Team:Penn State/Notebook

From 2014.igem.org

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<h1 >WELCOME TO iGEM 2014! </h1>
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<h1 ><font color="white"> WELCOME TO PENN STATE iGEM 2014! </font></h1>
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<p>Your team has been approved and you are ready to start the iGEM season!
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<p style="color:#E7E7E7"> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/wiki/index.php?title=Team:Penn_State/Notebook&action=edit"style="color:#00008B"> Click here  to edit this page!</a> </p>
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<br>On this page you can document your project, introduce your team members, document your progress <br> and share your iGEM experience with the rest of the world! </p>
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<p style="color:#E7E7E7"> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/wiki/index.php?title=Team:Penn_State/Notebook&action=edit"style="color:#FFFFFF"> Click here  to edit this page!</a> </p>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State"style="color:#000000"><font color = "white"><FONT FACE="castellar"><b> Home </b></FONT></font> </a> </td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State"style="color:#000000"><font color = "white"><FONT FACE="castellar"><b>HOME</b></FONT></font> </a> </td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Team"style="color:#000000"> <font color="white"><FONT FACE="castellar"><b> Team </b></FONT></font> </a> </td>
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<a href="https://igem.org/2014_Judging_Form?id=1506"style="color:#000000"> <font color="white"><FONT FACE="castellar"><b>JUDGING FORM</b></FONT></font> </a> </td>
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<a href="https://igem.org/Team.cgi?year=2014&team_name=Penn_State"style="color:#000000"> <font color = "white"><FONT FACE="castellar"><b> Official Team Profile </b></FONT></font> </a></td>
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<a href="https://igem.org/Team.cgi?year=2014&team_name=Penn_State"style="color:#000000"> <font color = "white"><FONT FACE="castellar"><b>OFFICIAL PROFILE</b></FONT></font> </a></td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Team"style="color:#000000"> <font color="white"><FONT FACE="castellar"><b>TEAM</b></FONT></font> </a> </td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Project"style="color:#000000"> <font color="white"><FONT FACE="castellar"><b> Project</b></FONT></font></a></td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Project"style="color:#000000"> <font color="white"><FONT FACE="castellar"><b> PROJECTS</b></FONT></font></a></td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Parts"style="color:#000000"> <font color="white"><FONT FACE="castellar"><b> Parts </b></FONT></font></a></td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Parts"style="color:#000000"> <font color="white"><FONT FACE="castellar"><b>PARTS</b></FONT></font></a></td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Modeling"style="color:#000000"><font color="white"> <FONT FACE="castellar"><b> Modeling </b></FONT></font></a></td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Notebook"style="color:#000000"><font color="white"> <FONT FACE="castellar"> <b> Notebook </b></FONT></font></a></td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Notebook"style="color:#000000"><font color="white"> <FONT FACE="castellar"> <b> WETLAB</b></FONT></font></a></td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Safety"style=" color:#000000"><font color="white"> <FONT FACE="castellar"> <b> Safety </b></FONT></font></a></td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Safety"style=" color:#000000"><font color="white"> <FONT FACE="castellar"> <b> SAFETY</b></FONT></font></a></td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Human_Practices"style=" color:#000000"><font color="white"> <FONT FACE="castellar"><b> Human Practices </b></FONT></font></a></td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/HumanPractices2"style=" color:#000000"><font color="white"> <FONT FACE="castellar"><b>HUMAN PRACTICES</b></FONT></font></a></td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Attributions"style="color:#000000"><font color="white"> <FONT FACE="castellar"><b> Attributions </b></FONT></font></a></td>
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<a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Attributions"style="color:#000000"><font color="white"> <FONT FACE="castellar"><b> ATTRIBUTIONS</b></FONT></font></a></td>
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<h1>Penn State iGEM 2014 Notebook Page</h1>
 
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<p>Here you will find weekly summaries of our wet laboratory progress, team updates, and accomplishments outside the laboratory. Below [link this] is our detailed, day-to-day progress laboratory notebook.</p>
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<center><h1>Penn State iGEM 2014 Wetlab</h1></center>
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<p>Below you will find weekly summaries of our wet laboratory progress, team updates, and accomplishments outside the laboratory. Please check out the links below to our day-to-day daily notebook and our protocols page.</p>
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<p><font color="maroon"><STRONG>IMPORTANT LINKS:</STRONG></FONT></P>
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<P><ul>
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      <li><a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook">Daily Notebook</a></li>
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      <li><a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Protocol">Protocols</a></li>
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      <li><a href="https://igem.org/2014_Judging_Form?id=1506">Judging Form</a></li>
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<h2>Weekly Summaries</h2>
<h2>Weekly Summaries</h2>
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<p>will create links to each week, but will just list down the page Week 1, Week 2, etc etc</p>
 
