|
|
Line 188: |
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| .month { | | .month { |
| width: 120px; | | width: 120px; |
- | float:left; | + | float: left; |
| font-size: 15px; | | font-size: 15px; |
| font-weight: bold; | | font-weight: bold; |
| padding: 10px; | | padding: 10px; |
- | background-color:#fc3c3c; | + | background-color: #fc3c3c; |
- | clear:both; | + | clear: both; |
- | | + | |
| } | | } |
| .general { | | .general { |
Line 204: |
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| padding: 10px; | | padding: 10px; |
| background-color: orange; | | background-color: orange; |
- | clear:both; | + | clear: both; |
| } | | } |
| .week1, .week3 { | | .week1, .week3 { |
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| padding-right: 5px; | | padding-right: 5px; |
| font-weight: normal; | | font-weight: normal; |
- | background-color:#1e6dd4; | + | background-color: #1e6dd4; |
- | padding:10px; | + | padding: 10px; |
| } | | } |
| .week2, .week4 { | | .week2, .week4 { |
Line 221: |
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| padding-right: 5px; | | padding-right: 5px; |
| font-weight: normal; | | font-weight: normal; |
- | background-color:#3fff72; | + | background-color: #3fff72; |
- | padding:10px; | + | padding: 10px; |
| } | | } |
| .lower { | | .lower { |
| width: 800px; | | width: 800px; |
| clear: both; | | clear: both; |
- |
| |
| } | | } |
| #notebook2 { | | #notebook2 { |
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| </ul> | | </ul> |
| </div> | | </div> |
- | <div style="height: 250px; background-color:#1e6dd4; padding:10px;"> | + | <div style="height: 250px; background-color: #1e6dd4; padding: 10px;"> |
| <div id="week"> | | <div id="week"> |
| Week 3 and Week 4</div> | | Week 3 and Week 4</div> |
Line 809: |
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| </li> | | </li> |
| </ul> | | </ul> |
- | <p> | + | <p>· Design Group</p> |
- | · Design Group</p>
| + | |
| <ul> | | <ul> |
| <li>Team Logo</li> | | <li>Team Logo</li> |
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Line 816: |
| </ul> | | </ul> |
| </div> | | </div> |
- | <div style="height: 600px;background-color:#1e6dd4; padding:10px "> | + | <div style="height: 600px; background-color: #1e6dd4; padding: 10px"> |
| <div id="week"> | | <div id="week"> |
| Week 3 and Week 4 | | Week 3 and Week 4 |
- | <p>DOING THE TASKS.</p>
| + | <p>DOING THE TASKS.</p> |
- | </div></div>
| + | </div> |
| + | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div class="month"> | | <div class="month"> |
Line 970: |
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| </ul> | | </ul> |
| </div> | | </div> |
- | <div style="float: left; width: 540px; height: 170px; font-weight: normal;background-color:#3fff72; padding:10px;"> | + | <div style="float: left; width: 540px; height: 170px; font-weight: normal; background-color: #3fff72; padding: 10px;"> |
| <div id="week"> | | <div id="week"> |
| Week 2, Week 3, & Week 4 | | Week 2, Week 3, & Week 4 |
- | <p>GOOD NEWS Infinite meetings started :) </p>
| + | <p>GOOD NEWS Infinite meetings started :) </p> |
- | <ul>
| + | <ul> |
- | <li>Writing content [shared it, tasks assigned to members
| + | <li>Writing content [shared it, tasks assigned to |
- | according to their fields.]</li>
| + | members according to their fields.]</li> |
- | <li>Software; debugging, testing, adding functions…</li>
| + | <li>Software; debugging, testing, adding functions…</li> |
- | <li>Designers web, poster, presentation, animation,
| + | <li>Designers web, poster, presentation, animation, |
- | importing content…</li>
| + | importing content…</li> |
- | </ul>
| + | </ul> |
- | </div></div>
| + | </div> |
| + | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div class="month"> | | <div class="month"> |
Line 1,538: |
Line 1,537: |
| every part there is a need to assign unique part names as official iGEM | | every part there is a need to assign unique part names as official iGEM |
| names. Part names will have an important role as they will be providing | | names. Part names will have an important role as they will be providing |
- | the short description about the part, which synthetic biologists can
| |
- | immediately recognize and utilize during the construction of unique
| |
- | Biobricks. Additionally unique part names will be helpful to identify
| |
- | the devices with more than one Biobrick in their constructs. Assignment
| |
- | of unique and distinct names for parts describing their nature and content
| |
- | will be helpful to researchers for the recognition of and search for
| |
- | the parts.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Headings Selected From Previous Entry Forms for Indication of Standardized
| |
- | Information</h3>
| |
- | <p>=========================================</p>
| |
- | <p>PartID:</p>
| |
- | <p>PartName:</p>
| |
- | <p>Bricks:</p>
| |
- | <p>BrickIDs:</p>
| |
- | <p>ImageIDs:</p>
| |
- | <p>RFC10:</p>
| |
- | <p>RFC21:</p>
| |
- | <p>RFC23:</p>
| |
- | <p>RFC25:</p>
| |
- | <p>=========================================</p>
| |
- | <p><span>Table 1: The table above basically describes and designates
| |
- | qualities of parts which identifies their compositions and demonstrates
| |
- | the status of previously assigned standards. PartID refers to the unique
| |
- | ID number for parts including atomic parts and assemblies. PartName
| |
- | refers to the given unique names to parts. Bricks, refers to the shortcut
| |
- | names which specifies atomic parts. ImageIDs, refers to individual or
| |
- | combination of numbers that are assigned by us. RFCs refers to the states
| |
- | of parts based on RFC standards.</span></p>
| |
- | <p>iGEM both provides individual, atomic parts and pre-combined constructs
| |
- | such as devices and systems. Availability of combined constructs is
| |
- | important to the researchers as combining individual bio-bricks one
| |
- | at a time will be very time consuming. These previously merged constructs,
| |
- | serve as the repository for puzzle and they can be used for different
| |
- | purposes. Up to date the largest and most trustworthy source, for synthetic
| |
- | biology and its components, is iGEM’s parts registry. In 2010, iGEM
| |
- | provided over 1000 parts that have initiated many projects. Having more
| |
- | atomic parts available in the iGEM’s repository, will lead to the design
| |
- | of more complex and robust constructs, and we would have a better chance
| |
- | to design different constructs for unique purposes. Also, for the parts
| |
- | that are already available, extra steps needs to be taken for the quality
| |
- | control and surveillance of these products. The quality control of the
| |
- | information for the parts is essential for the future of iGEM and synthetic
| |
- | biology. Even though we have found pre-determined RFC standards useful
| |
- | and included those to our standardized template, some individual parts
| |
- | still requires re-organization of the information as RFC standards alone
| |
- | for the functionality of parts, does not satisfy the needs for wet lab
| |
- | biologists.</p>
| |
- | <p>Without a question there is an urgent need to build a distinct and
| |
- | specific database well organized with its own standards for synthetic
| |
- | biology; however, development of such a database is not an easy task.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Contact Information of Part Owners and Qualitative Group Comments
| |
- | about Parts</h3>
| |
- | <p>=========================================</p>
| |
- | <p>Designers: Mail:</p>
| |
- | <p>GroupFavorite:</p>
| |
- | <p>StarRating:</p>
| |
- | <p>Parameters:</p>
| |
- | <p>=========================================</p>
| |
- | <p><span>Table 2: The above table simply depicts information about possessors
| |
- | of parts and their contact information and the popularity of the parts
| |
- | for groups. Parameters heading, refers distinctive experimental details
| |
- | unique to the usage of parts which should be decided by groups.</span></p>
| |
- | <p>Second step for building the standardized template was to get the
| |
- | phylogenic information about the parts development process which includes
| |
- | the name of the group, designer and contact information, along with
| |
- | the comments from the group on the parts they have submitted. Contact
| |
- | information is especially important for iGEM as other groups who need
| |
- | extra information about the available part can reach to the required
| |
- | information. Even though contacting with the designers of the individual
| |
- | parts which are available is highly encouraged by iGEM, unavailability
| |
- | of contact information points at out the fact that iGEM’s parts registry
| |
- | needs strong re-organization in order to serve to the synthetic biology
| |
- | community properly.</p>
| |
- | <p>Additionally, the “group favorite” and “starRating” fields are also
| |
- | important for individual evaluation of the parts, which doesn’t get
| |
- | the deserved attention from the iGEM groups. “Group Favorite” defines
| |
- | the confidence on the part by the designer group. “StarRating” defines
| |
- | the related part in terms of popularity and usage efficiency among the
| |
- | groups. According to our observations, most groups are not aware of
| |
- | either of the fields or they are used incorrectly or ineffectively.
