Team:GeorgiaTech/Results

Experiment Results

We are pleased to describe the results of our research endeavors! As a team, we:

  • Successfully mutated our starting proteins using error-prone PCR.
  • Achieved an error rate of about 0.2% - 0.5%.
  • Generated a diverse library of protein mutants to be used for future experiments.
  • Submitted mutated Plastocyanin gene sequences to the iGEM Parts Registry in standard BioBrick format.

Future Directions

As a team, we have several future plans for our project:

  • Perform DNA shuffling on our mutated proteins in order to enhance the diversity of our library.
  • Screen our mutated proteins for activity and function using phage display.
  • Use these techniques to evolve a “clickase” that will successfully acquire copper for the CuACC reaction in vivo.
  • This “clickase” will be a ligand that can accelerate the CuACC reaction in vivo.

Why DNA Shuffling?

  • Increases diversity of genes by combining different segments of homologous genes
  • Forms unnatural chimeric genes with possible new activities
  • Starting with naturally occurring homologous sequences allows for combination of the most useful mutations from individual genes.

Achieving our future goals would have widespread applications that could greatly advance drug delivery and molecular tagging, and the research we conducted this summer has laid a solid foundation for our future plans.

Beyond the Bench

Aside from our research achievements, we also completed several projects beyond the bench. As a team, we:

  • Collaborated with Lambert High School to:
    • Debug their construct
    • Critique their presentations
  • Created an informational Georgia Tech iGEM video series:
    • One central source for lab techniques and background
    • Will better equip future iGEM teams for successful research
  • Distributed iGEM informational pamphlets to:
    • Spread the word about iGEM and synthetic biology
    • Teach college students about our project and achievements