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<h2>Laboratory Notebook</h2>
 
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<p><h4><a name="Week 1"><font color="black">Week 1 </font></a><br> Tuesday, May 20 - Sunday, May 25</h4> <h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk1">Notebook Entries</a></h5> </p>
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<p>iGEM 2014 had their first meeting with Dr. Salis and Dr. Richard. Ashlee, Emily, Clay, and Sam met each other. Emily will help Ashlee continue work on her Honors Thesis with the project <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Biodetoxification">"Engineering a Biodetoxification Pathway for Lignocellulosic Feedstock"</a>. Ashlee began to show Emily around the lab and instruct her during her first cloning experiences while they continued Ashlee's semester research trying to add a terminator upstream of the HMF pathway where dCas9 would be inserted. The dCas9 system has a transacting RNA sequence which could disrupt upstream genes if it was not turned off correctly.</p>
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<p><font color="black">Clay and Sam began work for Clay's Honors Thesis in Biological Engineering on the <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/CodonOptimization">"Codon Optimization"</a> project. Clay and Sam began preliminary research and worked on constructing a program to optimize GFPs.</font></p>
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<p><h4><a name="Week 2"><font color="black">Week 2</font></a><br>Monday, May 26 - Sunday, June 1</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk2">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
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<p>Ashlee and Emily saw no success with adding the terminator and must move on to a new approach. With the advice of Dr. Salis and graduate student Iman Farasat, they decided to insert the HMF pathway and the dCas9 system into the genome using homologous recombination and the Lambda Red Recombinase system.</p>
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<p>Clay and Sam successfully design a program in Excel to optimize genes, continue working on one to be used in MATLAB. Work begins on designing a plan for obtaining useful data to show efficacy of codon optimization, as well as a plan for this cloning in more specific terms.
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<p><h4><a name="Week 3"><font color="black">Week 3</font></a><br>Monday, June 2 - Sunday, June 8</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk3">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
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    <td><font size="5" face="castellar"><center><b>Biodetoxification</b></center></font></td>
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<p>Ashee and Emily constructed parts of Plasmid 1 via PCR Rescue and colony PCR. Genome overlaps 1, 2 and the kanamycin resistance cassette and ColE1 replication origin were constructed and assembled via Gibson CBA. Other plasmids necessary for the completion of the project were prepared.</p>
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  <td><center><b>Wednesday, May 21, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><b>Emily's first experience with cloning!</b> Ashlee led Emily through several practice experiments from designs made earlier in the year: making a gel, loading samples, gel purifying DNA.</td>
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  <td><center><b>Thursday, May 22, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td>Ashlee and Emily performed a transformation.</td>
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  <td><center><b>Friday, May 23, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Saturday, May 24, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Monday, May 26, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td>Due to a string of failed clonings with the broadhost vector pSEVA251 and the large inserts, new designs are evaluated! Instead of creating a plasmid with the HMF pathway (7.5 kb) and dCas9 system (5.5 kb), we shall add the HMF pathway and dCas9 to the <i>P. putida</i> genome using homologous recombination. </td>
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  <td><center><b>Tuesday, May 27, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td>Inoculated LB broth with ampicillin and dCas9 plasmid from cryogenic storage; inoculated Lb broth with chloramphenicol and FTV vector from Ashlee's past experiment; streaked the HMF vector on a kanamycin plate.</td>
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  <td><center><b>Wednesday, May 28, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td>Emily and Ashlee made cryogenic storage of the dCas9 plasmid; plasmid prepared the FTV and dCas9 vectors; digested FTV vector; inoculated LB broth with a colony from the HMF plate for overnight growth and plasmid preparation tomorrow.</td>
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  <td><center><b>Thursday, May 29, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td>Prepared plasmid containing the HMF pathway; inoculated LB broth with Lambda Red Recombinase plasmid from cryogenic storage. Ashlee, Emily, and graduate student Iman Farasat ordered primers for three plasmids that will be constructed via Gibson Chew-Back and Annealing Assembly, two of which will be inserted into the genome by homologous recombination.</td>
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  <td><center><b>Friday, May 30, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Monday, June 2, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td>Constructed dCas9 gene cassette and plasmid backbone with replication origin ColE1 via PCR Rescue. Gel purified dCas9 and ColE1 cassettes.</td>
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  <td><center><b>Tuesday, June 3, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td>Conducted Colony PCR using <i>P. putida</i> KT2440 strain as DNA template to construct two ~1 kb genome overlaps. Plasmid prepared the Lambda Red Recombinase plasmid, DH10B-PKD46, FTV-ptac-LacI-CmR plasmid, and NoHP_15A_Plmra_CmR plasmid containing RFP with a strong, unique promoter.  Stock of NoHP_15A_Pkmra_CmR and FTV_ptac_LacI_CmR for cryogenic storage was also made. Lambda Red Recombinase cassette was amplified using PCR Rescue and gel purified.</td>
