http://2014.igem.org/wiki/index.php?title=Special:Contributions/G.Livermore&feed=atom&limit=50&target=G.Livermore&year=&month=2014.igem.org - User contributions [en]2024-03-28T18:32:32ZFrom 2014.igem.orgMediaWiki 1.16.5http://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/modelingTeam:Cornell/project/modeling2014-10-18T03:40:44Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="padding: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Modeling</h1><br />
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<h1>Effectiveness and economic feasibility of our hollow fiber bioreactor system</h1><br />
To determine the effectiveness and economic feasibility of our hollow fiber bioreactor with <br />
<i> E. coli</i> which has been engineered to express a mercury transport system and metallothionein, we modeled its impact when applied to a current real situation: mercury pollution in Onondaga Lake, Syracuse, NY.<br />
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It has been shown that similar hollow fiber bioreactors are able to reduce the concentration of mercury from 2mg/L to about 5 µg/L.<sup>[1]</sup> This corresponds to a promising 99.8% reduction in mercury levels. Furthermore as discussed in our case study, Onondaga Lake has a capacity of 35 billion gallons and about 165,000 lbs of mercury has been dumped into the lake over the years.<sup>[2]</sup> This corresponds to an approximate mercury concentration of 0.56 mg/L. Thus, the mercury concentration is Onondaga Lake is within the limits that the engineered <i> E. coli</i> is able to sequester. <br />
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Onondaga Lake Park: Syracuse, NY<br />
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Hollow fiber bioreactor system<br />
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In Nov 2004, the estimated cost of dredging to remove the mercury contaminated mud in the lake was determined to be $451 million.<sup>[3]</sup> Currently the cost of our hollow fiber bioreactor system is about $560 with the cost being largely due to the reactor itself ($490) and the remainder of the cost was for the pump and filters. <br />
<br> <br><br />
However, it should be noted that the scale of the hollow fiber bioreactor system is much smaller as its volume is about 1L. Hence, the hollow fiber bioreactor would have to be scaled up significantly (by about 10<sup>11</sup> times!) in order to have any impact. To give a better idea of the scale, if the lake were the size of an Olympic swimming pool, the volume of the hollow fiber bioreactor would be equivalent to a drop of water. While we would need to scale up the volume of our hollow fiber bioreactor, it should also be noted that by placing the bioreactors in series, better mercury sequestration is achieved.<sup>[1]</sup> <br />
Therefore, even though it has been shown that the hollow fiber bioreactor is successful on a pilot scale, more tests would be required to determine if it is as effective on a larger scale. As there are several variables that might change e.g. flow rates and membrane area, the performance of the engineered <i>E. coli</i> might not simply scale up as expected. Nevertheless, given the environmental costs associated with existing remediation methods such as dredging, it is important to look into how biological systems are able to complement these solutions and solve the problem of mercury contamination in an effective, safe and cost efficient manner. <br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
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<ol><br />
<li>Chen, S., Kim, E., Shuler, M., & Wilson, D. (1998). Hg2+ Removal by Genetically Engineered Escherichia coli in a Hollow Fiber Bioreactor. <i>Biotechnology Progress</i>, 667-671.</li><br />
<li>Moriarty, Rick. "Discovering What Lies at the Bottom of Onondaga Lake." Syracuse.com. Syracuse.com, n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2014.</li><br />
<li>Collin, Glen. "Onondaga Lake Dredging Begins for Season; Could End a Year Early (video)." Syracuse.com. N.p., 7 Apr. 2014. Web. 11 Aug. 2014.</li><br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-18T03:38:23Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1>Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources.<sup>[1]</sup> The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite (NiFe)<sub>9</sub>S<sub>8</sub> accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally.<sup>[2,3]</sup> Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br />
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Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br />
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Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br />
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Estimated average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day.<sup>[4,5]</sup> Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water.<sup>[2]</sup> Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis.<sup>[6-8]</sup><br />
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<b>Common Effects</b>:<sup>[1]</sup><br />
<ul><br />
<li>Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea</li><br />
<li>Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness)</li><br />
<li>Neurological effects</li><br />
<li>Nickel specific asthma</li><br />
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<b>Extreme Cases:</b><br />
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<li> Coma </li><br />
<li> Death </li><br />
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<h1>Case Study</h1><br />
<b>New South Wales, Australia:</b> In 2004, New South Wales, Australia observed a huge spike in nickel concentration in their drinking water. (See graph) Although scientists don't know the exact reasons for how nickel concentrations increased so dramatically, as shown in figure 1, they hypothesize that it could be the result of a natural reduction of flow rate during a period of drought and the subsequent introduction of mine water into the drinking water supply. Overall fluctuations of nickel concentrations over the three years were attributed to natural dilution and changes in demands of water.<br />
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The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines mandates a safety threshold of 0.02 mg Ni/L water, a value that is based on 70 kg (154 lbs) average body weight, 2 L water consumed daily and 1000 as the safety factor to account for uncertainty of extending animal study results to humans. The residents of New South Wales are assumed to have a similar diet to the rest of Australia's population so that the results of the study can be extended to the whole country. The study also assumed that the entire population of New South Wales was nickel-sensitive. This would lead to a lower Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) and set stricter limit for tolerable mean nickel concentrations. The result of the study showed that the mean nickel concentration, 0.03 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 0.02-0.04 mg/L, is only approximately 7% of the LOAEL. Thus the mean nickel concentration in drinking water in New South Wales appears to have no health risks.<br />
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New South Wales, Austrailia<br />
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Although no real risks were detected, the town implemented increased surveillance of nickel concentrations and made plans to use alternative sources to supplement drinking water supplies during droughts. This study shows the importance of continued vigilance in maintaining high water quality standards at all times, had the concentration of nickel increased past the LOAEL, health effects could have been more drastic.<sup>[9]</sup><br />
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<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<b>Cyclic electrowinning/precipitation (CEP) :</b> use of electrical current to transform positively charged metal cations into a stable, solid state where they can be easily separated from water and removed. <br>Drawback: concentration of cations must be high (threshold of 100 ppm)<br />
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<b>Chemical precipitation:</b> use of hydroxides and sulfides to precipitate cations.<br> Advantages:<ol><li>Well-established, many available chemicals and equipment</li><li>Convenient, self-operating and low-maintenance due to closed system nature</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Formation of toxic sludge from precipitate, which is environmentally and economically costly to remove</li><li>Requires extra flocculation/coagulation due to precipitation</li><li>Each metal has a distinct pH for optimum precipitation</li><li>Corrosive chemicals increases safety concerns</li></ol><br />
<b>Ion exchange:</b> reversible chemical reaction where ions from water or wastewater solution are exchanged for similarly charged ions attached to a stationary solid particle that are usually inorganic zeolites or resins.<br />
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<b>Reverse osmosis:</b> effective molecular filter to remove dissolved solutes through a membrane <br>Advantages:<ol><li>Reduces concentration of all ionic contaminants, not just the heavy metal in question</li><li>Can be scaled up easily</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Expensive</li><li>Requires high pressure</li><li>Too sensitive to operating conditions</li></ol><br />
<b>Phytoremediation:</b> use of plants to remediate heavy metals in contaminated soil, sludge, water etc.<br />
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<b>Microbial remediation:</b> use of microorganisms to degrade hazardous contaminants<br />
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<h1><i>nixA</i></h1><br />
The transport protein being utilized for this project is <i>nixA</i> from <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>. This protein resembles many eukaryotic integral membrane proteins and represents a high-affinity nickel transport system when expressed in <i>E. coli</i>.<sup>[10]</sup> The <i>nixA</i> gene has been introduced into <i>E. coli</i> previously to sequester Ni<sup>2+</sup> from water at 4 times the level of wild type cells.<sup>[11]</sup> We hope to improve upon this system by combining the <i>nixA</i> gene with a different metallothionein than previously used, utilizing a different regulatory system, and creating modular genetic parts. <br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
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<ol><br />
<li>Sullivan, R. J. (Litton Systems, Inc.) Air Pollution Aspects of Nickel and Its Compounds. NTIS No. PB188070. September 1969. p.18.</li><br />
<li>Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. Third Edition. Volume 15. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York. 1980. pp.787-797.</li><br />
<li>Nriagu, J. O. ed. Nickel in the Environment. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 1980. p. 55.</li><br />
<li>Christensen OB, Lagesson V. Nickel concentration of blood and urine after oral administration. Ann Clin Lab Sci 1981; 11: 119–25.</li><br />
<li>Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food Consumer Products and the Environment. Nickel leaching from kettle elements into boiled water. London: Committee onToxicity; 2003. Available from: http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/2003-02.pdf (Cited 24 October 2008.)</li><br />
<li>Beattie PE, Green C, Lowe G, Lewis-Jones MS. Which children should we patch test? Clin Exp Dermatol 2006; 32: 6–11.</li><br />
<li>Militello G, Jacob SE, Crawford GH. Allergic contact dermatitis in children. <i>Curr Opin Pediatr</i> 2006; 18: 385–90. doi:10.1097/01.mop.0000236387.56709.6d</li><br />
<li>Silverberg NB, Licht J, Friedler S et al. Nickel contact hypersensitivity in children. <i>Pediatr Dermatol</i> 2002; 19: 110–3. doi:10.1046/j.1525-1470.2002.00057.x</li><br />
<li>Alam, Noore, Stephen J. Corbett, and Helen C. Ptolemy. "Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Nickel Contamination of Drinking Water in a County Town in NSW." <i>NSW Public Health Bulletin</i> (2008): n. pag. Web. http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=NB97043.pdf</li><br />
<li>Mobley, H., Garner, R., & Bauerfeind, P. (1995). Helicobacter pylori nickel-transport gene nixA: Synthesis of catalytically active urease in <i>Escherichia coli</i> independent of growth conditions. <i>Molecular Microbiology</i>, 97-109.<br />
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<li>Krishnaswamy, R., & Wilson, D. (2000). Construction and Characterization of an <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strain Genetically Engineered for Ni(II) Bioaccumulation. <i>Applied and Environmental Microbiology</i>, 5383-5386.<br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/mercuryTeam:Cornell/project/background/mercury2014-10-18T03:36:03Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Mercury is usually released into the environment by factories as emissions or waste. Eventually this mercury is discharged into the water bodies and then is converted by bacteria living in the sediment into methyl mercury. Methyl mercury can be ingested by smaller aquatic plants and animals. The danger here is that, through biomagnification, animals higher in the food chain will have larger concentrations of methyl mercury in their systems. This is dangerous especially for large fish, birds, and humans. Additionally, through bioaccumulation, small amounts of consumed toxins can build up within one’s system over time, leading to mercury poisoning. The most common form of mercury poisoning comes from methyl mercury. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, almost everyone in the world has trace amounts of methyl mercury in their bodies because of its abundance in our environment, but in larger concentrations, it can be dangerous.<br />
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<b><font size=3>Side Effects of Mercury Poisoning:</font></b><br />
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<b>For infants and children:</b><br />
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<li>Impaired neurological development</li><br />
<li>Impaired cognitive thinking, memory, attention, and language skills</li><br />
<li>Impaired fine motor and spatial visual skills</li><br />
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<b>For adults:</b><br />
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<li>"Pins and needles” in the hands, feet, and around the mouth</li><br />
<li>Impairment of the peripheral vision</li><br />
<li>Lack of coordination of movements</li><br />
<li>Impairment of speech and hearing</li><br />
<li>Muscle weakness</li><br />
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<b>Extreme cases of high mercury poisoning:</b><sup>[3]</sup><br />
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<li>Kidney and respiratory failure</li><br />
<li>Death</li><br />
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Onondaga Lake Park: Syracuse, NY<br />
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<h1>Case Study</h1><br />
<b>Onondaga Lake:</b><br />
Commonly known as the “Most Polluted Lake in America”, Onondaga Lake suffers from industrial waste and sewage pollution (i.e. ammonia and phosphorus which cause high algal blooms and suffocation of other organisms in the Lake).<br />
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Since the 1800s Allied Chemical, recently succeeded by Honeywell International, is credited for dumping a total of 165,000 lbs of mercury into the lake, resulting in the contamination of about 7 million cubic yards of lake-bottom sediments.<sup>[4]</sup> Their continuous polluting only ceased in the last few decades and has fomented tragic damage to the environment.<sup>[4]</sup><br />
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Mercury contamination usually is caused by industrial emissions. The mercury enters the environment as an industrial emission and then moves through the water system before entering the lake. Once in the lake, the mercury is transformed by sediment-dwelling bacteria into methyl mercury, which has a high tendency to bioacculumate in aquatic life.<sup>[5]</sup> Even now, the State Health Department advises staying clear of eating any fish that come out of the Lake. In addition, through biomagnification, the methyl mercury has made its way up the food chain and has been found in bats and birds surrounding the Onondaga Lake area. Researchers found that the Spotted-Sand piper was the most affected bird.<sup>[6]</sup> The levels of mercury found in the animals is so high that only about 20% of all birds’ chicks survive. Furthermore, scientists have reasons to believe that the mercury poisoning will continue to work its way up the food chain unless direct action is taken.<br />
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<b>Remediation Efforts:</b><br />
The Upstate Freshwater Institute has been working to prevent the mobilization of methyl mercury from the deep sediments of the Lake. To do so, they have been adding a common agricultural fertilizer, calcium nitrate, solution to the bottom on the lake, which has been successful in lowering the concentration of mercury in fish dramatically.<sup>[7]</sup> In addition, Honeywell International has been working since 2012, 24 hours a day, 6 days a week, between April and November on dredging the contaminated mud on the bottom of the lake. Earlier this summer, Honeywell attorneys said that there were 800,000 cubic yards of dredging to complete and they estimated being able to complete this amount by the end of the season in 2014. The cost of such efforts is estimated at $451 million.<sup>[8]</sup> The Metropolitan Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Plant, which dumps about 20% of the water that goes into Onondaga Lake, has spent millions of dollars on making sure that there is no further lake pollution. Although major progress has occurred on the mercury levels on Onondaga Lake. It takes millions of dollars of remediation efforts to fix the polluted ecosystem and years for the biomagnification effects to resolve themselves.<sup>[9]</sup> has been successful in lowering the concentration of mercury in fish dramatically.<sup>[10]</sup><br />
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<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
Although the EPA is working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to reduce mercury use and pollution, there are still a number of already contaminated areas that are being remediated now.<sup>[11]</sup><br />
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<b>Nitrate Immobilization:</b><br />
The use of calcium nitrate to prevent methyl mercury from moving throughout bodies of water.<sup>[12]</sup><br />
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<b>Dredging:</b><br />
Mercury containing sediments are removed or dug up from the lake bottom.<sup>[12]</sup><br />
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<b>ISMS (In Situ Mercury Stabilization):</b><br />
Developed by Brookhaven researchers, the ISMS treats and removes mercury content from the soil, sludge, and other industrial waste; therefore stopping mercury from entering the water source.<sup>[13]</sup><br />
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<b>Thermal desorption:</b><br />
This involves heating the contaminated soil to high temperatures so that the mercury will vaporize away and can be separated from the soil.<sup>[13]</sup><br />
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<h1><i>merT/merP</i></h1><br />
The transport system being utilized for this project is a combination of the <i>merT</i> and <i>merP</i> genes from the transposon TN501 of <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. The genes <i>merT</i> and <i>merP</i> are part of the <i>mer</i> operon which helps <i>P. aeruginosa</i> resist mercury toxicity.<sup>[14]</sup> These two membrane proteins work together to transport Hg<sup>2+</sup> ions into the cell.<sup>[1]</sup> Systems for sequestration of mercury have been successfully developed utilizing <i>merT</i> and <i>merP</i>.<sup>[15,16,17]</sup> We hope to improve upon these systems by combining the <i>merT</i> and <i>merP</i> genes with a different regulatory system and by making all these genetic parts modular. <br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
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<ol><br />
<li>United States of America. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2014. <http://www.epa.gov/mercury/exposure.htm></li><br />
<li>United States of America. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2014. <http://www.epa.gov/mercury/effects.htm></li><br />
<li> "Mercury Poisoning: Facts about the Symptoms of This Poison." <i>MedicineNet</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2014. <http://www.medicinenet.com/mercury_poisoning/article.htm#mercury_poisoning_facts>.</li><br />
<li>Moriarty, Rick. "Discovering What Lies at the Bottom of Onondaga Lake." Syracuse.com. Syracuse.com, n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2014. <http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/08/onondaga_lake_story.html></li><br />
<li>Mattews, Dave A., David B. Babcock, John G. Nolan, Anthony R. Prestigiacomo, Steven W. Effler, Charles T. Driscoll, Svetoslava G. Todorova, and Kenneth M. Kuhr. "Whole-lake Nitrate Addition for Control of Methylmercury in Mercury-contaminated Onondaga Lake, NY." <i>Elsevier</i> (2013): n. pag. Print.</li><br />
<li>Collin, Glen. "High Levels of Toxic Mercury Found in Onondaga Lake Birds, Bats; Studies Show Web of Contamination." Syracuse.com. N.p., 18 May 2014. Web. 11 Aug. 2014. <http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/05/high_levels_of_toxic_mercury_found_in_onondaga_lake_birds_bats_new_studies_revea.html></li><br />
<li>"Onondaga Lake Nitrate Addition and Monitoring." Recent and Current Water Quality Projects with Examples of Lake, Reservoirs and Tributaries Studied. Upstate Freshwater Institute, n.d. Web. 11 Aug. 2014. <http://www.upstatefreshwater.org/Projects/projects.html></li><br />
<li>Collin, Glen. "Onondaga Lake Dredging Begins for Season; Could End a Year Early (video)." Syracuse.com. N.p., 7 Apr. 2014. Web. 11 Aug. 2014.</li><br />
<li>Collin, Glen. "Homegrown Onondaga Lake Cleanup Project Cuts Mercury Levels by 95 Percent." Syracuse.com. N.p., 13 Oct. 2013. Web. 11 Aug. 2014. <http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/10/onondaga_lake_cleanup_mercury_honeywell_success_95_percent.html></li><br />
<li>"Onondaga Lake Nitrate Addition and Monitoring." Recent and Current Water Quality Projects with Examples of Lake, Reservoirs and Tributaries Studied. Upstate Freshwater Institute, n.d. Web. 11 Aug. 2014. <http://www.upstatefreshwater.org/Projects/projects.html></li><br />
<li>United States of America. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2014. <http://www.epa.gov/mercury/exposure.htm#epa></li><br />
<li>"Onondaga Lake - The Most Polluted Lake In America." Onondaga Nation. Onondaga Nation People of the Hills, n.d. Web. 11 Aug. 2014. <http://www.onondaganation.org/land-rights/onondaga-lake/></li><br />
<li>Greenberg, Diane. "And Then There's Mercury Pollution." Innovation: America's Journal of Technology Commercialization 9.6 (2011/2012): n. pag. <i>Innovation America</i>. Web. 24 Sept. 2014. <http://www.innovation-america.org/and-then-there%E2%80%99s-mercury-pollution></li><br />
<li>Misra, T. (1984). Mercuric Ion-Resistance Operons of Plasmid R100 and Transposon Tn501: The Beginning of the Operon Including the Regulatory Region and the First Two Structural Genes. <i>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</i>, 5975-5979.</li><br />
<li>Chen, S., & Wilson, D. B. (1997). Genetic engineering of bacteria and their potential for Hg2+ bioremediation. <i>Biodegradation</i>, 8(2), 97–103. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9342882<br />
</li><br />
<li>Chen, S., & Wilson, D. (1997). Construction and characterization of <i>Escherichia coli</i> genetically engineered for bioremediation of Hg(2+)-contaminated environments. <i>Applied and Environmental Microbiology</i>, 63(6), 2442-2445.</li><br />
<li>Chen, S., Kim, E., Shuler, M., & Wilson, D. (1998). Hg<sup>2+</sup> Removal by Genetically Engineered <i>Escherichia coli</i> in a Hollow Fiber Bioreactor. <i>Biotechnology Progress</i>, 667-671.<br />
</li><br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/wetlab/mercuryTeam:Cornell/project/wetlab/mercury2014-10-18T03:08:57Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1>Construct Design</h1><br />
To allow for the transport and sequestration of mercury ions into <i>E. coli</i> cells, genes that encode for the cellular production of heavy metal transport proteins and metallothioneins have been added to the pSB1C3 high copy bacterial plasmid. The mercury transport system is composed of <i>merT</i> and <i>merP</i>, genes originally found in <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. <i>merP</i> is a periplasmic mercury ion scavenging protein. <i>merT</i> is an integrated membrane protein that works to transport mercury ions into the cell’s cytoplasm.<sup>[1]</sup> The <i>merT</i> and <i>merP</i> coupled transport system has been used in previous studies to develop luminescence based biosensors for the detection of mercury in the surroundings of bacterial cells.<sup>[2]</sup> <br />
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Our BioBrick BBa_K1460004 is composed of the Anderson promoter followed by a ribosomal binding site, <i>merT</i>, <i>merP</i>, and a terminator. The constitutive Anderson promoter allows for the constant expression of metal uptake proteins within our engineered <i>E. coli</i>. The BioBrick <a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K1460007">BBa_K1460007</a> is a composite of parts <a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K1460004">BBa_K1460004</a> and <a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K1460001">BBa_K1460001</a>, and it contains the mercury transport proteins (along with promoter, ribosomal binding site, and terminator) upstream of the GST-<i>crs5</i> metallothionein gene in pSB1C3. By coupling the <i>merT</i> and <i>merP</i> system with metallothionein, we hope to develop an effective biological system for our cells to uptake mercury ions and bind intracellularly to metallothioneins. <br />
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<h3>BBa_K1460007</h3><br />
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<h1>Results</h1><br />
Cells successfully expressing <i>merT</i> and <i>merP</i> should be transporting more mercury ions past the cell wall. This would lead to increased mercury sensitivity. Additionally, cells expressing <i>merT</i> and <i>merP</i> as well as metallothionein should have increased tolerance to mercury due to the presence of metallothionein. To test for mercury sensitivity, <i>E.coli</i> BL21 and engineered BL21 with part BBa_K1460004 in the cm<sup>r</sup> plasmid pSB1C3 were grown for a 24 hour period in LB with .5 uM Hg (a mercury concentration we found to have moderate toxicity to wild type BL21 cells). To test for increased metal tolerance, we grew <i>E.coli</i> BL21 and engineered BL21 with parts BBa_K1460001 (GST-YMT in pSB1C3) and BBa_K1460004 (<i>merT/merP</i> in pUC57) in 5 uM Hg (a mercury concentration we found to be very toxic to wild type BL21 cells). <br />
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What we observe in both cases is what we expect. We see that BL21 engineered with BBa_K1460004 has impaired growth when compared to wild type BL21 (figure 1). This suggests that, in fact, BBa_K1460004 acts as expected and engineered cells successfully transport more mercury ions past the membrane than wild type cells. When BL21 engineered with both <i>merT/merP</i> and GST-<i>crs5</i> are grown in a highly toxic concentration of mercury we see significant growth when in wild type BL21 we do not (figure 2). This suggests that these cells are successfully expressing metallothionein and that this metallothionein is providing the cells with an inherent resistance to mercury toxicity. <br />
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Part BBa_K1460004 in pUC57 was co-transformed with part BBa_K1460001 (GST-<i>crs5</i>) in pSB1C3 and selected for with both ampicillin and chloramphenicol to effectively create the mercury sequestration part BBa_K1460007. To test for sequestration efficiency, both BL21 and BL21 engineered with BBa_K1460001 and BBa_K1460004 were grown with LB + 0.1% Arabinose for 8 hours and then diluted in half with LB + 2 mM Hg for a final mercury concentration of 1 mM. These cultures were grown for 8 more hours. The cells were then removed and supernatant was tested for mercury concentration using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) with the help of Cornell's Nutrient Analysis Lab. Error bars in chart represent standard deviation of three biological replicates.<br />
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There was no statistically significant difference between BL21 wild type and BL21 engineered to express <i>merT/merP</i> and GST-<i>crs5</i> in final culture concentration of mercury or mercury sequestered per OD. This result prevents us from definitively confirming that the engineered bacteria are capable of sequestering mercury. The mercury concentrations used in this test were much higher than was shown in growth experiments to completely prevent growth of BL21, so it is likely that cells were quickly killed once metal was added, possibly confounding results. To verify this construct is successful in removing mercury from water, we must repeat these experiments using lower concentrations of Hg. We were not able to complete these experiments, however, as the limit of detection of the ICP-AES used to test these metal concentrations is above the uM range necessary to conduct these experiments. <br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
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<ol><br />
<li>Lund, P., & Brown, N. (1987). Role of the <i>merT</i> and <i>merP</i> gene products of transposon Tn501 in the induction and expression of resistance to mercuric ions. Gene, 207-214.</li><br />
<li>Omura, T., Kiyono, M., & Pan-Hou, H. (2004). Development of a Specific and Sensitive Bacteria Sensor for Detection of Mercury at Picomolar Levels in Environment. Journal of Health Science, 379-383.</li><br />
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<h1>How it Works</h1><br />
The dry lab component of this year’s project was designed with applicability in mind. Designing for feasibility of scale and taking into account the capabilities of the biological components of our filter idea, we settled on a system designed to remove heavy metals from factory waste pipes. This was viewed as one of the most effective potential uses for our water filter system due to the high concentration of pollutants in factory waste and the relatively low volume of water that would need to be filtered. <br />
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The system is designed to continuously flow contaminated water through our genetically engineered cells while simultaneously preventing their release into the environment.<br />
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Contaminated waste water exiting the industrial pipe is directed into a collection bucket. This stored water is pumped into an environmentally robust casing housing our filtration system. Once water enters the system, the water detection circuit turns on the battery via Arduino. The 12 V battery (which can be recharged using an attached solar panel) powers the 800 mA pump, which propels water through the system. The water flows through a carbon water filter to remove any particulates that may clog the more intricate hollow fiber reactor. <br />
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The hollow fiber reactor is a unit that contains hundreds of small, porous tubes – the hollow fibers – inside an outer casing. In our system, cells are placed in the outer casing and contaminated water flows through the fibers. The pores in the fibers are large enough that metal ions and water can pass through, but cells and larger proteins cannot. As water flows through the cartridge, the ions will naturally diffuse through the fibers where they can come in contact with our modified cells, which then will sequester them as explained in our <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/wetlab">wet lab section</a>.<br />
After water passes through the hollow fiber reactor, it should be clear of most metal contaminants and is free to re-enter the main water stream. When implemented, downstream filters would be incorporated into the system to monitor metal concentrations <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/wetlab/reporters">(using the devised reporter system)</a> and to visually indicate when the metallothionein proteins are saturated.<br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/File:Cornell_HumanPracOverview_EnvironmentalWaterSamples.jpgFile:Cornell HumanPracOverview EnvironmentalWaterSamples.jpg2014-10-18T02:55:27Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<div></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/humansTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/humans2014-10-18T02:44:17Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<div class="summary"><br />
<h1> Humans and SynBio </h1><br />
<b><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/HumansandSynBio?fref=nf" target="_blank"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/9/90/Cornell_Facebook.png" style="height:35px; position: absolute; left: 290px; top: 30px;"></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/HumansandSynBio?fref=nf" target="_blank">Humans and SynBio</a> is our team's take on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork">Humans of New York</a> project that showcases the diversity of people in New York City and their stories. Humans and SynBio aims to display the opinions of the public on synthetic biology, genetic engineering and related topics. By actively engaging with our local community through Humans and SynBio, we have learned a great deal about peoples' hopes and concerns about synthetic biology. We have integrated some of these opinions we garnered into our project design - an explanation of these precautions is detailed in our <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/ethics">risk assessment section</a>. <br />
<br><br><br />
We continue to actively solicit and accept submissions for Humans and Synbio. We hope that by using Humans and SynBio as a platform for public discussion, we can make synthetic biology a safer and more accepted practice. Please contact us through Facebook if you are interested in participating! <br />
</b><br />
<br><br><br />
<a href="#top">Back to Top</a><br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-1"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Steamboat Landing<br />
<br><br><br />
"I actually found a study a few years ago on E. coli, specifically about the fact that beef can be contaminated very easily. But this study actually showed if you grass-fed your beef you had a much lower incidence, and feeding grain to the animals gave rise to E. coli that was acid resistant." <br />
<br><br><br />
Because they're not meant to eat corn? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Yep - there was a even a part of it that said if you stopped feeding them grain the last few weeks before slaughter, the levels of the worst E. coli would actually drop." <br />
<br><br><br />
Did anybody act on that? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I'm not sure if anybody did. It's really hard to change the conventional part because we're just so geared to feeding them corn."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-2"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Steamboat Landing<br />
<br><br><br />
"Well, I think it's kind of like medicine: do we really know what the impacts of all medicines are? I don't know. Do we know if using a certain medicine will be definitively better or will it make something worse in every situation? I don't know. I think that as humans we will always be curious about whether we can can change the world around us to do what we want it to do. But I think it should be done under strictly experimental conditions until all the impacts are observed and noted and until then it shouldn't be applied on any sort of large scale. That's a grey zone because you don't really know when that happens. I don't think the effort here should be about answering a yes-or-no question; effort should be put into seeing if we can experiment in the right way."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-3"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's <br />
<br><br><br />
