Difference between revisions of "Team:uOttawa"
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| + | <h2>Project Description</h2> | ||
| + | <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> | ||
| + | <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> | ||
| + | <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> | ||
| + | <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> | ||
Revision as of 18:31, 15 July 2015
Project Description
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 S. cerevisiae, or baker's yeast.
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.
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 both an inducer and repressor, that is, make it capable of turing off genes as well as turning them on. 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.
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.
Welcome to iGEM 2015!
Your team has been approved and you are ready to start the iGEM season!
Before you start:
Please read the following pages:
Styling your wiki
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.
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.
Editing your wiki
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!
See tips on how to edit your wiki on the Template Documentation page.
Templates
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 Template Documentation page.
Tips
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:
- State your accomplishments! Tell people what you have achieved from the start.
- Be clear about what you are doing and how you plan to do this.
- You have a global audience! Consider the different backgrounds that your users come from.
- Make sure information is easy to find; nothing should be more than 3 clicks away.
- Avoid using very small fonts and low contrast colors; information should be easy to read.
- 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 iGEM 2015 calendar
- Have lots of fun!
Inspiration
You can also view other team wikis for inspiration! Here are some examples:
- 2014 SDU Denmark
- 2014 Aalto-Helsinki
- 2014 LMU-Munich
- 2014 Michigan
- 2014 ITESM-Guadalajara
- 2014 SCU-China
Uploading pictures and files
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.
When you upload, set the "Destination Filename" to Team:YourOfficialTeamName/NameOfFile.jpg. (If you don't do this, someone else might upload a different file with the same "Destination Filename", and your file would be erased!)