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  <td><center><b>Wednesday, June 4, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Thursday, June 5, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Friday, June 6, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td>Conducted colony PCR using <i>P. putida</i> KT2440 strain as the DNA template to construct 1 kb overlaps for homologous recombination. All four of the first genome overlaps with gene PP_0747 were successful; only 2 overlaps with <i>upp</i> gene were successful. These were gel purified. We learned Gibson Chew-Back Annealing Assembly (CBA) protocol. </td>
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  <td><center><b>Sunday, June 8, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td>One 4-part, two 3-part, and two 2-part Gibson CBA's were conducted to assemble the kanamycin resistance cassette, two genome overlaps, and the colE1 replication origin. </td>
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  <td><center><b>Monday, June 9, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td>The two 2-part and two 3-part CBA's were amplified using PCR Rescue and gel purified. The original 4-part CBA was transformed into <i>E. coli</i> electrocompetent cells using electroporation and plated on kanamycin antibiotic agar plates. The 4-part CBA was repeated to ensure accuracy. Because the CBA parts contained no plasmid DNA, the 4-part CBA could be digested by restriction enzyme Dpn1. Dpn1 binds and cuts methylated DNA sites, thus destroying any plasmid DNA remaining as a contaminant.</td>
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  <td><center><b>Tuesday, June 10, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td>The original 4-part CBA worked! Many colonies appeared on the plate after incubation at 37 degrees C for 18 hours, and 12 colonies were selected for plasmid preparation. These were digested with AatII and XbaI, two restriction sites that are only both contained in the final assembled 4-part plasmid. 6/12 colonies showed the correct bands on the gel. We also prepared more 1 kb ladder from concentrate.</td>
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  <td><center><b>Wednesday, June 11, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Thursday, June 12, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Friday, June 13, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Saturday, June 14, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Sunday June 15, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Monday, June 16, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Tuesday, June 17, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Wednesday, June 18, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Thursday, June 19, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Friday, June 20, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Saturday, June 21, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Sunday, June 22, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Monday, June 23, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Tuesday, June 24, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Wednesday, June 25, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Thursday, June 26, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Friday, June 27, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Saturday, June 28, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Sunday, June 29, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Monday, June 30, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Tuesday, July 1, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Wednesday, July 2, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Thursday, July 3, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Friday, July 4, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Saturday, July 5, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Sunday, July 6, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Monday, July 7, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Tuesday, July 8, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Wednesday, July 9, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Thursday, July 10, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Friday, July 11, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Saturday, July 12, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Sunday, July 13, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Monday, July 14, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Tuesday, July 15, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Wednesday, July 16, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Thursday, July 17, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Friday, July 18, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Saturday, July 19, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Sunday, July 20, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Monday, July 21, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Tuesday, July 22, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Wednesday, July 23, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Thursday, July 24, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Friday, July 25, 2014</b></center></td>
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  <td><center><b>Saturday, July 26, 2014</b></center></td>
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<p>Decisions made to use restriction site cloning to introduce synthetic GFPs into pFTV. Also, determined that best method of obtaining the genes is ordering them as gblocks from IDT. Problem of RBS library anticipated, synthetic leader sequence developed in order to work around the problem of the coding sequences being different. </p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 4"><font color="black">Week 4</font></a><br>Monday, June 9 - Sunday, June 15</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk4">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>The 4-Part Gibson CBA was sequenced and determined to have all the correct junctions - our Plasmid 1 is complete. Attempts were made to insert the dCas9 system into the Plasmid 1 construct via ligation.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p>Project Plan updated extensively as mistake in design of gblocks realized (truncation) as well as the addition of a fifth gblock (slow insertion time). Programs written to optimize for insertion time as well as total the insertion time for existing genes. Restriction enzymes re-chosen and gblocks ordered. Project plan modified to include a gene first, RBS later strategy.