of transportation fuels using algal systems in photobioreactors on non-arable land.
+The New Applications tracks in iGEM is possibly the most difficult to describe. Without using the term "catch-all", there is a certain diversity of projects that is not found as much in other tracks. New Application teams work to create novel, forward thinking projects and innovative ideas that don't fit into conventional paradigms.
 </p>
 <p>
-Manufacturing will also play a big role in tissue engineering through the production of new skin, organs and other medical substrates to treat disease and injury. While these problems may seem like medical technologies, scaling them up from the bench to the clinic will very much require innovations in manufacturing.
+New Application is an apt description for a track that doesn't have a common problem, or focus tying all projects together. It is the novelty of ideas and approach in investigating a question that may never have previously been examined that qualifies a project in the New Application track.
 </p>
 <p>
-The potential for the manufacturing track in iGEM is immense. Biological systems can be used to make products under conditions that were previously impossible. Many enzymes can achieve reaction conditions in a tube that would otherwise require high temperatures, pressures or expensive substrates to reproduce using chemical engineering methods. Another possibility is micro-scale production of drugs, therapeutics or other high-value molecules. iGEM teams who choose to work on manufacturing have a wide range of possible projects and many large challenges to overcome.
+You will find images and abstracts of the winning New Application teams from 2011 to 2013 in the page below. Also, follow the links below to see projects from all the New Application track teams.
-</p>
-<p>
-You can find images and abstracts of the winning Manufacturing teams from 2011 to 2013 in the page below. Also, follow the links below to see projects from all the Manufacturing track teams.
 </p>
 <ul>
-<li><a href ="https://igem.org/Team_Tracks?year=2013"> iGEM 2013 Manufacturing team list</a></li>
+<li><a href ="https://igem.org/Team_Tracks?year=2013"> iGEM 2013 New Application team list</a></li>
-<li><a href ="https://igem.org/Team_Tracks?year=2012"> iGEM 2012 Manufacturing team list</a></li>
+<li><a href ="https://igem.org/Team_Tracks?year=2012"> iGEM 2012 New Application team list</a></li>
-<li><a href ="https://igem.org/Team_Tracks?year=2011"> iGEM 2011 Manufacturing team list</a></li>
+<li><a href ="https://igem.org/Team_Tracks?year=2011"> iGEM 2011 New Application team list</a></li>
 </ul>
-<h2>Recent Manufacturing projects to win best in track</h2>
+<h2>Recent New Application projects to win best in track</h2>
-<h3>Winning Manufacturing project in 2013 Undergrad: Plasticity: Engineering microbes to make environmentally friendly plastics from non-recyclable waste</h3>
+<h3>Winning New Application projects in 2013 Undergrad: Wormboys</h3>
-<a href="https://2013.igem.org/Team:Imperial_College"> </a>
+<a href="https://2013.igem.org/Team:Valencia_Biocampus">Valencia Biocampus </a>
-<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/b/ba/ICL_2013_Screen_Shot_2014-02-11_at_12.38.32_PM.png" width="700px">
+<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/a/a9/Valencia_2013_Screen_Shot_2014-02-11_at_2.40.08_PM.png" width="760px">
 <p>
 <strong>Project abstract:</strong>
-Accumulation of waste represents a considerable problem to humanity. Over the next 50 years, the global community will produce approximately 2 trillion tonnes of waste, or 2.5 times the weight of Mount Everest. Traditionally, mixed non-recyclable waste is sent to landfill or for incineration, both of which result in environmental damage. The detrimental effects are perpetrated by the plastic degradation into toxic byproducts and the production of greenhouse gases by these processes. As an alternative we propose to upcycle this mixed waste into the bioplastic poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB) to create a closed loop recycling system. Our engineered E. coli will operate within sealed bioreactors. In the future we picture the use of our system in a variety of contexts as part of our M.A.P.L.E. (Modular And Plastic Looping E.coli) system.
+Bacteria are essential in biotechnology, but they can hardly move. Nematodes, such a C. elegans, are fast crawling organisms, but they have limited biotechnological applications. By combining the best from both organisms, we present the first artificial synthetic symbiosis with bacteria engineered to ride on worms, which concentrate in hotspots where bacteria perform a desired biotechnological process, such as bioplastic (PHA) production. We have engineered Pseudomas putida with a whole operon that allows the formation of a biofilm on the worm. Biofilm formation is swhitched on and off depending on the media, and thus bacteria get on and off the worm like travellers on a bus. We have also engineered a third partner, E. coli, to express an interference RNA that promotes clumping. Taken together, our artificial symbiosis allows biotechnologically interesting bacteria to travel on nematodes, reach nutrient-rich biomass spots and maximize the efficiency of biotechnological fermentations in heterogenous substrates.
 </p>
-<h3>Winning Manufacturing project in 2012: Arachnicoli</h3>
+<h3>Winning New Application projects in 2013 Overgrad: Engineering synthetic microbial consortia</h3>
-<a href="https://2012.igem.org/Team:Utah_State">Utah State</a>
+<a href="https://2013.igem.org/Team:Braunschweig">Braunschweig </a>
-<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/f/f0/Igem-Banner-2.png" width="700px">
+<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/1/17/Braunschweig_2013_Screen_Shot_2014-02-11_at_2.31.32_PM.png" width="760px">
+<p>
+<strong>Project abstract</strong>
+Bacterial consortia offer a great benefit for synthetic biology due to the ability to perform complex tasks by splitting the whole reaction into smaller reactions and share the task among different specialized strains. Also, a self-regulating bacterial culture with intra consortial dependencies offers great advances in biosafety. To shut down the whole bacterial consortium, only on strain has to be eliminated. We engineer three different E. coli strains to grow in a consortium exploiting different Quorum Sensing systems. Each strain maintains a constitutive expression of an inactive transcription activator (LuxR, LasR or RhlR). Inducers are synthesized by different synthases (LuxI, LasI or RhlI) that are each expressed in one strain and subsequently secreted into the medium. Once taken up by a cell, the inducers bind to the corresponding, inactive transcription factors to render them functional. As a result, an antibiotic resistance under the control of an inducible promoter is expressed.
