Difference between revisions of "Team:HKUST-Rice"

 
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<p style="font-size:40px;color:#FFFFFF;line-height:1em;">  Potassium, Nitrate and Phosphate Biosensor </font><br>
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                                <font size= "5"> HKUST-Rice iGEM Team </font></p>
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<p>Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are three essential macronutrients needed for healthy plant growth. By creating a biological sensor that can quickly provide the status of these macronutrients in the soil, we can provide farmers with the tools to monitor and respond to potential nutrition deficiencies.
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In previous iGEM projects, nitrate- and phosphate-responsive promoters have been utilized extensively. However, a potassium-responsive promoter was still lacking. Our team submitted the first ever potassium-sensing promoter to the Part Registry, in addition to  providing more comprehensive characterization data for the existing phosphate- and nitrate-responsive promoters. Our biological sensors are constructed in <i>E. coli</i>,  to detect NPK levels in the surrounding environment and produce a measurable level of reporter protein. To simulate the expression of multiple sensors in a single system, we characterized the effects of a parallel sensors system, in contrast to a single output system.</p>
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  <p style=" text-align: right"><a class=" learn" href="https://2015.igem.org/Team:HKUST-Rice/Description"> Learn more ... </a></p>
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<h1>The Journey of HKUST-Rice iGEM team </h1>
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<p>The HKUST-Rice iGEM team is the first transcontinental team in iGEM, comprising of <a href ="https://2015.igem.org/Team:HKUST-Rice/Team"> 31 student members</a>- 18 from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and 13 from Rice University. The benefit of forming a large joint team is that we have members coming from different disciplines who contribute different perspectives to the project. This has enabled us to tackle a broad subject matter effectively.
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<p>Taking the native metabolic pathway found in <i>E. coli</i>, we have designed a <a href ="https://2015.igem.org/Team:HKUST-Rice/Potassium_Sensor" >potassium ion (K<sup>+</sup>) regulated construct</a> and a <a href ="https://2015.igem.org/Team:HKUST-Rice/Nitrate_Sensor_PdcuS" >nitrate-(NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>) regulated construct</a> that could potentially report the K<sup>+</sup> and NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> level in soil. Since previous iGEM teams have also worked on <a href ="https://2015.igem.org/Team:HKUST-Rice/Nitrate_Sensor_PyeaR" >nitrate-regulated promoters</a> and<a href ="https://2015.igem.org/Team:HKUST-Rice/Phosphate_Sensor" > phosphate-regulated promoters</a>, our team utilized these promoters and further characterized them in order to provide more information on these promoters.</p>
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<p>In addition, we characterized the effects of a <a href ="https://2015.igem.org/Team:HKUST-Rice/Expression" >parallel sensors system</a>, in contrast to a single output system, in order to predict the expression of multiple outputs in a single system.</p>
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<p>When it comes to the real application method of our biosensors, our team considered two factors- biological <a href ="https://2015.igem.org/Team:HKUST-Rice/Safety" >safety</a> and feasibility. Biological safety is our priority, especially since the practical application of our project is related to the agricultural business. In our plan of applying the biosensor, we chose to deliver the biosensor in a <a href ="https://2015.igem.org/Team:HKUST-Rice/Application#pp" >cell-free system</a>, which has no capability to sustain itself in the wild. However, after factoring in the feasibility, we think that delivering our biosensor in <a href ="https://2015.igem.org/Team:HKUST-Rice/Application#cc" >common soil bacteria</a> will be more practical. Hence we perform proof-of-concept experiments to demonstrate our idea. </p>
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<p>Besides lab work, we also engaged the community- introducing synthetic biology to the younger community by <a href ="https://2015.igem.org/Team:HKUST-Rice/Practices_Debate" >debating</a> and interacting with and  <a href ="https://2015.igem.org/Team:HKUST-Rice/Practices_ExploratoryResearch" >gathering the community's perception</a> regarding biosensors and genetic engineering technology. Through engagement with the community, we gained valuable feedback and comments which we then used to improve our design. </p>
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<h3><ins>Background and Significance</ins></h3>
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<h3> Welcome to iGEM 2015! </h3>
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<p><h4>Your team has been approved and you are ready to start the iGEM season!</h4></p>
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<h4>Before you start: </h4>
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<p><h4>Please read the following pages:</h4></p>
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<li>  <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Requirements">Requirements page </a> </li>
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<li> <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Wiki_How-To">Wiki Requirements page</a></li>
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<h4> Styling your wiki </h4>
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<p><h4>You may style this page as you like or you can simply leave the style as it is. You can easily keep the styling and edit the content of these default wiki pages with your project information and completely fulfill the requirement to document your project.</h4></p>
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<p><h4>While you may not win Best Wiki with this styling, your team is still eligible for all other awards. This default wiki meets the requirements, it improves navigability and ease of use for visitors, and you should not feel it is necessary to style beyond what has been provided.</h4></p>
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<h4> Editing your wiki </h4>
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<p><h4>On this page you can document your project, introduce your team members, document your progress and share your iGEM experience with the rest of the world!</h4></p>
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<p><h4> <a href="https://2015.igem.org/wiki/index.php?title=Team:HKUST-Rice&action=edit"> Click here to edit this page! </a></h4></p>
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<p><h4>See tips on how to edit your wiki on the <a href="https://2015.igem.org/TemplatesforTeams_Code_Documentation">Template Documentation</a> page.</h4></p>
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<h4>Templates </h4>
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<p><h4>This year we have created templates for teams to use freely. More information on how to use and edit the templates can be found on the
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<a href="https://2015.igem.org/TemplatesforTeams_Code_Documentation">Template Documentation </a> page.</h4></p>
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<h4>Tips</h4>
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<p><h4>This wiki will be your team’s first interaction with the rest of the world, so here are a few tips to help you get started:</h4></p>
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<li>State your accomplishments! Tell people what you have achieved from the start. </li>
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<li>Be clear about what you are doing and how you plan to do this.</li>
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<li>You have a global audience! Consider the different backgrounds that your users come from.</li>
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<li>Make sure information is easy to find; nothing should be more than 3 clicks away.  </li>
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<li>Avoid using very small fonts and low contrast colors; information should be easy to read.  </li>
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<li>Start documenting your project as early as possible; don’t leave anything to the last minute before the Wiki Freeze. For a complete list of deadlines visit the <a href="https://2015.igem.org/Calendar_of_Events">iGEM 2015 calendar</a> </li>
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<li>Have lots of fun! </li>
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<h4>Inspiration</h4>
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<p><h4> You can also view other team wikis for inspiration! Here are some examples:</h4></p>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:SDU-Denmark/"> 2014 SDU Denmark </a> </li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aalto-Helsinki">2014 Aalto-Helsinki</a> </li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:LMU-Munich">2014 LMU-Munich</a> </li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Michigan"> 2014 Michigan</a></li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:ITESM-Guadalajara">2014 ITESM-Guadalajara </a></li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:SCU-China"> 2014 SCU-China </a></li>
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</ul>
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<h4> Uploading pictures and files </h4>
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<p> <h4>You can upload your pictures and files to the iGEM 2015 server. Remember to keep all your pictures and files within your team's namespace or at least include your team's name in the file name. <br />
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When you upload, set the "Destination Filename" to <code>Team:YourOfficialTeamName/NameOfFile.jpg</code>. (If you don't do this, someone else might upload a different file with the same "Destination Filename", and your file would be erased!)</h4></p>
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<a href="https://2015.igem.org/Special:Upload">CLICK HERE TO UPLOAD FILES</a>
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{{HKUST-Rice Directory}}