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 5"><font color="black">Week 5</font></a><br>Monday, June 16 - Sunday, June 22</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk5">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p> However, the ligation from the previous week was not successful. We believe this was due to recently expired ClaI restriction enzyme or expired DNA ligase buffer. Both were replaced. We attempted to insert the dCas9 system and Lambda Red Recombinase system simultaneously (bypassing the need for ClaI) by performing a 2-part Gibson CBA. Upon PCR amplifying and running on a gel, the CBA also failed.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p>Gblocks amplified with rescue PCR, digested along with pFTV, ligated and transformed into cells. Additional design steps taken toward finding suitable RBS library. Began to work on website and other iGEM forms.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 6"><font color="black">Week 6</font></a><br>Monday, June 23 - Sunday, June 29</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk6">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>The Gibson CBA of Lamba Red Recombinase and dCas9 system was repeated at 25 femtomole per DNA product and 50 femtomole. Emily and Ashlee worked on their presentation for the <a href="http://csats.psu.edu/">Center for Science and the Schools</a>. We met with Dr. Richard to discuss incorporating his biomass hydrolyzer into our research and to evaluate the economic impact of our project by using the <a href="http://www.nrel.gov/extranet/biorefinery/aspen_models/">NREL AspenPlus model and economic analysis</a> of a biorefinery. We had our weekly meeting with Dr. Salis and Dr. Richard to update them on our progress. Dr. Salis helped to tweak the website and offered suggestions for improving the design.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p>Colonies sent for sequencing, discovered that no insert was present. Decision reached to attempt digestion, ligation, transformation again.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 7"><font color="black">Week 7</font></a><br>Monday, June 30 - Sunday, July 6</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk7">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>We prepared and digested 10 colonies of Plasmid 1 to ensure that the backbone is correct.  Four of the digested plasmids were sent for sequencing.  More work was done to update and design the website.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p>Problems realized with inverse PCR. Several attempts made to optimize this reaction. Success near end of week as strong bands observed. These will be used in the next digestion, ect. Digestion, ligation, transformation carried out again, cells plated. No colonies observed.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 8"><font color="black">Week 8</font></a><br>Monday, July 7 - Sunday, July 13</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk8">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>We prepared the Plasmid 1 backbone and dCas9 system for ligation. New backbone colonies were sequenced and cryogenic storage was prepared. We met with Matt Johnson from the Center for Science and the Schools and he gave us good feedback on how to structure our presentation to the NewBio teachers.</p>
 +
<p>Standard enzymatic digestion, ligation, attempted one more time, with sufficient optimization from the last two attempts. Used Chiam's electrocompetent cells, as it is suspected that ours are bad. Colonies observed, DNA harvested, digested to see if expected bands observed, sent for sequencing. Sequencing results show presence of an insert, but also include significant regions of ambiguity. Attemps made to send for sequencing on campus. Numerous improvements made to plasmid harvest protocol. Improvements made to journal and updates made to website. Skills gained in html, CSS coding. Problem with inverse PCR is discovered. The reverse primer tail was incorrectly designed and was fixed. Unfortunately, this means that virtually everything earlier than this was likely failing because of this error, which cost us a lot of time. Primer re-ordered.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 9"><font color="black">Week 9</font></a><br>Monday, July 14 - Sunday, July 20</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk9">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>Ashlee and Emily digested 12 dCas9-Plasmid 1 ligation colonies and sent them for sequencing. The size of the band on the gel were not what we expected, so we hope the sequencing results will shed some light on this. We continued to work on the presentation for the Center for Science and the Schools. We made preparations to attempt our first homologous recombination to insert the dCas9 system into the genome.</p>
 +
<p>The great miniprep adventure of summer 2014! All five GFPs re-cloned, and all of the five variant GFPs had colonies on their respective plates. The decision was made to pick six (6) colonies from each plate and prepare them for plasmid harvest.  These thirty (30) samples were picked, minipreped, and streaked so that they could be saved for future analysis if needed. All of the samples had acceptable concentrations after plasmid harvest, so each sample was digested with Xma1 and Sac1 to see if the correct bands would appear when run on a gel. The samples that showed the bands in the correct part of the ladder were selected to be sent for sequencing in the upcoming week. </p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 10"><font color="black">Week 10</font></a><br>Monday, July 21 - Sunday, July 27</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk10">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>Before Ashlee and Emily left on vacations, they plasmid prepped eight plasmids containing dCas9.  These and three CBA colonies were sent for sequencing.  The team had a meeting with Dr. Richard to discuss some upcoming dates and to get feedback on the progress of our projects.</p>
 +