| |
- | For example for a part with a full reporter which is known to be functional
| |
- | and gives precise and expected results the StarRating should be at least
| |
- | 2 stars, but for most of the parts in 2010 distribution, it is very
| |
- | difficult to observe a part whose “StarRating” is above one. For quick
| |
- | determination of functionality of the parts these two evaluations are
| |
- | important so they have been included in the proposed standardization
| |
- | template. But, as they were not properly used up to now for the re-organization
| |
- | of the parts information during the development of our software application
| |
- | we had to include all parts to our queries regardless of their evaluations
| |
- | based on “Group Favorites” and “ StarRatings”</p>
| |
- | <p>Second step for building the standardized template was to get the
| |
- | phylogenic information about the parts development process which includes
| |
- | the name of the group, designer and contact information, along with
| |
- | the comments from the group on the parts they have submitted. Contact
| |
- | information is especially important for iGEM as other groups who need
| |
- | extra information about the available part can reach to the required
| |
- | information. Even though contacting with the designers of the individual
| |
- | parts which are available is highly encouraged by iGEM, unavailability
| |
- | of contact information points at out the fact that iGEM’s parts registry
| |
- | needs strong re-organization in order to serve to the synthetic biology
| |
- | community properly.</p>
| |
- | <p>Additionally, the “group favorite” and “starRating” fields are also
| |
- | important for individual evaluation of the parts, which doesn’t get
| |
- | the deserved attention from the iGEM groups. “Group Favorite” defines
| |
- | the confidence on the part by the designer group. “StarRating” defines
| |
- | the related part in terms of popularity and usage efficiency among the
| |
- | groups. According to our observations, most groups are not aware of
| |
- | either of the fields or they are used incorrectly or ineffectively.
| |
- | For example for a part with a full reporter which is known to be functional
| |
- | and gives precise and expected results the StarRating should be at least
| |
- | 2 stars, but for most of the parts in 2010 distribution, it is very
| |
- | difficult to observe a part whose “StarRating” is above one. For quick
| |
- | determination of functionality of the parts these two evaluations are
| |
- | important so they have been included in the proposed standardization
| |
- | template. But, as they were not properly used up to now for the re-organization
| |
- | of the parts information during the development of our software application
| |
- | we had to include all parts to our queries regardless of their evaluations
| |
- | based on “Group Favorites” and “ StarRatings”</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Input and Output Characteristics of Parts</h3>
| |
- | <p>=========================================</p>
| |
- | <p>Parameters:</p>
| |
- | <p>-Input:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Promoter:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Activity:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inducer:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Activator:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Repressor:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inhibitor:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Promoter2:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Activity:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inducer:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Activator:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Repressor:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inhibitor:</p>
| |
- | <p>-Output:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Reporter:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Reporter2:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Regulator:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inducer:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Activator:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Repressor:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inhibitor:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Regulator2:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inducer:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Activator:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Repressor:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inhibitor:</p>
| |
- | <p>-Working Condition:</p>
| |
- | <p>=========================================</p>
| |
- | <p><span>Table 3: The table above elaborately describes the input relations
| |
- | based on promoters and the output products based on the functional genes
| |
- | and RNAs which are included within the parts. Working condition simply
| |
- | describes any influencing factor or circumstance which is directly related
| |
- | with the functional properties of parts.</span></p>
| |
- | <p>Third part of our standardization template includes parameters of
| |
- | contingent input and output elements. These parameters are classified
| |
- | into two groups for simplicity as presented on Table 3. This final part
| |
- | of the standardization template includes the upmost important information
| |
- | about the Biobricks that are required for the BioGuide Software to run
| |
- | its searching algorithm.</p>
| |
- | <p>Briefly, BioGuide application is designed to catch the input and
| |
- | output relations of individual parts to examine possible Biobricks pathways
| |
- | for specific input and output queries. In other words, at pre-experimental
| |
- | stage, it helps wet lab biologists to design their unique constructs
| |
- | by revealing possible alternative options for pre-determined purposes,
| |
- | along with the primary paths. Our ultimate goal is to improve the algorithm
| |
- | designed for iGEM 2010 and present a new version of the BioGuide in
| |
- | iGEM 2011, which will provide optimum design of constructs for predetermined
| |
- | parameters.</p>
| |
- | <p>Most of the parts are composed of functional and nonfunctional constructs
| |
- | which are formed by atomic parts. And every part should carry the information
| |
- | for all of its atomic parts within itself. The “input” heading actually
| |
- | stands for promoters. Parts with one or more promoters can be found
| |
- | at iGEM’s Parts Registry. Along with the information on which and how
| |
- | many promoters a part might have, the activity level of promoters are
| |
- | also important to distinguish between a constitutively active promoter
| |
- | or a promoter activated by specific physiological processes or states
| |
- | etc. This information was crucial for us to dissect in order to run
| |
- | our algorithm as it directly affects which inputs can activate the devices
| |
- | or the systems.</p>
| |
- | <p>Throughout our investigations on the Parts Registry, we found out
| |
- | that much of the terminology was being used ambiguously. Although this
| |
- | might not be vital for synthetic biologists, it is still endeavoring
| |
- | to understand the function of certain regulatory elements which also
| |
- | becomes a time consuming task for the researcher. Thus, we recommend
| |
- | that the explanations of certain regulatory elements should be redefined
| |
- | and fixed especially for synthetic biology for easy communication, sharing
| |
- | and searching of information.</p>
| |
- | <p>Common misuses of the terminology can guide us to figure out how
| |
- | to construct a standard nomenclature for synthetic biology. We claim
| |
- | that a standard nomenclature is urgently needed for synthetic biology
| |
- | for the following reasons. First of all, synthetic biology is an emerging
| |
- | research discipline and an industrial application area which is highly
| |
- | promising. Secondly, redefinition of the terminology to build a standard
| |
- | nomenclature is needed as some of the terms are prone to be used instead
| |
- | of another causing problems related to misuse for the global communication
| |
- | about synthetic biology. Lastly, the nomenclature has major importance
| |
- | for the construction of a persistent and trustworthy database for synthetic
| |
- | biology which serves for the information exhibition and exchange globally.
| |
- | For instance, there are obvious misunderstandings about the words which
| |
- | are predominantly used for regulation process. We have noticed that,
| |
- | the terms “inhibitor” and “repressor” are being used as equivocally
| |
- | in the part information pages. Like the lactose inhibitor protein, a
| |
- | widely used DNA-binding transcriptional repressor, that have been labeled
| |
- | both as “inhibitor” and “repressor” at iGEM’s Parts Registry. Similar
| |
- | problems resulting from ambiguous use of terminology also observed with
| |
- | regulatory elements. To sum up, we investigated all input elements for
| |
- | promoters and classify these elements in terms of their function, affect
| |
- | and required input element for them. So, we suggest that terminology
| |
- | used for regulation of transcription should be defined clearly on iGEM’s
| |
- | website and correct use of terminology should be enforced.</p>
| |
- | <p>The second group of parameters was collected under the title “Output”,
| |
- | which refers to products of functional genes. In contradiction, the
| |
- | term “reporter” has also been described within the same list. Reporters
| |
- | are also genes whose products, can be used for screening as an output.
| |
- | According to our group, the usage of the term “reporter” for genes is
| |
- | unnecessary and cause extra complexity for information distribution
| |
- | and gives rise to discrepancies. Instead of using the term “reporter”,
| |
- | predefined “gene” description should be used for genes, which can function
| |
- | as reporters. The special information which is related with the characteristic
| |
- | of that gene should also be presented on part info web page.</p>
| |
- | <p>Furthermore, the same terminology “reporter” was used for both atomic
| |
- | parts and composite bio-bricks. Also the overall image descriptions
| |
- | for these were defined as “reporters”. We want to point out that using
| |
- | same nomenclature for both atomic genes and for whole functional constructs
| |
- | contributes to the complexity and makes specific explorations difficult
| |
- | through the Parts Registry. So, assigning “reporter” for both atomic
| |
- | parts and for whole constructs is not a good practice. Instead, we are
| |
- | suggesting the usage of other available terminology for the parts listed
| |
- | as reporters, which most of the constructs, now known as reporters,
| |
- | can be grouped into, such as “protein generators”, “composite parts”
| |
- | or “inverters”.</p>
| |
- | <p>Devices are whole constructs which are functional and have specific
| |
- | and distinct functions. But, as we have observed, unfortunately, the
| |
- | term “device” is also being used for parts which are not functional
| |
- | and do not have specific functional at all. Moreover, within the classification
| |
- | of devices, we argue that some terms are also being used unnecessarily
| |
- | and ambiguously. Devices are classified into five types which are protein
| |
- | generators, reporters, inverters, receivers and senders, measurement
| |
- | devices. For example iGEM defines protein generators as:</p>
| |
- | <p>Protein generator = promoter + rbs +gene + terminator</p>
| |
- | <p>Though we accept the definition for protein generators, we observed
| |
- | that there exist numerous parts which are defined as protein generators
| |
- | but actually most of them do not fit to the definition provided above.