"Coming from a creative writing major, I guess the issue needs to be addressed very heavily and it needs to honestly go a lot higher than it has been in terms of publicity. It's great that you guys are coming here to people and asking them about it, but certainly things like this can definitely be considered on a higher standard. I think it's a very pressing issue and definitely needs to be addressed. It can be brought up pretty much to the college level even down even to the grade schools."<br />
<br><br><br />
What about a specific application of synthetic biology, like an environmental filter?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Absolutely! Yeah, I think it's fine. As long as it brings an impact that can definitely be used in a positive way and definitely enhance the communities around and stuff like that, I see no real issues with it."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-4"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's <br />
<br><br><br />
"It's bad! It's not natural... But if it is only for the research then it is okay."<br />
<br><br><br />
"It's very cool, it's like great technology, but whenever you do it to food it's probably not very healthy. It's like a coin with two sides."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-5"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's <br />
<br><br><br />
[About genetically modified organisms in food]<br />
<br><br><br />
"I'd like to see what the evidence is eventually. I try to avoid things that might be a potential problem, so like you said: buy a lot of organic food, and if it's certified organic food then it's not going to have GMO's in it any way, hopefully."<br />
<br><br><br />
On the flip side, do you think if GMOs helped solve underfeeding with something like Golden Rice - would that be a benefit?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think so. We are fortunate enough to have choices here, but on the same token, I'd like to see what the evidence is as far as if it is actually beneficial or harmful, as far as the science of it, but I think giving people access to food is important. I don't want people to starve because I want to know what's in what I eat. I'd like to see sort of less politicized evidence-I'd like to see the actual science of it... I'm an evidence-based person, so I want to see what the evidence is."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-6"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's<br />
<br><br><br />
[Midway through our conversation]<br />
<br><br><br />
"By the way, I'm a biophysics grad student."<br />
<br><br><br />
Oh, so what do you think about making a tool by modifying bacteria? <br />
<br><br><br />
"As long as the strain is not harmful, I don't have a problem with it. And as long as it is following the infectious disease rules, I'm fine with it. So you're not offending me."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-7"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's with some radishes<br />
<br><br><br />
"Environmentally, I think I would go for natural things more and I would imagine it would be healthier too. And we know that plants and vegetables, fruits, and trees that we are familiar with have been in existence for thousands of years so we know about them, but this mutation and biology that is being implemented and developed - we don't know anything about it. It's still in the experimental stage and personally I am a nature person - I don't like artificial things. <br />
<br><br><br />
"...I mean if it helps people, ultimately I think it is a good thing. I mean if you go to Africa or some of the less developed countries their goal is really survival they are not thinking about organic versus artificially developed foods. So first you want to meet the basic needs of human beings- help them! - then if you can have the luxury of distinguishing between organic and inorganic foods then I think we would do that. I would go for organic. Like here for example: Cornell, Ithaca." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-8"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Ho Plaza, Cornell University<br />
<br><br><br />
"I feel the way most people do, that GMOs are not exactly natural. I believe it is dangerous to rely on genetic engineering to continue producing high quantities of low cost food. However, as a future scientist working with synthetic biology, I can see great opportunities for us to better the world, to fix the problems that humans have caused. That line between right and wrong, is extremely difficult to define and I hope that others will understand that as scientists working to solve many problems, it is hard for us to see that line too. It bothers me that whenever people see: "GMO" they immediately pass it off as something bad or unnatural. There are many reasons why GMOs are used in agriculture-there are too many mouths to feed on this planet - and if it were a choice between starvation and GMO food on the table, which would you choose? If people are so concerned about GMOs being used in farming, then they should encourage small farms and the next generation to pick up farming. It is hands down the most important job in the world-I wish people could understand that." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-9"><br />
Ithaca, NY | by Carpenter Hall, Cornell University<br />
<br><br><br />
"Humans have always used animals to do experiments. Like rats, mice, and monkeys...so I wouldn't say that it is a problem. I mean you have to use it with conscience. For me it is fine if you can follow the ethical rules."<br />
<br><br><br />
"I agree with using animals to studies because I think it is important to improve the area - the scientific area - and I think that if you follow the ethical rules to use the animals then everything is fine and we can keep on using animals for science."<br />
<br><br><br />
"Yeah. You have to care about the animals because they are helping you-you are not just using them, they are not your property so you have to treat them well. You have to respect another life."<br />
<br><br><br />
If you could make any animal do something with biological engineering, what would you do?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Well I personally would like to fly so if there is a way to make humans fly, like frogs have that -- to breath under water... I would really like that." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-10"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's <br />
<br><br><br />
"I think there is definitely a limitation for where we're going, but for something like this where it improves pollution, I don't see how it is going past that limitation yet."<br />
<br><br><br />
What limitation are you talking about?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Um, I guess in terms of ethics, something that directly effects some type of life, like if it is harming a certain organism, but in this case I just feel like it is benefiting society in general."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think that line is hard to define? If it is harming the organism, but benefiting society a lot is that still okay?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Definitely because people have different ideas of what life is in general so there are definitely different perspectives of what is right or wrong so I guess it's important to communicate and try to find a good compromise." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-11"><br />
Joseph, OR | Wallowa Lake<br />
<br><br><br />
"I believe that synthetic biology holds promise for either solving or reducing the impact of many of humanities greatest challenges ranging from disease, to famine, to pollution which have so far evaded solution using other technologies…One concern of synthetic biology is that there may be people who would use the technology to the detriment of society. Another possible risk is that something is created that has an unintended affect that goes unnoticed for too long. For those reasons, people involved in the field need to have high ethical standards and rigorous testing of products should be completed prior to release. However, I see the potential benefits of synthetic biology far outweighing the concerns."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you have any concerns regarding genetically modified foods?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think food, which is very personal, can have a high “worry factor” regarding whether it is safe and that something as complex as synthetic biology is difficult for people who are not in the field to understand. People tend to fear what they don’t understand. Perhaps people in the field/industry of synthetic biology could improve their image through education of the public regarding the products they provide." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-12"><br />
Troutdale, OR | Angel's Rest<br />
<br><br><br />
"I believe that synthetic biology has many important applications, especially in a world where the population is growing and people are living longer. We are using more resources than ever and I believe that we need to use the tools at our disposal in order to decrease our negative impact on the earth. However, as with any new scientific process or technology, it is important to regulate it and educate people about these forms of synthetic biology." <br />
<br><br><br />
What concerns do you have about genetically modified foods?<br />
<br><br><br />
"My concerns lie more in how genetically modified crops are tested and regulated. For example, when I take a prescription medication for a disease, or antibiotic for a bacterial infection, I am aware that the drug has undergone extensive research, including laboratory development, animal trials, and clinical trials before I personally am allowed to take it. It makes me feel safer knowing that these protocols are in place to insure that I am being treated in the safest way possible…Like medication, food is something that we ingest daily, and thus any food, genetically modified or not, needs to fulfill certain safety protocols. Genetically modified foods should go through extensive testing before they are marketed for human consumption because their biology has been altered." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-13"><br />
Oxford iGEM | Oxford, UK.<br />
<br><br><br />
Should Synthetic Biology be open to everyone?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Absolutely, synthetic biology should be open to everyone, as in, everyone should have the opportunity to get involved in the actual process of it. However, like with any consumer good it should always be regulated for safety purposes and to avoid any ethical problems. The development background should always be made available to the consumer."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think that GMOs have the capacity to help the problem of overpopulation? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Yes. I think they do. I think the public opinion of GMOs needs to be radically re-educated. I think a lot of people don't understand that it is completely natural occurrences as in DNA is involved in everything we eat. Everything we eat is organic, carbon based, and biologically occurring. Synthetic biology is the manipulation of living things which is what agriculture essentially is just over a much longer time period, and people still view it with a negative stigma." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-14"><br />
Beaverton, OR | Community garden<br />
<br><br><br />
"My opinion of synthetic biology is that it will have a positive impact on the world. I think it will help solve some of the big environmental problems we face such as pollution and depletion of some of our natural resources. I also believe it will be very important in developing new treatments for disease. I think there is lack of public support in this area of research because many people do not know much about it."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you have any concerns regarding genetically modified food?<br />
<br><br><br />
"My concerns with genetically modified foods are that we start producing them for profit only and don’t carefully weigh the potential hazards. I am confident that the genetically modified foods we buy today are safe and have been properly regulated by our government, but I worry that as more and more are developed some governments may not properly regulate them." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-15"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think about GMOs?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think that it depends on the situation. I think synthetic biology is definitely something that we can't really turn back from anymore because we are always trying to progress as humans, but I think in a lot of cases we should be really cautious and not use it necessarily just because it's there. When I'm talking about food, a lot of times GMOs aren't really unsafe food, but it's still the idea that we are constantly trying to be better and progress and I think as with anything else, sometimes we should stop.<br><br />
For example they made crops that are herbicide resistant so that they could spray more herbicides onto the crops so that they could grow more, and they really didn't need to grow more of those crops but they would save money if they did, so they did that and now they are spraying more chemicals. So the GMO resistance isn't really bad for us, but it encourages us to do more industrialized farming that isn't really necessary."<br />
<br><br><br />
So where is the "line" between appropriate and inappropriate GMO applications for you?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I thought that nutrient enriched crops were okay and good in poor countries; I thought that certain pest-resistant crops are neutral. . . ., but then there are other crops that are herbicide resistant and I think that that is too far because you are encouraging the use of more chemicals."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-16"><br />
Montgomery, NJ | Bio classroom with a plant<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think synthetic biology, in terms of genetic engineering, is moral or immoral? <br />
<br><br><br />
"If a child has some sort of congenital disease, I believe it would be moral to alter the disease so that the child wouldn't have to deal with it as an adult or a teenager. But, it would get unethical when you change the way a child looks or his or her personality, if you can even do that. Children are what they are when they are born, and it's unnatural if you try to change that." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-17"><br />
Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
"To me, synthetic biology is artificially playing the genetics of organisms, changing them on the genetic life. I'm pretty neutral towards it. I mean, a lot of artificial organisms have been pretty helpful, so I can't see why we can't do synthetic biology."<br />
<br><br><br />
What's your stance on GMOs - are they more helpful or harmful?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think a lot of different people are using GMOs these days. It actually helps a lot because they make the food bigger, or tastier, or more resistant to diseases. It helps us get the proper amount of food we need to sustain the human population - so I don't see anything wrong with that so long as the process isn't harmful to the environment in any way - which it's not... yet..." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-18"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
"Oh synthetic biology? We talked a little about that in my science class! It's super cool because smart scientists can use synthetic biology to insert jellyfish DNA into pig DNA. Do you know what happens then? The jellyfish DNA is able to make pigs glow. That way, farmers can keep track of their pigs at night time. With this new technology, farmers won't need to worry about losing pigs when it gets dark out!"<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-19"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
What are some moral and ethical concerns?<br />
<br><br><br />
"It could be used as a bioweapon, but it should be regulated enough that this shouldn't be an issue. The most dangerous thing is that it could be potentially dangerous to the researchers, especially if you are introducing new genes in bacteria that have never been observed before. If bacteria are dangerous and spread easily, new types diseases could be potentially created/spread if research isn't careful . There is so much good that could come out of synthetic biology though that as long as they have good regulations, it's fine."<br />
<br><br><br />
What is your dream application of synthetic biology?<br />
<br><br><br />
"It'd be awesome for any sort of medical application. If bacteria could be used to generate power or used as fuel source that'd be cool too." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-20"><br />
KoKo's Korean Restaurant | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think the field of computer science could contribute to biology? <br />
<br><br><br />
"The magic of the computer lies in its ability to remove the limitations of human capability. Whereas in the past our creativity was restricted by what was manually possible, today the computer is enabling discoveries that the mind is simply incapable of making on its own. I believe we will see the computer as an integral part of many of the seminal discoveries within synthetic biology in the next decade. Through the computer’s power in analyzing enormous sets of data and sheer calculating speed we will be able to make connections that were previously unfathomable. The use of DNA as storage and biological computing are fundamentally changing the definition of computers. We are only at the beginning - there are applications of computer science to synthetic biology and vice-versa that no one has yet imagined. There are algorithms to be discovered and research to be done and I will remain optimistic in watching the field grow out of its infancy and mature." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-21"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
What are some ethical concerns you have regarding genetic engineering and genetically modified organisms?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think there is something that has to be said with regards to how we are producing at a rate just to meet our population's needs as opposed to the natural rate of growth. For me, personally, I think that fighting nature in the sense that we are with genetic modification can pose a potential concern. That's not to say that I think that science has not done its due diligence with the process. I understand that there is a pressing need to produce at a higher rate, but I think that there are some moral concerns associated with opposing the natural rate." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-22"><br />
Duffield Hall, Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
Engineers hard at work pause to share some thoughts about SynBio <br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think about GMOs? What is the limit to what you would buy in terms of genetically modified food? <br />
<br><br><br />
"If it glows" <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-23"><br />
White Mountains, NH<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think of Gene Therapy?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I don’t know if it’s safe or not, but I think it makes sense as a direction to look for medicine, because the more we learn about what causes things to go wrong…the better."<br />
<br><br><br />
What is your opinion of the field of synthetic biology?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I don’t have as much of a concern as some other people seem to have. I imagine with people it can be very helpful, with medicine and a lot of bad diseases. I guess it could be used in strange ways too, you know, maybe you can make me into the next Olympian!" <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-24"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Applefest<br />
<br><br><br />
Scientists have recently genetically modified apples so that they can no longer brown, potentially cutting the price of selling sliced apples by 40 percent. What is your opinion on that, or towards genetically modified foods in general?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think on a semantic level, GMOs aren't any different from artificial selection. At a basic level, "genetically modified organisms" could apply to any organism selected for some trait. Traits often come about from mutations and I personally don't see any difference from waiting for nature to mess with DNA and us messing with DNA. I'm sure that there are scientific ways to show that there are issues that come from tinkering around with organisms, but I am also sure that there's evidence to show that it doesn't matter otherwise." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-25"><br />
uOttawa iGEM | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada <br />
<br><br><br />
How would you define synthetic biology?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Synthetic biology is the discipline that is going to change the world as we know it. Never before have we been able to design such complex biological machines; this one discipline alone opens to us the possibilities of producing green biofuels, targeting diseases in unprecedented ways, and making other planets habitable - simultaneously. SynBio is one of the most rapidly expanding fields in the world of science, and it's exciting to wonder where we'll be able to take all of this in the upcoming years." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-26"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University Libraries<br />
<br><br><br />
What is your opinion on GMO’s?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I wouldn’t buy them. But I actually do because it’s everywhere. Lately I have been trying to buy organic foods because this all seemed to come out of nowhere—it was just last year that I noticed it. So now you can find a lot more products that are non GMO."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you believe that organic foods are in fact better for you?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I hope so, but whenever a trend comes on, like the organic foods, you tend to question if it really is good for you." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-27"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University Libraries<br />
<br><br><br />
"It’s basically taking an organism and changing it for a different use than it is already."<br />
<br><br><br />
How do you think synthetic biology can help and/or hurt people?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think it could definitely help in the medical field."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you have any concerns about genetic engineering?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Well there can always be mistakes...like making a squirrel more vicious. Or some other animal that could hurt people. But that would hopefully be in a lab, and unless they let it escape it wouldn’t really affect us that much." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-28"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University Libraries<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think synthetic biology is?<br />
<br><br><br />
"What do I think it is? It’s like the story you were telling me about the strawberries. How there is such a difference between the normal ones that grow out in somebody’s yard and the ones you get when you’re going picking—there’s such a big difference in between them." <br />
<br><br><br />
What is one problem you’d hope to see synthetic biology combat?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Probably the food thing. You know, everybody has different opinions on different types of food. That would be one thing that would be good for somebody to look at and change."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you mean mediating opinions?<br />
<br><br><br />
"It’s like the difference between the organic and the normal food. Just to figure out what people are doing to the normal food. Why people don’t want to eat or buy it." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-29"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University research lab<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think the field of computer science can contribute to synthetic biology? What are some upcoming research ideas that you are excited to see happen?<br />
<br><br><br />
"The advances in computer science are what allow for synthetic biology to be such a rapidly booming discipline. Only with the advent of fast, computerized data analysis are we able to systematically study every single one of nature's nuances in a high-throughput and unbiased way.<br />
<br><br><br />
Then, by understanding everything, we can begin to understand why nature has evolved in the way it did, and give us ways to cleverly manipulate the data. In my opinion, synthetic biology wouldn't really exist without the help of computer science (obviously, it would still have been developed with Knight and the Biobricks, but would not be getting the attention that it does now)<br />
<br><br><br />
As for upcoming research ideas, it's all about the CRISPR and Cas-9 system. The possibilities with gene editing are endless and I can't wait to see what developments arise with this wonderful technology to give Jennifer Doudna and George Church the Nobel Prize in Medicine."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-30"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
What does synthetic biology mean to you?<br />
“Absolutely nothing. It sounds like biology made of plastic.”<br />
<br><br><br />
What is your dream application of syn-bio?<br />
“I think a biological supercomputer would be awesome. Either that or genetically modifying flour to be naturally gluten-free.”<br />
<br><br><br />
Would you be alright with GMOs as food sources even if it risked an ecological imbalance?<br />
“If it would throw the balance completely off, like rabbits in New Zealand, then no. Other than that, no. People have been genetically modifying foods for years, just at a lesser state.”<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-31"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
What happens when they test stuff that could hurt humans, on bunnies to make sure it doesn’t hurt humans first? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I don’t want it to hurt the bunnies because bunnies are nature." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-31_2"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
How do you feel about humans purposely modifying organisms or species so that they will be more useful to us? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I’m actually ok with it as long as it’s for a better purpose."<br />
<br><br><br />
How would you define better purpose? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Cloning for instance, a lot of people are against that. I would consider that the ability to have harvest organs available, readily available for people is a better purpose."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-32"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
"In general I feel that GMOs are probably a good thing. One of my concerns would be that organizations are taking advantage of developing countries to do things that they wouldn’t be allowed to do in a more developed country. The principle I’m in favor of, obviously if a developing country has the conditions that have the problem needing to be solved that it would make sense to actually do the research where the problem is. So I would be supportive for sure." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-33"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
What is the first think you think of when you hear the words “synthetic biology? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Humans modifying the way biology works. It has potential to go into unwanted areas I think. There are a lot of good things you could do with it, but there are a lot of things that could happen that wouldn’t be so good. It depends on how far it develops. For instance, using it to replace diseased organs would be a good thing, but using it to create a sub-human class of beings that do all the manual labor would be a negative." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-34"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think there’s a limit in how far we should go with synthetic biology? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Well yeah, I think there’s a point that we shouldn’t cross, but it’s hard to define because it’s such a broad term. You can use it for literally anything in our world, anything can be in that scope. So I think as long as it’s something that doesn’t impact our society or our environment, not necessarily just the environment in the sense like the ozone layer, I mean environment like our surroundings; as long as it doesn’t alter that. I think it’s a slippery slope because we’re doing these things to essentially make things more convenient and easier for us to do tasks. That’s what it boils down to. So by doing that, I think eventually there will come a point where it will kind of bite us in the butt a bit. And so I think by keeping that to a minimum, how much it affects everything around us, it’ll be optimal. But it’s hard to define that point so I can’t say for sure." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-35"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
How do you feel about humans purposely modifying organisms or species so that they will be more useful to us? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I’m sure that there are benefits that do go along with that type of research, but I am a firm believer in the earth is where it is for a reason and we are where we are for a reason and life has evolved over millions of years without us having to make it better. We’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way so I don’t know if I trust research and peoples’ judgment. (I explained to her that domesticating animals is a way we’ve done this in the past, to which she responded…) I think all that would’ve naturally fallen into place anyways. Dogs really do love humans and they need to connect with a pack. Horses, if they really didn’t want to be trained, I don’t know if you could train them. Whereas, I believe they feel good when they’re serving a purpose as well. So I think those connections would’ve happened automatically. I don’t know if we can take complete credit for those modifications. I guess what I’m thinking is more that horses were the size of a dog and they evolved into the size they are today. I don’t know. I’m all for research certainly, but there’s also the question how far will it go. Is that going to be to evolve to the perfect human? And whose perception is the perfect human?" <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-36"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University Weill Hall <br />
<br><br><br />
What current and upcoming research in the field of synthetic biology are you most excited about?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I'm deeply interested in the work being conducted into potential mechanisms for combating infectious disease. The German bacteriologist Paul Ehrlich believed that a chemical compound capable of exploiting the differences between eukaryotic cells and bacterial cells could be harnessed as a "magic bullet", capable of destroying bacterial cells while leaving human cells intact. With the advent of synthetic biology, it is highly likely that a bacteriophage could be developed to act as Ehrlich's bullet. Engineering viruses to specifically attack microbial pathogens offers a highly promising solution to the clinical challenge posed by the growing inefficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. The success of such measures is crucial, as bacteria become ever more resistant to our antibiotics. Using viruses to solve this problem is a pretty neat idea. America should get on that." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-37"><br />
Montgomery IGEM | Skillman, New Jersey<br />
<br />
What inspired you to found iGEM for Montgomery? What has been your most exciting experience and what is one project that you have always wanted to pursue?<br />
<br><br><br />
"My inspiration for founding iGEM was really as an escape - a place to discover and explore new grounds. Our school didn't provide many outlets for lab experience or medical extracurriculars so I figure I'd give it a shot. iGEM has always been to me a way to explore new heights and challenge ourselves. My most exciting experience - it sounds cheesy - but it was definitely our first meeting. Seeing the eyes of the members just light up when we mentioned "bacterial transformation" or "genetic engineering" was just a magical experience. That's when I knew the club was going to be something bigger than just the science. As for the project, I've always wanted to do something in neuroscience. Perhaps a protein that would increase neurogenesis and thus the pathways that our minds can follow to think of new ideas." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-38"><br />
Ridgefield, Conn.<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think GMOs should be safe for human consumption, and synthetic biology should be okay to use in medicine especially if they have to be used in order to save someone's life. It shouldn't be used for human cloning though. If I had a superpower using synthetic biology, I'd like to be something that could help people or save lives." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-39"><br />
What do you think is the best way to educate the public about<br />
synthetic biology and GMOs?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Probably the best way to educate the public would be to frame it in a<br />
way that shows just how much these topics directly affect our<br />
day-to-day lives. For instance, the foods we choose to eat and how<br />
that might impact our health and longevity. In this age it is almost<br />
impossible for this to happen without the use of social media<br />
campaigns." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-40"><br />
Queens, New York | Pumpkin patch with extraordinarily attractive pumpkin <br />
<br><br><br />
What recent research advances in synthetic biology are you most excited about?<br />
<br><br> <br />
"One of the first syn-bio research projects I ever heard about was synthetic manufacturing of the anti-malarial drug artemisinin, which can be credited to Jay Keasling and his research group at UC Berkeley, and to this day, I still consider it one of the most exciting advances. Artemisinin is produced by plants but plant production can be extremely volatile; during a particularly poor growing season, thousands more people could become more susceptible to malaria because of lack of drug production. The turning point is that now the Keasling group has figured out a way to genetically engineer Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce an artemisinin precursor and this method boosts production tremendously. Malaria is still a huge problem in developing countries and I'm really excited to see how far this project can go. Right now, the drug is licensed to Sanofi and being scaled up to produce 35 tons and the project is backed by the Gates Foundation so... let's hope for the best!" <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-41"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
In general, how do you feel about humans purposely modifying organisms or species so they will be more useful to us?<br />
<br><br><br />
"If humans can benefit from modifying organisms or species they should, as long as it is done in a humane, sustainable way."<br />
<br><br><br />
How would you define humane use of animals?<br />
<br><br><br />
“By humane I mean in a way that doesn't cause unnecessary suffering or excruciating pain to the animals because life is precious and shouldn't be mistreated if we can help it.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-42"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think there is a limit in how far we should go with syn bio?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Synthetic biology is an area of research which has unlimited potential for growth and innovation. I believe that synthetic biology has the capacity to be hugely advantageous to the scientific community and to society as a whole. It would be irresponsible to ignore the potentially harmful applications of synthetic biology. However, the potential benefits provided by research in this area exceed the disadvantages. Through establishing firm regulations in this area I believe that research can be conducted in a safe and productive manner. I believe it is the responsibility of members of society, including those in the scientific community, to establish the ethical groundwork which will shape the aims and applications of synthetic biology." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-43"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