<p>More results of cloning sent for sequencing. Unfortunately it appears that the R2 sequencing primer is bad (probably too much secondary structure, as it was erroneously designed to anneal within the terminator) and if so, this is the source of a lot of our headaches. Developed a presentation for SCIENCE U, an interactive presentation to give to high schoolers at a science camp  at PSU.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 11"><font color="black">Week 11</font></a><br>Monday, July 28 - Sunday, August 3</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk11">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>After returning from vacation, Ashlee and Emily checked the sequencing results.  Only one colony from the ligation (termed "L6") had dCas9 inserted in the plasmid.  No other colonies were found to have the proper sequencing.  L6 is now the most important plasmid we have!  More digestions and transformations were done to keep the flow of the project moving well.</p>
 +
<p>Science U presentation goes extremely well. Instructors are happy, kids were very engaged and seemed to learn a lot. Cloning and sequencing continue, with the goal being the confirmation of all five variants so that progress can be made to inserting the RBS library and characterizing.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 12"><font color="black">Week 12</font></a><br>Monday, August 4 - Sunday, August 10</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk12">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>Sequencing confirms two of the GFPs correct, two more likely correct, and one (GFP4) still lagging behind in cloning. Progress made by inserting dRBS and transforming cells. Unfortunately, numerous tries are needed until this is done successfully. Oligos containing the dRBS are re-annealed more than six times, each time with minor improvements to the protocol. Sequencing continues, and G4 is re-cloned.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 13"><font color="black">Week 13</font></a><br>Monday, August 11 - Sunday, August 17</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk13">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>Construction of Plasmids 2 and 3 started by preparing and assembling some of the easier parts.  There was some trouble with our electrocompetent cells and some solutions being used in PCR clueing reactions.</p>
 +
<p>Finally, lots of colonies found on plates with G2 and G3 that contain the dRBS. Colonies glow, which is encouraging, cryo stocks prepared, then TECAN measurements began for G3. Old plates cleaned out, cryo stocks prepared for anything that seems like it might be useful, and rest is throw out. Clay leaves for Spain.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 14"><font color="black">Week 14</font></a><br>Monday, August 18 - Sunday, August 24</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk14">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>The PAK backbone was fully prepared and joined with the crRNA.  These plasmids were grown up and sent for sequencing later in the week.  We also started preparing the HMF pathway for integration into Plasmid 2.  The HMF plasmid is very difficult to clone as it is a very large DNA piece.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 15"><font color="black">Week 15</font></a><br>Monday, August 25 - Sunday, August 31</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk15">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>First week of classes!  Not much progress was made as we were at a stand still with the HMF pathway and our competent cells.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 16"><font color="black">Week 16</font></a><br>Monday, September 1 - Sunday, September 7</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk16">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>This week was spent preparing a presentation for our trip to Carnegie Mellon.  All members contributed to the powerpoint slides and we helped each other plan out good ways to discuss certain areas of our projects.  On Saturday we travelled to Pittsburgh where we presented at Carnegie Mellon to a few collegiate teams and one high school team.  All went very well and we were pleased with the feedback we got from the students and professionals at the event.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 17"><font color="black">Week 17</font></a><br>Monday, September 8 - Sunday, September 14</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk17">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>Lab move!  Our lab needed to be moved to a new building as the old one was beginning renovations.  This week consisted of organizing and packing up all of our materials and DNA samples.  This was a lengthy process and took up the time we needed to make progress on the projects.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 18"><font color="black">Week 18</font></a><br>Monday, September 15 - Sunday, September 21</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk18">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>Lab move!  This week the lab needed to obtain specific access to our new building for weekends and nights.  We set up and organized the new lab area and got ourselves adjusted to everything.  Research will begin next week!</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 19"><font color="black">Week 19</font></a><br>Monday, September 22 - Sunday, September 28</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk19">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>Things are finally up and running in our new lab space.  More efforts have been put into the Codon Optimization project due to the time constraints before the Jamboree and Wiki Freeze.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 20"><font color="black">Week 20</font></a><br>Monday, September 29 - Sunday, October 5</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk20">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>Emily spent time in lab over the weekend plasmid prepping and transforming as well as adding to the Wiki and making things look nicer.  Ashlee aided Sam in his project as he has been extremely busy working on Homecoming events for the University.</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 21"><font color="black">Week 21</font></a><br>Monday, October 6 - Sunday, October 12</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk21">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>Things with codon optimization started to pick up again. Ashlee and Emily spent time coordinating with Sam to make sure that adequate process was being made. They helped to fill in the blanks when it was hard for Sam to come in to lab based on classes and work schedule. They were excellent team players and helped to make sure that we had a part available to send to the registry!</p>
 +
 