| |
- | Although some parts are not functional and do not generate proteins
| |
- | at all, they are classified as protein generators, which makes searching
| |
- | for the parts difficult in the registry. Furthermore, there are also
| |
- | numerous parts which are defined as “composite parts” but actually they
| |
- | fit to the same definition with protein generators. In order to overcome
| |
- | the problem of misuse of device type we have extracted related image
| |
- | ID information for the composite parts. Image ID information helped
| |
- | us to correctly categorize composite parts depending on its individual
| |
- | atomic parts and identify the ones with more than one function, such
| |
- | as being both inhibitor and activator. In other words, we used image
| |
- | and part IDs in order to merge an input for its outputs.</p>
| |
- | <p>Subtitle working conditions, includes all the detailed information
| |
- | about the experimental properties of parts, and the details about the
| |
- | working process of individual parts and complete devices. Additionally,
| |
- | we marked the subtitle “Working Condition” in our standardization template
| |
- | as potentially the most important title that helps synthetic biologist
| |
- | to better understand the parts functions at iGEM’s part registry database.
| |
- | The main problem we have encounter with the subtitle “working condition”
| |
- | is within most of the parts the details about working process is not
| |
- | enough and not provided regularly. </p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Examples of Misuse of Terminology:</h3>
| |
- | <h4>For Composite Parts:</h4>
| |
- | <p>PartID: BBa_S04055</p>
| |
- | <p>PartName: Synthetic lacYZ operon</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/a/ac/Metu-database1.png" />
| |
- | <p>This part is functional and responsible for the production of LacY
| |
- | and LacZ proteins. This part partially fits the definition for “composite
| |
- | part” but actually should be a protein generator as it fits fully to
| |
- | the definition of “protein generators”.</p>
| |
- | <h4>For Protein Generators:</h4>
| |
- | <p>PartID: BBa_J45299</p>
| |
- | <p>PartName: PchA & PchB enzyme generator</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/2/2c/Metu-database2.png" />
| |
- | <p>The part which is illustrated above actually fits the definition
| |
- | for “composite part” but in part registry it is classified as protein
| |
- | generator. This part can be functional but it needs a promoter. Even
| |
- | though this part is not functional and is not capable of producing protein,
| |
- | part registry assigns this product as protein generator. We suggest
| |
- | that all parts in the registry, which are composed of more than one
| |
- | atomic part and which are not functional on their own but can be functional,
| |
- | should be classified as “composite parts”.</p>
| |
- | <h4>For Reporters:</h4>
| |
- | <p>PartID: BBa_J04451</p>
| |
- | <p>PartName: RFP Coding Device with an LVA tag</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/0/0a/Metu-database3.png" />
| |
- | <p>This functional part is classified as “Reporter” in the parts registry
| |
- | database. It is very clear that this part fits the same description
| |
- | as Protein Generator in Biobrick part registry standards. Although,
| |
- | this part has specific and known functional role, characterizing this
| |
- | part as a reporter is unnecessary and contributes to the level of complexity
| |
- | of information provided. Instead, we suggest that this part should be
| |
- | classified as “protein generator” and related detailed information about
| |
- | the specific function of this part, should be provided in the part information
| |
- | page.</p>
| |
- | <p>In conclusion, as mentioned above we tried to reorganize and normalize
| |
- | the information about parts which is provided in part registry for 2010
| |
- | in order to develop our algorithm for the BioGuide application. During
| |
- | this process, we encountered some inconsistencies and misuses of the
| |
- | terminology being used and also inadequacies about the information provided
| |
- | about parts. First of all, we claim that a standard nomenclature should
| |
- | be constituted for future use in the field of synthetic biology. Based
| |
- | on the information gathered according to new nomenclature a professional
| |
- | database should be constructed to address the needs of synthetic biology.
| |
- | This will enable easy information exchange and exhibition globally.
| |
- | Secondly, although there are enough information about parts exists on
| |
- | parts registry database, the information which is provided for parts
| |
- | need to be ordered urgently. Furthermore, there should be new experimental
| |
- | standards which must be introduced to groups in the part submission
| |
- | process for the subtitle “working condition”. These experimental standards
| |
- | will be important because the experimental details about parts are not
| |
- | satisfying the needs of wet-lab biologists for the design and the construction
| |
- | of new Biobricks.</p>
| |
- | </div>
| |
- | </div>
| |
- | </div>
| |
- | <div class="item">
| |
- | </div>
| |
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- | <h2>Contact</h2>
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- | <div class="text">
| |
- | <h2>Algorithm</h2>
| |
- | <p>In this section, the step by step functioning of our application,
| |
- | along with the encapsulation of the algorithmic concepts of ‘standardization’
| |
- | of functional iGEM devices are depicted in pictorial forms called flowcharts.
| |
- | Rectangular boxes represent the encapsulation of implementations of
| |
- | the computer programs to perform the particular tasks stated in that
| |
- | box on the flowcharts. These boxes are sometimes called subprograms,
| |
- | objects or packages in Object Oriented software Engineering context.
| |
- | The diamonds represent decision branching and they are found between
| |
- | two rectangular boxes. The arrows show the direction in which subprograms
| |
- | work and communicate. The subprogram at the head of the arrow starts
| |
- | executing after the termination of the subprogram at the tail of the
| |
- | arrow. Following flowcharts are the high level representations of our
| |
- | algorithms developed for the BioGuide software.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>1</h3>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/9/95/Metu-algorithm1.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Diagram 1. Flowchart of collection, formatting and storage
| |
- | of devices data algorithm</span></p>
| |
- | <p>Information about the iGEM parts had to be collected in a standardized
| |
- | format for our application to function properly. Following data collection
| |
- | custom subprograms is needed to parse and forward the data the application’s
| |
- | database. In order to achieve this we have designed and implemented
| |
- | the algorithm shown in diagram 1. In this algorithm, the first stage
| |
- | was to find the list of part IDs of devices which were supplied by iGEM
| |
- | in Spring 2010 distribution. This information has been collected from
| |
- | two sources 1) plate files in excel format which was available online
| |
- | 2) device data provided in xml format, both provided by iGEM. The last
| |
- | step in the algorithm was to send the collected partID data to the application’s
| |
- | database.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>2.</h3>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/e/e6/Metu-algorithm2.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Diagram 2. Flowchart for BioGuide execution before and during
| |
- | user interaction</span></p>
| |
- | <p>Diagram 2 presents the main algorithm, which shows how BioGuide application
| |
- | works. In BioGuide the major components are device and Biobrick graphs.
| |
- | While the device graph represents input-output (promoter-regulator)
| |
- | compatibility combination of iGEM devices, the Biobrick graph represents
| |
- | combinations of atomic parts assembled in a device or system. The flowchart
| |
- | shows how these graphs are created and embedded into the program, which
| |
- | displays both of the graphs to the user when launched. Application presents
| |
- | few interactive options to the user when started, which were shown on
| |
- | the flowchart under the horizontal, bolded line. As shown on the diagram
| |
- | 2, there are four interactive tasks BioGuide can do, where the device
| |
- | and Biobricks graphs are utilized. Upon clicking a node on a devices
| |
- | or Biobricks graph, that node changes in size and color and the various
| |
- | functions shown on the flowchart can be performed then after.</p>
| |
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- | <div class="text">
| |
- | <h2>Modeling</h2>
| |
- | <h3>Graphical Modeling for Bio-Guide</h3>
| |
- | <h4>Introduction</h4>
| |
- | <p>Graphical Modeling Theory has been applied to construct four different
| |
- | graphs where relations of atomic parts, devices and systems and the
| |
- | functional combinations that can build new constructs are presented
| |
- | for the iGEMs parts registry database. Three graphs are composed of
| |
- | iGEM devices and one graph is based on Biobricks. Each graph comprises
| |
- | a set of vertices or nodes and a set of edges. In the set of nodes each
| |
- | node represents a device, while in the set of edges each edge represents
| |
- | the input-output combination of the nodes. These graphs are directed
| |
- | graphs as the edges are created according to input-output combination.
