team updates

abstract

The Harvard iGarden is a venture into plant engineering. Our aim is to create a toolkit for the cultivation of a personalized garden containing features introduced through synthetic biology. We are currently working on two independent features to be included in this toolkit - inclusion of novel flavors and knockdown of plant allergens. In addition, we are working on the creation of a "genetic fence" to prevent the spread of foreign genetic material. All components are designed to fit the biobrick standard.

We are introducing biobrick parts to plants through agrobacterium-mediated transformation. To do so, we have modified existing agrobacterium vectors designed for plant transformation to include the biobrick multiple cloning site.

The Harvard iGarden, beyond being a simple application of the biobrick system to plant engineering, is an effort to raise public awareness of synthetic biology by bringing its effects down to a personal and more tangible level. We envision the iGarden as an introduction of sort to the world of genetic engineering, a medium through which the non-scientist can see the power and potential of such technology.

knocking down allergen molecules in common garden plants

designing safety mechanisms for genetically modified gardening

designing biobrick vectors for the genetic engineering of plants

reshuffling flavor molecules in edible plants