 +
<p><h4><a name="Week 22"><font color="black">Week 22</font></a><br>Monday, October 13 - Sunday, October 19</h4><h5>- <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Penn_State/Daily_Notebook#NB wk21">Notebook Entries</a></h5></p>
 +
<p>The wiki has been the most important over the past two weeks.  A lot of work has been done to make it more user friendly and more appealing to the judges.  We will continue working hard on the projects, poster and presentation in the coming weeks until the Jamboree.</p>
 +
<p>Improvements made to codon project page. Text streamlined and visual elements added.</p>
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Latest revision as of 00:07, 18 October 2014

WELCOME TO PENN STATE iGEM 2014!

Click here to edit this page!

HOME JUDGING FORM OFFICIAL PROFILE TEAM PROJECTS PARTS WETLAB SAFETY HUMAN PRACTICES ATTRIBUTIONS

Penn State iGEM 2014 Wetlab

Below you will find weekly summaries of our wet laboratory progress, team updates, and accomplishments outside the laboratory. Please check out the links below to our day-to-day daily notebook and our protocols page.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

  • Daily Notebook
  • Protocols
  • Judging Form
    • Weekly Summaries

      Week 1
      Tuesday, May 20 - Sunday, May 25

      - Notebook Entries

      iGEM 2014 had their first meeting with Dr. Salis and Dr. Richard. Ashlee, Emily, Clay, and Sam met each other. Emily will help Ashlee continue work on her Honors Thesis with the project "Engineering a Biodetoxification Pathway for Lignocellulosic Feedstock". Ashlee began to show Emily around the lab and instruct her during her first cloning experiences while they continued Ashlee's semester research trying to add a terminator upstream of the HMF pathway where dCas9 would be inserted. The dCas9 system has a transacting RNA sequence which could disrupt upstream genes if it was not turned off correctly.

      Clay and Sam began work for Clay's Honors Thesis in Biological Engineering on the "Codon Optimization" project. Clay and Sam began preliminary research and worked on constructing a program to optimize GFPs.

      Week 2
      Monday, May 26 - Sunday, June 1

      - Notebook Entries

      Ashlee and Emily saw no success with adding the terminator and must move on to a new approach. With the advice of Dr. Salis and graduate student Iman Farasat, they decided to insert the HMF pathway and the dCas9 system into the genome using homologous recombination and the Lambda Red Recombinase system.

      Clay and Sam successfully design a program in Excel to optimize genes, continue working on one to be used in MATLAB. Work begins on designing a plan for obtaining useful data to show efficacy of codon optimization, as well as a plan for this cloning in more specific terms.

      Week 3
      Monday, June 2 - Sunday, June 8

      - Notebook Entries

      Ashee and Emily constructed parts of Plasmid 1 via PCR Rescue and colony PCR. Genome overlaps 1, 2 and the kanamycin resistance cassette and ColE1 replication origin were constructed and assembled via Gibson CBA. Other plasmids necessary for the completion of the project were prepared.

      Decisions made to use restriction site cloning to introduce synthetic GFPs into pFTV. Also, determined that best method of obtaining the genes is ordering them as gblocks from IDT. Problem of RBS library anticipated, synthetic leader sequence developed in order to work around the problem of the coding sequences being different.

      Week 4
      Monday, June 9 - Sunday, June 15

      - Notebook Entries

      The 4-Part Gibson CBA was sequenced and determined to have all the correct junctions - our Plasmid 1 is complete. Attempts were made to insert the dCas9 system into the Plasmid 1 construct via ligation.

      Project Plan updated extensively as mistake in design of gblocks realized (truncation) as well as the addition of a fifth gblock (slow insertion time). Programs written to optimize for insertion time as well as total the insertion time for existing genes. Restriction enzymes re-chosen and gblocks ordered. Project plan modified to include a gene first, RBS later strategy.