Synthetic biology creates biological systems that do not natural exist. Does anything about synthetic biology make you feel uncomfortable?<br />
<br><br><br />
“The idea of synthetic biology doesn't make me feel uncomfortable but the applications and potential outcomes are somewhat worrisome. I don’t know much about the topic on hand but just as long as there are regulations in place and governing bodies to overlook the research and applications, I would feel at ease with it all.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-44"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada <br />
<br><br><br />
“I know it's an old school example, but my favorite application of syn bio would have to be when they got E. coli to make human insulin. That definitely revolutionized how we look at type 1 diabetes and really improved people's lives.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-45"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
“I can see why people often raise ethical concerns about synthetic biology and GMOs. To some extent, we are artificially manipulating nature, or as some people say, “playing God.” But at the same time, I feel that the technological innovations and benefit towards society due to genetic engineering far outweighs these qualms. For example, the Golden Rice Project strived to engineer a strain of rice rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the major causes of malnutrition and has historically plagued many undeveloped nations. GMOs provide a medium to produce nutrients and materials such as vitamin A in bulk, and thereby help alleviate problems like Vitamin A deficiency. With proper regulation, I see GMOs as a huge opportunity that can be safely utilized for our benefit.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-46"><br />
Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
Where do we draw the line with syn bio?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I do not agree with the term “playing God”. In my opinion, we have a duty to use the technology we have to improve the quality of human life as well as continue forward progress. The line should be drawn where humanity and planet earth as a whole begin to suffer from the use of synthetic biology. There is a massive amount to be gained through the use of this new and rapidly expanding field. Utilizing syn bio, we may find a way to remedy many of the current issues we are experiencing, such as world hunger, combating deadly disease, etc. <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-47"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
Why do you love iGEM?<br />
<br><br><br />
“iGEM is awesome. On this team, not only have I learned so much about biological engineering, but I have made lifelong friends who share my passion for biology and creating new things.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-48"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
Undergraduate researchers in the DeLisa Group|<br />
<br><br><br />
What recent or upcoming research projects in synthetic biology and genetic engineering are you most excited about? What would be your dream syn-bio project?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I am very excited about the possibility of incorporating human cellular machinery in bacteria. There are significant post-translational modifications that have a strong impact on the function of proteins, such as folding and glycosylation. However, these processes are not necessarily conserved between humans and bacteria. Bridging that step and giving bacteria that functionality to create human proteins, post-translational modifications and all, is a big dream of mine. If I were given one syn-bio wish, it would be to be able to predict the structure of whatever functioning enzyme I wanted, and to be able to make it (is that two wishes?). The idea that we could manipulate biology at the molecular level might seem crazy, but it's something I have high hopes for future generations if not our own." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-49"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
What upcoming research are you most excited to see happen in the field of syn-bio?<br />
<br><br><br />
"If you were to ask me this question a year from now, my answer would probably be different. The pace at which researchers are pushing innovation in this field is absolutely incredible; a year from now, who knows how many discoveries will be published that will shape synthetic biology? For the moment though, I’m most excited to see what can still be accomplished with CRISPR: such precise DNA-editing tools will always have an enormous impact on synthetic biology and biology as a whole. We saw a similar effect many years ago with restriction enzymes; granting people the ability to reliably modify DNA evolved biology by leaps and bounds. CRISPR is still in its infancy yet has exploded on the scene. Just thinking about it excites me and makes me want to push the limits of this system." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-50"><br />
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab | Pasadena, CA <br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think the field of electrical engineering brings to syn-bio? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I don't think the field of electrical engineering really brings anything to the field of syn-bio. iGEM tries to create this analogy between EE and syn-bio by having these "genetic circuits". This "genetic circuit" analogy is a great tool for explaining to non-bio people what is happening and it makes for a great buzzword to get funding.....but thats really it. Granted, one could make the argument that iGEM has mimicked various electrical components like nand gates or not gates and such. But that's just bioengineers copying EE. That isn't to say that engineering in general doesn't help biology. The great thing about iGEM is that it puts engineers and biologists in the same room and makes them work together. This way the engineering approach "break a system down to its core components, look at each component individually, put components back together so that they meet the requirements" is combined with biology. Engineers are great at taking an idea and building it so that it can withstand the harsh standards of life. Basically what I'm saying is EE specifically doesn't bring anything to syn-bio, but engineering in general allows people to analyze syn bio problems by thinking outside the box." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-51"><br />
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab | Pasadena, CA <br />
<br><br><br />
What are some ways that electrical engineering and molecular biology intersect? <br />
<br><br><br />
"The only real way these two fields intersect is in standardization. As an EE, I can go to a website like www.digikey.com look up a part and read the datasheet on the part to see if it meets my needs. If it does I buy it, if it doesn't I keep looking. Having a standard system is very important for two reasons. First, it gives everyone a common language and a set of tools to work with, which makes it so much easier to get things done. More importantly it lowers the barriers to entry, making it possible for more people to help in advancing the field. This is why iGEM emphasizes characterization so much. Having a giant standardized repository of stand alone parts that are well characterize will allow the field of syn bio to develop very quickly." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-52"><br />
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab | Pasadena, CA <br />
<br><br><br />
What attracted your interest to iGEM?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I joined iGEM because to me the field of syn-bio was like an undiscovered country, waiting to be explored. The other project teams on campus allowed me to build cars, submarines, airplanes etc. These are things that engineers have been doing for ages. Plus, those fields were already heavily developed and there wasn't as much room for creativity or new ideas. iGEM on the other hand, was a new competition with lots of room to be creative. It also allowed me to combine my interests in biology and engineering at the same time which was great. In short, I joined iGEM because it was a novel competition that allowed me to explore my interests in biology and engineering." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-53"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
What has been your favorite or most memorable experience in iGEM so far? <br />
<br><br><br />
"For me, nothing beats working in the lab alone, either because you're working at some ungodly hour or there's just simply no one around. It's a truly blissful experience; time ceases to exist and you are isolated with nothing but you and your science. And then the music... the music would pour through your soul and fill the gaps in between. Not just any music but your favorite kind of music that you can blast because no one else is there to listen. That's definitely an experience worth having again and again." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-54"><br />
Geiranger, Norway<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think is the biggest accomplishment that iGEM has achieved?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I believe that iGEM’s greatest accomplishment has been introducing synthetic biology to thousands of undergraduates and giving them experience they cannot usually obtain in an ordinary research lab. Participating in iGEM gives students the opportunity to take a project from conception to completion with full control over its direction and management. iGEM offers a unique experience in the world of biology that accelerates the rate of research and discovery to allow teams to make a real impact with their projects in only a single year." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-55"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
What does synthetic biology and iGEM mean to you? <br />
<br><br><br />
"To me, synthetic biology is the ability to reengineer life to achieve beyond the capabilities it was given by nature. The possibilities here are truly limitless. It gives us the opportunity to detect human diseases, produce more efficient consumer products, and develop new technologies. Synthetic biology is also what brings the entire Cornell iGEM team together, and for that I'm grateful!" <br />
</div><br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/humansTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/humans2014-10-18T02:43:00Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1> Humans and SynBio </h1><br />
<i><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/HumansandSynBio?fref=nf" target="_blank"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/9/90/Cornell_Facebook.png" style="height:35px; position: absolute; left: 290px; top: 30px;"></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/HumansandSynBio?fref=nf" target="_blank">Humans and SynBio</a> is our team's take on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork">Humans of New York</a> project that showcases the diversity of people in New York City and their stories. Humans and SynBio aims to display the opinions of the public on synthetic biology, genetic engineering and related topics. By actively engaging with our local community through Humans and SynBio, we have learned a great deal about peoples' hopes and concerns about synthetic biology. We have integrated some of these opinions we garnered into our project design - an explanation of these precautions is detailed in our <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/ethics">risk assessment section</a>. <br />
<br><br><br />
We continue to actively solicit and accept submissions for Humans and Synbio. We hope that by using Humans and SynBio as a platform for public discussion, we can make synthetic biology a safer and more accepted practice. Please contact us through Facebook if you are interested in participating! <br />
</i><br />
<br><br><br />
<a href="#top">Back to Top</a><br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-1"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Steamboat Landing<br />
<br><br><br />
"I actually found a study a few years ago on E. coli, specifically about the fact that beef can be contaminated very easily. But this study actually showed if you grass-fed your beef you had a much lower incidence, and feeding grain to the animals gave rise to E. coli that was acid resistant." <br />
<br><br><br />
Because they're not meant to eat corn? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Yep - there was a even a part of it that said if you stopped feeding them grain the last few weeks before slaughter, the levels of the worst E. coli would actually drop." <br />
<br><br><br />
Did anybody act on that? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I'm not sure if anybody did. It's really hard to change the conventional part because we're just so geared to feeding them corn."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-2"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Steamboat Landing<br />
<br><br><br />
"Well, I think it's kind of like medicine: do we really know what the impacts of all medicines are? I don't know. Do we know if using a certain medicine will be definitively better or will it make something worse in every situation? I don't know. I think that as humans we will always be curious about whether we can can change the world around us to do what we want it to do. But I think it should be done under strictly experimental conditions until all the impacts are observed and noted and until then it shouldn't be applied on any sort of large scale. That's a grey zone because you don't really know when that happens. I don't think the effort here should be about answering a yes-or-no question; effort should be put into seeing if we can experiment in the right way."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-3"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's <br />
<br><br><br />
"Coming from a creative writing major, I guess the issue needs to be addressed very heavily and it needs to honestly go a lot higher than it has been in terms of publicity. It's great that you guys are coming here to people and asking them about it, but certainly things like this can definitely be considered on a higher standard. I think it's a very pressing issue and definitely needs to be addressed. It can be brought up pretty much to the college level even down even to the grade schools."<br />
<br><br><br />
What about a specific application of synthetic biology, like an environmental filter?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Absolutely! Yeah, I think it's fine. As long as it brings an impact that can definitely be used in a positive way and definitely enhance the communities around and stuff like that, I see no real issues with it."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-4"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's <br />
<br><br><br />
"It's bad! It's not natural... But if it is only for the research then it is okay."<br />
<br><br><br />
"It's very cool, it's like great technology, but whenever you do it to food it's probably not very healthy. It's like a coin with two sides."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-5"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's <br />
<br><br><br />
[About genetically modified organisms in food]<br />
<br><br><br />
"I'd like to see what the evidence is eventually. I try to avoid things that might be a potential problem, so like you said: buy a lot of organic food, and if it's certified organic food then it's not going to have GMO's in it any way, hopefully."<br />
<br><br><br />
On the flip side, do you think if GMOs helped solve underfeeding with something like Golden Rice - would that be a benefit?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think so. We are fortunate enough to have choices here, but on the same token, I'd like to see what the evidence is as far as if it is actually beneficial or harmful, as far as the science of it, but I think giving people access to food is important. I don't want people to starve because I want to know what's in what I eat. I'd like to see sort of less politicized evidence-I'd like to see the actual science of it... I'm an evidence-based person, so I want to see what the evidence is."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-6"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's<br />
<br><br><br />
[Midway through our conversation]<br />
<br><br><br />
"By the way, I'm a biophysics grad student."<br />
<br><br><br />
Oh, so what do you think about making a tool by modifying bacteria? <br />
<br><br><br />
"As long as the strain is not harmful, I don't have a problem with it. And as long as it is following the infectious disease rules, I'm fine with it. So you're not offending me."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-7"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's with some radishes<br />
<br><br><br />
"Environmentally, I think I would go for natural things more and I would imagine it would be healthier too. And we know that plants and vegetables, fruits, and trees that we are familiar with have been in existence for thousands of years so we know about them, but this mutation and biology that is being implemented and developed - we don't know anything about it. It's still in the experimental stage and personally I am a nature person - I don't like artificial things. <br />
<br><br><br />
"...I mean if it helps people, ultimately I think it is a good thing. I mean if you go to Africa or some of the less developed countries their goal is really survival they are not thinking about organic versus artificially developed foods. So first you want to meet the basic needs of human beings- help them! - then if you can have the luxury of distinguishing between organic and inorganic foods then I think we would do that. I would go for organic. Like here for example: Cornell, Ithaca." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-8"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Ho Plaza, Cornell University<br />
<br><br><br />
"I feel the way most people do, that GMOs are not exactly natural. I believe it is dangerous to rely on genetic engineering to continue producing high quantities of low cost food. However, as a future scientist working with synthetic biology, I can see great opportunities for us to better the world, to fix the problems that humans have caused. That line between right and wrong, is extremely difficult to define and I hope that others will understand that as scientists working to solve many problems, it is hard for us to see that line too. It bothers me that whenever people see: "GMO" they immediately pass it off as something bad or unnatural. There are many reasons why GMOs are used in agriculture-there are too many mouths to feed on this planet - and if it were a choice between starvation and GMO food on the table, which would you choose? If people are so concerned about GMOs being used in farming, then they should encourage small farms and the next generation to pick up farming. It is hands down the most important job in the world-I wish people could understand that." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-9"><br />
Ithaca, NY | by Carpenter Hall, Cornell University<br />
<br><br><br />
"Humans have always used animals to do experiments. Like rats, mice, and monkeys...so I wouldn't say that it is a problem. I mean you have to use it with conscience. For me it is fine if you can follow the ethical rules."<br />
<br><br><br />
"I agree with using animals to studies because I think it is important to improve the area - the scientific area - and I think that if you follow the ethical rules to use the animals then everything is fine and we can keep on using animals for science."<br />
<br><br><br />
"Yeah. You have to care about the animals because they are helping you-you are not just using them, they are not your property so you have to treat them well. You have to respect another life."<br />
<br><br><br />
If you could make any animal do something with biological engineering, what would you do?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Well I personally would like to fly so if there is a way to make humans fly, like frogs have that -- to breath under water... I would really like that." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-10"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's <br />
<br><br><br />
"I think there is definitely a limitation for where we're going, but for something like this where it improves pollution, I don't see how it is going past that limitation yet."<br />
<br><br><br />
What limitation are you talking about?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Um, I guess in terms of ethics, something that directly effects some type of life, like if it is harming a certain organism, but in this case I just feel like it is benefiting society in general."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think that line is hard to define? If it is harming the organism, but benefiting society a lot is that still okay?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Definitely because people have different ideas of what life is in general so there are definitely different perspectives of what is right or wrong so I guess it's important to communicate and try to find a good compromise." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-11"><br />
Joseph, OR | Wallowa Lake<br />
<br><br><br />
"I believe that synthetic biology holds promise for either solving or reducing the impact of many of humanities greatest challenges ranging from disease, to famine, to pollution which have so far evaded solution using other technologies…One concern of synthetic biology is that there may be people who would use the technology to the detriment of society. Another possible risk is that something is created that has an unintended affect that goes unnoticed for too long. For those reasons, people involved in the field need to have high ethical standards and rigorous testing of products should be completed prior to release. However, I see the potential benefits of synthetic biology far outweighing the concerns."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you have any concerns regarding genetically modified foods?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think food, which is very personal, can have a high “worry factor” regarding whether it is safe and that something as complex as synthetic biology is difficult for people who are not in the field to understand. People tend to fear what they don’t understand. Perhaps people in the field/industry of synthetic biology could improve their image through education of the public regarding the products they provide." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-12"><br />
Troutdale, OR | Angel's Rest<br />
<br><br><br />
"I believe that synthetic biology has many important applications, especially in a world where the population is growing and people are living longer. We are using more resources than ever and I believe that we need to use the tools at our disposal in order to decrease our negative impact on the earth. However, as with any new scientific process or technology, it is important to regulate it and educate people about these forms of synthetic biology." <br />
<br><br><br />
What concerns do you have about genetically modified foods?<br />
<br><br><br />
"My concerns lie more in how genetically modified crops are tested and regulated. For example, when I take a prescription medication for a disease, or antibiotic for a bacterial infection, I am aware that the drug has undergone extensive research, including laboratory development, animal trials, and clinical trials before I personally am allowed to take it. It makes me feel safer knowing that these protocols are in place to insure that I am being treated in the safest way possible…Like medication, food is something that we ingest daily, and thus any food, genetically modified or not, needs to fulfill certain safety protocols. Genetically modified foods should go through extensive testing before they are marketed for human consumption because their biology has been altered." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-13"><br />
Oxford iGEM | Oxford, UK.<br />
<br><br><br />
Should Synthetic Biology be open to everyone?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Absolutely, synthetic biology should be open to everyone, as in, everyone should have the opportunity to get involved in the actual process of it. However, like with any consumer good it should always be regulated for safety purposes and to avoid any ethical problems. The development background should always be made available to the consumer."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think that GMOs have the capacity to help the problem of overpopulation? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Yes. I think they do. I think the public opinion of GMOs needs to be radically re-educated. I think a lot of people don't understand that it is completely natural occurrences as in DNA is involved in everything we eat. Everything we eat is organic, carbon based, and biologically occurring. Synthetic biology is the manipulation of living things which is what agriculture essentially is just over a much longer time period, and people still view it with a negative stigma." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-14"><br />
Beaverton, OR | Community garden<br />
<br><br><br />
"My opinion of synthetic biology is that it will have a positive impact on the world. I think it will help solve some of the big environmental problems we face such as pollution and depletion of some of our natural resources. I also believe it will be very important in developing new treatments for disease. I think there is lack of public support in this area of research because many people do not know much about it."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you have any concerns regarding genetically modified food?<br />
<br><br><br />
"My concerns with genetically modified foods are that we start producing them for profit only and don’t carefully weigh the potential hazards. I am confident that the genetically modified foods we buy today are safe and have been properly regulated by our government, but I worry that as more and more are developed some governments may not properly regulate them." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-15"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think about GMOs?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think that it depends on the situation. I think synthetic biology is definitely something that we can't really turn back from anymore because we are always trying to progress as humans, but I think in a lot of cases we should be really cautious and not use it necessarily just because it's there. When I'm talking about food, a lot of times GMOs aren't really unsafe food, but it's still the idea that we are constantly trying to be better and progress and I think as with anything else, sometimes we should stop.<br><br />
For example they made crops that are herbicide resistant so that they could spray more herbicides onto the crops so that they could grow more, and they really didn't need to grow more of those crops but they would save money if they did, so they did that and now they are spraying more chemicals. So the GMO resistance isn't really bad for us, but it encourages us to do more industrialized farming that isn't really necessary."<br />
<br><br><br />
So where is the "line" between appropriate and inappropriate GMO applications for you?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I thought that nutrient enriched crops were okay and good in poor countries; I thought that certain pest-resistant crops are neutral. . . ., but then there are other crops that are herbicide resistant and I think that that is too far because you are encouraging the use of more chemicals."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-16"><br />
Montgomery, NJ | Bio classroom with a plant<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think synthetic biology, in terms of genetic engineering, is moral or immoral? <br />
<br><br><br />
"If a child has some sort of congenital disease, I believe it would be moral to alter the disease so that the child wouldn't have to deal with it as an adult or a teenager. But, it would get unethical when you change the way a child looks or his or her personality, if you can even do that. Children are what they are when they are born, and it's unnatural if you try to change that." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-17"><br />
Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
"To me, synthetic biology is artificially playing the genetics of organisms, changing them on the genetic life. I'm pretty neutral towards it. I mean, a lot of artificial organisms have been pretty helpful, so I can't see why we can't do synthetic biology."<br />
<br><br><br />
What's your stance on GMOs - are they more helpful or harmful?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think a lot of different people are using GMOs these days. It actually helps a lot because they make the food bigger, or tastier, or more resistant to diseases. It helps us get the proper amount of food we need to sustain the human population - so I don't see anything wrong with that so long as the process isn't harmful to the environment in any way - which it's not... yet..." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-18"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
"Oh synthetic biology? We talked a little about that in my science class! It's super cool because smart scientists can use synthetic biology to insert jellyfish DNA into pig DNA. Do you know what happens then? The jellyfish DNA is able to make pigs glow. That way, farmers can keep track of their pigs at night time. With this new technology, farmers won't need to worry about losing pigs when it gets dark out!"<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-19"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
What are some moral and ethical concerns?<br />
<br><br><br />
"It could be used as a bioweapon, but it should be regulated enough that this shouldn't be an issue. The most dangerous thing is that it could be potentially dangerous to the researchers, especially if you are introducing new genes in bacteria that have never been observed before. If bacteria are dangerous and spread easily, new types diseases could be potentially created/spread if research isn't careful . There is so much good that could come out of synthetic biology though that as long as they have good regulations, it's fine."<br />
<br><br><br />
What is your dream application of synthetic biology?<br />
<br><br><br />
"It'd be awesome for any sort of medical application. If bacteria could be used to generate power or used as fuel source that'd be cool too." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-20"><br />
KoKo's Korean Restaurant | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think the field of computer science could contribute to biology? <br />
<br><br><br />
"The magic of the computer lies in its ability to remove the limitations of human capability. Whereas in the past our creativity was restricted by what was manually possible, today the computer is enabling discoveries that the mind is simply incapable of making on its own. I believe we will see the computer as an integral part of many of the seminal discoveries within synthetic biology in the next decade. Through the computer’s power in analyzing enormous sets of data and sheer calculating speed we will be able to make connections that were previously unfathomable. The use of DNA as storage and biological computing are fundamentally changing the definition of computers. We are only at the beginning - there are applications of computer science to synthetic biology and vice-versa that no one has yet imagined. There are algorithms to be discovered and research to be done and I will remain optimistic in watching the field grow out of its infancy and mature." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-21"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
What are some ethical concerns you have regarding genetic engineering and genetically modified organisms?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think there is something that has to be said with regards to how we are producing at a rate just to meet our population's needs as opposed to the natural rate of growth. For me, personally, I think that fighting nature in the sense that we are with genetic modification can pose a potential concern. That's not to say that I think that science has not done its due diligence with the process. I understand that there is a pressing need to produce at a higher rate, but I think that there are some moral concerns associated with opposing the natural rate." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-22"><br />
Duffield Hall, Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
Engineers hard at work pause to share some thoughts about SynBio <br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think about GMOs? What is the limit to what you would buy in terms of genetically modified food? <br />
<br><br><br />
"If it glows" <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-23"><br />
White Mountains, NH<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think of Gene Therapy?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I don’t know if it’s safe or not, but I think it makes sense as a direction to look for medicine, because the more we learn about what causes things to go wrong…the better."<br />
<br><br><br />
What is your opinion of the field of synthetic biology?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I don’t have as much of a concern as some other people seem to have. I imagine with people it can be very helpful, with medicine and a lot of bad diseases. I guess it could be used in strange ways too, you know, maybe you can make me into the next Olympian!" <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-24"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Applefest<br />
<br><br><br />
Scientists have recently genetically modified apples so that they can no longer brown, potentially cutting the price of selling sliced apples by 40 percent. What is your opinion on that, or towards genetically modified foods in general?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think on a semantic level, GMOs aren't any different from artificial selection. At a basic level, "genetically modified organisms" could apply to any organism selected for some trait. Traits often come about from mutations and I personally don't see any difference from waiting for nature to mess with DNA and us messing with DNA. I'm sure that there are scientific ways to show that there are issues that come from tinkering around with organisms, but I am also sure that there's evidence to show that it doesn't matter otherwise." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-25"><br />
uOttawa iGEM | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada <br />
<br><br><br />
How would you define synthetic biology?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Synthetic biology is the discipline that is going to change the world as we know it. Never before have we been able to design such complex biological machines; this one discipline alone opens to us the possibilities of producing green biofuels, targeting diseases in unprecedented ways, and making other planets habitable - simultaneously. SynBio is one of the most rapidly expanding fields in the world of science, and it's exciting to wonder where we'll be able to take all of this in the upcoming years." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-26"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University Libraries<br />
<br><br><br />
What is your opinion on GMO’s?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I wouldn’t buy them. But I actually do because it’s everywhere. Lately I have been trying to buy organic foods because this all seemed to come out of nowhere—it was just last year that I noticed it. So now you can find a lot more products that are non GMO."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you believe that organic foods are in fact better for you?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I hope so, but whenever a trend comes on, like the organic foods, you tend to question if it really is good for you." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-27"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University Libraries<br />
<br><br><br />
"It’s basically taking an organism and changing it for a different use than it is already."<br />
<br><br><br />