| |
- | All compatibilities between a regulator and a promoter of an edge is
| |
- | created, where the source of this edge is the device with the corresponding
| |
- | regulator and target of the edge is the device with the promoter in
| |
- | concern.</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/3/3f/Metu-node1.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Fig. 1: A node representing a device</span></p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/1/14/Metu-node2.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Fig. 2: Arrow representing an edge between two nodes</span></p>
| |
- | <p>The atomic structures used in our graphical model have been represented
| |
- | in Figures 1 and 2. A node is represented with a solid circle where
| |
- | the label, the part/device ID according to iGEM standards, of the device
| |
- | is marked on the foreground. The blue arrows between nodes connect the
| |
- | related devices, representing the input-output connectivity. End style
| |
- | of the arrow helps us to determine the direction of the node, like in
| |
- | Figure 2 where the node labeled BBa_S03520 is the source and BBa_JO9250
| |
- | is the target.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Directivity</h3>
| |
- | <p>All the four constructed graphs build for BioGuide are directed graphs.
| |
- | So that, for every edge there must be a single source and a target.
| |
- | There is no single edge which is bidirectional. In mathematical form
| |
- | this can be represented as:</p>
| |
- | <p>If an edge e has node v as source and node w as target then the edge
| |
- | can be expressed as</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/6/6c/Metu-equation1.png" />
| |
- | <p>For a directed graph the combination (v, w) is totally different
| |
- | from (w, v). Therefore,</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/a/ac/Metu-equation2.png" />
| |
- | <p>The direction of the edges has been represented with the arrows,
| |
- | as explained in Figure 2.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Connectivity</h3>
| |
- | <p>The nodes forming their own sub-graphs disconnected from the rest
| |
- | of the nodes have been recognized, which showed us the presence of incompatibility
| |
- | between few regulators and promoters of the devices. We have observed
| |
- | this disconnection in all four of our graphs. The basis of the disconnection
| |
- | has been shown in Figure 3, where the two sub-graphs without any edge
| |
- | that connects them to the main graph has been presented on the right
| |
- | hand side of the diagram. These features classify our graphs as disconnected
| |
- | graphs [1].</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/8/8b/Metu-node3.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Fig. 3: A zoomed in screenshot showing two sub-graphs within
| |
- | the disconnected graph.</span></p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>"Semi-Simplicity"</h3>
| |
- | <p>A simple graph is a graph in which no more than one edge contains
| |
- | the same set of nodes. So, in a simple graph it is not possible to find
| |
- | more than one edge with the same source and the same target. Additionally,
| |
- | an edge with the same source and target, forming a loop is not allowed.
| |
- | But, in synthetic biology it is possible to construct a device consisting
| |
- | of devices or bio bricks of the same species or type. Accordingly, our
| |
- | graphs are simple graphs with an exception of possible self-containing
| |
- | loops, where the edge starts from and ends on the same node. Our graphs
| |
- | have an exception of having loops and due to this permitted flexibility
| |
- | our graphs are "semi-simple".</p>
| |
- | <p>For general information about graphs refer to:</p>
| |
- | <p><span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graph_(mathematics)">
| |
- | [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graph_(mathematics)</a></span></p>
| |
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- | <div class="content2">
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- | <div class="text">
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- | <h2>Results</h2>
| |
- | </div>
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- | </div>
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- | d
| |
- | with the functional properties of parts.</span></p>
| |
- | <p>Third part of our standardization template includes parameters of
| |
- | contingent input and output elements. These parameters are classified
| |
- | into two groups for simplicity as presented on Table 3. This final part
| |
- | of the standardization template includes the upmost important information
| |
- | about the Biobricks that are required for the BioGuide Software to run
| |
- | its searching algorithm.</p>
| |
- | <p>Briefly, BioGuide application is designed to catch the input and
| |
- | output relations of individual parts to examine possible Biobricks pathways
| |
- | for specific input and output queries. In other words, at pre-experimental
| |
- | stage, it helps wet lab biologists to design their unique constructs
| |
- | by revealing possible alternative options for pre-determined purposes,
| |
- | along with the primary paths. Our ultimate goal is to improve the algorithm
| |
- | designed for iGEM 2010 and present a new version of the BioGuide in
| |
- | iGEM 2011, which will provide optimum design of constructs for predetermined
| |
- | parameters.</p>
| |
- | <p>Most of the parts are composed of functional and nonfunctional constructs
| |
- | which are formed by atomic parts. And every part should carry the information
| |
- | for all of its atomic parts within itself. The “input” heading actually
| |
- | stands for promoters. Parts with one or more promoters can be found
| |
- | at iGEM’s Parts Registry. Along with the information on which and how
| |
- | many promoters a part might have, the activity level of promoters are
| |
- | also important to distinguish between a constitutively active promoter
| |
- | or a promoter activated by specific physiological processes or states
| |
- | etc. This information was crucial for us to dissect in order to run
| |
- | our algorithm as it directly affects which inputs can activate the devices
| |
- | or the systems.</p>
| |
- | <p>Throughout our investigations on the Parts Registry, we found out
| |
- | that much of the terminology was being used ambiguously. Although this
| |
- | might not be vital for synthetic biologists, it is still endeavoring
| |
- | to understand the function of certain regulatory elements which also
| |
- | becomes a time consuming task for the researcher. Thus, we recommend
| |
- | that the explanations of certain regulatory elements should be redefined
| |
- | and fixed especially for synthetic biology for easy communication, sharing
| |
- | and searching of information.</p>
| |
- | <p>Common misuses of the terminology can guide us to figure out how
| |
- | to construct a standard nomenclature for synthetic biology. We claim
| |
- | that a standard nomenclature is urgently needed for synthetic biology
| |
- | for the following reasons. First of all, synthetic biology is an emerging
| |
- | research discipline and an industrial application area which is highly
| |
- | promising. Secondly, redefinition of the terminology to build a standard
| |
- | nomenclature is needed as some of the terms are prone to be used instead
| |
- | of another causing problems related to misuse for the global communication
| |
- | about synthetic biology. Lastly, the nomenclature has major importance
| |
- | for the construction of a persistent and trustworthy database for synthetic
| |
- | biology which serves for the information exhibition and exchange globally.
| |
- | For instance, there are obvious misunderstandings about the words which
| |
- | are predominantly used for regulation process. We have noticed that,
| |
- | the terms “inhibitor” and “repressor” are being used as equivocally
| |
- | in the part information pages. Like the lactose inhibitor protein, a
| |
- | widely used DNA-binding transcriptional repressor, that have been labeled
| |
- | both as “inhibitor” and “repressor” at iGEM’s Parts Registry. Similar
| |
- | problems resulting from ambiguous use of terminology also observed with
| |
- | regulatory elements. To sum up, we investigated all input elements for
| |
- | promoters and classify these elements in terms of their function, affect
| |
- | and required input element for them. So, we suggest that terminology
| |
- | used for regulation of transcription should be defined clearly on iGEM’s
| |
- | website and correct use of terminology should be enforced.</p>
| |
- | <p>The second group of parameters was collected under the title “Output”,
| |
- | which refers to products of functional genes. In contradiction, the
| |
- | term “reporter” has also been described within the same list. Reporters
| |
- | are also genes whose products, can be used for screening as an output.
| |
- | According to our group, the usage of the term “reporter” for genes is
| |
- | unnecessary and cause extra complexity for information distribution
| |
- | and gives rise to discrepancies. Instead of using the term “reporter”,
| |
- | predefined “gene” description should be used for genes, which can function
| |
- | as reporters. The special information which is related with the characteristic
| |
- | of that gene should also be presented on part info web page.</p>
| |
- | <p>Furthermore, the same terminology “reporter” was used for both atomic
| |
- | parts and composite bio-bricks. Also the overall image descriptions
| |
- | for these were defined as “reporters”. We want to point out that using
| |
- | same nomenclature for both atomic genes and for whole functional constructs
| |
- | contributes to the complexity and makes specific explorations difficult
| |
- | through the Parts Registry. So, assigning “reporter” for both atomic
| |
- | parts and for whole constructs is not a good practice. Instead, we are
| |
- | suggesting the usage of other available terminology for the parts listed
| |
- | as reporters, which most of the constructs, now known as reporters,
| |
- | can be grouped into, such as “protein generators”, “composite parts”
| |
- | or “inverters”.</p>
| |
- | <p>Devices are whole constructs which are functional and have specific
| |
- | and distinct functions. But, as we have observed, unfortunately, the
| |
- | term “device” is also being used for parts which are not functional
| |
- | and do not have specific functional at all. Moreover, within the classification
| |
- | of devices, we argue that some terms are also being used unnecessarily
| |
- | and ambiguously. Devices are classified into five types which are protein
| |
- | generators, reporters, inverters, receivers and senders, measurement
| |
- | devices. For example iGEM defines protein generators as:</p>
| |
- | <p>Protein generator = promoter + rbs +gene + terminator</p>
| |
- | <p>Though we accept the definition for protein generators, we observed
| |
- | that there exist numerous parts which are defined as protein generators
| |
- | but actually most of them do not fit to the definition provided above.