+</p>
+<h3>Winning New Application project in 2012: Beadzillus: Fundamental BioBricks for Bacillus subtilis and spores as a platform for protein display</h3>
+<a href="https://2012.igem.org/Team:LMU-Munich">LMU Munich</a>
+<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/0/01/LMU_Munich_2012-Screen_Shot_2014-02-11_at_3.10.19_PM.png" width="760px">
 <p>
 <strong>Project abstract </strong>:
-Spider silk is the strongest known biomaterial, with a large variety of applications. These applications include artificial tendons and ligaments, biomedical sutures, athletic gear, parachute cords, air bags, and other yet discovered products which require a high tensile strength with amazing extendibility. Spiders however cannot be farmed because they are territorial and cannibalistic. Thus, an alternative to producing spider silk must be found. We aim to engineer spider silk genes into E. coli to produce this highly valuable product. Spider silk production in bacteria has been limited due to the highly repetitive nature of the spider silk amino acids in the protein. To overcome this obstacle we are using various synthetic biology techniques to boost spider silk protein production and increase cellular fitness. After successful production, spider silk protein is artificially spun into usable fibers and tested for physical properties.
+We chose to work with Bacillus subtilis to set new horizons and offer tools for this model organism to the Escherichia coli-dominated world of iGEM. Therefore, we created a BacillusBioBrickBox (BBBB) composed of reporter genes, defined promoters, as well as reporter, expression, and empty vectors in BioBrick standard. B. subtilis naturally produces stress resistant endospores which can germinate in response to suitable environmental conditions. To highlight this unique feature using the BBBB, we developed Sporobeads. These are spores displaying fusion proteins on their surface. As a proof of principle, we fused GFP to the outermost layer. Expanding this idea, we designed a Sporovector to easily create any Sporobead imaginable. Because the Sporobeads must be biologically safe and stable vehicles, we prevented germination by knocking out involved genes and developed a Suicideswitch turned on in case of germination. With the project Beadzillus, our team demonstrates the powerful nature of B. subtilis.
+</p>
+<h3>Winning New Application project 2011: (Tie) Brown-Stanford and ZJU-China</h3>
+<a href ="https://2011.igem.org/Team:Brown-Stanford">Mars BioTools: Synthetic Biology for Space Exploration </a>
+<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/1/17/BrownStanford_2011-Screen_Shot_2014-02-11_at_3.42.43_PM.png" width ="760px">
+<p>
+<strong>Project abstract:</strong>
+"One of the major challenges of space exploration is the enormous cost of launching materials, limiting the size and affordability of long-term missions. Synthetic Biology can revolutionize space exploration and settlement by providing a microbial platform for catalyzing critical reactions and manufacturing essential products. Biological devices have a major advantage over classical machines: the ability to self-replicate and regenerate.
+Project RegoBrick uses bacteria to cement Martian and Lunar regolith simulant into a concrete-like compound. Extraterrestrial settlements will be able to use such a process to build structures using resources readily available in the environment, instead of having to transport materials from Earth.
+Project PowerCell develops a universal energy source from engineered cyanobacteria, which generate carbon and nitrogenous nutrients from sunlight and air and secrete them to sustain other microbes. This system will allow future settlers to transform resources on other planets into fuel, food, drugs, and other useful products."
 </p>
-<h3>Winning Manufacturing project 2011: Biofactory</h3>
-<a href ="https://2011.igem.org/Team:Cornell">Cornell</a>
+<a href ="https://2011.igem.org/Team:ZJU-China">Rainbofilm</a>
-<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/f/f1/Cornell_2011_Screen_Shot_2014-02-11_at_11.47.25_AM.png" width ="760px">
+<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/a/a7/ZJU_2011-Screen_Shot_2014-02-11_at_3.45.17_PM.png" width ="760px">
 <p>
 <strong>Project abstract:</strong>
-Cornell's 2011 iGEM team has designed a new, scalable, and cell-free method to produce complex biomolecules. Current methods for purification from cellular lysate are expensive and time consuming. Biofactory utilizes modified enzymes, capable of being attached to surfaces, in the creation of a modular microfluidic chip for each enzyme. The surface bonding is performed by the well characterized biotin-avidin mechanism. When combined in series, these chips operate as a linear biochemical pathway for continous flow reactions. Additionally, we engineered E. Coli with the mechanism for light-induced apoptosis to easily lyse cultures producing the necessary enzymes. The resulting lysate is flowed through the microfluidic channels, coating them with the desired enzyme. We believe these methods will reduce unwanted side reactions, and lower the costs of producing bio-pharmaceuticals in the future.
+Rainbofilm is a stratified expression system in biofilm, a self-organized module extensible for various needs. Researchers found a vertical oxygen gradient establishes in the biofilm. Such property allows us to use oxygen sensitive promoters to artificially induce differentiated functions through the spatial distribution of cells. Thus, the multi-step reaction can be processed within the different layers of the biofilm. The biofilm and its layered structure form spontaneously. Also biofilm has the natural resistance to high levels of toxin. These two properties render the Rainbofilm a convenient stable system for bio-production and bio-sensor. The system can cater to different needs simply by changing downstream genes. One possible application is ethanol production. The cellulose is degraded to monose from the bottom to the middle layer, and the ethanol is produced and secreted in the surface to minimize the toxicity to the inner cells.
 </p>
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