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Team:Peking
From 2010.igem.org
Biosensor:
Based on reverse engineering principles, we
engineered our bacteria into valid bioreporters
for Hg(II) in aquatic environment. Rational desi-
-gn of genetic circuit topology was conducted to
confer mercury sensor and regulator compone-
-nts high efficiency and robustness. Additionally,
a new approach based on the use of multiple
bioreporter cell lines to control assay variations
and to improve in field application ease was also
developed.
learn more
Expansion:
MerR family TFs share a high homology at their
metal binding domains, which implies that our strategies of bioreporter
and bioabsorbent engineering might be applicable to other cases. Then our
reverse engineering strategy was expanded to another common toxic heavy
metal, lead (Pb) to prove the validness of our engineering strategy.learn more
Bioabsorbent:
A closer look into mercury- and lead-responsive
regulators was conducted via 3D structure mode-
-ling, followed by rational design of metal binding
peptides (MBP) for various heavy metals. Merc-
-ury and lead MBPs were accomplished in our
bioware experiment. Then high-performance
whole-cell bioabsorbent was constructed by
expression of MBP on outer membrane surface,
periplasm and cytosol of E.coli cells, verified by
following function test.
Application: Traditional bioreporters are not practical when it comes to
in field application. One crucial factor that restricts the in field application is the
preservation condition of the bacteria, often requiring costly instrument.We
endeavored to solve this hard truth by development of a standard preservation
method which endows our bioreporters with application ease. learn more