Latest revision as of 03:16, 19 September 2015

Project Description

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are three essential macronutrients needed for healthy plant growth. By creating a biological sensor that can quickly provide the status of these macronutrients in the soil, we can provide farmers with the tools to monitor and respond to potential nutrition deficiencies. In previous iGEM projects, nitrate- and phosphate-responsive promoters have been utilized extensively. However, a potassium-responsive promoter was still lacking. Our team submitted the first ever potassium-sensing promoter to the Part Registry, in addition to providing more comprehensive characterization data for the existing phosphate- and nitrate-responsive promoters. Our biological sensors are constructed in E. coli, to detect NPK levels in the surrounding environment and produce a measurable level of reporter protein. To simulate the expression of multiple sensors in a single system, we characterized the effects of a parallel sensors system, in contrast to a single output system.

Learn more ...

The Journey of HKUST-Rice iGEM team

The HKUST-Rice iGEM team is the first transcontinental team in iGEM, comprising of 31 student members- 18 from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and 13 from Rice University. The benefit of forming a large joint team is that we have members coming from different disciplines who contribute different perspectives to the project. This has enabled us to tackle a broad subject matter effectively.

Taking the native metabolic pathway found in E. coli, we have designed a potassium ion (K+) regulated construct and a nitrate-(NO3-) regulated construct that could potentially report the K+ and NO3- level in soil. Since previous iGEM teams have also worked on nitrate-regulated promoters and phosphate-regulated promoters, our team utilized these promoters and further characterized them in order to provide more information on these promoters.

In addition, we characterized the effects of a parallel sensors system, in contrast to a single output system, in order to predict the expression of multiple outputs in a single system.

When it comes to the real application method of our biosensors, our team considered two factors- biological safety and feasibility. Biological safety is our priority, especially since the practical application of our project is related to the agricultural business. In our plan of applying the biosensor, we chose to deliver the biosensor in a cell-free system, which has no capability to sustain itself in the wild. However, after factoring in the feasibility, we think that delivering our biosensor in common soil bacteria will be more practical. Hence we perform proof-of-concept experiments to demonstrate our idea.

Besides lab work, we also engaged the community- introducing synthetic biology to the younger community by debating and interacting with and gathering the community's perception regarding biosensors and genetic engineering technology. Through engagement with the community, we gained valuable feedback and comments which we then used to improve our design.