How do you think synthetic biology can help and/or hurt people?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think it could definitely help in the medical field."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you have any concerns about genetic engineering?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Well there can always be mistakes...like making a squirrel more vicious. Or some other animal that could hurt people. But that would hopefully be in a lab, and unless they let it escape it wouldn’t really affect us that much." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-28"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University Libraries<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think synthetic biology is?<br />
<br><br><br />
"What do I think it is? It’s like the story you were telling me about the strawberries. How there is such a difference between the normal ones that grow out in somebody’s yard and the ones you get when you’re going picking—there’s such a big difference in between them." <br />
<br><br><br />
What is one problem you’d hope to see synthetic biology combat?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Probably the food thing. You know, everybody has different opinions on different types of food. That would be one thing that would be good for somebody to look at and change."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you mean mediating opinions?<br />
<br><br><br />
"It’s like the difference between the organic and the normal food. Just to figure out what people are doing to the normal food. Why people don’t want to eat or buy it." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-29"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University research lab<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think the field of computer science can contribute to synthetic biology? What are some upcoming research ideas that you are excited to see happen?<br />
<br><br><br />
"The advances in computer science are what allow for synthetic biology to be such a rapidly booming discipline. Only with the advent of fast, computerized data analysis are we able to systematically study every single one of nature's nuances in a high-throughput and unbiased way.<br />
<br><br><br />
Then, by understanding everything, we can begin to understand why nature has evolved in the way it did, and give us ways to cleverly manipulate the data. In my opinion, synthetic biology wouldn't really exist without the help of computer science (obviously, it would still have been developed with Knight and the Biobricks, but would not be getting the attention that it does now)<br />
<br><br><br />
As for upcoming research ideas, it's all about the CRISPR and Cas-9 system. The possibilities with gene editing are endless and I can't wait to see what developments arise with this wonderful technology to give Jennifer Doudna and George Church the Nobel Prize in Medicine."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-30"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
What does synthetic biology mean to you?<br />
“Absolutely nothing. It sounds like biology made of plastic.”<br />
<br><br><br />
What is your dream application of syn-bio?<br />
“I think a biological supercomputer would be awesome. Either that or genetically modifying flour to be naturally gluten-free.”<br />
<br><br><br />
Would you be alright with GMOs as food sources even if it risked an ecological imbalance?<br />
“If it would throw the balance completely off, like rabbits in New Zealand, then no. Other than that, no. People have been genetically modifying foods for years, just at a lesser state.”<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-31"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
What happens when they test stuff that could hurt humans, on bunnies to make sure it doesn’t hurt humans first? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I don’t want it to hurt the bunnies because bunnies are nature." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-31_2"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
How do you feel about humans purposely modifying organisms or species so that they will be more useful to us? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I’m actually ok with it as long as it’s for a better purpose."<br />
<br><br><br />
How would you define better purpose? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Cloning for instance, a lot of people are against that. I would consider that the ability to have harvest organs available, readily available for people is a better purpose."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-32"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
"In general I feel that GMOs are probably a good thing. One of my concerns would be that organizations are taking advantage of developing countries to do things that they wouldn’t be allowed to do in a more developed country. The principle I’m in favor of, obviously if a developing country has the conditions that have the problem needing to be solved that it would make sense to actually do the research where the problem is. So I would be supportive for sure." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-33"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
What is the first think you think of when you hear the words “synthetic biology? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Humans modifying the way biology works. It has potential to go into unwanted areas I think. There are a lot of good things you could do with it, but there are a lot of things that could happen that wouldn’t be so good. It depends on how far it develops. For instance, using it to replace diseased organs would be a good thing, but using it to create a sub-human class of beings that do all the manual labor would be a negative." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-34"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think there’s a limit in how far we should go with synthetic biology? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Well yeah, I think there’s a point that we shouldn’t cross, but it’s hard to define because it’s such a broad term. You can use it for literally anything in our world, anything can be in that scope. So I think as long as it’s something that doesn’t impact our society or our environment, not necessarily just the environment in the sense like the ozone layer, I mean environment like our surroundings; as long as it doesn’t alter that. I think it’s a slippery slope because we’re doing these things to essentially make things more convenient and easier for us to do tasks. That’s what it boils down to. So by doing that, I think eventually there will come a point where it will kind of bite us in the butt a bit. And so I think by keeping that to a minimum, how much it affects everything around us, it’ll be optimal. But it’s hard to define that point so I can’t say for sure." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-35"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
How do you feel about humans purposely modifying organisms or species so that they will be more useful to us? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I’m sure that there are benefits that do go along with that type of research, but I am a firm believer in the earth is where it is for a reason and we are where we are for a reason and life has evolved over millions of years without us having to make it better. We’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way so I don’t know if I trust research and peoples’ judgment. (I explained to her that domesticating animals is a way we’ve done this in the past, to which she responded…) I think all that would’ve naturally fallen into place anyways. Dogs really do love humans and they need to connect with a pack. Horses, if they really didn’t want to be trained, I don’t know if you could train them. Whereas, I believe they feel good when they’re serving a purpose as well. So I think those connections would’ve happened automatically. I don’t know if we can take complete credit for those modifications. I guess what I’m thinking is more that horses were the size of a dog and they evolved into the size they are today. I don’t know. I’m all for research certainly, but there’s also the question how far will it go. Is that going to be to evolve to the perfect human? And whose perception is the perfect human?" <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-36"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University Weill Hall <br />
<br><br><br />
What current and upcoming research in the field of synthetic biology are you most excited about?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I'm deeply interested in the work being conducted into potential mechanisms for combating infectious disease. The German bacteriologist Paul Ehrlich believed that a chemical compound capable of exploiting the differences between eukaryotic cells and bacterial cells could be harnessed as a "magic bullet", capable of destroying bacterial cells while leaving human cells intact. With the advent of synthetic biology, it is highly likely that a bacteriophage could be developed to act as Ehrlich's bullet. Engineering viruses to specifically attack microbial pathogens offers a highly promising solution to the clinical challenge posed by the growing inefficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. The success of such measures is crucial, as bacteria become ever more resistant to our antibiotics. Using viruses to solve this problem is a pretty neat idea. America should get on that." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-37"><br />
Montgomery IGEM | Skillman, New Jersey<br />
<br />
What inspired you to found iGEM for Montgomery? What has been your most exciting experience and what is one project that you have always wanted to pursue?<br />
<br><br><br />
"My inspiration for founding iGEM was really as an escape - a place to discover and explore new grounds. Our school didn't provide many outlets for lab experience or medical extracurriculars so I figure I'd give it a shot. iGEM has always been to me a way to explore new heights and challenge ourselves. My most exciting experience - it sounds cheesy - but it was definitely our first meeting. Seeing the eyes of the members just light up when we mentioned "bacterial transformation" or "genetic engineering" was just a magical experience. That's when I knew the club was going to be something bigger than just the science. As for the project, I've always wanted to do something in neuroscience. Perhaps a protein that would increase neurogenesis and thus the pathways that our minds can follow to think of new ideas." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-38"><br />
Ridgefield, Conn.<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think GMOs should be safe for human consumption, and synthetic biology should be okay to use in medicine especially if they have to be used in order to save someone's life. It shouldn't be used for human cloning though. If I had a superpower using synthetic biology, I'd like to be something that could help people or save lives." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-39"><br />
What do you think is the best way to educate the public about<br />
synthetic biology and GMOs?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Probably the best way to educate the public would be to frame it in a<br />
way that shows just how much these topics directly affect our<br />
day-to-day lives. For instance, the foods we choose to eat and how<br />
that might impact our health and longevity. In this age it is almost<br />
impossible for this to happen without the use of social media<br />
campaigns." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-40"><br />
Queens, New York | Pumpkin patch with extraordinarily attractive pumpkin <br />
<br><br><br />
What recent research advances in synthetic biology are you most excited about?<br />
<br><br> <br />
"One of the first syn-bio research projects I ever heard about was synthetic manufacturing of the anti-malarial drug artemisinin, which can be credited to Jay Keasling and his research group at UC Berkeley, and to this day, I still consider it one of the most exciting advances. Artemisinin is produced by plants but plant production can be extremely volatile; during a particularly poor growing season, thousands more people could become more susceptible to malaria because of lack of drug production. The turning point is that now the Keasling group has figured out a way to genetically engineer Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce an artemisinin precursor and this method boosts production tremendously. Malaria is still a huge problem in developing countries and I'm really excited to see how far this project can go. Right now, the drug is licensed to Sanofi and being scaled up to produce 35 tons and the project is backed by the Gates Foundation so... let's hope for the best!" <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-41"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
In general, how do you feel about humans purposely modifying organisms or species so they will be more useful to us?<br />
<br><br><br />
"If humans can benefit from modifying organisms or species they should, as long as it is done in a humane, sustainable way."<br />
<br><br><br />
How would you define humane use of animals?<br />
<br><br><br />
“By humane I mean in a way that doesn't cause unnecessary suffering or excruciating pain to the animals because life is precious and shouldn't be mistreated if we can help it.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-42"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think there is a limit in how far we should go with syn bio?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Synthetic biology is an area of research which has unlimited potential for growth and innovation. I believe that synthetic biology has the capacity to be hugely advantageous to the scientific community and to society as a whole. It would be irresponsible to ignore the potentially harmful applications of synthetic biology. However, the potential benefits provided by research in this area exceed the disadvantages. Through establishing firm regulations in this area I believe that research can be conducted in a safe and productive manner. I believe it is the responsibility of members of society, including those in the scientific community, to establish the ethical groundwork which will shape the aims and applications of synthetic biology." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-43"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
Synthetic biology creates biological systems that do not natural exist. Does anything about synthetic biology make you feel uncomfortable?<br />
<br><br><br />
“The idea of synthetic biology doesn't make me feel uncomfortable but the applications and potential outcomes are somewhat worrisome. I don’t know much about the topic on hand but just as long as there are regulations in place and governing bodies to overlook the research and applications, I would feel at ease with it all.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-44"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada <br />
<br><br><br />
“I know it's an old school example, but my favorite application of syn bio would have to be when they got E. coli to make human insulin. That definitely revolutionized how we look at type 1 diabetes and really improved people's lives.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-45"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
“I can see why people often raise ethical concerns about synthetic biology and GMOs. To some extent, we are artificially manipulating nature, or as some people say, “playing God.” But at the same time, I feel that the technological innovations and benefit towards society due to genetic engineering far outweighs these qualms. For example, the Golden Rice Project strived to engineer a strain of rice rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the major causes of malnutrition and has historically plagued many undeveloped nations. GMOs provide a medium to produce nutrients and materials such as vitamin A in bulk, and thereby help alleviate problems like Vitamin A deficiency. With proper regulation, I see GMOs as a huge opportunity that can be safely utilized for our benefit.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-46"><br />
Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
Where do we draw the line with syn bio?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I do not agree with the term “playing God”. In my opinion, we have a duty to use the technology we have to improve the quality of human life as well as continue forward progress. The line should be drawn where humanity and planet earth as a whole begin to suffer from the use of synthetic biology. There is a massive amount to be gained through the use of this new and rapidly expanding field. Utilizing syn bio, we may find a way to remedy many of the current issues we are experiencing, such as world hunger, combating deadly disease, etc. <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-47"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
Why do you love iGEM?<br />
<br><br><br />
“iGEM is awesome. On this team, not only have I learned so much about biological engineering, but I have made lifelong friends who share my passion for biology and creating new things.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-48"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
Undergraduate researchers in the DeLisa Group|<br />
<br><br><br />
What recent or upcoming research projects in synthetic biology and genetic engineering are you most excited about? What would be your dream syn-bio project?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I am very excited about the possibility of incorporating human cellular machinery in bacteria. There are significant post-translational modifications that have a strong impact on the function of proteins, such as folding and glycosylation. However, these processes are not necessarily conserved between humans and bacteria. Bridging that step and giving bacteria that functionality to create human proteins, post-translational modifications and all, is a big dream of mine. If I were given one syn-bio wish, it would be to be able to predict the structure of whatever functioning enzyme I wanted, and to be able to make it (is that two wishes?). The idea that we could manipulate biology at the molecular level might seem crazy, but it's something I have high hopes for future generations if not our own." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-49"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
What upcoming research are you most excited to see happen in the field of syn-bio?<br />
<br><br><br />
"If you were to ask me this question a year from now, my answer would probably be different. The pace at which researchers are pushing innovation in this field is absolutely incredible; a year from now, who knows how many discoveries will be published that will shape synthetic biology? For the moment though, I’m most excited to see what can still be accomplished with CRISPR: such precise DNA-editing tools will always have an enormous impact on synthetic biology and biology as a whole. We saw a similar effect many years ago with restriction enzymes; granting people the ability to reliably modify DNA evolved biology by leaps and bounds. CRISPR is still in its infancy yet has exploded on the scene. Just thinking about it excites me and makes me want to push the limits of this system." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-50"><br />
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab | Pasadena, CA <br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think the field of electrical engineering brings to syn-bio? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I don't think the field of electrical engineering really brings anything to the field of syn-bio. iGEM tries to create this analogy between EE and syn-bio by having these "genetic circuits". This "genetic circuit" analogy is a great tool for explaining to non-bio people what is happening and it makes for a great buzzword to get funding.....but thats really it. Granted, one could make the argument that iGEM has mimicked various electrical components like nand gates or not gates and such. But that's just bioengineers copying EE. That isn't to say that engineering in general doesn't help biology. The great thing about iGEM is that it puts engineers and biologists in the same room and makes them work together. This way the engineering approach "break a system down to its core components, look at each component individually, put components back together so that they meet the requirements" is combined with biology. Engineers are great at taking an idea and building it so that it can withstand the harsh standards of life. Basically what I'm saying is EE specifically doesn't bring anything to syn-bio, but engineering in general allows people to analyze syn bio problems by thinking outside the box." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-51"><br />
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab | Pasadena, CA <br />
<br><br><br />
What are some ways that electrical engineering and molecular biology intersect? <br />
<br><br><br />
"The only real way these two fields intersect is in standardization. As an EE, I can go to a website like www.digikey.com look up a part and read the datasheet on the part to see if it meets my needs. If it does I buy it, if it doesn't I keep looking. Having a standard system is very important for two reasons. First, it gives everyone a common language and a set of tools to work with, which makes it so much easier to get things done. More importantly it lowers the barriers to entry, making it possible for more people to help in advancing the field. This is why iGEM emphasizes characterization so much. Having a giant standardized repository of stand alone parts that are well characterize will allow the field of syn bio to develop very quickly." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-52"><br />
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab | Pasadena, CA <br />
<br><br><br />
What attracted your interest to iGEM?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I joined iGEM because to me the field of syn-bio was like an undiscovered country, waiting to be explored. The other project teams on campus allowed me to build cars, submarines, airplanes etc. These are things that engineers have been doing for ages. Plus, those fields were already heavily developed and there wasn't as much room for creativity or new ideas. iGEM on the other hand, was a new competition with lots of room to be creative. It also allowed me to combine my interests in biology and engineering at the same time which was great. In short, I joined iGEM because it was a novel competition that allowed me to explore my interests in biology and engineering." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-53"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
What has been your favorite or most memorable experience in iGEM so far? <br />
<br><br><br />
"For me, nothing beats working in the lab alone, either because you're working at some ungodly hour or there's just simply no one around. It's a truly blissful experience; time ceases to exist and you are isolated with nothing but you and your science. And then the music... the music would pour through your soul and fill the gaps in between. Not just any music but your favorite kind of music that you can blast because no one else is there to listen. That's definitely an experience worth having again and again." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-54"><br />
Geiranger, Norway<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think is the biggest accomplishment that iGEM has achieved?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I believe that iGEM’s greatest accomplishment has been introducing synthetic biology to thousands of undergraduates and giving them experience they cannot usually obtain in an ordinary research lab. Participating in iGEM gives students the opportunity to take a project from conception to completion with full control over its direction and management. iGEM offers a unique experience in the world of biology that accelerates the rate of research and discovery to allow teams to make a real impact with their projects in only a single year." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-55"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
What does synthetic biology and iGEM mean to you? <br />
<br><br><br />
"To me, synthetic biology is the ability to reengineer life to achieve beyond the capabilities it was given by nature. The possibilities here are truly limitless. It gives us the opportunity to detect human diseases, produce more efficient consumer products, and develop new technologies. Synthetic biology is also what brings the entire Cornell iGEM team together, and for that I'm grateful!" <br />
</div><br />
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<div class="summary"><br />
<h1> Humans and SynBio </h1><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/HumansandSynBio?fref=nf" target="_blank"><img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/9/90/Cornell_Facebook.png" style="height:35px; position: absolute; left: 290px; top: 30px;"></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/HumansandSynBio?fref=nf" target="_blank">Humans and SynBio</a> is our team's take on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork">Humans of New York</a> project that showcases the diversity of people in New York City and their stories. Humans and SynBio aims to display the opinions of the public on synthetic biology, genetic engineering and related topics. By actively engaging with our local community through Humans and SynBio, we have learned a great deal about peoples' hopes and concerns about synthetic biology. We have integrated some of these opinions we garnered into our project design - an explanation of these precautions is detailed in our <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/ethics">risk assessment section</a>. <br />
<br><br><br />
We continue to actively solicit and accept submissions for Humans and Synbio. We hope that by using Humans and SynBio as a platform for public discussion, we can make synthetic biology a safer and more accepted practice. Please contact us through Facebook if you are interested in participating! <br />
<br><br><br />
<a href="#top">Back to Top</a><br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-1"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Steamboat Landing<br />
<br><br><br />
"I actually found a study a few years ago on E. coli, specifically about the fact that beef can be contaminated very easily. But this study actually showed if you grass-fed your beef you had a much lower incidence, and feeding grain to the animals gave rise to E. coli that was acid resistant." <br />
<br><br><br />
Because they're not meant to eat corn? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Yep - there was a even a part of it that said if you stopped feeding them grain the last few weeks before slaughter, the levels of the worst E. coli would actually drop." <br />
<br><br><br />
Did anybody act on that? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I'm not sure if anybody did. It's really hard to change the conventional part because we're just so geared to feeding them corn."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-2"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Steamboat Landing<br />
<br><br><br />
"Well, I think it's kind of like medicine: do we really know what the impacts of all medicines are? I don't know. Do we know if using a certain medicine will be definitively better or will it make something worse in every situation? I don't know. I think that as humans we will always be curious about whether we can can change the world around us to do what we want it to do. But I think it should be done under strictly experimental conditions until all the impacts are observed and noted and until then it shouldn't be applied on any sort of large scale. That's a grey zone because you don't really know when that happens. I don't think the effort here should be about answering a yes-or-no question; effort should be put into seeing if we can experiment in the right way."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-3"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's <br />
<br><br><br />
"Coming from a creative writing major, I guess the issue needs to be addressed very heavily and it needs to honestly go a lot higher than it has been in terms of publicity. It's great that you guys are coming here to people and asking them about it, but certainly things like this can definitely be considered on a higher standard. I think it's a very pressing issue and definitely needs to be addressed. It can be brought up pretty much to the college level even down even to the grade schools."<br />
<br><br><br />
What about a specific application of synthetic biology, like an environmental filter?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Absolutely! Yeah, I think it's fine. As long as it brings an impact that can definitely be used in a positive way and definitely enhance the communities around and stuff like that, I see no real issues with it."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-4"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's <br />
<br><br><br />
"It's bad! It's not natural... But if it is only for the research then it is okay."<br />
<br><br><br />
"It's very cool, it's like great technology, but whenever you do it to food it's probably not very healthy. It's like a coin with two sides."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-5"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's <br />
<br><br><br />
[About genetically modified organisms in food]<br />
<br><br><br />
"I'd like to see what the evidence is eventually. I try to avoid things that might be a potential problem, so like you said: buy a lot of organic food, and if it's certified organic food then it's not going to have GMO's in it any way, hopefully."<br />
<br><br><br />
On the flip side, do you think if GMOs helped solve underfeeding with something like Golden Rice - would that be a benefit?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think so. We are fortunate enough to have choices here, but on the same token, I'd like to see what the evidence is as far as if it is actually beneficial or harmful, as far as the science of it, but I think giving people access to food is important. I don't want people to starve because I want to know what's in what I eat. I'd like to see sort of less politicized evidence-I'd like to see the actual science of it... I'm an evidence-based person, so I want to see what the evidence is."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-6"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's<br />
<br><br><br />
[Midway through our conversation]<br />
<br><br><br />
"By the way, I'm a biophysics grad student."<br />
<br><br><br />
Oh, so what do you think about making a tool by modifying bacteria? <br />
<br><br><br />
"As long as the strain is not harmful, I don't have a problem with it. And as long as it is following the infectious disease rules, I'm fine with it. So you're not offending me."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-7"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's with some radishes<br />
<br><br><br />
"Environmentally, I think I would go for natural things more and I would imagine it would be healthier too. And we know that plants and vegetables, fruits, and trees that we are familiar with have been in existence for thousands of years so we know about them, but this mutation and biology that is being implemented and developed - we don't know anything about it. It's still in the experimental stage and personally I am a nature person - I don't like artificial things. <br />
<br><br><br />
"...I mean if it helps people, ultimately I think it is a good thing. I mean if you go to Africa or some of the less developed countries their goal is really survival they are not thinking about organic versus artificially developed foods. So first you want to meet the basic needs of human beings- help them! - then if you can have the luxury of distinguishing between organic and inorganic foods then I think we would do that. I would go for organic. Like here for example: Cornell, Ithaca." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-8"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Ho Plaza, Cornell University<br />
<br><br><br />
"I feel the way most people do, that GMOs are not exactly natural. I believe it is dangerous to rely on genetic engineering to continue producing high quantities of low cost food. However, as a future scientist working with synthetic biology, I can see great opportunities for us to better the world, to fix the problems that humans have caused. That line between right and wrong, is extremely difficult to define and I hope that others will understand that as scientists working to solve many problems, it is hard for us to see that line too. It bothers me that whenever people see: "GMO" they immediately pass it off as something bad or unnatural. There are many reasons why GMOs are used in agriculture-there are too many mouths to feed on this planet - and if it were a choice between starvation and GMO food on the table, which would you choose? If people are so concerned about GMOs being used in farming, then they should encourage small farms and the next generation to pick up farming. It is hands down the most important job in the world-I wish people could understand that." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-9"><br />
Ithaca, NY | by Carpenter Hall, Cornell University<br />
<br><br><br />
"Humans have always used animals to do experiments. Like rats, mice, and monkeys...so I wouldn't say that it is a problem. I mean you have to use it with conscience. For me it is fine if you can follow the ethical rules."<br />
<br><br><br />
"I agree with using animals to studies because I think it is important to improve the area - the scientific area - and I think that if you follow the ethical rules to use the animals then everything is fine and we can keep on using animals for science."<br />
<br><br><br />
"Yeah. You have to care about the animals because they are helping you-you are not just using them, they are not your property so you have to treat them well. You have to respect another life."<br />
<br><br><br />
If you could make any animal do something with biological engineering, what would you do?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Well I personally would like to fly so if there is a way to make humans fly, like frogs have that -- to breath under water... I would really like that." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-10"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Wegman's <br />
<br><br><br />
"I think there is definitely a limitation for where we're going, but for something like this where it improves pollution, I don't see how it is going past that limitation yet."<br />
<br><br><br />
What limitation are you talking about?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Um, I guess in terms of ethics, something that directly effects some type of life, like if it is harming a certain organism, but in this case I just feel like it is benefiting society in general."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think that line is hard to define? If it is harming the organism, but benefiting society a lot is that still okay?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Definitely because people have different ideas of what life is in general so there are definitely different perspectives of what is right or wrong so I guess it's important to communicate and try to find a good compromise." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-11"><br />
Joseph, OR | Wallowa Lake<br />
<br><br><br />
"I believe that synthetic biology holds promise for either solving or reducing the impact of many of humanities greatest challenges ranging from disease, to famine, to pollution which have so far evaded solution using other technologies…One concern of synthetic biology is that there may be people who would use the technology to the detriment of society. Another possible risk is that something is created that has an unintended affect that goes unnoticed for too long. For those reasons, people involved in the field need to have high ethical standards and rigorous testing of products should be completed prior to release. However, I see the potential benefits of synthetic biology far outweighing the concerns."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you have any concerns regarding genetically modified foods?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think food, which is very personal, can have a high “worry factor” regarding whether it is safe and that something as complex as synthetic biology is difficult for people who are not in the field to understand. People tend to fear what they don’t understand. Perhaps people in the field/industry of synthetic biology could improve their image through education of the public regarding the products they provide." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-12"><br />
Troutdale, OR | Angel's Rest<br />
<br><br><br />
