Difference between revisions of "Team:Goettingen/Practices"

 
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     For our human practice we wanted to think about the implications associated with our Flexosome tool. We consulted Dr. Volka von Hoyningen-Huene about his
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     For our human practices we wanted to think about the implications associated with our Flexosome tool. We consulted Dr. Volker von Hoyningen-Huene about his
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     professional perspective on our project. During the interview we talked about synthetic biology, genetically manipulated organisms (GMOs) and a scenario
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     professional perspective on our project. During the interview we talked about synthetic biology, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and a scenario with the Flexosome as an optimized product.
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    with the Flexosome as an optimized product.
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
 
     <strong>SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY</strong>
 
     <strong>SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY</strong>
 
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</p>
 
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     To construct new biological features from basic components, even if they are artificial components, such as reconstructed genetic information which is then
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     ... is to construct new biological features from basic components, even if they are artificial components, such as reconstructed genetic information which is then expressed and produced as completely new functions.
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    expressed and produced as completely new functions.
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</p>
 
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<p align="left">
 
     <strong>GMOs</strong>
 
     <strong>GMOs</strong>
 
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<p align="right">
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<p align="left">
 
     Any organism that has its genetic material altered by human influence. Not through breeding and selection but through molecular biology. They can be
 
     Any organism that has its genetic material altered by human influence. Not through breeding and selection but through molecular biology. They can be
 
     applied in industry, fuel, environment, health, energy and in the elaboration of nutritional products for example.
 
     applied in industry, fuel, environment, health, energy and in the elaboration of nutritional products for example.
 
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     <strong>GMO’s worst case scenario</strong>
 
     <strong>GMO’s worst case scenario</strong>
 
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     A worst case scenario can be found in science fiction films. I don’t think such a thing has ever happened. In a worst case scenario somebody would use your
 
     A worst case scenario can be found in science fiction films. I don’t think such a thing has ever happened. In a worst case scenario somebody would use your
 
     system in order to produce a very efficient poison as a misuse for war purposes. Such a complex protein could be put into water of a city and therefore
 
     system in order to produce a very efficient poison as a misuse for war purposes. Such a complex protein could be put into water of a city and therefore
 
     cause damage without causing realisations.
 
     cause damage without causing realisations.
 
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     <strong>GMOs perception</strong>
 
     <strong>GMOs perception</strong>
 
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     Publicly they have a bad reputation, but personally I see it more differentiated. I see the concern in the public of depending very strongly on individual
 
     Publicly they have a bad reputation, but personally I see it more differentiated. I see the concern in the public of depending very strongly on individual
 
     firms like, e.g. Monsanto, in the total exploitation for commercial means rather than applications that pursues the society as a whole.
 
     firms like, e.g. Monsanto, in the total exploitation for commercial means rather than applications that pursues the society as a whole.
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[[File:HP_iGEM_Goettingen2015.jpg|700px|thumb|center|]]
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[[File:HP_iGEM_Goettingen2015.jpg|720px|thumb|center|]]
 
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<strong>To remember:</strong> Dr. Volker von Hoyningen-Huene helped us to realise that one of the main points related to the implementation of this kind of synthetic biology project is the public opinion. It is fundamental to explain the project in a simple and accessible way, so non specialised people can understand it and therefore support it without the fear that comes from misinformation.
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<h2>Product Design</h2>
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<p><span>If the flexosome could pass the proof of principle stage and be further developed into a commercially viable product, we would provide it in form of a kit.&nbsp;</span><br /><span>The kit would work like a building set containing:&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><br /><span>1.) Purified scaffoldin&nbsp;</span><br /><span>2.) Plasmids containing each dockerin (currently a max. of 4)&nbsp;</span></p>
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<p><br /><span>All the user would have to do is insert the enzyme of choice in the plasmid with the dockerin, express the construct and mix together with the scaffoldin.&nbsp;</span><br /><span>Apply to substrate of choice.&nbsp;</span></p>
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<br>
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<b>Voilà! A custom made flexosome!</b>
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<br>
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<br>Future additions and developments:
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<br>The kit could contain columns with cohesin coated beads, allowing the user to remove the flexosome from their product with the extra dockerin domain connected to the end of the flexosome.By filtering the working solution through these columns, the flexosomes would adhere to the beads. This would provide a simple purification step once the flexosome has done its work.
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<p>iGEM teams are unique and leading the field because they "go beyond the lab" to imagine their projects in a social/environmental context, to better understand issues that might influence the design and use of their technologies.</p>
 
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<p>Teams work with students and advisors from the humanities and social sciences to explore topics concerning ethical, legal, social, economic, safety or security issues related to their work. Consideration of these Human Practices is crucial for building safe and sustainable projects that serve the public interest. </p>
 
