For our first team meeting we distributed handouts, reviewed art & design track guidelines and introduced a few project ideas.

We discussed preliminary research and possible manifestations of the project, which included an iPhone case that coordinates with app to process physical samples in the field and a large (weather like) map showing soil health in Manhattan.

Sebastian explained that exposure time for the biosensors we make would not be an instant result, like kit, but need at minimum a few hours to process. We also discussed how (some of) the biosensors function to change colors- once they bind the to soil sample the molecules change shape, therefore changing the way the light refracts and the color visible.

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• Distributed lab coats and iGEM pins
• Team members signed up for iGEM usernames
• Brainstormed project titles
• Martica took group photo
• Drafted list of subcommittees and preliminary tasks
• Extended sample collecting to other boroughs
• Emailed LaMotte handbook to team

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Potential names for project:

• "SOILED"
• "SOIL-SCAPE"
• “Super Duper Soil SenSomatic!”
• “DIRT-BOW”
• “Soil Spectrum”
• “ChromaDirt”

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Sites of interest for sampling:

• Parks
• Retro manufacturers
• Cemeteries
• Backyards (darya, tiffany, tarah, victor)
• *Expand list and make map*

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NEXT MEETING

We will test miracle grow soil, as well as vitamins and salts using the LaMotte kit. We will also begin drafting protocol for collecting soil samples in the field.

WET LAB

5/18 - First iGEM syllabus meeting
5/19 - Preliminary research on nutrient activated promoters

Team members presented their research on assigned soil nutrients.
- Ordered 6 soil augers and spray bottles for taking samples.
- Discussed possible sites of sampling according to potential access:
What apps for soil testing already exist?
Ideally we will find biological substitutes for LaMotte soil tests - if that is not an option we will greatly decrease the amount of the substance needed for testing, by using a microchannel chip and spectrophotometer, possibly interfaced into a device for a smart phone.

Everyone will research their assigned soil topic as well as think about: The chemicals used in the testing of soil nutrients are toxic- what are non-toxic solutions? is soil toxic? what nutrients are present? can you neutralize soil? what is soil health?

• pH- Suzanne
• Nitrate Nitrogen - Sebastian
• Potassium - Jennifer
• Phosphorous - Martica
• Humus - Shane
• Magnesium - Daniella
• Calcium - Tarah
• Sulfate - Andrew
• Aluminum - Victor
• Chloride - Daniella
• Ferric Iron - Darya
• Nitrite Nitrogen - Beckett
• Ammonia Nitrogen - Mike
• Manganese - Tiffany

Informed the Team where to upload files:
Discussed preliminary research and possible manifestations of the project:
- iPhone case that coordinates with app to process physical samples in the field.
- Large (weather like) map showing soil health in Manhattan.

Sebastian explained that exposure time for the biosensors we make would not be an instant result, like kit, but need at minimum a few hours to process. We also discussed how (some of) the biosensors function to change colors- once they bind the to soil sample the molecules change shape, therefore changing the way the light refracts and the color visible.
First deadline: JUNE 26TH

NEXT MEETING

We will test miracle grow soil, as well as vitamins and salts using the LaMotte kit. We will also begin drafting protocol for collecting soil samples in the field.

WET LAB

5/25 - Research led to the possibility of using microfluidics

Looked at an app that tests soil.
Discussed the legalities of sampling; taking samples in public is going to need more formalities. Personal spaces and community gardens will be a more realistic place to begin sampling

Need to:
Make a map of community gardens and draft a letter to introduce our project and ask for access. How to encourage their participation? Offer them survey of data about their plot.
A handful of team members took augers home to get a sample of their yards.

NEXT MEETING We will test out the LaMotte soil kit for the first time as a group.
We will hear feedback from those that used the augers next week and begin drafting protocol and assembling a kit for sample taking: including not only distraction technique but recording of gps/time/temp, etc. Environmental limitations: nearby buildings, trees, dog pee, rain the day.
We reviewed the iGEM deadlines and began making a calendar.

6/2 - Found Arsenic activated biosensor in biobrick registry