Difference between revisions of "Team:uOttawa"

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            <div><span class="big">iGEMuOttawa</span></div>
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            <div><span class="small">Simulating Stem Cells</span></div>
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            <div><span class="small">for Tomorrow's Treatments</span></div>
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<!--<h2>Project Description</h2>
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<p>At uOttawa, we are trying to construct a genetic network known as a "tri-stable switch." This network consists of two transcription factors that inhibit each other's production, but stimulate the production of themselves. We are constructing this network in <i>S. cerevisiae</i>, or baker's yeast.</p>
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<p>The tri-stable switch is a genetic switch that has three stable states: an "A" state, a "B" state, and an "AB" state, where both A and B are active in some amounts. We believe that using this switch, we will be able to mimic the process of differentiation in stem cells: cells that start off their life in the pluripotent "AB" state can differentiate into either the "A" or "B" states, given an appropriate stimulus. Understanding how this kind of network behaves will yield vital insights on how stem cells work, but it also gives us a new tool to build genetically modified organisms. Using a tri-stable switch as a pathway for differentiation, we will be able to engineer cell fate.</p>
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<p>The tri-stable switch relies on a very delicate balance of transcription factors, and we need to build new types of promoters in order to construct the switch. Specifically, we need to adapt an arbitrary transcription factor to serve as <b>both</b> an inducer and repressor, that is, make it capable of turing <b>off</b> genes as well as turning them <b>on</b>. In 2014, uOttawa has submitted a few promoters that we are using as a base, but it is certainly necessary to better characterize them and tweak them to the precise specifications imposed by the tri-stable switch.</p>
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<p>Stem cells are the focus of much clinical research, and have to potential to cure previously untreatable diseases. If this switch works, we will be one step closer to understanding stem cells and being able to engineer them from scratch.</p>
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<h2> Welcome to iGEM 2015! </h2>
 
<h2> Welcome to iGEM 2015! </h2>
 
<p>Your team has been approved and you are ready to start the iGEM season! </p>
 
<p>Your team has been approved and you are ready to start the iGEM season! </p>

Latest revision as of 20:49, 14 September 2015

iGEMuOttawa
Simulating Stem Cells
for Tomorrow's Treatments