Notebook

In this section you can find information on our day-to-day work/activities over the summer. Since our team was divided into sub-groups, the journal is also divided accordingly to make it easier to track the progress of different aspects of the project. A brief description of our sub-groups is listed below:

• Transformers: We researched the mechanisms of competency found within our B. subtilis chassis and facilitated the uptake of our genetic circuit into the thrC locus. We modified existing protocols for inducing competency and experimented with various steps for maximum efficiency. We also tested and optimized the sporulation process of B. subtilis in order to make it suitable for our final device.
• Detectives: We developed the reporter and repressor operons which constitute the in vivo detection component of our device. We also analyzed the process of homologous recobmination between the flanking regions of our repressor gene and the designated target sequences. Additionally, we looked at isothermal amplification and PCR within blood for the sample preparation of our device.

• Modelling and Prototype: We developed all the 3-D models pertaining to our device and offered clear visualizations for the complex biological and physical mechanisms within our diagnostic method. We also developed a prototype device and looked into the various aspects of engineering that come along with it.
• Policy and Practices:: We looked into the P&P aspect of our project including but not limited to; maintaining communications with researchers in the field of infectious disease and community health, incorporating mandatory safety and government regulations into the project, representing our team at major events, and organizing outreach events.

In this section you can also find all of the protocols that we used and developed over the summer, along with a list of our iGEM standard parts and a collection of our cited works.