| |
- | Although some parts are not functional and do not generate proteins
| |
- | at all, they are classified as protein generators, which makes searching
| |
- | for the parts difficult in the registry. Furthermore, there are also
| |
- | numerous parts which are defined as “composite parts” but actually they
| |
- | fit to the same definition with protein generators. In order to overcome
| |
- | the problem of misuse of device type we have extracted related image
| |
- | ID information for the composite parts. Image ID information helped
| |
- | us to correctly categorize composite parts depending on its individual
| |
- | atomic parts and identify the ones with more than one function, such
| |
- | as being both inhibitor and activator. In other words, we used image
| |
- | and part IDs in order to merge an input for its outputs.</p>
| |
- | <p>Subtitle working conditions, includes all the detailed information
| |
- | about the experimental properties of parts, and the details about the
| |
- | working process of individual parts and complete devices. Additionally,
| |
- | we marked the subtitle “Working Condition” in our standardization template
| |
- | as potentially the most important title that helps synthetic biologist
| |
- | to better understand the parts functions at iGEM’s part registry database.
| |
- | The main problem we have encounter with the subtitle “working condition”
| |
- | is within most of the parts the details about working process is not
| |
- | enough and not provided regularly. </p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Examples of Misuse of Terminology:</h3>
| |
- | <h4>For Composite Parts:</h4>
| |
- | <p>PartID: BBa_S04055</p>
| |
- | <p>PartName: Synthetic lacYZ operon</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/a/ac/Metu-database1.png" />
| |
- | <p>This part is functional and responsible for the production of LacY
| |
- | and LacZ proteins. This part partially fits the definition for “composite
| |
- | part” but actually should be a protein generator as it fits fully to
| |
- | the definition of “protein generators”.</p>
| |
- | <h4>For Protein Generators:</h4>
| |
- | <p>PartID: BBa_J45299</p>
| |
- | <p>PartName: PchA & PchB enzyme generator</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/2/2c/Metu-database2.png" />
| |
- | <p>The part which is illustrated above actually fits the definition
| |
- | for “composite part” but in part registry it is classified as protein
| |
- | generator. This part can be functional but it needs a promoter. Even
| |
- | though this part is not functional and is not capable of producing protein,
| |
- | part registry assigns this product as protein generator. We suggest
| |
- | that all parts in the registry, which are composed of more than one
| |
- | atomic part and which are not functional on their own but can be functional,
| |
- | should be classified as “composite parts”.</p>
| |
- | <h4>For Reporters:</h4>
| |
- | <p>PartID: BBa_J04451</p>
| |
- | <p>PartName: RFP Coding Device with an LVA tag</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/0/0a/Metu-database3.png" />
| |
- | <p>This functional part is classified as “Reporter” in the parts registry
| |
- | database. It is very clear that this part fits the same description
| |
- | as Protein Generator in Biobrick part registry standards. Although,
| |
- | this part has specific and known functional role, characterizing this
| |
- | part as a reporter is unnecessary and contributes to the level of complexity
| |
- | of information provided. Instead, we suggest that this part should be
| |
- | classified as “protein generator” and related detailed information about
| |
- | the specific function of this part, should be provided in the part information
| |
- | page.</p>
| |
- | <p>In conclusion, as mentioned above we tried to reorganize and normalize
| |
- | the information about parts which is provided in part registry for 2010
| |
- | in order to develop our algorithm for the BioGuide application. During
| |
- | this process, we encountered some inconsistencies and misuses of the
| |
- | terminology being used and also inadequacies about the information provided
| |
- | about parts. First of all, we claim that a standard nomenclature should
| |
- | be constituted for future use in the field of synthetic biology. Based
| |
- | on the information gathered according to new nomenclature a professional
| |
- | database should be constructed to address the needs of synthetic biology.
| |
- | This will enable easy information exchange and exhibition globally.
| |
- | Secondly, although there are enough information about parts exists on
| |
- | parts registry database, the information which is provided for parts
| |
- | need to be ordered urgently. Furthermore, there should be new experimental
| |
- | standards which must be introduced to groups in the part submission
| |
- | process for the subtitle “working condition”. These experimental standards
| |
- | will be important because the experimental details about parts are not
| |
- | satisfying the needs of wet-lab biologists for the design and the construction
| |
- | of new Biobricks.</p>
| |
- | </div>
| |
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- | <div id="download5" class="item">
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- | <div class="content2">
| |
- | <div class="text">
| |
- | <h2>Contact</h2>
| |
- | </div>
| |
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- | <div id="project6" class="item">
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- | <div class="content2">
| |
- | <div class="text">
| |
- | <h2>Algorithm</h2>
| |
- | <p>In this section, the step by step functioning of our application,
| |
- | along with the encapsulation of the algorithmic concepts of ‘standardization’
| |
- | of functional iGEM devices are depicted in pictorial forms called flowcharts.
| |
- | Rectangular boxes represent the encapsulation of implementations of
| |
- | the computer programs to perform the particular tasks stated in that
| |
- | box on the flowcharts. These boxes are sometimes called subprograms,
| |
- | objects or packages in Object Oriented software Engineering context.
| |
- | The diamonds represent decision branching and they are found between
| |
- | two rectangular boxes. The arrows show the direction in which subprograms
| |
- | work and communicate. The subprogram at the head of the arrow starts
| |
- | executing after the termination of the subprogram at the tail of the
| |
- | arrow. Following flowcharts are the high level representations of our
| |
- | algorithms developed for the BioGuide software.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>1</h3>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/9/95/Metu-algorithm1.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Diagram 1. Flowchart of collection, formatting and storage
| |
- | of devices data algorithm</span></p>
| |
- | <p>Information about the iGEM parts had to be collected in a standardized
| |
- | format for our application to function properly. Following data collection
| |
- | custom subprograms is needed to parse and forward the data the application’s
| |
- | database. In order to achieve this we have designed and implemented
| |
- | the algorithm shown in diagram 1. In this algorithm, the first stage
| |
- | was to find the list of part IDs of devices which were supplied by iGEM
| |
- | in Spring 2010 distribution. This information has been collected from
| |
- | two sources 1) plate files in excel format which was available online
| |
- | 2) device data provided in xml format, both provided by iGEM. The last
| |
- | step in the algorithm was to send the collected partID data to the application’s
| |
- | database.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>2.</h3>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/e/e6/Metu-algorithm2.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Diagram 2. Flowchart for BioGuide execution before and during
| |
- | user interaction</span></p>
| |
- | <p>Diagram 2 presents the main algorithm, which shows how BioGuide application
| |
- | works. In BioGuide the major components are device and Biobrick graphs.
| |
- | While the device graph represents input-output (promoter-regulator)
| |
- | compatibility combination of iGEM devices, the Biobrick graph represents
| |
- | combinations of atomic parts assembled in a device or system. The flowchart
| |
- | shows how these graphs are created and embedded into the program, which
| |
- | displays both of the graphs to the user when launched. Application presents
| |
- | few interactive options to the user when started, which were shown on
| |
- | the flowchart under the horizontal, bolded line. As shown on the diagram
| |
- | 2, there are four interactive tasks BioGuide can do, where the device
| |
- | and Biobricks graphs are utilized. Upon clicking a node on a devices
| |
- | or Biobricks graph, that node changes in size and color and the various
| |
- | functions shown on the flowchart can be performed then after.</p>
| |
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- | <div class="text">
| |
- | <h2>Modeling</h2>
| |
- | <h3>Graphical Modeling for Bio-Guide</h3>
| |
- | <h4>Introduction</h4>
| |
- | <p>Graphical Modeling Theory has been applied to construct four different
| |
- | graphs where relations of atomic parts, devices and systems and the
| |
- | functional combinations that can build new constructs are presented
| |
- | for the iGEMs parts registry database. Three graphs are composed of
| |
- | iGEM devices and one graph is based on Biobricks. Each graph comprises
| |
- | a set of vertices or nodes and a set of edges. In the set of nodes each
| |
- | node represents a device, while in the set of edges each edge represents
| |
- | the input-output combination of the nodes. These graphs are directed
| |
- | graphs as the edges are created according to input-output combination.