      Week 5
      Monday, June 16 - Sunday, June 22

      - Notebook Entries

      However, the ligation from the previous week was not successful. We believe this was due to recently expired ClaI restriction enzyme or expired DNA ligase buffer. Both were replaced. We attempted to insert the dCas9 system and Lambda Red Recombinase system simultaneously (bypassing the need for ClaI) by performing a 2-part Gibson CBA. Upon PCR amplifying and running on a gel, the CBA also failed.

      Gblocks amplified with rescue PCR, digested along with pFTV, ligated and transformed into cells. Additional design steps taken toward finding suitable RBS library. Began to work on website and other iGEM forms.

      Week 6
      Monday, June 23 - Sunday, June 29

      - Notebook Entries

      The Gibson CBA of Lamba Red Recombinase and dCas9 system was repeated at 25 femtomole per DNA product and 50 femtomole. Emily and Ashlee worked on their presentation for the Center for Science and the Schools. We met with Dr. Richard to discuss incorporating his biomass hydrolyzer into our research and to evaluate the economic impact of our project by using the NREL AspenPlus model and economic analysis of a biorefinery. We had our weekly meeting with Dr. Salis and Dr. Richard to update them on our progress. Dr. Salis helped to tweak the website and offered suggestions for improving the design.

      Colonies sent for sequencing, discovered that no insert was present. Decision reached to attempt digestion, ligation, transformation again.

      Week 7
      Monday, June 30 - Sunday, July 6

      - Notebook Entries

      We prepared and digested 10 colonies of Plasmid 1 to ensure that the backbone is correct. Four of the digested plasmids were sent for sequencing. More work was done to update and design the website.

      Problems realized with inverse PCR. Several attempts made to optimize this reaction. Success near end of week as strong bands observed. These will be used in the next digestion, ect. Digestion, ligation, transformation carried out again, cells plated. No colonies observed.

      Week 8
      Monday, July 7 - Sunday, July 13

      - Notebook Entries

      We prepared the Plasmid 1 backbone and dCas9 system for ligation. New backbone colonies were sequenced and cryogenic storage was prepared. We met with Matt Johnson from the Center for Science and the Schools and he gave us good feedback on how to structure our presentation to the NewBio teachers.

      Standard enzymatic digestion, ligation, attempted one more time, with sufficient optimization from the last two attempts. Used Chiam's electrocompetent cells, as it is suspected that ours are bad. Colonies observed, DNA harvested, digested to see if expected bands observed, sent for sequencing. Sequencing results show presence of an insert, but also include significant regions of ambiguity. Attemps made to send for sequencing on campus. Numerous improvements made to plasmid harvest protocol. Improvements made to journal and updates made to website. Skills gained in html, CSS coding. Problem with inverse PCR is discovered. The reverse primer tail was incorrectly designed and was fixed. Unfortunately, this means that virtually everything earlier than this was likely failing because of this error, which cost us a lot of time. Primer re-ordered.

      Week 9
      Monday, July 14 - Sunday, July 20

      - Notebook Entries

      Ashlee and Emily digested 12 dCas9-Plasmid 1 ligation colonies and sent them for sequencing. The size of the band on the gel were not what we expected, so we hope the sequencing results will shed some light on this. We continued to work on the presentation for the Center for Science and the Schools. We made preparations to attempt our first homologous recombination to insert the dCas9 system into the genome.

      The great miniprep adventure of summer 2014! All five GFPs re-cloned, and all of the five variant GFPs had colonies on their respective plates. The decision was made to pick six (6) colonies from each plate and prepare them for plasmid harvest. These thirty (30) samples were picked, minipreped, and streaked so that they could be saved for future analysis if needed. All of the samples had acceptable concentrations after plasmid harvest, so each sample was digested with Xma1 and Sac1 to see if the correct bands would appear when run on a gel. The samples that showed the bands in the correct part of the ladder were selected to be sent for sequencing in the upcoming week.

      Week 10
      Monday, July 21 - Sunday, July 27

      - Notebook Entries

      Before Ashlee and Emily left on vacations, they plasmid prepped eight plasmids containing dCas9. These and three CBA colonies were sent for sequencing. The team had a meeting with Dr. Richard to discuss some upcoming dates and to get feedback on the progress of our projects.

      More results of cloning sent for sequencing. Unfortunately it appears that the R2 sequencing primer is bad (probably too much secondary structure, as it was erroneously designed to anneal within the terminator) and if so, this is the source of a lot of our headaches. Developed a presentation for SCIENCE U, an interactive presentation to give to high schoolers at a science camp at PSU.

