Team:SF Bay Area DIYBio

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BioSunBlock - SunScreen Evolved!

BioSunblock intends to manipulate a strain of the bacteria, E.Coli, to produce mycosporine, a protein compound that does not naturally occur in the E.Coli. Since E. Coli normally live in our intestines, and thus, in total darkness, we aim to insert modified gene sequences containing mycosporine, a compound thought to have sunblock qualities, to make the E. coli tolerant of UV light.Because we are inserting a DNA sequence for a non-naturally occuring substance into a bacteria, we are (hopefully) genetically engineering ourselves a microscopic factory with tangible implications.

We are following up with tools, like ultraviolet (UV) light, to direct evolution of the mycosporine genes in the hope of enhancing its factory-like abilities. We believe that if we stress the bacteria in this manner, they will evolve better and more efficient mechanisms to protect themselves from UV light and will make more and better sunschreen.

However that is a compound and DNA is only good at making proteins, therefore we need to have the bacteria create proteins and enzymes that modify the proteins to become compounds.