Team:UCSC/Fermentation

Fermentation: Butanol


Background:

The fermentation team worked on a carbon neutral solution by engineering the fermentation pathway in HVO to go complete conversion of glucose to Butanol. The research was based off a pathway in Clostridium Acetobutycillum (see figure 1).

Aims:

The aim was to produce butanol through this fermentation pathway. The focus was converting glucose to butanol by creating two fusion genes to complete the pathway from Butyryl Coa to Butanol. One from Shewanella and one consisting of native ACD and Aldy genes from HVO. In addition, we wished to grow multiple cultures both aerobically and anaerobically, and at different pHs, to test solvent production without modification. We were looking for butyric acid and/or butanol in our samples.

Achievements:

We were able to create one assembled fusion gene. We also designed multiple linkers (refer to parts) to complete the designed fusion gene.

García, V., Challenges in biobutanol production: How to improve the efficiency? Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 15, 964–980 (2011).

View our Notebook for our methodology that lead to our results.


Alonzo Lee
  • Biomolecular Engineering
    Cowell College (UCSC)
    4th Year
    Overseer of all projects 
    From: Sacramento, CA

"I started this project nervous and afraid about my ability to not only perform in a laboratory setting but as a captain as well. Yet now that have gone through iGEM I have become both an experienced researcher and a decisive leader who is able to communicate with all levels. This project has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life and I only hope that in the future more potential researchers are able to live what I have lived. With new experiences, knowledge, and friends in hand I look back at back at my iGEM experience only wishing to live it once more."

Nina Sardesh
  • Bioelectronics Engineering
    Electrical Engineering minor
    Stevenson College (UCSC)
    4th Year
    Grant & Social Media Supervisor
    From: San Francisco, CA 

"iGEM has been a leadership experience like no other. The skills I have acquired from working with such a bright and diverse team have allowed me to become confident in my ability to manage, and the potential for me to start a business. I am extremely proud of the work we have done and our teamwork abilities. "

Sanusha Bijj
  • Biomolecular Engineering
    Bioinformatics minor
    College Nine (UCSC)
    4th Year
    Grant, Social Media, &
    Website Team
    From: San Jose, CA

"Being apart of iGEM was more than just an experience. I was able to not only learn new lab techniques, but also learn how to fundraise, communicate, and think broader. My contribution to the team not only include lab work but publicizing our research through newspapers, writing grants, and writing thank-you letters. Two important qualities I learned from this experience were patience and communication. I can definitely say that this experience has prepped me to deal with the future research labs that I will encounter."

Jackson DeKloe
  • Molecular, Cell, &
    Developmental Biology
    Bioinformatics minor
    Cowell College (UCSC)
    5th Year
    From: Fairfield, CA

Vijay Jayant
  • Molecular, Cell, &
    Developmental Biology
    Bioinformatics minor
    College Ten (UCSC)
    5th Year
    Graphic Deisgn, Video, &
    Website Team
    From: Fremont, CA

Isabel Madau
  • Biochemistry
    University of Edinburgh
    2nd Year
    Grant Team
    From: Baltimore, MD

Derek Brekke
  • Biomolecular Engineering
    Bioinformatics minor
    College Nine (UCSC)
    5th Year
    From: Aptos, CA








Fermentation: Ethanol

Kassandra Colao
  • Biomolecular Engineering
    Bioinformatics minor
    Merrill College (UCSC)
    5th Year
    From: Napa, CA

Megana Kunda
  • Biomolecular Engineering and
    Molecular, Cell, &
    Developmental Biology
    Bioinformatics minor
    Collge 10 (UCSC)
    4th Year
    From: Milpitas, CA

Kendal Prokopakis
  • Biomolecular Engineering
    Bioinformatics minor
    Stevenson College (UCSC)
    4th Year
    From: Santa Clara, CA