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<p>For more information, please see the <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Practices_Hub">Practices Hub</a>.</p>
 
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<div class="highlightBox">
 
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<h4>Note</h4>
 
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<p>You must fill out this page in order to be considered for all <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Judging/Awards">awards</a> for Human Practices:</p>
 
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<ul>
 
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<li>Human Practices silver medal criterion</li>
 
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<li>Human Practices gold medal criterion</li>
 
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<li>Best Integrated Human Practices award</li>
 
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<li>Best Education and Public Engagement award</li>
 
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</ul>
 
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</div>
 
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<h5>Some Human Practices topic areas </h5>
 
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<ul>
 
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<li>Philosophy</li>
 
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<li>Public Engagement / Dialogue</li>
 
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<li>Education</li>
 
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<li>Product Design</li>
 
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<li>Scale-Up and Deployment Issues</li>
 
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<li>Environmental Impact</li>
 
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<li>Ethics</li>
 
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<li>Safety</li>
 
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<li>Security</li>
 
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<li>Public Policy</li>
 
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<li>Law and Regulation</li>
 
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<li>Risk Assessment</li>
 
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</ul>
 
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<h5>What should we write about on this page?</h5>
 
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<p>On this page, you should write about the Human Practices topics you considered in your project, and document any special activities you did (such as visiting experts, talking to lawmakers, or doing public engagement).</p>
 
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<h5>Inspiration</h5>
 
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<p>Read what other teams have done:</p>
 
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<ul>
 
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<li><a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Dundee/policypractice/experts">2014 Dundee </a></li>
 
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<li><a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:UC_Davis/Policy_Practices_Overview">2014 UC Davis </a></li>
 
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<li><a href="https://2013.igem.org/Team:Manchester/HumanPractices">2013 Manchester </a></li>
 
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<li><a href="https://2013.igem.org/Team:Cornell/outreach">2013 Cornell </a></li>
 
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</ul>
 
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<h3>Integrated Human Practices</h3>
 
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<p>Do you want to be considered for the <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Judging/Awards#SpecialPrizes">Best Integrated Human Practices award</a>? Make it easy for the judges to find any wiki content that is relevant to this prize. Highlight this content with a header or separate section.</p>
 
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<h3>Education and Public Engagement</h3>
 
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<p>Do you want to be considered for the <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Judging/Awards#SpecialPrizes">Best Education and Public Outreach award</a>? Make it easy for the judges to find any wiki content that is relevant to this prize. Highlight this content with a header or separate section.</p>
 
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</div>
 
 
</html>
 
</html>

Latest revision as of 22:01, 18 September 2015



Human Practices

For our human practices we wanted to think about the implications associated with our Flexosome tool. We consulted Dr. Volker von Hoyningen-Huene about his professional perspective on our project. During the interview we talked about synthetic biology, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and a scenario with the Flexosome as an optimized product.

 

SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

... is to construct new biological features from basic components, even if they are artificial components, such as reconstructed genetic information which is then expressed and produced as completely new functions.

GMOs

Any organism that has its genetic material altered by human influence. Not through breeding and selection but through molecular biology. They can be applied in industry, fuel, environment, health, energy and in the elaboration of nutritional products for example.

GMO’s worst case scenario

A worst case scenario can be found in science fiction films. I don’t think such a thing has ever happened. In a worst case scenario somebody would use your system in order to produce a very efficient poison as a misuse for war purposes. Such a complex protein could be put into water of a city and therefore cause damage without causing realisations.

GMOs perception

Publicly they have a bad reputation, but personally I see it more differentiated. I see the concern in the public of depending very strongly on individual firms like, e.g. Monsanto, in the total exploitation for commercial means rather than applications that pursues the society as a whole.

HP iGEM Goettingen2015.jpg

To remember: Dr. Volker von Hoyningen-Huene helped us to realise that one of the main points related to the implementation of this kind of synthetic biology project is the public opinion. It is fundamental to explain the project in a simple and accessible way, so non specialised people can understand it and therefore support it without the fear that comes from misinformation.

Product Design

If the flexosome could pass the proof of principle stage and be further developed into a commercially viable product, we would provide it in form of a kit. 
The kit would work like a building set containing: 


1.) Purified scaffoldin 
2.) Plasmids containing each dockerin (currently a max. of 4) 


All the user would have to do is insert the enzyme of choice in the plasmid with the dockerin, express the construct and mix together with the scaffoldin. 
Apply to substrate of choice. 


Voilà! A custom made flexosome!

Future additions and developments:
The kit could contain columns with cohesin coated beads, allowing the user to remove the flexosome from their product with the extra dockerin domain connected to the end of the flexosome.By filtering the working solution through these columns, the flexosomes would adhere to the beads. This would provide a simple purification step once the flexosome has done its work.