      Week 11
      Monday, July 28 - Sunday, August 3

      - Notebook Entries

      After returning from vacation, Ashlee and Emily checked the sequencing results. Only one colony from the ligation (termed "L6") had dCas9 inserted in the plasmid. No other colonies were found to have the proper sequencing. L6 is now the most important plasmid we have! More digestions and transformations were done to keep the flow of the project moving well.

      Science U presentation goes extremely well. Instructors are happy, kids were very engaged and seemed to learn a lot. Cloning and sequencing continue, with the goal being the confirmation of all five variants so that progress can be made to inserting the RBS library and characterizing.

      Week 12
      Monday, August 4 - Sunday, August 10

      - Notebook Entries

      Sequencing confirms two of the GFPs correct, two more likely correct, and one (GFP4) still lagging behind in cloning. Progress made by inserting dRBS and transforming cells. Unfortunately, numerous tries are needed until this is done successfully. Oligos containing the dRBS are re-annealed more than six times, each time with minor improvements to the protocol. Sequencing continues, and G4 is re-cloned.

      Week 13
      Monday, August 11 - Sunday, August 17

      - Notebook Entries

      Construction of Plasmids 2 and 3 started by preparing and assembling some of the easier parts. There was some trouble with our electrocompetent cells and some solutions being used in PCR clueing reactions.

      Finally, lots of colonies found on plates with G2 and G3 that contain the dRBS. Colonies glow, which is encouraging, cryo stocks prepared, then TECAN measurements began for G3. Old plates cleaned out, cryo stocks prepared for anything that seems like it might be useful, and rest is throw out. Clay leaves for Spain.

      Week 14
      Monday, August 18 - Sunday, August 24

      - Notebook Entries

      The PAK backbone was fully prepared and joined with the crRNA. These plasmids were grown up and sent for sequencing later in the week. We also started preparing the HMF pathway for integration into Plasmid 2. The HMF plasmid is very difficult to clone as it is a very large DNA piece.

      Week 15
      Monday, August 25 - Sunday, August 31

      - Notebook Entries

      First week of classes! Not much progress was made as we were at a stand still with the HMF pathway and our competent cells.

      Week 16
      Monday, September 1 - Sunday, September 7

      - Notebook Entries

      This week was spent preparing a presentation for our trip to Carnegie Mellon. All members contributed to the powerpoint slides and we helped each other plan out good ways to discuss certain areas of our projects. On Saturday we travelled to Pittsburgh where we presented at Carnegie Mellon to a few collegiate teams and one high school team. All went very well and we were pleased with the feedback we got from the students and professionals at the event.

      Week 17
      Monday, September 8 - Sunday, September 14

      - Notebook Entries

      Lab move! Our lab needed to be moved to a new building as the old one was beginning renovations. This week consisted of organizing and packing up all of our materials and DNA samples. This was a lengthy process and took up the time we needed to make progress on the projects.

      Week 18
      Monday, September 15 - Sunday, September 21

      - Notebook Entries

      Lab move! This week the lab needed to obtain specific access to our new building for weekends and nights. We set up and organized the new lab area and got ourselves adjusted to everything. Research will begin next week!

      Week 19
      Monday, September 22 - Sunday, September 28

      - Notebook Entries

      Things are finally up and running in our new lab space. More efforts have been put into the Codon Optimization project due to the time constraints before the Jamboree and Wiki Freeze.

      Week 20
      Monday, September 29 - Sunday, October 5

      - Notebook Entries

      Emily spent time in lab over the weekend plasmid prepping and transforming as well as adding to the Wiki and making things look nicer. Ashlee aided Sam in his project as he has been extremely busy working on Homecoming events for the University.

      Week 21
      Monday, October 6 - Sunday, October 12

      - Notebook Entries

      Things with codon optimization started to pick up again. Ashlee and Emily spent time coordinating with Sam to make sure that adequate process was being made. They helped to fill in the blanks when it was hard for Sam to come in to lab based on classes and work schedule. They were excellent team players and helped to make sure that we had a part available to send to the registry!

      Week 22
      Monday, October 13 - Sunday, October 19

      - Notebook Entries

      The wiki has been the most important over the past two weeks. A lot of work has been done to make it more user friendly and more appealing to the judges. We will continue working hard on the projects, poster and presentation in the coming weeks until the Jamboree.

      Improvements made to codon project page. Text streamlined and visual elements added.