"I believe that synthetic biology has many important applications, especially in a world where the population is growing and people are living longer. We are using more resources than ever and I believe that we need to use the tools at our disposal in order to decrease our negative impact on the earth. However, as with any new scientific process or technology, it is important to regulate it and educate people about these forms of synthetic biology." <br />
<br><br><br />
What concerns do you have about genetically modified foods?<br />
<br><br><br />
"My concerns lie more in how genetically modified crops are tested and regulated. For example, when I take a prescription medication for a disease, or antibiotic for a bacterial infection, I am aware that the drug has undergone extensive research, including laboratory development, animal trials, and clinical trials before I personally am allowed to take it. It makes me feel safer knowing that these protocols are in place to insure that I am being treated in the safest way possible…Like medication, food is something that we ingest daily, and thus any food, genetically modified or not, needs to fulfill certain safety protocols. Genetically modified foods should go through extensive testing before they are marketed for human consumption because their biology has been altered." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-13"><br />
Oxford iGEM | Oxford, UK.<br />
<br><br><br />
Should Synthetic Biology be open to everyone?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Absolutely, synthetic biology should be open to everyone, as in, everyone should have the opportunity to get involved in the actual process of it. However, like with any consumer good it should always be regulated for safety purposes and to avoid any ethical problems. The development background should always be made available to the consumer."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think that GMOs have the capacity to help the problem of overpopulation? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Yes. I think they do. I think the public opinion of GMOs needs to be radically re-educated. I think a lot of people don't understand that it is completely natural occurrences as in DNA is involved in everything we eat. Everything we eat is organic, carbon based, and biologically occurring. Synthetic biology is the manipulation of living things which is what agriculture essentially is just over a much longer time period, and people still view it with a negative stigma." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-14"><br />
Beaverton, OR | Community garden<br />
<br><br><br />
"My opinion of synthetic biology is that it will have a positive impact on the world. I think it will help solve some of the big environmental problems we face such as pollution and depletion of some of our natural resources. I also believe it will be very important in developing new treatments for disease. I think there is lack of public support in this area of research because many people do not know much about it."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you have any concerns regarding genetically modified food?<br />
<br><br><br />
"My concerns with genetically modified foods are that we start producing them for profit only and don’t carefully weigh the potential hazards. I am confident that the genetically modified foods we buy today are safe and have been properly regulated by our government, but I worry that as more and more are developed some governments may not properly regulate them." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-15"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think about GMOs?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think that it depends on the situation. I think synthetic biology is definitely something that we can't really turn back from anymore because we are always trying to progress as humans, but I think in a lot of cases we should be really cautious and not use it necessarily just because it's there. When I'm talking about food, a lot of times GMOs aren't really unsafe food, but it's still the idea that we are constantly trying to be better and progress and I think as with anything else, sometimes we should stop.<br><br />
For example they made crops that are herbicide resistant so that they could spray more herbicides onto the crops so that they could grow more, and they really didn't need to grow more of those crops but they would save money if they did, so they did that and now they are spraying more chemicals. So the GMO resistance isn't really bad for us, but it encourages us to do more industrialized farming that isn't really necessary."<br />
<br><br><br />
So where is the "line" between appropriate and inappropriate GMO applications for you?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I thought that nutrient enriched crops were okay and good in poor countries; I thought that certain pest-resistant crops are neutral. . . ., but then there are other crops that are herbicide resistant and I think that that is too far because you are encouraging the use of more chemicals."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-16"><br />
Montgomery, NJ | Bio classroom with a plant<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think synthetic biology, in terms of genetic engineering, is moral or immoral? <br />
<br><br><br />
"If a child has some sort of congenital disease, I believe it would be moral to alter the disease so that the child wouldn't have to deal with it as an adult or a teenager. But, it would get unethical when you change the way a child looks or his or her personality, if you can even do that. Children are what they are when they are born, and it's unnatural if you try to change that." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-17"><br />
Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
"To me, synthetic biology is artificially playing the genetics of organisms, changing them on the genetic life. I'm pretty neutral towards it. I mean, a lot of artificial organisms have been pretty helpful, so I can't see why we can't do synthetic biology."<br />
<br><br><br />
What's your stance on GMOs - are they more helpful or harmful?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think a lot of different people are using GMOs these days. It actually helps a lot because they make the food bigger, or tastier, or more resistant to diseases. It helps us get the proper amount of food we need to sustain the human population - so I don't see anything wrong with that so long as the process isn't harmful to the environment in any way - which it's not... yet..." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-18"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
"Oh synthetic biology? We talked a little about that in my science class! It's super cool because smart scientists can use synthetic biology to insert jellyfish DNA into pig DNA. Do you know what happens then? The jellyfish DNA is able to make pigs glow. That way, farmers can keep track of their pigs at night time. With this new technology, farmers won't need to worry about losing pigs when it gets dark out!"<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-19"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
What are some moral and ethical concerns?<br />
<br><br><br />
"It could be used as a bioweapon, but it should be regulated enough that this shouldn't be an issue. The most dangerous thing is that it could be potentially dangerous to the researchers, especially if you are introducing new genes in bacteria that have never been observed before. If bacteria are dangerous and spread easily, new types diseases could be potentially created/spread if research isn't careful . There is so much good that could come out of synthetic biology though that as long as they have good regulations, it's fine."<br />
<br><br><br />
What is your dream application of synthetic biology?<br />
<br><br><br />
"It'd be awesome for any sort of medical application. If bacteria could be used to generate power or used as fuel source that'd be cool too." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-20"><br />
KoKo's Korean Restaurant | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think the field of computer science could contribute to biology? <br />
<br><br><br />
"The magic of the computer lies in its ability to remove the limitations of human capability. Whereas in the past our creativity was restricted by what was manually possible, today the computer is enabling discoveries that the mind is simply incapable of making on its own. I believe we will see the computer as an integral part of many of the seminal discoveries within synthetic biology in the next decade. Through the computer’s power in analyzing enormous sets of data and sheer calculating speed we will be able to make connections that were previously unfathomable. The use of DNA as storage and biological computing are fundamentally changing the definition of computers. We are only at the beginning - there are applications of computer science to synthetic biology and vice-versa that no one has yet imagined. There are algorithms to be discovered and research to be done and I will remain optimistic in watching the field grow out of its infancy and mature." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-21"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
What are some ethical concerns you have regarding genetic engineering and genetically modified organisms?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think there is something that has to be said with regards to how we are producing at a rate just to meet our population's needs as opposed to the natural rate of growth. For me, personally, I think that fighting nature in the sense that we are with genetic modification can pose a potential concern. That's not to say that I think that science has not done its due diligence with the process. I understand that there is a pressing need to produce at a higher rate, but I think that there are some moral concerns associated with opposing the natural rate." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-22"><br />
Duffield Hall, Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
Engineers hard at work pause to share some thoughts about SynBio <br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think about GMOs? What is the limit to what you would buy in terms of genetically modified food? <br />
<br><br><br />
"If it glows" <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-23"><br />
White Mountains, NH<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think of Gene Therapy?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I don’t know if it’s safe or not, but I think it makes sense as a direction to look for medicine, because the more we learn about what causes things to go wrong…the better."<br />
<br><br><br />
What is your opinion of the field of synthetic biology?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I don’t have as much of a concern as some other people seem to have. I imagine with people it can be very helpful, with medicine and a lot of bad diseases. I guess it could be used in strange ways too, you know, maybe you can make me into the next Olympian!" <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-24"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Applefest<br />
<br><br><br />
Scientists have recently genetically modified apples so that they can no longer brown, potentially cutting the price of selling sliced apples by 40 percent. What is your opinion on that, or towards genetically modified foods in general?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think on a semantic level, GMOs aren't any different from artificial selection. At a basic level, "genetically modified organisms" could apply to any organism selected for some trait. Traits often come about from mutations and I personally don't see any difference from waiting for nature to mess with DNA and us messing with DNA. I'm sure that there are scientific ways to show that there are issues that come from tinkering around with organisms, but I am also sure that there's evidence to show that it doesn't matter otherwise." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-25"><br />
uOttawa iGEM | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada <br />
<br><br><br />
How would you define synthetic biology?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Synthetic biology is the discipline that is going to change the world as we know it. Never before have we been able to design such complex biological machines; this one discipline alone opens to us the possibilities of producing green biofuels, targeting diseases in unprecedented ways, and making other planets habitable - simultaneously. SynBio is one of the most rapidly expanding fields in the world of science, and it's exciting to wonder where we'll be able to take all of this in the upcoming years." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-26"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University Libraries<br />
<br><br><br />
What is your opinion on GMO’s?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I wouldn’t buy them. But I actually do because it’s everywhere. Lately I have been trying to buy organic foods because this all seemed to come out of nowhere—it was just last year that I noticed it. So now you can find a lot more products that are non GMO."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you believe that organic foods are in fact better for you?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I hope so, but whenever a trend comes on, like the organic foods, you tend to question if it really is good for you." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-27"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University Libraries<br />
<br><br><br />
"It’s basically taking an organism and changing it for a different use than it is already."<br />
<br><br><br />
How do you think synthetic biology can help and/or hurt people?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think it could definitely help in the medical field."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you have any concerns about genetic engineering?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Well there can always be mistakes...like making a squirrel more vicious. Or some other animal that could hurt people. But that would hopefully be in a lab, and unless they let it escape it wouldn’t really affect us that much." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-28"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University Libraries<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think synthetic biology is?<br />
<br><br><br />
"What do I think it is? It’s like the story you were telling me about the strawberries. How there is such a difference between the normal ones that grow out in somebody’s yard and the ones you get when you’re going picking—there’s such a big difference in between them." <br />
<br><br><br />
What is one problem you’d hope to see synthetic biology combat?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Probably the food thing. You know, everybody has different opinions on different types of food. That would be one thing that would be good for somebody to look at and change."<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you mean mediating opinions?<br />
<br><br><br />
"It’s like the difference between the organic and the normal food. Just to figure out what people are doing to the normal food. Why people don’t want to eat or buy it." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-29"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University research lab<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think the field of computer science can contribute to synthetic biology? What are some upcoming research ideas that you are excited to see happen?<br />
<br><br><br />
"The advances in computer science are what allow for synthetic biology to be such a rapidly booming discipline. Only with the advent of fast, computerized data analysis are we able to systematically study every single one of nature's nuances in a high-throughput and unbiased way.<br />
<br><br><br />
Then, by understanding everything, we can begin to understand why nature has evolved in the way it did, and give us ways to cleverly manipulate the data. In my opinion, synthetic biology wouldn't really exist without the help of computer science (obviously, it would still have been developed with Knight and the Biobricks, but would not be getting the attention that it does now)<br />
<br><br><br />
As for upcoming research ideas, it's all about the CRISPR and Cas-9 system. The possibilities with gene editing are endless and I can't wait to see what developments arise with this wonderful technology to give Jennifer Doudna and George Church the Nobel Prize in Medicine."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-30"><br />
Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
What does synthetic biology mean to you?<br />
“Absolutely nothing. It sounds like biology made of plastic.”<br />
<br><br><br />
What is your dream application of syn-bio?<br />
“I think a biological supercomputer would be awesome. Either that or genetically modifying flour to be naturally gluten-free.”<br />
<br><br><br />
Would you be alright with GMOs as food sources even if it risked an ecological imbalance?<br />
“If it would throw the balance completely off, like rabbits in New Zealand, then no. Other than that, no. People have been genetically modifying foods for years, just at a lesser state.”<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-31"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
What happens when they test stuff that could hurt humans, on bunnies to make sure it doesn’t hurt humans first? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I don’t want it to hurt the bunnies because bunnies are nature." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-31_2"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
How do you feel about humans purposely modifying organisms or species so that they will be more useful to us? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I’m actually ok with it as long as it’s for a better purpose."<br />
<br><br><br />
How would you define better purpose? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Cloning for instance, a lot of people are against that. I would consider that the ability to have harvest organs available, readily available for people is a better purpose."<br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-32"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
"In general I feel that GMOs are probably a good thing. One of my concerns would be that organizations are taking advantage of developing countries to do things that they wouldn’t be allowed to do in a more developed country. The principle I’m in favor of, obviously if a developing country has the conditions that have the problem needing to be solved that it would make sense to actually do the research where the problem is. So I would be supportive for sure." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-33"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
What is the first think you think of when you hear the words “synthetic biology? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Humans modifying the way biology works. It has potential to go into unwanted areas I think. There are a lot of good things you could do with it, but there are a lot of things that could happen that wouldn’t be so good. It depends on how far it develops. For instance, using it to replace diseased organs would be a good thing, but using it to create a sub-human class of beings that do all the manual labor would be a negative." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-34"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think there’s a limit in how far we should go with synthetic biology? <br />
<br><br><br />
"Well yeah, I think there’s a point that we shouldn’t cross, but it’s hard to define because it’s such a broad term. You can use it for literally anything in our world, anything can be in that scope. So I think as long as it’s something that doesn’t impact our society or our environment, not necessarily just the environment in the sense like the ozone layer, I mean environment like our surroundings; as long as it doesn’t alter that. I think it’s a slippery slope because we’re doing these things to essentially make things more convenient and easier for us to do tasks. That’s what it boils down to. So by doing that, I think eventually there will come a point where it will kind of bite us in the butt a bit. And so I think by keeping that to a minimum, how much it affects everything around us, it’ll be optimal. But it’s hard to define that point so I can’t say for sure." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-35"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
How do you feel about humans purposely modifying organisms or species so that they will be more useful to us? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I’m sure that there are benefits that do go along with that type of research, but I am a firm believer in the earth is where it is for a reason and we are where we are for a reason and life has evolved over millions of years without us having to make it better. We’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way so I don’t know if I trust research and peoples’ judgment. (I explained to her that domesticating animals is a way we’ve done this in the past, to which she responded…) I think all that would’ve naturally fallen into place anyways. Dogs really do love humans and they need to connect with a pack. Horses, if they really didn’t want to be trained, I don’t know if you could train them. Whereas, I believe they feel good when they’re serving a purpose as well. So I think those connections would’ve happened automatically. I don’t know if we can take complete credit for those modifications. I guess what I’m thinking is more that horses were the size of a dog and they evolved into the size they are today. I don’t know. I’m all for research certainly, but there’s also the question how far will it go. Is that going to be to evolve to the perfect human? And whose perception is the perfect human?" <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-36"><br />
Ithaca, NY | Cornell University Weill Hall <br />
<br><br><br />
What current and upcoming research in the field of synthetic biology are you most excited about?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I'm deeply interested in the work being conducted into potential mechanisms for combating infectious disease. The German bacteriologist Paul Ehrlich believed that a chemical compound capable of exploiting the differences between eukaryotic cells and bacterial cells could be harnessed as a "magic bullet", capable of destroying bacterial cells while leaving human cells intact. With the advent of synthetic biology, it is highly likely that a bacteriophage could be developed to act as Ehrlich's bullet. Engineering viruses to specifically attack microbial pathogens offers a highly promising solution to the clinical challenge posed by the growing inefficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. The success of such measures is crucial, as bacteria become ever more resistant to our antibiotics. Using viruses to solve this problem is a pretty neat idea. America should get on that." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-37"><br />
Montgomery IGEM | Skillman, New Jersey<br />
<br />
What inspired you to found iGEM for Montgomery? What has been your most exciting experience and what is one project that you have always wanted to pursue?<br />
<br><br><br />
"My inspiration for founding iGEM was really as an escape - a place to discover and explore new grounds. Our school didn't provide many outlets for lab experience or medical extracurriculars so I figure I'd give it a shot. iGEM has always been to me a way to explore new heights and challenge ourselves. My most exciting experience - it sounds cheesy - but it was definitely our first meeting. Seeing the eyes of the members just light up when we mentioned "bacterial transformation" or "genetic engineering" was just a magical experience. That's when I knew the club was going to be something bigger than just the science. As for the project, I've always wanted to do something in neuroscience. Perhaps a protein that would increase neurogenesis and thus the pathways that our minds can follow to think of new ideas." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-38"><br />
Ridgefield, Conn.<br />
<br><br><br />
"I think GMOs should be safe for human consumption, and synthetic biology should be okay to use in medicine especially if they have to be used in order to save someone's life. It shouldn't be used for human cloning though. If I had a superpower using synthetic biology, I'd like to be something that could help people or save lives." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-39"><br />
What do you think is the best way to educate the public about<br />
synthetic biology and GMOs?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Probably the best way to educate the public would be to frame it in a<br />
way that shows just how much these topics directly affect our<br />
day-to-day lives. For instance, the foods we choose to eat and how<br />
that might impact our health and longevity. In this age it is almost<br />
impossible for this to happen without the use of social media<br />
campaigns." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-40"><br />
Queens, New York | Pumpkin patch with extraordinarily attractive pumpkin <br />
<br><br><br />
What recent research advances in synthetic biology are you most excited about?<br />
<br><br> <br />
"One of the first syn-bio research projects I ever heard about was synthetic manufacturing of the anti-malarial drug artemisinin, which can be credited to Jay Keasling and his research group at UC Berkeley, and to this day, I still consider it one of the most exciting advances. Artemisinin is produced by plants but plant production can be extremely volatile; during a particularly poor growing season, thousands more people could become more susceptible to malaria because of lack of drug production. The turning point is that now the Keasling group has figured out a way to genetically engineer Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce an artemisinin precursor and this method boosts production tremendously. Malaria is still a huge problem in developing countries and I'm really excited to see how far this project can go. Right now, the drug is licensed to Sanofi and being scaled up to produce 35 tons and the project is backed by the Gates Foundation so... let's hope for the best!" <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-41"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
In general, how do you feel about humans purposely modifying organisms or species so they will be more useful to us?<br />
<br><br><br />
"If humans can benefit from modifying organisms or species they should, as long as it is done in a humane, sustainable way."<br />
<br><br><br />
How would you define humane use of animals?<br />
<br><br><br />
“By humane I mean in a way that doesn't cause unnecessary suffering or excruciating pain to the animals because life is precious and shouldn't be mistreated if we can help it.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-42"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
Do you think there is a limit in how far we should go with syn bio?<br />
<br><br><br />
"Synthetic biology is an area of research which has unlimited potential for growth and innovation. I believe that synthetic biology has the capacity to be hugely advantageous to the scientific community and to society as a whole. It would be irresponsible to ignore the potentially harmful applications of synthetic biology. However, the potential benefits provided by research in this area exceed the disadvantages. Through establishing firm regulations in this area I believe that research can be conducted in a safe and productive manner. I believe it is the responsibility of members of society, including those in the scientific community, to establish the ethical groundwork which will shape the aims and applications of synthetic biology." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-43"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />
<br><br><br />
Synthetic biology creates biological systems that do not natural exist. Does anything about synthetic biology make you feel uncomfortable?<br />
<br><br><br />
“The idea of synthetic biology doesn't make me feel uncomfortable but the applications and potential outcomes are somewhat worrisome. I don’t know much about the topic on hand but just as long as there are regulations in place and governing bodies to overlook the research and applications, I would feel at ease with it all.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-44"><br />
iGEM Calgary | Calgary, Alberta, Canada <br />
<br><br><br />
“I know it's an old school example, but my favorite application of syn bio would have to be when they got E. coli to make human insulin. That definitely revolutionized how we look at type 1 diabetes and really improved people's lives.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-45"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
“I can see why people often raise ethical concerns about synthetic biology and GMOs. To some extent, we are artificially manipulating nature, or as some people say, “playing God.” But at the same time, I feel that the technological innovations and benefit towards society due to genetic engineering far outweighs these qualms. For example, the Golden Rice Project strived to engineer a strain of rice rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the major causes of malnutrition and has historically plagued many undeveloped nations. GMOs provide a medium to produce nutrients and materials such as vitamin A in bulk, and thereby help alleviate problems like Vitamin A deficiency. With proper regulation, I see GMOs as a huge opportunity that can be safely utilized for our benefit.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-46"><br />
Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
Where do we draw the line with syn bio?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I do not agree with the term “playing God”. In my opinion, we have a duty to use the technology we have to improve the quality of human life as well as continue forward progress. The line should be drawn where humanity and planet earth as a whole begin to suffer from the use of synthetic biology. There is a massive amount to be gained through the use of this new and rapidly expanding field. Utilizing syn bio, we may find a way to remedy many of the current issues we are experiencing, such as world hunger, combating deadly disease, etc. <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-47"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
Why do you love iGEM?<br />
<br><br><br />
“iGEM is awesome. On this team, not only have I learned so much about biological engineering, but I have made lifelong friends who share my passion for biology and creating new things.” <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-48"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY<br />
<br><br><br />
Undergraduate researchers in the DeLisa Group|<br />
<br><br><br />
What recent or upcoming research projects in synthetic biology and genetic engineering are you most excited about? What would be your dream syn-bio project?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I am very excited about the possibility of incorporating human cellular machinery in bacteria. There are significant post-translational modifications that have a strong impact on the function of proteins, such as folding and glycosylation. However, these processes are not necessarily conserved between humans and bacteria. Bridging that step and giving bacteria that functionality to create human proteins, post-translational modifications and all, is a big dream of mine. If I were given one syn-bio wish, it would be to be able to predict the structure of whatever functioning enzyme I wanted, and to be able to make it (is that two wishes?). The idea that we could manipulate biology at the molecular level might seem crazy, but it's something I have high hopes for future generations if not our own." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-49"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
What upcoming research are you most excited to see happen in the field of syn-bio?<br />
<br><br><br />
"If you were to ask me this question a year from now, my answer would probably be different. The pace at which researchers are pushing innovation in this field is absolutely incredible; a year from now, who knows how many discoveries will be published that will shape synthetic biology? For the moment though, I’m most excited to see what can still be accomplished with CRISPR: such precise DNA-editing tools will always have an enormous impact on synthetic biology and biology as a whole. We saw a similar effect many years ago with restriction enzymes; granting people the ability to reliably modify DNA evolved biology by leaps and bounds. CRISPR is still in its infancy yet has exploded on the scene. Just thinking about it excites me and makes me want to push the limits of this system." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-50"><br />
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab | Pasadena, CA <br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think the field of electrical engineering brings to syn-bio? <br />
<br><br><br />
"I don't think the field of electrical engineering really brings anything to the field of syn-bio. iGEM tries to create this analogy between EE and syn-bio by having these "genetic circuits". This "genetic circuit" analogy is a great tool for explaining to non-bio people what is happening and it makes for a great buzzword to get funding.....but thats really it. Granted, one could make the argument that iGEM has mimicked various electrical components like nand gates or not gates and such. But that's just bioengineers copying EE. That isn't to say that engineering in general doesn't help biology. The great thing about iGEM is that it puts engineers and biologists in the same room and makes them work together. This way the engineering approach "break a system down to its core components, look at each component individually, put components back together so that they meet the requirements" is combined with biology. Engineers are great at taking an idea and building it so that it can withstand the harsh standards of life. Basically what I'm saying is EE specifically doesn't bring anything to syn-bio, but engineering in general allows people to analyze syn bio problems by thinking outside the box." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-51"><br />
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab | Pasadena, CA <br />
<br><br><br />
What are some ways that electrical engineering and molecular biology intersect? <br />
<br><br><br />
"The only real way these two fields intersect is in standardization. As an EE, I can go to a website like www.digikey.com look up a part and read the datasheet on the part to see if it meets my needs. If it does I buy it, if it doesn't I keep looking. Having a standard system is very important for two reasons. First, it gives everyone a common language and a set of tools to work with, which makes it so much easier to get things done. More importantly it lowers the barriers to entry, making it possible for more people to help in advancing the field. This is why iGEM emphasizes characterization so much. Having a giant standardized repository of stand alone parts that are well characterize will allow the field of syn bio to develop very quickly." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-52"><br />
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab | Pasadena, CA <br />
<br><br><br />
What attracted your interest to iGEM?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I joined iGEM because to me the field of syn-bio was like an undiscovered country, waiting to be explored. The other project teams on campus allowed me to build cars, submarines, airplanes etc. These are things that engineers have been doing for ages. Plus, those fields were already heavily developed and there wasn't as much room for creativity or new ideas. iGEM on the other hand, was a new competition with lots of room to be creative. It also allowed me to combine my interests in biology and engineering at the same time which was great. In short, I joined iGEM because it was a novel competition that allowed me to explore my interests in biology and engineering." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-53"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
What has been your favorite or most memorable experience in iGEM so far? <br />
<br><br><br />