| |
- | All compatibilities between a regulator and a promoter of an edge is
| |
- | created, where the source of this edge is the device with the corresponding
| |
- | regulator and target of the edge is the device with the promoter in
| |
- | concern.</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/3/3f/Metu-node1.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Fig. 1: A node representing a device</span></p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/1/14/Metu-node2.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Fig. 2: Arrow representing an edge between two nodes</span></p>
| |
- | <p>The atomic structures used in our graphical model have been represented
| |
- | in Figures 1 and 2. A node is represented with a solid circle where
| |
- | the label, the part/device ID according to iGEM standards, of the device
| |
- | is marked on the foreground. The blue arrows between nodes connect the
| |
- | related devices, representing the input-output connectivity. End style
| |
- | of the arrow helps us to determine the direction of the node, like in
| |
- | Figure 2 where the node labeled BBa_S03520 is the source and BBa_JO9250
| |
- | is the target.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Directivity</h3>
| |
- | <p>All the four constructed graphs build for BioGuide are directed graphs.
| |
- | So that, for every edge there must be a single source and a target.
| |
- | There is no single edge which is bidirectional. In mathematical form
| |
- | this can be represented as:</p>
| |
- | <p>If an edge e has node v as source and node w as target then the edge
| |
- | can be expressed as</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/6/6c/Metu-equation1.png" />
| |
- | <p>For a directed graph the combination (v, w) is totally different
| |
- | from (w, v). Therefore,</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/a/ac/Metu-equation2.png" />
| |
- | <p>The direction of the edges has been represented with the arrows,
| |
- | as explained in Figure 2.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Connectivity</h3>
| |
- | <p>The nodes forming their own sub-graphs disconnected from the rest
| |
- | of the nodes have been recognized, which showed us the presence of incompatibility
| |
- | between few regulators and promoters of the devices. We have observed
| |
- | this disconnection in all four of our graphs. The basis of the disconnection
| |
- | has been shown in Figure 3, where the two sub-graphs without any edge
| |
- | that connects them to the main graph has been presented on the right
| |
- | hand side of the diagram. These features classify our graphs as disconnected
| |
- | graphs [1].</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/8/8b/Metu-node3.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Fig. 3: A zoomed in screenshot showing two sub-graphs within
| |
- | the disconnected graph.</span></p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>"Semi-Simplicity"</h3>
| |
- | <p>A simple graph is a graph in which no more than one edge contains
| |
- | the same set of nodes. So, in a simple graph it is not possible to find
| |
- | more than one edge with the same source and the same target. Additionally,
| |
- | an edge with the same source and target, forming a loop is not allowed.
| |
- | But, in synthetic biology it is possible to construct a device consisting
| |
- | of devices or bio bricks of the same species or type. Accordingly, our
| |
- | graphs are simple graphs with an exception of possible self-containing
| |
- | loops, where the edge starts from and ends on the same node. Our graphs
| |
- | have an exception of having loops and due to this permitted flexibility
| |
- | our graphs are "semi-simple".</p>
| |
- | <p>For general information about graphs refer to:</p>
| |
- | <p><span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graph_(mathematics)">
| |
- | [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graph_(mathematics)</a></span></p>
| |
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- | <div class="text">
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- | <h2>Results</h2>
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- | </div>
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- | lab
| |
- | biologists.</p>
| |
- | <p>Without a question there is an urgent need to build a distinct and
| |
- | specific database well organized with its own standards for synthetic
| |
- | biology; however, development of such a database is not an easy task.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Contact Information of Part Owners and Qualitative Group Comments
| |
- | about Parts</h3>
| |
- | <p>=========================================</p>
| |
- | <p>Designers: Mail:</p>
| |
- | <p>GroupFavorite:</p>
| |
- | <p>StarRating:</p>
| |
- | <p>Parameters:</p>
| |
- | <p>=========================================</p>
| |
- | <p><span>Table 2: The above table simply depicts information about possessors
| |
- | of parts and their contact information and the popularity of the parts
| |
- | for groups. Parameters heading, refers distinctive experimental details
| |
- | unique to the usage of parts which should be decided by groups.</span></p>
| |
- | <p>Second step for building the standardized template was to get the
| |
- | phylogenic information about the parts development process which includes
| |
- | the name of the group, designer and contact information, along with
| |
- | the comments from the group on the parts they have submitted. Contact
| |
- | information is especially important for iGEM as other groups who need
| |
- | extra information about the available part can reach to the required
| |
- | information. Even though contacting with the designers of the individual
| |
- | parts which are available is highly encouraged by iGEM, unavailability
| |
- | of contact information points at out the fact that iGEM’s parts registry
| |
- | needs strong re-organization in order to serve to the synthetic biology
| |
- | community properly.</p>
| |
- | <p>Additionally, the “group favorite” and “starRating” fields are also
| |
- | important for individual evaluation of the parts, which doesn’t get
| |
- | the deserved attention from the iGEM groups. “Group Favorite” defines
| |
- | the confidence on the part by the designer group. “StarRating” defines
| |
- | the related part in terms of popularity and usage efficiency among the
| |
- | groups. According to our observations, most groups are not aware of
| |
- | either of the fields or they are used incorrectly or ineffectively.
| |
- | For example for a part with a full reporter which is known to be functional
| |
- | and gives precise and expected results the StarRating should be at least
| |
- | 2 stars, but for most of the parts in 2010 distribution, it is very
| |
- | difficult to observe a part whose “StarRating” is above one. For quick
| |
- | determination of functionality of the parts these two evaluations are
| |
- | important so they have been included in the proposed standardization
| |
- | template. But, as they were not properly used up to now for the re-organization
| |
- | of the parts information during the development of our software application
| |
- | we had to include all parts to our queries regardless of their evaluations
| |
- | based on “Group Favorites” and “ StarRatings”</p>
| |
- | <p>Second step for building the standardized template was to get the
| |
- | phylogenic information about the parts development process which includes
| |
- | the name of the group, designer and contact information, along with
| |
- | the comments from the group on the parts they have submitted. Contact
| |
- | information is especially important for iGEM as other groups who need
| |
- | extra information about the available part can reach to the required
| |
- | information. Even though contacting with the designers of the individual
| |
- | parts which are available is highly encouraged by iGEM, unavailability
| |
- | of contact information points at out the fact that iGEM’s parts registry
| |
- | needs strong re-organization in order to serve to the synthetic biology
| |
- | community properly.</p>
| |
- | <p>Additionally, the “group favorite” and “starRating” fields are also
| |
- | important for individual evaluation of the parts, which doesn’t get
| |
- | the deserved attention from the iGEM groups. “Group Favorite” defines
| |
- | the confidence on the part by the designer group. “StarRating” defines
| |
- | the related part in terms of popularity and usage efficiency among the
| |
- | groups. According to our observations, most groups are not aware of
| |
- | either of the fields or they are used incorrectly or ineffectively.
