Team:British Columbia/Project Outlook

Project Achievements

Biofilm:

We have obtained growth curves for S. aureus strains RN4220 and 8325-4 that demonstrate a steady growth phase followed by an oscillatory state of dynamic equilibrium. We have also optimized the existing protocol for biofilm quantification. Additionally, values derived from the biofilm experiments were integral to deriving realistic results from modeling simulations.

Phage:

Quorum Sensing:

DspB:

We have contributed to the biobrick parts registry by submitting a new part, dspB (an enzyme that degrades poly-ß-(1,6)-linked N-acetylglucosamine bonds).

We have demonstrated that dspB works through crude cell assay experiments and have added this information into the parts registry.

Modeling:

Human Practices:

We have gathered hundreds of definitions of synthetic biology from the University of British Columbia community to construct promoter maps and word clouds representing the prevalent ideas in our different disciplines' awareness of synthetic biology!

We have started the first iGEM synthetic biology art gallery inviting all iGEM participants, as well as members of the public from Deviantart, IllustratedATCs and ATCsForAll to contribute.

We have forged the first NaNoWriMo-iGEM collaboration to showcase novels featuring synthetic biology that are written by NaNoWriMo participants.

Future Directions

Biofilm:

The existing curve has demonstrated that 9 hours is the optimal time point for exposure to the matrix-degrading enzyme, DspB, as well as the engineered phage construct with DspB and quorum sensing genes. Future experiments testing the biofilm response to DspB alone as well as DspB incorporated into a phage construct with the quorum sensing P2 promoter will enable the characterization of the construct’s effectiveness against the biofilms of S. aureus strains RN4220 and 8325-4.

Phage:

Quorum Sensing:

DspB:

Modeling:

Human Practices:

Our experience communicating with the general public and even students in the sciences and applied sciences has been an enriching one. We have gleaned a lot of insights into public perception of synthetic biology, which still remains a very new and unfamiliar field to the public despite recent press about the first synthetic cell!

Public opinion and risk perception appears to be more informed by controversial topics (e.g. genetically modified organisms and food) and literature featuring synthetic biology (from Frankenstein to Oryx and Crake). So outreach on the part of synthetic biologists still has quite a way to go in order to bring synthetic biology into the schools, workplaces and homes of the public. Our human practices project has generated ripples of thoughts about synthetic biology in various communities, stimulating individuals to find out more about synthetic biology and its recent developments. We hope that this will open up paths of communication between the synthetic biology research community and diverse public communities, which may lead to discussions and collaborations with the purposes of informing the public about synthetic biology and safely expanding its real world applications.

Some specific future directions that address this cause include: (i) Actively inviting more non-science/engineering students to participate in iGEM outreach/projects/teams/Jamboree/fundraising, (ii) Establishing an annual iGEM tradition of stimulating and showcasing works of art or literature by members of iGEM and the general public featuring synthetic biology, and (iii) Investing in other collaborative outreach activities such as elementary/secondary school educational programs and synthetic biology university courses.