"For me, nothing beats working in the lab alone, either because you're working at some ungodly hour or there's just simply no one around. It's a truly blissful experience; time ceases to exist and you are isolated with nothing but you and your science. And then the music... the music would pour through your soul and fill the gaps in between. Not just any music but your favorite kind of music that you can blast because no one else is there to listen. That's definitely an experience worth having again and again." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-54"><br />
Geiranger, Norway<br />
<br><br><br />
What do you think is the biggest accomplishment that iGEM has achieved?<br />
<br><br><br />
"I believe that iGEM’s greatest accomplishment has been introducing synthetic biology to thousands of undergraduates and giving them experience they cannot usually obtain in an ordinary research lab. Participating in iGEM gives students the opportunity to take a project from conception to completion with full control over its direction and management. iGEM offers a unique experience in the world of biology that accelerates the rate of research and discovery to allow teams to make a real impact with their projects in only a single year." <br />
</div><br />
<div class="humans-text humans-55"><br />
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY <br />
<br><br><br />
What does synthetic biology and iGEM mean to you? <br />
<br><br><br />
"To me, synthetic biology is the ability to reengineer life to achieve beyond the capabilities it was given by nature. The possibilities here are truly limitless. It gives us the opportunity to detect human diseases, produce more efficient consumer products, and develop new technologies. Synthetic biology is also what brings the entire Cornell iGEM team together, and for that I'm grateful!" <br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Overview</h1><br />
It is tempting as scientists to think that we can treat risk assessment as we would treat any scientific protocols - that with a few key steps and critical considerations, we will always end up with the right answer. However, assessing risk, particularly for environmental projects, is not that simple. Thinking about potential impacts and risks often turns up more questions than answers, and it is difficult to know where to start. For this reason, we have employed three approaches to risk assessment. The first was developed by Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department, pertaining specifically to work with recombinant organisms. The next was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a general environmental risk assessment and modified by both the Woodrow Wilson Center and our team for use on our synthetic biology project. Finally, we strived to embody the design principles set forth by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Each approach has its limitations, but all of them have helped to inform our project design, research practices, and considerations for further development of our project.<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)</h1><br />
Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department lays the groundwork for determining safe research practices on campus, and greatly informed our own safety [LINK SAFETY] protocols. They specifically suggested the following risk assessment criteria for researchers working with recombinant organisms. <br><ul><br />
<li><b>Formation</b> – The creation of a genetically-altered micro-organism through deliberate or accidental means. <br>For our purposes, our modified organism was altered intentionally, thus we know all of the donor organisms (T7 bacteriophage, YMT, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, N. tabacum) and the recipient organism (Escherichia coli BL21-AI and Escherichia coli DH5a) are not hazardous. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Release</b> – the deliberate release or accidental escape of some of these micro-organisms in the workplace and/or into the environment. <br> Our filtration device includes a hollow filter reactor, which is specifically designed to hold cells inside, yet let water and other materials pass through it. The hollow fiber reactor is made of high flux polysulfone and has a molecular weight cut off at 5 kilodaltons, retaining about half of any molecule that is of that weight. It is highly unlikely that our cells would be capable of escaping the filter device. </li><br />
<li><b>Proliferation/Competition</b> – the subsequent multiplication, genetic reconstruction, growth, transport, modification and die-off of these micro-organisms in the environment, including possible transfer of genetic material to other micro-organisms. <br> The inclusion of the metallothionein gene in our organism severely impedes growth, thus other cells in the environment will outcompete our genetically engineered strain.</li><br />
<li><b>Establishment </b>– the establishment of these micro-organisms within an ecosystem niche, including possible colonization of humans or other biota. <br>Since our cells are both slow-growing and highly unlikely to escape from the filtration device, it is improbable that the organism will be able to create a niche and outcompete healthy cells within the ecosystem. </li><br />
<li><b>Effect </b>– the subsequent occurrence of human or ecological effects due to interaction of the organism with some host or environmental factor.<br>Ideally, our project would not have an effect on the environment or any other host. However, if there were to be a leak somewhere in our system, the largest concern would be if another organism were to consume our cells or take up DNA lost from our cells. Unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. Further studies would have to be conducted.<br />
</li><br />
</ul>We have taken into account this risk assessment and have done our best to abide by these guidelines in our project.<br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEP)</h1><br />
The EPA’s Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEA) is a tool to allow scientists to broaden their perspectives by incorporating the experiences, expertise, and concerns of diverse stakeholders. CEA differs from traditional methods of risk assessment by recognizing that risk assessment is fundamentally a decision-making process in which scientists, experts, and the public should be engaged in transparent dialogue. The goal is to evaluate limitations and trade-offs to arrive at holistic conclusions about the primary issues that researchers should be addressing in their research planning. <br />
<br><br><br />
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., recently launched efforts to lay out a framework to apply CEA to synthetic biology. This groundbreaking project set out to assess the CEA approach’s relevance to synthetic biology, in anticipation of the growing demand for synthetic biology-based solutions to global issues. They arrived at the conclusion that scientists should focus on four major areas of risk assessment: altered physiology, competition and biodiversity, evolutionary prediction, and gene transfer. In the past, using this framework has helped to uncover its limitations and the ways in which we could improve our own approach to environmental risk assessment. Therefore, we have decided to incorporate a more in-depth cost-benefit analysis, information on existing water treatment practices, and public perspectives through our Humans & SynBio project.<br><br />
<ul><br />
<li><b>Altered Physiology:</b><br />
Our modified E. coli cells differ from their E. coli BL21-AI and E. coli DH5a predecessors in that our modified strains contain the T7 promoter with a GST-YMT gene, which codes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae metallothionein, a metal-binding protein. Our E. coli have three different overexpressed transport proteins that work with the metallothioneins to uptake and sequester lead, mercury, and nickel heavy metal ions. We are using the lead transporter gene CPB4, originally from Nicotiana tabacum, under control by the Anderson promoter. The mercury sequestration system is composed of merT and merP, genes originally found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. merP is a periplasmic mercury ion scavenging protein. merT is an integrated membrane protein that works to transport mercury ions into the cell’s cytoplasm. Finally, the nickel transporter is the nixA gene found in Helicobacter pylori.<br><br><br />
In addition to the three aforementioned strains, we constructed a fourth strain of E. coli, the reporter strain. We inserted amilCP behind both a nickel/cobalt activated promoter, Prcn, and a mercury activated promoter, PmerT. This functioned as a sign of when the above mentioned cells were metal saturated. Basically, when metal ions enter the reporter cell, the amilCP is engaged, turning the cell blue, indicating that the other cells are saturated. <br><br><br />
Given these changes, we would expect that there would be a change in cell growth because the production of metallothioneins renders the strain slow-growing. We tested our theory through various growth assays, the results of which are can be found here: https://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/wetlab/metallothionein . We found that the growth rate of our engineered cells was severely impaired, such that over a period of one day, the total cell concentration was roughly half that of a wild-type cell.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Competition and biodiversity:</b><br><br />
In the extremely unlikely event of release from our device, our cells would likely be outcompeted very quickly by native environmental strains due to their decreased growth rate. Other cells would multiply much more quickly and overwhelm the engineered cells in most environments. However, in environments with exceptionally high metal concentrations, our engineered cells would actually have higher fitness than the wild-type cells due to their ability to sequester the metals (see Results). These conditions would presumably never be reached; it would take a massive quantity of concentrated metal solution, coupled with the physical destruction of our device, for this to ever be a matter of concern. The only other circumstance in which our cells would be expected to grow more rapidly than the wild-type would be under conditions of strong antibiotic selection. Our cells currently do contain antibiotic resistance genes, but further development of our strains could remove this by a well-designed chromosomal integration process.<br><br> <br />
However, to avoid the possibility of release, we’ve implemented sturdy physical barriers between our cells and the environment. Within the filtration device, the genetically modified cells are held within a hollow fiber reactor, which seriously restricts the movement of particles above 20 kD, meaning that most individual proteins would be unable to escape, much less entire cells.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Evolutionary Prediction:</b><br> <br />
The only potentially dangerous component of our cells is once again antibiotic resistance, which would be eliminated in the development of a field-deployable product. A more difficult and therefore more interesting question is that of whether the cells would evolve away from their original function. The original induction of metallothionein production would saturate the cells with proteins, and in the absence of growth medium, the growth rate of the cells would be extremely slow. The proteins themselves would also be unable to escape from the reactor, so the total metallothionein concentration would in theory remain constant (barring degradation with time), even as cell concentration might very slowly increase. This then becomes an issue of timescale, and it seems that the bacterial cartridge would likely be replaced before this would become an issue.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Gene Transfer:</b><br><br />
The issue of most concern would probably be the transfer of our antibiotic resistance genes from the E. coli to other organisms if the cells were to escape, but as mentioned earlier, this problem could be avoided entirely. It is also true that neither plasmid nor chromosomal DNA would be able to escape the fiber reactor, so engineered DNA would never have contact with the environment in the first place.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Impact:</b><br><br />
This year Cornell iGEM surveyed a variety of people to get a better understanding of the general public’s opinion about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and the bioethics of the various applications. Not only did we create a survey and get hundreds of responses to pool data from, but we also did a general social networking project. Similar to Humans of New York, Humans & SynBio features individual interviews urging people to think deeper about synthetic biology to see their various opinions about it. Interestingly, we discovered that many people are unclear about the definition and purpose of synthetic biology. In addition, we noticed general hesitence towards acceptance of synthetic biology within food and animal products, but acceptance and curiosity about integrating synthetic biology in human life quality improvement. In our case, an overwhelming number of people thought that our project was an ethical use of synthetic biology. Albeit, it is important to consider the limitations of our survey, which are discussed later on. <br><br><br />
So how do people’s opinions about synthetic biology affect the risk assessment of our project? Well consider this: a project that people know very little about will generate fear. In our study, we found that a lot of people find genetically modified organisms to be a “risky” topic, but if we explained to them our project in more detail, they were more willing to accept it. Thus, there is a need for a broader education about synthetic biology to the public. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>The cost-benefit of our project:</b><br />
<br><br><br />
</li><b>Bioethics</b><br><br />
We designed our project in accordance with the ethical principles identified by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues (2010). Our primary motive is public beneficence: to improve global environmental and public health by remediating metal contamination in water. We have also demonstrated responsible stewardship by considering the environmental implications of our project; the ecological impact of placing our genetically modified strain in water would be minimal because our filtration system will not allow bacteria to escape, and we have structured our future directions around risk management for the future. In addition, our project is an intellectually responsible pursuit: it cannot foreseeably be used to cause people harm. In the spirit of democratic deliberation, we launched our Humans & SynBio campaign, to get people thinking and talking about the ethics of synthetic biology. Our proposed system would be easy, cost-effective, and potentially usable on a global scale, demonstrating justice and fairness in its intended implementation. Additionally, the modularity of our platform allows it to be adapted to the needs of different communities, in order to best serve global populations and environments.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Limitations and future directions of human practices assessments: </b> <br> <br />
We have learned from our studies that there needs to be more education about synthetic biology. Too few people know about the field for there to be educated opinions about it. In addition, it would be helpful to have a comparison of opinions before and after we discuss what synthetic biology is. In order to make our human practices assessments more effective, we would need to have a broader sample size of people taking surveys and answering our questions. Because we live on a fairly liberal university campus with a constituency that socioeconomically slants towards the upper-middle class, our answers may be biased. However, if we were to interview a much larger and diverse sample size, our survey results would be more informative. <br><br>Risk assessment can constantly be improved upon. It would be interesting to know what versions of our project, within our portfolio of future ideas and applications, would be the most widely used and accepted. What scale filter would be most effective? Which ones would be more efficient to produce and to market? Which ones would impact the most lives? The ideal implementation of our project would occur at the <br />
</li></ul><br />
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Overview</h1><br />
It is tempting as scientists to think that we can treat risk assessment as we would treat any scientific protocols - that with a few key steps and critical considerations, we will always end up with the right answer. However, assessing risk, particularly for environmental projects, is not that simple. Thinking about potential impacts and risks often turns up more questions than answers, and it is difficult to know where to start. For this reason, we have employed three approaches to risk assessment. The first was developed by Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department, pertaining specifically to work with recombinant organisms. The next was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a general environmental risk assessment and modified by both the Woodrow Wilson Center and our team for use on our synthetic biology project. Finally, we strived to embody the design principles set forth by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Each approach has its limitations, but all of them have helped to inform our project design, research practices, and considerations for further development of our project.<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)</h1><br />
Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department lays the groundwork for determining safe research practices on campus, and greatly informed our own safety [LINK SAFETY] protocols. They specifically suggested the following risk assessment criteria for researchers working with recombinant organisms. <br><ul><br />
<li><b>Formation</b> – The creation of a genetically-altered micro-organism through deliberate or accidental means. <br>For our purposes, our modified organism was altered intentionally, thus we know all of the donor organisms (T7 bacteriophage, YMT, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, N. tabacum) and the recipient organism (Escherichia coli BL21-AI and Escherichia coli DH5a) are not hazardous. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Release</b> – the deliberate release or accidental escape of some of these micro-organisms in the workplace and/or into the environment. <br> Our filtration device includes a hollow filter reactor, which is specifically designed to hold cells inside, yet let water and other materials pass through it. The hollow fiber reactor is made of high flux polysulfone and has a molecular weight cut off at 5 kilodaltons, retaining about half of any molecule that is of that weight. It is highly unlikely that our cells would be capable of escaping the filter device. </li><br />
<li><b>Proliferation/Competition</b> – the subsequent multiplication, genetic reconstruction, growth, transport, modification and die-off of these micro-organisms in the environment, including possible transfer of genetic material to other micro-organisms. <br> The inclusion of the metallothionein gene in our organism severely impedes growth, thus other cells in the environment will outcompete our genetically engineered strain.</li><br />
<li><b>Establishment </b>– the establishment of these micro-organisms within an ecosystem niche, including possible colonization of humans or other biota. <br>Since our cells are both slow-growing and highly unlikely to escape from the filtration device, it is improbable that the organism will be able to create a niche and outcompete healthy cells within the ecosystem. </li><br />
<li><b>Effect </b>– the subsequent occurrence of human or ecological effects due to interaction of the organism with some host or environmental factor.<br>Ideally, our project would not have an effect on the environment or any other host. However, if there were to be a leak somewhere in our system, the largest concern would be if another organism were to consume our cells or take up DNA lost from our cells. Unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. Further studies would have to be conducted.<br />
</li><br />
</ul>We have taken into account this risk assessment and have done our best to abide by these guidelines in our project.<br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEP)</h1><br />
The EPA’s Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEA) is a tool to allow scientists to broaden their perspectives by incorporating the experiences, expertise, and concerns of diverse stakeholders. CEA differs from traditional methods of risk assessment by recognizing that risk assessment is fundamentally a decision-making process in which scientists, experts, and the public should be engaged in transparent dialogue. The goal is to evaluate limitations and trade-offs to arrive at holistic conclusions about the primary issues that researchers should be addressing in their research planning. <br />
<br><br><br />
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., recently launched efforts to lay out a framework to apply CEA to synthetic biology. This groundbreaking project set out to assess the CEA approach’s relevance to synthetic biology, in anticipation of the growing demand for synthetic biology-based solutions to global issues. They arrived at the conclusion that scientists should focus on four major areas of risk assessment: altered physiology, competition and biodiversity, evolutionary prediction, and gene transfer. In the past, using this framework has helped to uncover its limitations and the ways in which we could improve our own approach to environmental risk assessment. Therefore, we have decided to incorporate a more in-depth cost-benefit analysis, information on existing water treatment practices, and public perspectives through our Humans & SynBio project.<br><br />
<ul><br />
<li><b>Altered Physiology:</b><br />
Our modified E. coli cells differ from their E. coli BL21-AI and E. coli DH5a predecessors in that our modified strains contain the T7 promoter with a GST-YMT gene, which codes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae metallothionein, a metal-binding protein. Our E. coli have three different overexpressed transport proteins that work with the metallothioneins to uptake and sequester lead, mercury, and nickel heavy metal ions. We are using the lead transporter gene CPB4, originally from Nicotiana tabacum, under control by the Anderson promoter. The mercury sequestration system is composed of merT and merP, genes originally found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. merP is a periplasmic mercury ion scavenging protein. merT is an integrated membrane protein that works to transport mercury ions into the cell’s cytoplasm. Finally, the nickel transporter is the nixA gene found in Helicobacter pylori.<br><br><br />
In addition to the three aforementioned strains, we constructed a fourth strain of E. coli, the reporter strain. We inserted amilCP behind both a nickel/cobalt activated promoter, Prcn, and a mercury activated promoter, PmerT. This functioned as a sign of when the above mentioned cells were metal saturated. Basically, when metal ions enter the reporter cell, the amilCP is engaged, turning the cell blue, indicating that the other cells are saturated. <br><br><br />
Given these changes, we would expect that there would be a change in cell growth because the production of metallothioneins renders the strain slow-growing. We tested our theory through various growth assays, the results of which are can be found here: https://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/wetlab/metallothionein . We found that the growth rate of our engineered cells was severely impaired, such that over a period of one day, the total cell concentration was roughly half that of a wild-type cell.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Competition and biodiversity:</b><br><br />
In the extremely unlikely event of release from our device, our cells would likely be outcompeted very quickly by native environmental strains due to their decreased growth rate. Other cells would multiply much more quickly and overwhelm the engineered cells in most environments. However, in environments with exceptionally high metal concentrations, our engineered cells would actually have higher fitness than the wild-type cells due to their ability to sequester the metals (see Results). These conditions would presumably never be reached; it would take a massive quantity of concentrated metal solution, coupled with the physical destruction of our device, for this to ever be a matter of concern. The only other circumstance in which our cells would be expected to grow more rapidly than the wild-type would be under conditions of strong antibiotic selection. Our cells currently do contain antibiotic resistance genes, but further development of our strains could remove this by a well-designed chromosomal integration process.<br><br> <br />
However, to avoid the possibility of release, we’ve implemented sturdy physical barriers between our cells and the environment. Within the filtration device, the genetically modified cells are held within a hollow fiber reactor, which seriously restricts the movement of particles above 20 kD, meaning that most individual proteins would be unable to escape, much less entire cells.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Evolutionary Prediction:</b><br> <br />
The only potentially dangerous component of our cells is once again antibiotic resistance, which would be eliminated in the development of a field-deployable product. A more difficult and therefore more interesting question is that of whether the cells would evolve away from their original function. The original induction of metallothionein production would saturate the cells with proteins, and in the absence of growth medium, the growth rate of the cells would be extremely slow. The proteins themselves would also be unable to escape from the reactor, so the total metallothionein concentration would in theory remain constant (barring degradation with time), even as cell concentration might very slowly increase. This then becomes an issue of timescale, and it seems that the bacterial cartridge would likely be replaced before this would become an issue.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Gene Transfer:</b><br><br />
The issue of most concern would probably be the transfer of our antibiotic resistance genes from the E. coli to other organisms if the cells were to escape, but as mentioned earlier, this problem could be avoided entirely. It is also true that neither plasmid nor chromosomal DNA would be able to escape the fiber reactor, so engineered DNA would never have contact with the environment in the first place.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Impact:</b><br><br />
This year Cornell iGEM surveyed a variety of people to get a better understanding of the general public’s opinion about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and the bioethics of the various applications. Not only did we create a survey and get hundreds of responses to pool data from, but we also did a general social networking project. Similar to Humans of New York, Humans & SynBio features individual interviews urging people to think deeper about synthetic biology to see their various opinions about it. Interestingly, we discovered that many people are unclear about the definition and purpose of synthetic biology. In addition, we noticed general hesitence towards acceptance of synthetic biology within food and animal products, but acceptance and curiosity about integrating synthetic biology in human life quality improvement. In our case, an overwhelming number of people thought that our project was an ethical use of synthetic biology. Albeit, it is important to consider the limitations of our survey, which are discussed later on. <br><br><br />
So how do people’s opinions about synthetic biology affect the risk assessment of our project? Well consider this: a project that people know very little about will generate fear. In our study, we found that a lot of people find genetically modified organisms to be a “risky” topic, but if we explained to them our project in more detail, they were more willing to accept it. Thus, there is a need for a broader education about synthetic biology to the public. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>The cost-benefit of our project:</b><br />
<br><br><br />
</li><b>Bioethics</b><br><br />
We designed our project in accordance with the ethical principles identified by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues (2010). Our primary motive is public beneficence: to improve global environmental and public health by remediating metal contamination in water. We have also demonstrated responsible stewardship by considering the environmental implications of our project; the ecological impact of placing our genetically modified strain in water would be minimal because our filtration system will not allow bacteria to escape, and we have structured our future directions around risk management for the future. In addition, our project is an intellectually responsible pursuit: it cannot foreseeably be used to cause people harm. In the spirit of democratic deliberation, we launched our Humans & SynBio campaign, to get people thinking and talking about the ethics of synthetic biology. Our proposed system would be easy, cost-effective, and potentially usable on a global scale, demonstrating justice and fairness in its intended implementation. Additionally, the modularity of our platform allows it to be adapted to the needs of different communities, in order to best serve global populations and environments.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Limitations and future directions of human practices assessments: </b> <br> <br />
We have learned from our studies that there needs to be more education about synthetic biology. Too few people know about the field for there to be educated opinions about it. In addition, it would be helpful to have a comparison of opinions before and after we discuss what synthetic biology is. In order to make our human practices assessments more effective, we would need to have a broader sample size of people taking surveys and answering our questions. Because we live on a fairly liberal university campus with a constituency that socioeconomically slants towards the upper-middle class, our answers may be biased. However, if we were to interview a much larger and diverse sample size, our survey results would be more informative. <br><br>Risk assessment can constantly be improved upon. It would be interesting to know what versions of our project, within our portfolio of future ideas and applications, would be the most widely used and accepted. What scale filter would be most effective? Which ones would be more efficient to produce and to market? Which ones would impact the most lives? The ideal implementation of our project would occur at the <br />
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But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.<br />
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<h1>Header 2</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, vex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
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No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure? On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee.<br />
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<h1>Header 3</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, ex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
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<h1>References</h1><br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/ethicsTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/ethics2014-10-16T04:12:33Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Overview</h1><br />
It is tempting as scientists to think that we can treat risk assessment as we would treat any scientific protocols - that with a few key steps and critical considerations, we will always end up with the right answer. However, assessing risk, particularly for environmental projects, is not that simple. Thinking about potential impacts and risks often turns up more questions than answers, and it is difficult to know where to start. For this reason, we have employed three approaches to risk assessment. The first was developed by Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department, pertaining specifically to work with recombinant organisms. The next was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a general environmental risk assessment and modified by both the Woodrow Wilson Center and our team for use on our synthetic biology project. Finally, we strived to embody the design principles set forth by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Each approach has its limitations, but all of them have helped to inform our project design, research practices, and considerations for further development of our project.<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)</h1><br />
Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department lays the groundwork for determining safe research practices on campus, and greatly informed our own safety [LINK SAFETY] protocols. They specifically suggested the following risk assessment criteria for researchers working with recombinant organisms. <br><ul><br />
<li><b>Formation</b> – The creation of a genetically-altered micro-organism through deliberate or accidental means. <br>For our purposes, our modified organism was altered intentionally, thus we know all of the donor organisms (T7 bacteriophage, YMT, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, N. tabacum) and the recipient organism (Escherichia coli BL21-AI and Escherichia coli DH5a) are not hazardous. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Release</b> – the deliberate release or accidental escape of some of these micro-organisms in the workplace and/or into the environment. <br> Our filtration device includes a hollow filter reactor, which is specifically designed to hold cells inside, yet let water and other materials pass through it. The hollow fiber reactor is made of high flux polysulfone and has a molecular weight cut off at 5 kilodaltons, retaining about half of any molecule that is of that weight. It is highly unlikely that our cells would be capable of escaping the filter device. </li><br />
<li><b>Proliferation/Competition</b> – the subsequent multiplication, genetic reconstruction, growth, transport, modification and die-off of these micro-organisms in the environment, including possible transfer of genetic material to other micro-organisms. <br> The inclusion of the metallothionein gene in our organism severely impedes growth, thus other cells in the environment will outcompete our genetically engineered strain.</li><br />
<li><b>Establishment </b>– the establishment of these micro-organisms within an ecosystem niche, including possible colonization of humans or other biota. <br>Since our cells are both slow-growing and highly unlikely to escape from the filtration device, it is improbable that the organism will be able to create a niche and outcompete healthy cells within the ecosystem. </li><br />
<li><b>Effect </b>– the subsequent occurrence of human or ecological effects due to interaction of the organism with some host or environmental factor.<br>Ideally, our project would not have an effect on the environment or any other host. However, if there were to be a leak somewhere in our system, the largest concern would be if another organism were to consume our cells or take up DNA lost from our cells. Unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. Further studies would have to be conducted.<br />
</li><br />
</ul>We have taken into account this risk assessment and have done our best to abide by these guidelines in our project.<br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEP)</h1><br />
The EPA’s Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEA) is a tool to allow scientists to broaden their perspectives by incorporating the experiences, expertise, and concerns of diverse stakeholders. CEA differs from traditional methods of risk assessment by recognizing that risk assessment is fundamentally a decision-making process in which scientists, experts, and the public should be engaged in transparent dialogue. The goal is to evaluate limitations and trade-offs to arrive at holistic conclusions about the primary issues that researchers should be addressing in their research planning. <br />
<br><br><br />
