SB iGEM 2015

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Abstract

This past year, Chen et al. at Columbia University devised a way to utilize the power of evaporation and the way Bacillus Spores expand and contract depending on ambient humidity in order to create contractile structures coined as “HYDRA” (Hygroscopy driven artificial muscles). We improved on this technology by creating fully biological hydras, using cellulose instead of polyimide, and incorporating cellulose binding sites on the spore coats instead of using artificial artificial glue. See our biobricks here:

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Introduction

In our search for a biological agent that can contract and at the same time have high resistance to the environment, we came across bacterial spores. Bacterial spores are usually thought of as inert, hibernating organisms with little to no metabolic function. In response to stressful environmental conditions, vegetative Bacillus will sporulate to produce robust organisms called spores, which can survive in extreme conditions for many years. To be able to germinate and regain full vegetative function, they have to maintain a certain internal environment so as to preserve the integrity of its organelles while in spore form. To regulate the humidity content in the spore core, bacillus have adapted by changing the shape of its wrinkled spore cortex with various degrees of humidity. As the air becomes dryer, the spores shrinks, and vice versa. We sought to improve on the work of Chen et al. (Columbia University) and their HYDRA technology (Pic. 1) to create fully biological HYDRAs, using cellulose and cellulose binding domains on the spore coat.

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