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Team:Groningen/Home
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| + | ==Self assembling hydrophobic biofilm== | ||
| + | We aim to design a biological coating as an alternative to for example chemical coatings. For this we, unconventionally, utilized a ''Bacillus subtilis'' [https://2010.igem.org/Team:Groningen#/biofilm biofilm]. We wanted to enable our biofilm to be equipped with an interesting property which is automatically initiated. So we introduced an [https://2010.igem.org/Team:Groningen#/expression expression trigger] which relies on quorum sensing. Our project was directed at finding an alternate solution to biofouling, since regular, chemical coatings which are widely in use pose a threat to the environment. In nature the lotus leaves show self-cleansing properties ascribed to their extreme surface hydrophobicity. In the prokaryotic domain we stumbled upon [https://2010.igem.org/Team:Groningen#/hydrophobins chaplins], strongly hydrophobic proteins originating from ''Streptomyces coelicolor''. Surface hydrophobicity is a very useful property and is used in many [https://2010.igem.org/Team:Groningen#/applications applications] ranging from not only antifouling coatings but also other applications which require water repellence to applications in the field of medical sciences. During our project we have contributed to the parts registry whit numerous [https://2010.igem.org/Team:Groningen#/biobricks BioBricks]. | ||
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Revision as of 22:32, 27 October 2010
Self assembling hydrophobic biofilm
We aim to design a biological coating as an alternative to for example chemical coatings. For this we, unconventionally, utilized a Bacillus subtilis biofilm. We wanted to enable our biofilm to be equipped with an interesting property which is automatically initiated. So we introduced an expression trigger which relies on quorum sensing. Our project was directed at finding an alternate solution to biofouling, since regular, chemical coatings which are widely in use pose a threat to the environment. In nature the lotus leaves show self-cleansing properties ascribed to their extreme surface hydrophobicity. In the prokaryotic domain we stumbled upon chaplins, strongly hydrophobic proteins originating from Streptomyces coelicolor. Surface hydrophobicity is a very useful property and is used in many applications ranging from not only antifouling coatings but also other applications which require water repellence to applications in the field of medical sciences. During our project we have contributed to the parts registry whit numerous BioBricks.
A self assembling bio-based coating is form, a rigid biofilm.
Expression of hydrophobic proteins called chaplins is induced by the biofilm causing strong surface hydrophobicity.
The strongly hydrophobic biofilm will die off by a killswitch, leaving a nice hydrophobic biological coating.
This year a team of young inspired undergraduates from the [http://www.rug.nl University of Groningen] participated in the amazing challenge of iGEM. A multi-disciplinary team of Molecular Biologists, Chemists, Computer Scientists, Journalists and others spend the summer creating a wonderful project in the emerging field of synthetic biology
Using computer models we worked on the frontiers of knowledge. Gene expression was simulated and a simple explanation for cell differentiation was proposed. Also aiding in ethics and practical feasibility a kill switch system was studied. Finally a new standard was proposed for characterizing Biobrick parts so future can be streamlined.
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