|
|
| Line 3: |
Line 3: |
| | <div align="center"><h2>A BLUE E. COLI IS A HAPPY E. COLI</h2></div> | | <div align="center"><h2>A BLUE E. COLI IS A HAPPY E. COLI</h2></div> |
| | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/d/d9/Team_Dalhousie_Halifax_NS_Equation.png"> | | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/d/d9/Team_Dalhousie_Halifax_NS_Equation.png"> |
| − | <h2>ANTHOCYANINS</h2> | + | <div align="center">To get started, click on one of the links in the sidebar!</div> |
| − | A class of pigmented (blue, red and purple) compounds which are members of the flavonoid group of phytochemicals, possessing aromatics structures with bioactive properties. They are produced through a complex biochemical pathway involving the actions of multiple enzymes, as seen in Figure 1. The initial substrate of this pathway is phenylalanine, which is a common amino acid utilized by all living organisms. Some natural sources of anthocyanins include honey, fruits and vegetables, nuts, cocoa and olive oil.<br>
| + | |
| − | <br><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/d/dc/Team_Dalhousie_Halifax_NS_Pathway.jpg">
| + | |
| − | Anthocyanin compounds are free radical scavengers which sequester harmful reactive oxygen species, thereby acting as antioxidants. Anthocyanins provide a variety of physiological benefits to humans. Some such benefits include:<br>
| + | |
| − | • Prevention of DNA cleavage<br>
| + | |
| − | • Regulation of the immune system<br>
| + | |
| − | • Prevention of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline and cancer<br>
| + | |
| − | • Enhanced visual acuity<br>
| + | |
| − | • Regulation of lipid degradation<br>
| + | |
| − | <h2>THE OBJECTIVE</h2>
| + | |
| − | The mass production of anthocyanin compounds may have significant implications in the treatment and prevention of a large number of diseases and disorders. Therefore the goal of this project is to produce a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli which is capable of expressing the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. This will lead to the visualization of a blue phenotype when the strain is cultured. This project is modelled on a previous application of synthetic biology involving the expression of the lycopene pathway in E.coli by Klein-Marcuschamer et al (2007).
| + | |
| − | <h2>REFERENCES</h2>
| + | |
| − | Klein-Marcuschamer, D., Kumaran Ajikumar, P., & Stephanopoulos, G. (2007). Engineering
| + | |
| − | microbial cell factories for the biosynthesis of isoprenoid molecules: Beyond lycopene.
| + | |
| − | Trends in Biotechnology, 25(9). 417-424. doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2007.07.006<br>
| + | |
| − | Lila, M.A. (2004). Anthocyanins and human health: An in vitro investigative approach. Journal
| + | |
| − | of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 2004(5). 306-313. doi: 10.1155/S111072430440401X
| + | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