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., recently launched efforts to lay out a framework to apply CEA to synthetic biology. This groundbreaking project set out to assess the CEA approach’s relevance to synthetic biology, in anticipation of the growing demand for synthetic biology-based solutions to global issues. They arrived at the conclusion that scientists should focus on four major areas of risk assessment: altered physiology, competition and biodiversity, evolutionary prediction, and gene transfer. In the past, using this framework has helped to uncover its limitations and the ways in which we could improve our own approach to environmental risk assessment. Therefore, we have decided to incorporate a more in-depth cost-benefit analysis, information on existing water treatment practices, and public perspectives through our Humans & SynBio project.<br><br />
<ul><br />
<li><b>Altered Physiology:</b><br />
Our modified E. coli cells differ from their E. coli BL21-AI and E. coli DH5a predecessors in that our modified strains contain the T7 promoter with a GST-YMT gene, which codes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae metallothionein, a metal-binding protein. Our E. coli have three different overexpressed transport proteins that work with the metallothioneins to uptake and sequester lead, mercury, and nickel heavy metal ions. We are using the lead transporter gene CPB4, originally from Nicotiana tabacum, under control by the Anderson promoter. The mercury sequestration system is composed of merT and merP, genes originally found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. merP is a periplasmic mercury ion scavenging protein. merT is an integrated membrane protein that works to transport mercury ions into the cell’s cytoplasm. Finally, the nickel transporter is the nixA gene found in Helicobacter pylori.<br><br><br />
In addition to the three aforementioned strains, we constructed a fourth strain of E. coli, the reporter strain. We inserted amilCP behind both a nickel/cobalt activated promoter, Prcn, and a mercury activated promoter, PmerT. This functioned as a sign of when the above mentioned cells were metal saturated. Basically, when metal ions enter the reporter cell, the amilCP is engaged, turning the cell blue, indicating that the other cells are saturated. <br><br><br />
Given these changes, we would expect that there would be a change in cell growth because the production of metallothioneins renders the strain slow-growing. We tested our theory through various growth assays, the results of which are can be found here: https://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/wetlab/metallothionein . We found that the growth rate of our engineered cells was severely impaired, such that over a period of one day, the total cell concentration was roughly half that of a wild-type cell.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Competition and biodiversity:</b><br><br />
In the extremely unlikely event of release from our device, our cells would likely be outcompeted very quickly by native environmental strains due to their decreased growth rate. Other cells would multiply much more quickly and overwhelm the engineered cells in most environments. However, in environments with exceptionally high metal concentrations, our engineered cells would actually have higher fitness than the wild-type cells due to their ability to sequester the metals (see Results). These conditions would presumably never be reached; it would take a massive quantity of concentrated metal solution, coupled with the physical destruction of our device, for this to ever be a matter of concern. The only other circumstance in which our cells would be expected to grow more rapidly than the wild-type would be under conditions of strong antibiotic selection. Our cells currently do contain antibiotic resistance genes, but further development of our strains could remove this by a well-designed chromosomal integration process.<br><br> <br />
However, to avoid the possibility of release, we’ve implemented sturdy physical barriers between our cells and the environment. Within the filtration device, the genetically modified cells are held within a hollow fiber reactor, which seriously restricts the movement of particles above 20 kD, meaning that most individual proteins would be unable to escape, much less entire cells.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Evolutionary Prediction:</b><br> <br />
The only potentially dangerous component of our cells is once again antibiotic resistance, which would be eliminated in the development of a field-deployable product. A more difficult and therefore more interesting question is that of whether the cells would evolve away from their original function. The original induction of metallothionein production would saturate the cells with proteins, and in the absence of growth medium, the growth rate of the cells would be extremely slow. The proteins themselves would also be unable to escape from the reactor, so the total metallothionein concentration would in theory remain constant (barring degradation with time), even as cell concentration might very slowly increase. This then becomes an issue of timescale, and it seems that the bacterial cartridge would likely be replaced before this would become an issue.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Gene Transfer:</b><br><br />
The issue of most concern would probably be the transfer of our antibiotic resistance genes from the E. coli to other organisms if the cells were to escape, but as mentioned earlier, this problem could be avoided entirely. It is also true that neither plasmid nor chromosomal DNA would be able to escape the fiber reactor, so engineered DNA would never have contact with the environment in the first place.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Impact:</b><br><br />
This year Cornell iGEM surveyed a variety of people to get a better understanding of the general public’s opinion about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and the bioethics of the various applications. Not only did we create a survey and get hundreds of responses to pool data from, but we also did a general social networking project. Similar to Humans of New York, Humans & SynBio features individual interviews urging people to think deeper about synthetic biology to see their various opinions about it. Interestingly, we discovered that many people are unclear about the definition and purpose of synthetic biology. In addition, we noticed general hesitence towards acceptance of synthetic biology within food and animal products, but acceptance and curiosity about integrating synthetic biology in human life quality improvement. In our case, an overwhelming number of people thought that our project was an ethical use of synthetic biology. Albeit, it is important to consider the limitations of our survey, which are discussed later on. <br><br><br />
So how do people’s opinions about synthetic biology affect the risk assessment of our project? Well consider this: a project that people know very little about will generate fear. In our study, we found that a lot of people find genetically modified organisms to be a “risky” topic, but if we explained to them our project in more detail, they were more willing to accept it. Thus, there is a need for a broader education about synthetic biology to the public. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>The cost-benefit of our project:</b><br />
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But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.<br />
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<h1>Header 2</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, vex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
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No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure? On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee.<br />
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<h1>Header 3</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, ex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
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<h1>References</h1><br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/ethicsTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/ethics2014-10-16T04:11:31Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Overview</h1><br />
It is tempting as scientists to think that we can treat risk assessment as we would treat any scientific protocols - that with a few key steps and critical considerations, we will always end up with the right answer. However, assessing risk, particularly for environmental projects, is not that simple. Thinking about potential impacts and risks often turns up more questions than answers, and it is difficult to know where to start. For this reason, we have employed three approaches to risk assessment. The first was developed by Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department, pertaining specifically to work with recombinant organisms. The next was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a general environmental risk assessment and modified by both the Woodrow Wilson Center and our team for use on our synthetic biology project. Finally, we strived to embody the design principles set forth by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Each approach has its limitations, but all of them have helped to inform our project design, research practices, and considerations for further development of our project.<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)</h1><br />
Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department lays the groundwork for determining safe research practices on campus, and greatly informed our own safety [LINK SAFETY] protocols. They specifically suggested the following risk assessment criteria for researchers working with recombinant organisms. <br><ul><br />
<li><b>Formation</b> – The creation of a genetically-altered micro-organism through deliberate or accidental means. <br>For our purposes, our modified organism was altered intentionally, thus we know all of the donor organisms (T7 bacteriophage, YMT, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, N. tabacum) and the recipient organism (Escherichia coli BL21-AI and Escherichia coli DH5a) are not hazardous. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Release</b> – the deliberate release or accidental escape of some of these micro-organisms in the workplace and/or into the environment. <br> Our filtration device includes a hollow filter reactor, which is specifically designed to hold cells inside, yet let water and other materials pass through it. The hollow fiber reactor is made of high flux polysulfone and has a molecular weight cut off at 5 kilodaltons, retaining about half of any molecule that is of that weight. It is highly unlikely that our cells would be capable of escaping the filter device. </li><br />
<li><b>Proliferation/Competition</b> – the subsequent multiplication, genetic reconstruction, growth, transport, modification and die-off of these micro-organisms in the environment, including possible transfer of genetic material to other micro-organisms. <br> The inclusion of the metallothionein gene in our organism severely impedes growth, thus other cells in the environment will outcompete our genetically engineered strain.</li><br />
<li><b>Establishment </b>– the establishment of these micro-organisms within an ecosystem niche, including possible colonization of humans or other biota. <br>Since our cells are both slow-growing and highly unlikely to escape from the filtration device, it is improbable that the organism will be able to create a niche and outcompete healthy cells within the ecosystem. </li><br />
<li><b>Effect </b>– the subsequent occurrence of human or ecological effects due to interaction of the organism with some host or environmental factor.<br>Ideally, our project would not have an effect on the environment or any other host. However, if there were to be a leak somewhere in our system, the largest concern would be if another organism were to consume our cells or take up DNA lost from our cells. Unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. Further studies would have to be conducted.<br />
</li><br />
</ul>We have taken into account this risk assessment and have done our best to abide by these guidelines in our project.<br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEP)</h1><br />
The EPA’s Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEA) is a tool to allow scientists to broaden their perspectives by incorporating the experiences, expertise, and concerns of diverse stakeholders. CEA differs from traditional methods of risk assessment by recognizing that risk assessment is fundamentally a decision-making process in which scientists, experts, and the public should be engaged in transparent dialogue. The goal is to evaluate limitations and trade-offs to arrive at holistic conclusions about the primary issues that researchers should be addressing in their research planning. <br />
<br><br><br />
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., recently launched efforts to lay out a framework to apply CEA to synthetic biology. This groundbreaking project set out to assess the CEA approach’s relevance to synthetic biology, in anticipation of the growing demand for synthetic biology-based solutions to global issues. They arrived at the conclusion that scientists should focus on four major areas of risk assessment: altered physiology, competition and biodiversity, evolutionary prediction, and gene transfer. In the past, using this framework has helped to uncover its limitations and the ways in which we could improve our own approach to environmental risk assessment. Therefore, we have decided to incorporate a more in-depth cost-benefit analysis, information on existing water treatment practices, and public perspectives through our Humans & SynBio project.<br><br />
<ul><br />
<li><b>Altered Physiology:</b><br />
Our modified E. coli cells differ from their E. coli BL21-AI and E. coli DH5a predecessors in that our modified strains contain the T7 promoter with a GST-YMT gene, which codes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae metallothionein, a metal-binding protein. Our E. coli have three different overexpressed transport proteins that work with the metallothioneins to uptake and sequester lead, mercury, and nickel heavy metal ions. We are using the lead transporter gene CPB4, originally from Nicotiana tabacum, under control by the Anderson promoter. The mercury sequestration system is composed of merT and merP, genes originally found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. merP is a periplasmic mercury ion scavenging protein. merT is an integrated membrane protein that works to transport mercury ions into the cell’s cytoplasm. Finally, the nickel transporter is the nixA gene found in Helicobacter pylori.<br><br><br />
In addition to the three aforementioned strains, we constructed a fourth strain of E. coli, the reporter strain. We inserted amilCP behind both a nickel/cobalt activated promoter, Prcn, and a mercury activated promoter, PmerT. This functioned as a sign of when the above mentioned cells were metal saturated. Basically, when metal ions enter the reporter cell, the amilCP is engaged, turning the cell blue, indicating that the other cells are saturated. <br><br><br />
Given these changes, we would expect that there would be a change in cell growth because the production of metallothioneins renders the strain slow-growing. We tested our theory through various growth assays, the results of which are can be found here: https://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/wetlab/metallothionein . We found that the growth rate of our engineered cells was severely impaired, such that over a period of one day, the total cell concentration was roughly half that of a wild-type cell.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Competition and biodiversity:</b><br><br />
In the extremely unlikely event of release from our device, our cells would likely be outcompeted very quickly by native environmental strains due to their decreased growth rate. Other cells would multiply much more quickly and overwhelm the engineered cells in most environments. However, in environments with exceptionally high metal concentrations, our engineered cells would actually have higher fitness than the wild-type cells due to their ability to sequester the metals (see Results). These conditions would presumably never be reached; it would take a massive quantity of concentrated metal solution, coupled with the physical destruction of our device, for this to ever be a matter of concern. The only other circumstance in which our cells would be expected to grow more rapidly than the wild-type would be under conditions of strong antibiotic selection. Our cells currently do contain antibiotic resistance genes, but further development of our strains could remove this by a well-designed chromosomal integration process.<br><br> <br />
However, to avoid the possibility of release, we’ve implemented sturdy physical barriers between our cells and the environment. Within the filtration device, the genetically modified cells are held within a hollow fiber reactor, which seriously restricts the movement of particles above 20 kD, meaning that most individual proteins would be unable to escape, much less entire cells.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Evolutionary Prediction:<b><br> <br />
The only potentially dangerous component of our cells is once again antibiotic resistance, which would be eliminated in the development of a field-deployable product. A more difficult and therefore more interesting question is that of whether the cells would evolve away from their original function. The original induction of metallothionein production would saturate the cells with proteins, and in the absence of growth medium, the growth rate of the cells would be extremely slow. The proteins themselves would also be unable to escape from the reactor, so the total metallothionein concentration would in theory remain constant (barring degradation with time), even as cell concentration might very slowly increase. This then becomes an issue of timescale, and it seems that the bacterial cartridge would likely be replaced before this would become an issue.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Gene Transfer:<b><br><br />
The issue of most concern would probably be the transfer of our antibiotic resistance genes from the E. coli to other organisms if the cells were to escape, but as mentioned earlier, this problem could be avoided entirely. It is also true that neither plasmid nor chromosomal DNA would be able to escape the fiber reactor, so engineered DNA would never have contact with the environment in the first place.<br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Impact:<b><br><br />
This year Cornell iGEM surveyed a variety of people to get a better understanding of the general public’s opinion about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and the bioethics of the various applications. Not only did we create a survey and get hundreds of responses to pool data from, but we also did a general social networking project. Similar to Humans of New York, Humans & SynBio features individual interviews urging people to think deeper about synthetic biology to see their various opinions about it. Interestingly, we discovered that many people are unclear about the definition and purpose of synthetic biology. In addition, we noticed general hesitence towards acceptance of synthetic biology within food and animal products, but acceptance and curiosity about integrating synthetic biology in human life quality improvement. In our case, an overwhelming number of people thought that our project was an ethical use of synthetic biology. Albeit, it is important to consider the limitations of our survey, which are discussed later on. <br><br><br />
So how do people’s opinions about synthetic biology affect the risk assessment of our project? Well consider this: a project that people know very little about will generate fear. In our study, we found that a lot of people find genetically modified organisms to be a “risky” topic, but if we explained to them our project in more detail, they were more willing to accept it. Thus, there is a need for a broader education about synthetic biology to the public. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>The cost-benefit of our project:</b><br />
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But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.<br />
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<h1>Header 2</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, vex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
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No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure? On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee.<br />
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<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
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<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
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<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
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<h1>Header 3</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, ex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
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<h1>References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/ethicsTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/ethics2014-10-16T04:08:14Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Overview</h1><br />
It is tempting as scientists to think that we can treat risk assessment as we would treat any scientific protocols - that with a few key steps and critical considerations, we will always end up with the right answer. However, assessing risk, particularly for environmental projects, is not that simple. Thinking about potential impacts and risks often turns up more questions than answers, and it is difficult to know where to start. For this reason, we have employed three approaches to risk assessment. The first was developed by Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department, pertaining specifically to work with recombinant organisms. The next was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a general environmental risk assessment and modified by both the Woodrow Wilson Center and our team for use on our synthetic biology project. Finally, we strived to embody the design principles set forth by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Each approach has its limitations, but all of them have helped to inform our project design, research practices, and considerations for further development of our project.<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)</h1><br />
Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department lays the groundwork for determining safe research practices on campus, and greatly informed our own safety [LINK SAFETY] protocols. They specifically suggested the following risk assessment criteria for researchers working with recombinant organisms. <br><ul><br />
<li><b>Formation</b> – The creation of a genetically-altered micro-organism through deliberate or accidental means. <br>For our purposes, our modified organism was altered intentionally, thus we know all of the donor organisms (T7 bacteriophage, YMT, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, N. tabacum) and the recipient organism (Escherichia coli BL21-AI and Escherichia coli DH5a) are not hazardous. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Release</b> – the deliberate release or accidental escape of some of these micro-organisms in the workplace and/or into the environment. <br> Our filtration device includes a hollow filter reactor, which is specifically designed to hold cells inside, yet let water and other materials pass through it. The hollow fiber reactor is made of high flux polysulfone and has a molecular weight cut off at 5 kilodaltons, retaining about half of any molecule that is of that weight. It is highly unlikely that our cells would be capable of escaping the filter device. </li><br />
<li><b>Proliferation/Competition</b> – the subsequent multiplication, genetic reconstruction, growth, transport, modification and die-off of these micro-organisms in the environment, including possible transfer of genetic material to other micro-organisms. <br> The inclusion of the metallothionein gene in our organism severely impedes growth, thus other cells in the environment will outcompete our genetically engineered strain.</li><br />
<li><b>Establishment </b>– the establishment of these micro-organisms within an ecosystem niche, including possible colonization of humans or other biota. <br>Since our cells are both slow-growing and highly unlikely to escape from the filtration device, it is improbable that the organism will be able to create a niche and outcompete healthy cells within the ecosystem. </li><br />
<li><b>Effect </b>– the subsequent occurrence of human or ecological effects due to interaction of the organism with some host or environmental factor.<br>Ideally, our project would not have an effect on the environment or any other host. However, if there were to be a leak somewhere in our system, the largest concern would be if another organism were to consume our cells or take up DNA lost from our cells. Unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. Further studies would have to be conducted.<br />
</li><br />
</ul>We have taken into account this risk assessment and have done our best to abide by these guidelines in our project.<br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEP)</h1><br />
The EPA’s Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEA) is a tool to allow scientists to broaden their perspectives by incorporating the experiences, expertise, and concerns of diverse stakeholders. CEA differs from traditional methods of risk assessment by recognizing that risk assessment is fundamentally a decision-making process in which scientists, experts, and the public should be engaged in transparent dialogue. The goal is to evaluate limitations and trade-offs to arrive at holistic conclusions about the primary issues that researchers should be addressing in their research planning. <br />
<br><br><br />
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., recently launched efforts to lay out a framework to apply CEA to synthetic biology. This groundbreaking project set out to assess the CEA approach’s relevance to synthetic biology, in anticipation of the growing demand for synthetic biology-based solutions to global issues. They arrived at the conclusion that scientists should focus on four major areas of risk assessment: altered physiology, competition and biodiversity, evolutionary prediction, and gene transfer. In the past, using this framework has helped to uncover its limitations and the ways in which we could improve our own approach to environmental risk assessment. Therefore, we have decided to incorporate a more in-depth cost-benefit analysis, information on existing water treatment practices, and public perspectives through our Humans & SynBio project.<br><br><br />
<br />
<b>Altered Physiology:</b><br />
Our modified E. coli cells differ from their E. coli BL21-AI and E. coli DH5a predecessors in that our modified strains contain the T7 promoter with a GST-YMT gene, which codes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae metallothionein, a metal-binding protein. Our E. coli have three different overexpressed transport proteins that work with the metallothioneins to uptake and sequester lead, mercury, and nickel heavy metal ions. We are using the lead transporter gene CPB4, originally from Nicotiana tabacum, under control by the Anderson promoter. The mercury sequestration system is composed of merT and merP, genes originally found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. merP is a periplasmic mercury ion scavenging protein. merT is an integrated membrane protein that works to transport mercury ions into the cell’s cytoplasm. Finally, the nickel transporter is the nixA gene found in Helicobacter pylori.<br><br><br />
In addition to the three aforementioned strains, we constructed a fourth strain of E. coli, the reporter strain. We inserted amilCP behind both a nickel/cobalt activated promoter, Prcn, and a mercury activated promoter, PmerT. This functioned as a sign of when the above mentioned cells were metal saturated. Basically, when metal ions enter the reporter cell, the amilCP is engaged, turning the cell blue, indicating that the other cells are saturated. <br><br><br />
Given these changes, we would expect that there would be a change in cell growth because the production of metallothioneins renders the strain slow-growing. We tested our theory through various growth assays, the results of which are can be found here: https://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/wetlab/metallothionein . We found that the growth rate of our engineered cells was severely impaired, such that over a period of one day, the total cell concentration was roughly half that of a wild-type cell.<br />
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But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 2</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, vex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
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<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
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<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure? On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
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<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
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<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
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<h1>Header 3</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, ex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
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<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/ethicsTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/ethics2014-10-16T04:04:02Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Overview</h1><br />
It is tempting as scientists to think that we can treat risk assessment as we would treat any scientific protocols - that with a few key steps and critical considerations, we will always end up with the right answer. However, assessing risk, particularly for environmental projects, is not that simple. Thinking about potential impacts and risks often turns up more questions than answers, and it is difficult to know where to start. For this reason, we have employed three approaches to risk assessment. The first was developed by Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department, pertaining specifically to work with recombinant organisms. The next was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a general environmental risk assessment and modified by both the Woodrow Wilson Center and our team for use on our synthetic biology project. Finally, we strived to embody the design principles set forth by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Each approach has its limitations, but all of them have helped to inform our project design, research practices, and considerations for further development of our project.<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)</h1><br />
Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department lays the groundwork for determining safe research practices on campus, and greatly informed our own safety [LINK SAFETY] protocols. They specifically suggested the following risk assessment criteria for researchers working with recombinant organisms. <br><ul><br />
<li><b>Formation</b> – The creation of a genetically-altered micro-organism through deliberate or accidental means. <br>For our purposes, our modified organism was altered intentionally, thus we know all of the donor organisms (T7 bacteriophage, YMT, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, N. tabacum) and the recipient organism (Escherichia coli BL21-AI and Escherichia coli DH5a) are not hazardous. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Release</b> – the deliberate release or accidental escape of some of these micro-organisms in the workplace and/or into the environment. <br> Our filtration device includes a hollow filter reactor, which is specifically designed to hold cells inside, yet let water and other materials pass through it. The hollow fiber reactor is made of high flux polysulfone and has a molecular weight cut off at 5 kilodaltons, retaining about half of any molecule that is of that weight. It is highly unlikely that our cells would be capable of escaping the filter device. </li><br />
<li><b>Proliferation/Competition</b> – the subsequent multiplication, genetic reconstruction, growth, transport, modification and die-off of these micro-organisms in the environment, including possible transfer of genetic material to other micro-organisms. <br> The inclusion of the metallothionein gene in our organism severely impedes growth, thus other cells in the environment will outcompete our genetically engineered strain.</li><br />
<li><b>Establishment </b>– the establishment of these micro-organisms within an ecosystem niche, including possible colonization of humans or other biota. <br>Since our cells are both slow-growing and highly unlikely to escape from the filtration device, it is improbable that the organism will be able to create a niche and outcompete healthy cells within the ecosystem. </li><br />
<li><b>Effect </b>– the subsequent occurrence of human or ecological effects due to interaction of the organism with some host or environmental factor.<br>Ideally, our project would not have an effect on the environment or any other host. However, if there were to be a leak somewhere in our system, the largest concern would be if another organism were to consume our cells or take up DNA lost from our cells. Unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. Further studies would have to be conducted.<br />
</li><br />
</ul>We have taken into account this risk assessment and have done our best to abide by these guidelines in our project.<br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEP)</h1><br />
The EPA’s Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEA) is a tool to allow scientists to broaden their perspectives by incorporating the experiences, expertise, and concerns of diverse stakeholders. CEA differs from traditional methods of risk assessment by recognizing that risk assessment is fundamentally a decision-making process in which scientists, experts, and the public should be engaged in transparent dialogue. The goal is to evaluate limitations and trade-offs to arrive at holistic conclusions about the primary issues that researchers should be addressing in their research planning. <br />
<br><br><br />
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., recently launched efforts to lay out a framework to apply CEA to synthetic biology. This groundbreaking project set out to assess the CEA approach’s relevance to synthetic biology, in anticipation of the growing demand for synthetic biology-based solutions to global issues. They arrived at the conclusion that scientists should focus on four major areas of risk assessment: altered physiology, competition and biodiversity, evolutionary prediction, and gene transfer. In the past, using this framework has helped to uncover its limitations and the ways in which we could improve our own approach to environmental risk assessment. Therefore, we have decided to incorporate a more in-depth cost-benefit analysis, information on existing water treatment practices, and public perspectives through our Humans & SynBio project.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="margin-top: 0px;">Altered Physiology: </h2><br />
Our modified E. coli cells differ from their E. coli BL21-AI and E. coli DH5a predecessors in that our modified strains contain the T7 promoter with a GST-YMT gene, which codes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae metallothionein, a metal-binding protein. Our E. coli have three different overexpressed transport proteins that work with the metallothioneins to uptake and sequester lead, mercury, and nickel heavy metal ions. We are using the lead transporter gene CPB4, originally from Nicotiana tabacum, under control by the Anderson promoter. The mercury sequestration system is composed of merT and merP, genes originally found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. merP is a periplasmic mercury ion scavenging protein. merT is an integrated membrane protein that works to transport mercury ions into the cell’s cytoplasm. Finally, the nickel transporter is the nixA gene found in Helicobacter pylori.<br><br><br />
In addition to the three aforementioned strains, we constructed a fourth strain of E. coli, the reporter strain. We inserted amilCP behind both a nickel/cobalt activated promoter, Prcn, and a mercury activated promoter, PmerT. This functioned as a sign of when the above mentioned cells were metal saturated. Basically, when metal ions enter the reporter cell, the amilCP is engaged, turning the cell blue, indicating that the other cells are saturated. <br><br><br />
