Team:China Tongji/Outreach

Cells sense the environment, process information, and make response to stimuli. To make cells work well in complex natural environments, lots of processes have to be preset to react to various signals. However, when well-characterized modules are combined to construct higher order systems, unpredictable behaviors often occur because of the interplay between modules. Another significant problem is that complex integrated systems composed of numerous parts may cause cell overload.

Figure 1. Schematic demonstration of HIV

We proposed an elegant method to design higher order systems. Instead of merely combining different functional modules, we constructed one integrated processing module with fewer parts by utilizing the common structures between modules. The circuit we designed is a rewirable one and the topological structure of the processing module can be altered to adapt to environmental change. The basic idea is to rewire the connections between parts and devices to implement multiple functions with the help of the site-specific recombination systems.

Our design approach may lead to a revolutionary step towards system integration in synthetic biology. Potential fields of application include organism development, living therapeutics and environment improvement.

2. Advisor

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Codename: Master Li

Self-introduction: Hi,I am Junwu Li. This is my first time to contact iGEM, I think it is a very meaningful competition. I am very interested in programming, I think it is amazing to realize my ideas by computer language. I feel honored to have chance to design Wiki page for Tongji University Team of China in 2015, meanwhile, I can learn a lot relevant knowledge in the process of designing web page.Anyway, I will try my best to design the wiki page, ensure that the content is easy to read and the interface is beautiful.

3. Instructor

3.1 Songcheng Zhu

I am Songcheng Zhu, an Associate Professor at Life School of Tongji University.I like music, travelling, sports and stay with my kids in my spare time.My major is Biochemistry and I love those molecules in the body of life, particularly DNA, RNA and Protein. I am very interesting in how a protein is located to the right place in the the right time in a cell.

Happy to be a teacher in An University, where I can work and study with young students.Even more happy to work with our iGEM team, it is a diligent and enthusiastic unit I have ever seen.

Good luck to our team.

3.2 Wei Li

Dr. Li joined the faculty of the School of Life Sciences and Technology in 2012. Li received her Ph.D. degree in Biophysics from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Prior to joining Tongji University, Li completed her post-doctoral training at the University of Michigan, where she was awarded the American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship.

The Li lab combines the genetic model organism C.elegans and mammalian system to study the mechanisms of mechanosensation and pain, and uses a multidisciplinary approach of molecular genetics, functional imaging, electrophysiology, optogenetics and behavioral analysis.

4.1 GENEWIZ

Excelling in both science and service, GENEWIZ is the largest trusted partner for DNA services. Since 1999, our commitment is to advance research productivity through our distinctive combination of fast, reliable results, specialized expertise, competitive pricing, excellent project management and easy access to award-winning, friendly technical support.

With state-of-the-art facilities at the local, national, and international levels, we value our loyal customers who have made GENEWIZ an industry leader. Together, we can make a difference in the pursuit of scientific discoveries, better medicines, a greener environment, and abundant healthy food supplies.

It's easy to work with GENEWIZ!

4.2 THORLABS

Thorlabs, Inc. is a privately held optical equipment company headquartered in Newton, New Jersey. The company was founded by Alex Cable, who serves as its current president and CEO. As of 2013, Thorlabs employed about 1,000 people directly or indirectly and has sales of approximately $200 million.The company has offices in multiple American States, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It sells approximately 20,000 different products.

Thorlabsdesigns and manufactures products in the areas of breath analysis technology, fiber optics, lasers, optical instrumentation, optomechanics, photonics, and vibration isolation. Approximately 90% of the products it sells are manufactured in-house.

5. Contact

Cells sense the environment, process information, and make response to stimuli. To make cells work well in complex natural environments, lots of processes have to be preset to react to various signals. However, when well-characterized modules are combined to construct higher order systems, unpredictable behaviors often occur because of the interplay between modules. Another significant problem is that complex integrated systems composed of numerous parts may cause cell overload.

Figure 2. China_Tongji_iGEM_logo

Our design approach may lead to a revolutionary step towards system integration in synthetic biology. Potential fields of application include organism development, living therapeutics and environment improvement.

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Master Li in a restaurant at Budapest.