Team:Utah State/Results/MedalRequirements

Medal Requirements

Team Goals

Goal #1 - Produce stain-fighting enzymes in E. coli

To produce stain-fighting enzymes in E. coli, we need to genetically engineer our bacteria using genes that code for the synthesis of our three enzymes: cellulase, amylase, and chlorophyllase. Each construct should include a histidine tag for protein purification. After enzymes are purified, assays with each enzyme’s substrate should be conducted in order to determine if the enzyme is active or not.

Goal #2 - Demonstrate that enzymes can help remove stains

In order to show that enzymes can remove stains, multiple assays will be conducted to demonstrate each enzyme’s ability to degrade its specific substrate (i.e. cellulase degrading cellulose in CMC agar plates, amylase degrading starch in starch agar plates, and chlorophyllase cleaving the phytol tail of chlorophyll to make it water soluble. These assays will provide a proof of concept; pairing this proof of concept with background literature reviews will help demonstrate that enzymes can in fact remove stains.

Goal #3 - Immobilize enzymes to bioplastic

To immobilize enzymes to bioplastic, we can build upon previous iGEM team's work regarding the production of bioplastic in E. coli. After using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter to illustrate attachment to the bioplastic granules inside the cell, we can go forward with the same strategy for each of our enzymes. To further solidify our end goal, we can chemically immobilize our BioBrick-produced enzymes to PVC plastic and show that the enzymes retained their efficacy after attachment (chemical immobilization would result in a covalent bond between enzyme and activated PVC plastic, the same type of bond that would occur in our biological immobilization strategy).

Goal #4 - Manufacture a reusable bioplastic laundry treatment

The objective of creating a reusable bioplastic laundry treatment is to reduce the quantity of harsh detergents, minimize wastes of non-reusable "free" enzymes, and improve upon the removal of tough clothing stains. To create this treatment, we first must prove that we can immobilize our stain-fighting enzymes to bioplastic while maintaining their efficacy. Second, we must be able to produce a sufficient amount of enzyme-immbolized bioplastic to allow for rigorous testing. We can then take this enzyme-immobilized bioplastic and construct an additive device to traditional laundry cycles that can be reused in multiple washes. Furthermore, we can use the stain-fighting bioplastic to surface coat scrubbing brushes and buckets for use in under-developed countries and for those who cannot afford traditional laundry machines.

Goal #5 - Win 6th straight Gold Medal

To win our 6th straight Gold Medal, the Utah State iGEM team will need to continue to go above and beyond the requirements necessary for a Gold Medal. We will need to ensure that our project is novel, clearly developed and completed by the students, and helps to build upon previous iGEM team projects by adding to the growing wealth of information and BioBrick parts in the Registry.

Goal #6 - Win Best Manufacturing Project

In order to win the Best Manufacturing Project at the Giant Jamboree, we have to make sure that our project is well-rounded and provides a novel solution to an ongoing problem.

Goal #7 - Have fun and LEARN

The whole iGEM experience should be about learning, enjoying yourself, and giving back. There have been countless opportunities for our student team members to work as a group, learn about Synthetic Biology, teach Synthetic Biology to others, and participate in cutting-edge laboratory research that will benefit us now and into our professional careers. Even before attending the International Jamboree in Boston this year, all of us have taken away lessons and experiences that will greatly improve upon how we conduct research and work with others in the future.