| |
- | For example for a part with a full reporter which is known to be functional
| |
- | and gives precise and expected results the StarRating should be at least
| |
- | 2 stars, but for most of the parts in 2010 distribution, it is very
| |
- | difficult to observe a part whose “StarRating” is above one. For quick
| |
- | determination of functionality of the parts these two evaluations are
| |
- | important so they have been included in the proposed standardization
| |
- | template. But, as they were not properly used up to now for the re-organization
| |
- | of the parts information during the development of our software application
| |
- | we had to include all parts to our queries regardless of their evaluations
| |
- | based on “Group Favorites” and “ StarRatings”</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Input and Output Characteristics of Parts</h3>
| |
- | <p>=========================================</p>
| |
- | <p>Parameters:</p>
| |
- | <p>-Input:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Promoter:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Activity:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inducer:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Activator:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Repressor:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inhibitor:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Promoter2:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Activity:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inducer:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Activator:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Repressor:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inhibitor:</p>
| |
- | <p>-Output:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Reporter:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Reporter2:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Regulator:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inducer:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Activator:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Repressor:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inhibitor:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Regulator2:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inducer:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Activator:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Repressor:</p>
| |
- | <p>• Inhibitor:</p>
| |
- | <p>-Working Condition:</p>
| |
- | <p>=========================================</p>
| |
- | <p><span>Table 3: The table above elaborately describes the input relations
| |
- | based on promoters and the output products based on the functional genes
| |
- | and RNAs which are included within the parts. Working condition simply
| |
- | describes any influencing factor or circumstance which is directly related
| |
- | with the functional properties of parts.</span></p>
| |
- | <p>Third part of our standardization template includes parameters of
| |
- | contingent input and output elements. These parameters are classified
| |
- | into two groups for simplicity as presented on Table 3. This final part
| |
- | of the standardization template includes the upmost important information
| |
- | about the Biobricks that are required for the BioGuide Software to run
| |
- | its searching algorithm.</p>
| |
- | <p>Briefly, BioGuide application is designed to catch the input and
| |
- | output relations of individual parts to examine possible Biobricks pathways
| |
- | for specific input and output queries. In other words, at pre-experimental
| |
- | stage, it helps wet lab biologists to design their unique constructs
| |
- | by revealing possible alternative options for pre-determined purposes,
| |
- | along with the primary paths. Our ultimate goal is to improve the algorithm
| |
- | designed for iGEM 2010 and present a new version of the BioGuide in
| |
- | iGEM 2011, which will provide optimum design of constructs for predetermined
| |
- | parameters.</p>
| |
- | <p>Most of the parts are composed of functional and nonfunctional constructs
| |
- | which are formed by atomic parts. And every part should carry the information
| |
- | for all of its atomic parts within itself. The “input” heading actually
| |
- | stands for promoters. Parts with one or more promoters can be found
| |
- | at iGEM’s Parts Registry. Along with the information on which and how
| |
- | many promoters a part might have, the activity level of promoters are
| |
- | also important to distinguish between a constitutively active promoter
| |
- | or a promoter activated by specific physiological processes or states
| |
- | etc. This information was crucial for us to dissect in order to run
| |
- | our algorithm as it directly affects which inputs can activate the devices
| |
- | or the systems.</p>
| |
- | <p>Throughout our investigations on the Parts Registry, we found out
| |
- | that much of the terminology was being used ambiguously. Although this
| |
- | might not be vital for synthetic biologists, it is still endeavoring
| |
- | to understand the function of certain regulatory elements which also
| |
- | becomes a time consuming task for the researcher. Thus, we recommend
| |
- | that the explanations of certain regulatory elements should be redefined
| |
- | and fixed especially for synthetic biology for easy communication, sharing
| |
- | and searching of information.</p>
| |
- | <p>Common misuses of the terminology can guide us to figure out how
| |
- | to construct a standard nomenclature for synthetic biology. We claim
| |
- | that a standard nomenclature is urgently needed for synthetic biology
| |
- | for the following reasons. First of all, synthetic biology is an emerging
| |
- | research discipline and an industrial application area which is highly
| |
- | promising. Secondly, redefinition of the terminology to build a standard
| |
- | nomenclature is needed as some of the terms are prone to be used instead
| |
- | of another causing problems related to misuse for the global communication
| |
- | about synthetic biology. Lastly, the nomenclature has major importance
| |
- | for the construction of a persistent and trustworthy database for synthetic
| |
- | biology which serves for the information exhibition and exchange globally.
| |
- | For instance, there are obvious misunderstandings about the words which
| |
- | are predominantly used for regulation process. We have noticed that,
| |
- | the terms “inhibitor” and “repressor” are being used as equivocally
| |
- | in the part information pages. Like the lactose inhibitor protein, a
| |
- | widely used DNA-binding transcriptional repressor, that have been labeled
| |
- | both as “inhibitor” and “repressor” at iGEM’s Parts Registry. Similar
| |
- | problems resulting from ambiguous use of terminology also observed with
| |
- | regulatory elements. To sum up, we investigated all input elements for
| |
- | promoters and classify these elements in terms of their function, affect
| |
- | and required input element for them. So, we suggest that terminology
| |
- | used for regulation of transcription should be defined clearly on iGEM’s
| |
- | website and correct use of terminology should be enforced.</p>
| |
- | <p>The second group of parameters was collected under the title “Output”,
| |
- | which refers to products of functional genes. In contradiction, the
| |
- | term “reporter” has also been described within the same list. Reporters
| |
- | are also genes whose products, can be used for screening as an output.
| |
- | According to our group, the usage of the term “reporter” for genes is
| |
- | unnecessary and cause extra complexity for information distribution
| |
- | and gives rise to discrepancies. Instead of using the term “reporter”,
| |
- | predefined “gene” description should be used for genes, which can function
| |
- | as reporters. The special information which is related with the characteristic
| |
- | of that gene should also be presented on part info web page.</p>
| |
- | <p>Furthermore, the same terminology “reporter” was used for both atomic
| |
- | parts and composite bio-bricks. Also the overall image descriptions
| |
- | for these were defined as “reporters”. We want to point out that using
| |
- | same nomenclature for both atomic genes and for whole functional constructs
| |
- | contributes to the complexity and makes specific explorations difficult
| |
- | through the Parts Registry. So, assigning “reporter” for both atomic
| |
- | parts and for whole constructs is not a good practice. Instead, we are
| |
- | suggesting the usage of other available terminology for the parts listed
| |
- | as reporters, which most of the constructs, now known as reporters,
| |
- | can be grouped into, such as “protein generators”, “composite parts”
| |
- | or “inverters”.</p>
| |
- | <p>Devices are whole constructs which are functional and have specific
| |
- | and distinct functions. But, as we have observed, unfortunately, the
| |
- | term “device” is also being used for parts which are not functional
| |
- | and do not have specific functional at all. Moreover, within the classification
| |
- | of devices, we argue that some terms are also being used unnecessarily
| |
- | and ambiguously. Devices are classified into five types which are protein
| |
- | generators, reporters, inverters, receivers and senders, measurement
| |
- | devices. For example iGEM defines protein generators as:</p>
| |
- | <p>Protein generator = promoter + rbs +gene + terminator</p>
| |
- | <p>Though we accept the definition for protein generators, we observed
| |
- | that there exist numerous parts which are defined as protein generators
| |
- | but actually most of them do not fit to the definition provided above.
| |
- | Although some parts are not functional and do not generate proteins
| |
- | at all, they are classified as protein generators, which makes searching
| |
- | for the parts difficult in the registry. Furthermore, there are also
| |
- | numerous parts which are defined as “composite parts” but actually they
| |
- | fit to the same definition with protein generators. In order to overcome
| |
- | the problem of misuse of device type we have extracted related image
| |
- | ID information for the composite parts. Image ID information helped
| |
- | us to correctly categorize composite parts depending on its individual
| |
- | atomic parts and identify the ones with more than one function, such
| |
- | as being both inhibitor and activator. In other words, we used image
| |
- | and part IDs in order to merge an input for its outputs.</p>
| |
- | <p>Subtitle working conditions, includes all the detailed information
| |
- | about the experimental properties of parts, and the details about the
| |
- | working process of individual parts and complete devices. Additionally,
| |
- | we marked the subtitle “Working Condition” in our standardization template
| |
- | as potentially the most important title that helps synthetic biologist
| |
- | to better understand the parts functions at iGEM’s part registry database.
| |
- | The main problem we have encounter with the subtitle “working condition”
| |
- | is within most of the parts the details about working process is not
| |
- | enough and not provided regularly. </p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Examples of Misuse of Terminology:</h3>
| |
- | <h4>For Composite Parts:</h4>
| |
- | <p>PartID: BBa_S04055</p>
| |
- | <p>PartName: Synthetic lacYZ operon</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/a/ac/Metu-database1.png" />
| |
- | <p>This part is functional and responsible for the production of LacY
| |
- | and LacZ proteins. This part partially fits the definition for “composite
| |
- | part” but actually should be a protein generator as it fits fully to
| |
- | the definition of “protein generators”.</p>
| |
- | <h4>For Protein Generators:</h4>
| |
- | <p>PartID: BBa_J45299</p>
| |
- | <p>PartName: PchA & PchB enzyme generator</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/2/2c/Metu-database2.png" />
| |
- | <p>The part which is illustrated above actually fits the definition
| |
- | for “composite part” but in part registry it is classified as protein
| |
- | generator. This part can be functional but it needs a promoter. Even
| |
- | though this part is not functional and is not capable of producing protein,
| |
- | part registry assigns this product as protein generator. We suggest
| |
- | that all parts in the registry, which are composed of more than one
| |
- | atomic part and which are not functional on their own but can be functional,
| |
- | should be classified as “composite parts”.</p>
| |
- | <h4>For Reporters:</h4>
| |
- | <p>PartID: BBa_J04451</p>
| |
- | <p>PartName: RFP Coding Device with an LVA tag</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/0/0a/Metu-database3.png" />
| |
- | <p>This functional part is classified as “Reporter” in the parts registry
| |
- | database. It is very clear that this part fits the same description
| |
- | as Protein Generator in Biobrick part registry standards. Although,
| |
- | this part has specific and known functional role, characterizing this
| |
- | part as a reporter is unnecessary and contributes to the level of complexity
| |
- | of information provided. Instead, we suggest that this part should be
| |
- | classified as “protein generator” and related detailed information about
| |
- | the specific function of this part, should be provided in the part information
| |
- | page.</p>
| |
- | <p>In conclusion, as mentioned above we tried to reorganize and normalize
| |
- | the information about parts which is provided in part registry for 2010
| |
- | in order to develop our algorithm for the BioGuide application. During
| |
- | this process, we encountered some inconsistencies and misuses of the
| |
- | terminology being used and also inadequacies about the information provided
| |
- | about parts. First of all, we claim that a standard nomenclature should
| |
- | be constituted for future use in the field of synthetic biology. Based
| |
- | on the information gathered according to new nomenclature a professional
| |
- | database should be constructed to address the needs of synthetic biology.
