Field

The primary goal for the Field team was to identify or discover a halophilic microorganism that digests cellulose.

Each protocol conducted by the Field team produced successful results. The MGM 18% plate inoculations for all samples grew successfully, displaying prominent orange and pink colonies. (picture here) The colonies were put through a cellulose screen which consisted of a minimal media designed for halo-archaea with purified cellulose as the only carbon source. (refer to notebook) ]The team had successful amplification of the 16s rRNA regions of each of the archaeal samples so the samples were sent to the University of California, Berkeley for cleanup and sequencing. The BLAST results revealed that archaeal samples FS 4, FS 5A, and P5A-5 had a close relationship to the organism Haloferax gibbonsii. The sample FS 6 did not match with a complete genome, implying that this organism is a novel find.

Within the incoming Fall quarter, sample FS 6 will be sent off for full length sequencing, and the sequences will be ran through the BLAST database for sequence comparison again. In order to determine the identity of the samples FS 4, FS 5A, and P5A-5, primers will be designed. These primers will be used to identify the location of the glycoside hydrolase of Haloferax gibbonsii. These primers will then be incorporated into a PCR reaction for the archaeal organisms FS 4, FS 5A, and P5A-5. This process will confirm the identities of these archaeal organisms and further conclude this research. The glycoside hydrolase of Haloferax gibbonsii was identified through the NCBI BLAST database results and is an enzyme that participates in the degradation of biomasses such as cellulose 9.

Alonzo Lee

Biomolecular Engineering
Cowell College (UCSC)
4th Year
Overseer of all projects
From: Sacramento, CA

"I started this project nervous and afraid about my ability to not only perform in a laboratory setting but as a captain as well. Yet now that have gone through iGEM I have become both an experienced researcher and a decisive leader who is able to communicate with all levels. This project has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life and I only hope that in the future more potential researchers are able to live what I have lived. With new experiences, knowledge, and friends in hand I look back at back at my iGEM experience only wishing to live it once more."

Nina Sardesh

Bioelectronics Engineering
Electrical Engineering minor
Stevenson College (UCSC)
4th Year
Grant & Social Media Supervisor
From: San Francisco, CA

Sanusha Bijj

Biomolecular Engineering
Bioinformatics minor
College Nine (UCSC)
4th Year
Grant, Social Media, &
Website Team
From: San Jose, CA

"Being apart of iGEM was more than just an experience. I was able to not only learn new lab techniques, but also learn how to fundraise, communicate, and think broader. My contribution to the team not only include lab work but publicizing our research through newspapers, writing grants, and writing thank-you letters. Two important qualities I learned from this experience were patience and communication. I can definitely say that this experience has prepped me to deal with the future research labs that I will encounter."

Jackson DeKloe