| |
- | This will enable easy information exchange and exhibition globally.
| |
- | Secondly, although there are enough information about parts exists on
| |
- | parts registry database, the information which is provided for parts
| |
- | need to be ordered urgently. Furthermore, there should be new experimental
| |
- | standards which must be introduced to groups in the part submission
| |
- | process for the subtitle “working condition”. These experimental standards
| |
- | will be important because the experimental details about parts are not
| |
- | satisfying the needs of wet-lab biologists for the design and the construction
| |
- | of new Biobricks.</p>
| |
- | </div>
| |
- | </div>
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- | <div id="download5" class="item">
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- | <div class="content2">
| |
- | <div class="text">
| |
- | <h2>Contact</h2>
| |
- | </div>
| |
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- | <div class="content2">
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- | <div class="text">
| |
- | <h2>Algorithm</h2>
| |
- | <p>In this section, the step by step functioning of our application,
| |
- | along with the encapsulation of the algorithmic concepts of ‘standardization’
| |
- | of functional iGEM devices are depicted in pictorial forms called flowcharts.
| |
- | Rectangular boxes represent the encapsulation of implementations of
| |
- | the computer programs to perform the particular tasks stated in that
| |
- | box on the flowcharts. These boxes are sometimes called subprograms,
| |
- | objects or packages in Object Oriented software Engineering context.
| |
- | The diamonds represent decision branching and they are found between
| |
- | two rectangular boxes. The arrows show the direction in which subprograms
| |
- | work and communicate. The subprogram at the head of the arrow starts
| |
- | executing after the termination of the subprogram at the tail of the
| |
- | arrow. Following flowcharts are the high level representations of our
| |
- | algorithms developed for the BioGuide software.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>1</h3>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/9/95/Metu-algorithm1.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Diagram 1. Flowchart of collection, formatting and storage
| |
- | of devices data algorithm</span></p>
| |
- | <p>Information about the iGEM parts had to be collected in a standardized
| |
- | format for our application to function properly. Following data collection
| |
- | custom subprograms is needed to parse and forward the data the application’s
| |
- | database. In order to achieve this we have designed and implemented
| |
- | the algorithm shown in diagram 1. In this algorithm, the first stage
| |
- | was to find the list of part IDs of devices which were supplied by iGEM
| |
- | in Spring 2010 distribution. This information has been collected from
| |
- | two sources 1) plate files in excel format which was available online
| |
- | 2) device data provided in xml format, both provided by iGEM. The last
| |
- | step in the algorithm was to send the collected partID data to the application’s
| |
- | database.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>2.</h3>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/e/e6/Metu-algorithm2.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Diagram 2. Flowchart for BioGuide execution before and during
| |
- | user interaction</span></p>
| |
- | <p>Diagram 2 presents the main algorithm, which shows how BioGuide application
| |
- | works. In BioGuide the major components are device and Biobrick graphs.
| |
- | While the device graph represents input-output (promoter-regulator)
| |
- | compatibility combination of iGEM devices, the Biobrick graph represents
| |
- | combinations of atomic parts assembled in a device or system. The flowchart
| |
- | shows how these graphs are created and embedded into the program, which
| |
- | displays both of the graphs to the user when launched. Application presents
| |
- | few interactive options to the user when started, which were shown on
| |
- | the flowchart under the horizontal, bolded line. As shown on the diagram
| |
- | 2, there are four interactive tasks BioGuide can do, where the device
| |
- | and Biobricks graphs are utilized. Upon clicking a node on a devices
| |
- | or Biobricks graph, that node changes in size and color and the various
| |
- | functions shown on the flowchart can be performed then after.</p>
| |
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- | <div class="text">
| |
- | <h2>Modeling</h2>
| |
- | <h3>Graphical Modeling for Bio-Guide</h3>
| |
- | <h4>Introduction</h4>
| |
- | <p>Graphical Modeling Theory has been applied to construct four different
| |
- | graphs where relations of atomic parts, devices and systems and the
| |
- | functional combinations that can build new constructs are presented
| |
- | for the iGEMs parts registry database. Three graphs are composed of
| |
- | iGEM devices and one graph is based on Biobricks. Each graph comprises
| |
- | a set of vertices or nodes and a set of edges. In the set of nodes each
| |
- | node represents a device, while in the set of edges each edge represents
| |
- | the input-output combination of the nodes. These graphs are directed
| |
- | graphs as the edges are created according to input-output combination.
| |
- | All compatibilities between a regulator and a promoter of an edge is
| |
- | created, where the source of this edge is the device with the corresponding
| |
- | regulator and target of the edge is the device with the promoter in
| |
- | concern.</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/3/3f/Metu-node1.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Fig. 1: A node representing a device</span></p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/1/14/Metu-node2.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Fig. 2: Arrow representing an edge between two nodes</span></p>
| |
- | <p>The atomic structures used in our graphical model have been represented
| |
- | in Figures 1 and 2. A node is represented with a solid circle where
| |
- | the label, the part/device ID according to iGEM standards, of the device
| |
- | is marked on the foreground. The blue arrows between nodes connect the
| |
- | related devices, representing the input-output connectivity. End style
| |
- | of the arrow helps us to determine the direction of the node, like in
| |
- | Figure 2 where the node labeled BBa_S03520 is the source and BBa_JO9250
| |
- | is the target.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Directivity</h3>
| |
- | <p>All the four constructed graphs build for BioGuide are directed graphs.
| |
- | So that, for every edge there must be a single source and a target.
| |
- | There is no single edge which is bidirectional. In mathematical form
| |
- | this can be represented as:</p>
| |
- | <p>If an edge e has node v as source and node w as target then the edge
| |
- | can be expressed as</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/6/6c/Metu-equation1.png" />
| |
- | <p>For a directed graph the combination (v, w) is totally different
| |
- | from (w, v). Therefore,</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/a/ac/Metu-equation2.png" />
| |
- | <p>The direction of the edges has been represented with the arrows,
| |
- | as explained in Figure 2.</p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>Connectivity</h3>
| |
- | <p>The nodes forming their own sub-graphs disconnected from the rest
| |
- | of the nodes have been recognized, which showed us the presence of incompatibility
| |
- | between few regulators and promoters of the devices. We have observed
| |
- | this disconnection in all four of our graphs. The basis of the disconnection
| |
- | has been shown in Figure 3, where the two sub-graphs without any edge
| |
- | that connects them to the main graph has been presented on the right
| |
- | hand side of the diagram. These features classify our graphs as disconnected
| |
- | graphs [1].</p>
| |
- | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2010/8/8b/Metu-node3.png" />
| |
- | <p><span>Fig. 3: A zoomed in screenshot showing two sub-graphs within
| |
- | the disconnected graph.</span></p>
| |
- | <br>
| |
- | <h3>"Semi-Simplicity"</h3>
| |
- | <p>A simple graph is a graph in which no more than one edge contains
| |
- | the same set of nodes. So, in a simple graph it is not possible to find
| |
- | more than one edge with the same source and the same target. Additionally,
| |
- | an edge with the same source and target, forming a loop is not allowed.
| |
- | But, in synthetic biology it is possible to construct a device consisting
| |
- | of devices or bio bricks of the same species or type. Accordingly, our
| |
- | graphs are simple graphs with an exception of possible self-containing
| |
- | loops, where the edge starts from and ends on the same node. Our graphs
| |
- | have an exception of having loops and due to this permitted flexibility
| |
- | our graphs are "semi-simple".</p>
| |
- | <p>For general information about graphs refer to:</p>
| |
- | <p><span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graph_(mathematics)">
| |
- | [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graph_(mathematics)</a></span></p>
| |
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- | <h2>Results</h2>
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- | </div>
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| the short description about the part, which synthetic biologists can | | the short description about the part, which synthetic biologists can |
| immediately recognize and utilize during the construction of unique | | immediately recognize and utilize during the construction of unique |