Given these changes, we would expect that there would be a change in cell growth because the production of metallothioneins renders the strain slow-growing. We tested our theory through various growth assays, the results of which are can be found here: https://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/wetlab/metallothionein . We found that the growth rate of our engineered cells was severely impaired, such that over a period of one day, the total cell concentration was roughly half that of a wild-type cell.<br />
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But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.<br />
<br><br><br />
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<h1>Header 2</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, vex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
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No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure? On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee.<br />
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<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
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<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
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<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
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<h1>Header 3</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, ex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
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<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Overview</h1><br />
It is tempting as scientists to think that we can treat risk assessment as we would treat any scientific protocols - that with a few key steps and critical considerations, we will always end up with the right answer. However, assessing risk, particularly for environmental projects, is not that simple. Thinking about potential impacts and risks often turns up more questions than answers, and it is difficult to know where to start. For this reason, we have employed three approaches to risk assessment. The first was developed by Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department, pertaining specifically to work with recombinant organisms. The next was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a general environmental risk assessment and modified by both the Woodrow Wilson Center and our team for use on our synthetic biology project. Finally, we strived to embody the design principles set forth by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Each approach has its limitations, but all of them have helped to inform our project design, research practices, and considerations for further development of our project.<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)</h1><br />
Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department lays the groundwork for determining safe research practices on campus, and greatly informed our own safety [LINK SAFETY] protocols. They specifically suggested the following risk assessment criteria for researchers working with recombinant organisms. <br><ul><br />
<li><b>Formation</b> – The creation of a genetically-altered micro-organism through deliberate or accidental means. <br>For our purposes, our modified organism was altered intentionally, thus we know all of the donor organisms (T7 bacteriophage, YMT, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, N. tabacum) and the recipient organism (Escherichia coli BL21-AI and Escherichia coli DH5a) are not hazardous. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Release</b> – the deliberate release or accidental escape of some of these micro-organisms in the workplace and/or into the environment. <br> Our filtration device includes a hollow filter reactor, which is specifically designed to hold cells inside, yet let water and other materials pass through it. The hollow fiber reactor is made of high flux polysulfone and has a molecular weight cut off at 5 kilodaltons, retaining about half of any molecule that is of that weight. It is highly unlikely that our cells would be capable of escaping the filter device. </li><br />
<li><b>Proliferation/Competition</b> – the subsequent multiplication, genetic reconstruction, growth, transport, modification and die-off of these micro-organisms in the environment, including possible transfer of genetic material to other micro-organisms. <br> The inclusion of the metallothionein gene in our organism severely impedes growth, thus other cells in the environment will outcompete our genetically engineered strain.</li><br />
<li><b>Establishment </b>– the establishment of these micro-organisms within an ecosystem niche, including possible colonization of humans or other biota. <br>Since our cells are both slow-growing and highly unlikely to escape from the filtration device, it is improbable that the organism will be able to create a niche and outcompete healthy cells within the ecosystem. </li><br />
<li><b>Effect </b>– the subsequent occurrence of human or ecological effects due to interaction of the organism with some host or environmental factor.<br>Ideally, our project would not have an effect on the environment or any other host. However, if there were to be a leak somewhere in our system, the largest concern would be if another organism were to consume our cells or take up DNA lost from our cells. Unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. Further studies would have to be conducted.<br />
</li><br />
</ul>We have taken into account this risk assessment and have done our best to abide by these guidelines in our project.<br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEP)</h1><br />
The EPA’s Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEA) is a tool to allow scientists to broaden their perspectives by incorporating the experiences, expertise, and concerns of diverse stakeholders. CEA differs from traditional methods of risk assessment by recognizing that risk assessment is fundamentally a decision-making process in which scientists, experts, and the public should be engaged in transparent dialogue. The goal is to evaluate limitations and trade-offs to arrive at holistic conclusions about the primary issues that researchers should be addressing in their research planning. <br />
<br><br><br />
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., recently launched efforts to lay out a framework to apply CEA to synthetic biology. This groundbreaking project set out to assess the CEA approach’s relevance to synthetic biology, in anticipation of the growing demand for synthetic biology-based solutions to global issues. They arrived at the conclusion that scientists should focus on four major areas of risk assessment: altered physiology, competition and biodiversity, evolutionary prediction, and gene transfer. In the past, using this framework has helped to uncover its limitations and the ways in which we could improve our own approach to environmental risk assessment. Therefore, we have decided to incorporate a more in-depth cost-benefit analysis, information on existing water treatment practices, and public perspectives through our Humans & SynBio project.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="margin-top: 0px;">Altered Physiology: </h2><br />
Our modified E. coli cells differ from their E. coli BL21-AI and E. coli DH5a predecessors in that our modified strains contain the T7 promoter with a GST-YMT gene, which codes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae metallothionein, a metal-binding protein. Our E. coli have three different overexpressed transport proteins that work with the metallothioneins to uptake and sequester lead, mercury, and nickel heavy metal ions. We are using the lead transporter gene CPB4, originally from Nicotiana tabacum, under control by the Anderson promoter. The mercury sequestration system is composed of merT and merP, genes originally found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. merP is a periplasmic mercury ion scavenging protein. merT is an integrated membrane protein that works to transport mercury ions into the cell’s cytoplasm. Finally, the nickel transporter is the nixA gene found in Helicobacter pylori.<br><br><br />
In addition to the three aforementioned strains, we constructed a fourth strain of E. coli, the reporter strain. We inserted amilCP behind both a nickel/cobalt activated promoter, Prcn, and a mercury activated promoter, PmerT. This functioned as a sign of when the above mentioned cells were metal saturated. Basically, when metal ions enter the reporter cell, the amilCP is engaged, turning the cell blue, indicating that the other cells are saturated. <br><br><br />
Given these changes, we would expect that there would be a change in cell growth because the production of metallothioneins renders the strain slow-growing. We tested our theory through various growth assays, the results of which are presented here [LINK TO GROWTH RESULTS]. We found that the growth rate of our engineered cells was severely impaired, such that over a period of one day, the total cell concentration was roughly half that of a wild-type cell.<br />
<br />
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<div class="col-md-3 col-xs-5"><br />
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But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 2</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, vex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
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<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
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</div><br />
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<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure? On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
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<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
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<h1>Header 3</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, ex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Overview</h1><br />
It is tempting as scientists to think that we can treat risk assessment as we would treat any scientific protocols - that with a few key steps and critical considerations, we will always end up with the right answer. However, assessing risk, particularly for environmental projects, is not that simple. Thinking about potential impacts and risks often turns up more questions than answers, and it is difficult to know where to start. For this reason, we have employed three approaches to risk assessment. The first was developed by Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department, pertaining specifically to work with recombinant organisms. The next was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a general environmental risk assessment and modified by both the Woodrow Wilson Center and our team for use on our synthetic biology project. Finally, we strived to embody the design principles set forth by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Each approach has its limitations, but all of them have helped to inform our project design, research practices, and considerations for further development of our project.<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)</h1><br />
Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department lays the groundwork for determining safe research practices on campus, and greatly informed our own safety [LINK SAFETY] protocols. They specifically suggested the following risk assessment criteria for researchers working with recombinant organisms. <br><ul><br />
<li><b>Formation</b> – The creation of a genetically-altered micro-organism through deliberate or accidental means. <br>For our purposes, our modified organism was altered intentionally, thus we know all of the donor organisms (T7 bacteriophage, YMT, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, N. tabacum) and the recipient organism (Escherichia coli BL21-AI and Escherichia coli DH5a) are not hazardous. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Release</b> – the deliberate release or accidental escape of some of these micro-organisms in the workplace and/or into the environment. <br> Our filtration device includes a hollow filter reactor, which is specifically designed to hold cells inside, yet let water and other materials pass through it. The hollow fiber reactor is made of high flux polysulfone and has a molecular weight cut off at 5 kilodaltons, retaining about half of any molecule that is of that weight. It is highly unlikely that our cells would be capable of escaping the filter device. </li><br />
<li><b>Proliferation/Competition</b> – the subsequent multiplication, genetic reconstruction, growth, transport, modification and die-off of these micro-organisms in the environment, including possible transfer of genetic material to other micro-organisms. <br> The inclusion of the metallothionein gene in our organism severely impedes growth, thus other cells in the environment will outcompete our genetically engineered strain.</li><br />
<li><b>Establishment </b>– the establishment of these micro-organisms within an ecosystem niche, including possible colonization of humans or other biota. <br>Since our cells are both slow-growing and highly unlikely to escape from the filtration device, it is improbable that the organism will be able to create a niche and outcompete healthy cells within the ecosystem. </li><br />
<li><b>Effect </b>– the subsequent occurrence of human or ecological effects due to interaction of the organism with some host or environmental factor.<br>Ideally, our project would not have an effect on the environment or any other host. However, if there were to be a leak somewhere in our system, the largest concern would be if another organism were to consume our cells or take up DNA lost from our cells. Unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. Further studies would have to be conducted.<br />
</li><br />
</ul>We have taken into account this risk assessment and have done our best to abide by these guidelines in our project.<br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEP)</h1><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-3 col-xs-5"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-9 col-xs-15"><br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 2</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, vex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure? On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 3</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, ex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<span id="top-link-block" class="hidden"><br />
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<div class="container" id="top"><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Overview</h1><br />
It is tempting as scientists to think that we can treat risk assessment as we would treat any scientific protocols - that with a few key steps and critical considerations, we will always end up with the right answer. However, assessing risk, particularly for environmental projects, is not that simple. Thinking about potential impacts and risks often turns up more questions than answers, and it is difficult to know where to start. For this reason, we have employed three approaches to risk assessment. The first was developed by Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department, pertaining specifically to work with recombinant organisms. The next was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a general environmental risk assessment and modified by both the Woodrow Wilson Center and our team for use on our synthetic biology project. Finally, we strived to embody the design principles set forth by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Each approach has its limitations, but all of them have helped to inform our project design, research practices, and considerations for further development of our project.<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)</h1><br />
Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department lays the groundwork for determining safe research practices on campus, and greatly informed our own safety [LINK SAFETY] protocols. They specifically suggested the following risk assessment criteria for researchers working with recombinant organisms. <br><ul><br />
<li><b>Formation</b> – The creation of a genetically-altered micro-organism through deliberate or accidental means. <br>For our purposes, our modified organism was altered intentionally, thus we know all of the donor organisms (T7 bacteriophage, YMT, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, N. tabacum) and the recipient organism (Escherichia coli BL21-AI and Escherichia coli DH5a) are not hazardous. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Release</b> – the deliberate release or accidental escape of some of these micro-organisms in the workplace and/or into the environment. <br> Our filtration device includes a hollow filter reactor, which is specifically designed to hold cells inside, yet let water and other materials pass through it. The hollow fiber reactor is made of high flux polysulfone and has a molecular weight cut off at 5 kilodaltons, retaining about half of any molecule that is of that weight. It is highly unlikely that our cells would be capable of escaping the filter device. </li><br />
<li><b>Proliferation/Competition</b> – the subsequent multiplication, genetic reconstruction, growth, transport, modification and die-off of these micro-organisms in the environment, including possible transfer of genetic material to other micro-organisms. <br> The inclusion of the metallothionein gene in our organism severely impedes growth, thus other cells in the environment will outcompete our genetically engineered strain.</li><br />
<li><b>Establishment </b>– the establishment of these micro-organisms within an ecosystem niche, including possible colonization of humans or other biota. <br>Since our cells are both slow-growing and highly unlikely to escape from the filtration device, it is improbable that the organism will be able to create a niche and outcompete healthy cells within the ecosystem. </li><br />
<li><b>Effect </b>– the subsequent occurrence of human or ecological effects due to interaction of the organism with some host or environmental factor.<br>Ideally, our project would not have an effect on the environment or any other host. However, if there were to be a leak somewhere in our system, the largest concern would be if another organism were to consume our cells or take up DNA lost from our cells. Unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. Further studies would have to be conducted.<br />
</li><br />
</ul><br />
We have taken into account this risk assessment and have done our best to abide by these guidelines in our project.<br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEP)</h1><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-3 col-xs-5"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-9 col-xs-15"><br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 2</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, vex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure? On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 3</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, ex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<span id="top-link-block" class="hidden"><br />
<a href="#top" class="well well-sm" onclick="$('html,body').animate({scrollTop:0},'slow');return false;"><br />
<i class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-up"></i> Back to Top<br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/ethicsTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/ethics2014-10-16T03:52:54Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<div class="container" id="top"><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Overview</h1><br />
It is tempting as scientists to think that we can treat risk assessment as we would treat any scientific protocols - that with a few key steps and critical considerations, we will always end up with the right answer. However, assessing risk, particularly for environmental projects, is not that simple. Thinking about potential impacts and risks often turns up more questions than answers, and it is difficult to know where to start. For this reason, we have employed three approaches to risk assessment. The first was developed by Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department, pertaining specifically to work with recombinant organisms. The next was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a general environmental risk assessment and modified by both the Woodrow Wilson Center and our team for use on our synthetic biology project. Finally, we strived to embody the design principles set forth by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Each approach has its limitations, but all of them have helped to inform our project design, research practices, and considerations for further development of our project.<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)</h1><br />
Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department lays the groundwork for determining safe research practices on campus, and greatly informed our own safety [LINK SAFETY] protocols. They specifically suggested the following risk assessment criteria for researchers working with recombinant organisms. <br><ul><br />
<li><b>Formation</b> – The creation of a genetically-altered micro-organism through deliberate or accidental means. <br>For our purposes, our modified organism was altered intentionally, thus we know all of the donor organisms (T7 bacteriophage, YMT, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, N. tabacum) and the recipient organism (Escherichia coli BL21-AI and Escherichia coli DH5a) are not hazardous. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Release</b> – the deliberate release or accidental escape of some of these micro-organisms in the workplace and/or into the environment. <br> Our filtration device includes a hollow filter reactor, which is specifically designed to hold cells inside, yet let water and other materials pass through it. The hollow fiber reactor is made of high flux polysulfone and has a molecular weight cut off at 5 kilodaltons, retaining about half of any molecule that is of that weight. It is highly unlikely that our cells would be capable of escaping the filter device. </li><br />
<li><b>Proliferation/Competition</b> – the subsequent multiplication, genetic reconstruction, growth, transport, modification and die-off of these micro-organisms in the environment, including possible transfer of genetic material to other micro-organisms. <br> The inclusion of the metallothionein gene in our organism severely impedes growth, thus other cells in the environment will outcompete our genetically engineered strain.</li><br />
<li><b>Establishment </b>– the establishment of these micro-organisms within an ecosystem niche, including possible colonization of humans or other biota. <br>Since our cells are both slow-growing and highly unlikely to escape from the filtration device, it is improbable that the organism will be able to create a niche and outcompete healthy cells within the ecosystem. </li><br />
<li><b>Effect </b>– the subsequent occurrence of human or ecological effects due to interaction of the organism with some host or environmental factor.<br>Ideally, our project would not have an effect on the environment or any other host. However, if there were to be a leak somewhere in our system, the largest concern would be if another organism were to consume our cells or take up DNA lost from our cells. Unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. Further studies would have to be conducted.<br />
</li><br />
</ul><br />
We have taken into account this risk assessment and have done our best to abide by these guidelines in our project.<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-9 col-xs-15"><br />
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. <br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-3 col-xs-5"><br />
<div href="#" class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-3 col-xs-5"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-9 col-xs-15"><br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 2</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, vex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure? On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 3</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, ex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<span id="top-link-block" class="hidden"><br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/ethicsTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/ethics2014-10-16T03:50:43Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Overview</h1><br />
It is tempting as scientists to think that we can treat risk assessment as we would treat any scientific protocols - that with a few key steps and critical considerations, we will always end up with the right answer. However, assessing risk, particularly for environmental projects, is not that simple. Thinking about potential impacts and risks often turns up more questions than answers, and it is difficult to know where to start. For this reason, we have employed three approaches to risk assessment. The first was developed by Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department, pertaining specifically to work with recombinant organisms. The next was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a general environmental risk assessment and modified by both the Woodrow Wilson Center and our team for use on our synthetic biology project. Finally, we strived to embody the design principles set forth by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Each approach has its limitations, but all of them have helped to inform our project design, research practices, and considerations for further development of our project.<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)</h1><br />
Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department lays the groundwork for determining safe research practices on campus, and greatly informed our own safety [LINK SAFETY] protocols. They specifically suggested the following risk assessment criteria for researchers working with recombinant organisms. <br><ul><br />
<li><b>Formation</b> – The creation of a genetically-altered micro-organism through deliberate or accidental means. <br>For our purposes, our modified organism was altered intentionally, thus we know all of the donor organisms (T7 bacteriophage, YMT, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, N. tabacum) and the recipient organism (Escherichia coli BL21-AI and Escherichia coli DH5a) are not hazardous. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Release</b> – the deliberate release or accidental escape of some of these micro-organisms in the workplace and/or into the environment. <br> Our filtration device includes a hollow filter reactor, which is specifically designed to hold cells inside, yet let water and other materials pass through it. The hollow fiber reactor is made of high flux polysulfone and has a molecular weight cut off at 5 kilodaltons, retaining about half of any molecule that is of that weight. It is highly unlikely that our cells would be capable of escaping the filter device. </li><br />
<li><b>Proliferation/Competition</b> – the subsequent multiplication, genetic reconstruction, growth, transport, modification and die-off of these micro-organisms in the environment, including possible transfer of genetic material to other micro-organisms. <br> The inclusion of the metallothionein gene in our organism severely impedes growth, thus other cells in the environment will outcompete our genetically engineered strain.</li><br />
<li><b>Establishment </b>– the establishment of these micro-organisms within an ecosystem niche, including possible colonization of humans or other biota. <br>Since our cells are both slow-growing and highly unlikely to escape from the filtration device, it is improbable that the organism will be able to create a niche and outcompete healthy cells within the ecosystem. </li><br />
<li><b>Effect </b>– the subsequent occurrence of human or ecological effects due to interaction of the organism with some host or environmental factor.<br>Ideally, our project would not have an effect on the environment or any other host. However, if there were to be a leak somewhere in our system, the largest concern would be if another organism were to consume our cells or take up DNA lost from our cells. Unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. Further studies would have to be conducted.<br />
</li><br />
</ul><br />
We have taken into account this risk assessment and have done our best to abide by these guidelines in our project.<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-9 col-xs-15"><br />
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. <br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-3 col-xs-5"><br />
<div href="#" class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-3 col-xs-5"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-9 col-xs-15"><br />
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. <br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 2</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, vex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure? On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 3</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, ex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<span id="top-link-block" class="hidden"><br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/ethicsTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/ethics2014-10-16T03:50:03Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<div class="container" id="top"><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Overview</h1><br />
It is tempting as scientists to think that we can treat risk assessment as we would treat any scientific protocols - that with a few key steps and critical considerations, we will always end up with the right answer. However, assessing risk, particularly for environmental projects, is not that simple. Thinking about potential impacts and risks often turns up more questions than answers, and it is difficult to know where to start. For this reason, we have employed three approaches to risk assessment. The first was developed by Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department, pertaining specifically to work with recombinant organisms. The next was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a general environmental risk assessment and modified by both the Woodrow Wilson Center and our team for use on our synthetic biology project. Finally, we strived to embody the design principles set forth by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Each approach has its limitations, but all of them have helped to inform our project design, research practices, and considerations for further development of our project.<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)</h1><br />
Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department lays the groundwork for determining safe research practices on campus, and greatly informed our own safety [LINK SAFETY] protocols. They specifically suggested the following risk assessment criteria for researchers working with recombinant organisms. <br><ul><br />
<li><b>Formation</b> – The creation of a genetically-altered micro-organism through deliberate or accidental means. <br>For our purposes, our modified organism was altered intentionally, thus we know all of the donor organisms (T7 bacteriophage, YMT, H. pylori, P. aeruginosa, N. tabacum) and the recipient organism (Escherichia coli BL21-AI and Escherichia coli DH5a) are not hazardous. <br />
</li><br />
<li><b>Release</b> – the deliberate release or accidental escape of some of these micro-organisms in the workplace and/or into the environment. <br> Our filtration device includes a hollow filter reactor, which is specifically designed to hold cells inside, yet let water and other materials pass through it. The hollow fiber reactor is made of high flux polysulfone and has a molecular weight cut off at 5 kilodaltons, retaining about half of any molecule that is of that weight. It is highly unlikely that our cells would be capable of escaping the filter device. </li><br />
<li><b>Proliferation/Competition</b> – the subsequent multiplication, genetic reconstruction, growth, transport, modification and die-off of these micro-organisms in the environment, including possible transfer of genetic material to other micro-organisms. <br> The inclusion of the metallothionein gene in our organism severely impedes growth, thus other cells in the environment will outcompete our genetically engineered strain.</li><br />
<li><b>Establishment </b>– the establishment of these micro-organisms within an ecosystem niche, including possible colonization of humans or other biota. <br>Since our cells are both slow-growing and highly unlikely to escape from the filtration device, it is improbable that the organism will be able to create a niche and outcompete healthy cells within the ecosystem. </li><br />
<li><b>Effect </b>– the subsequent occurrence of human or ecological effects due to interaction of the organism with some host or environmental factor.<br>Ideally, our project would not have an effect on the environment or any other host. However, if there were to be a leak somewhere in our system, the largest concern would be if another organism were to consume our cells or take up DNA lost from our cells. Unfortunately, we don’t know the answer to this question. Further studies would have to be conducted.<br />
</li><br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-9 col-xs-15"><br />
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. <br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-3 col-xs-5"><br />
<div href="#" class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-3 col-xs-5"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-9 col-xs-15"><br />
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. <br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 2</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, vex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure? On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 3</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, ex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<span id="top-link-block" class="hidden"><br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/ethicsTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/ethics2014-10-16T03:42:34Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<div class="container" id="top"><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Overview 1</h1><br />
It is tempting as scientists to think that we can treat risk assessment as we would treat any scientific protocols - that with a few key steps and critical considerations, we will always end up with the right answer. However, assessing risk, particularly for environmental projects, is not that simple. Thinking about potential impacts and risks often turns up more questions than answers, and it is difficult to know where to start. For this reason, we have employed three approaches to risk assessment. The first was developed by Cornell’s Environmental Health & Safety Department, pertaining specifically to work with recombinant organisms. The next was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a general environmental risk assessment and modified by both the Woodrow Wilson Center and our team for use on our synthetic biology project. Finally, we strived to embody the design principles set forth by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Each approach has its limitations, but all of them have helped to inform our project design, research practices, and considerations for further development of our project.<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-9 col-xs-15"><br />
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. <br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-3 col-xs-5"><br />
<div href="#" class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-3 col-xs-5"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-9 col-xs-15"><br />
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. <br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 2</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, vex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure? On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee.<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-4 col-xs-6"><br />
<div class="thumbnail"><br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/igem.org/6/67/IGEMsmall.png" alt="..."><br />
<div class="caption"><br />
<h3>Image caption</h3><br />
<p>More detail. Stuff stuff stuff stuff.</p><br />
<p><a href="#" class="btn btn-primary" role="button">Button</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-default" role="button">Button</a></p><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Header 3</h1><br />
The quick, brown fox jumps over a lazy dog. DJs flock by when MTV ax quiz prog. Junk MTV quiz graced by fox whelps. Bawds jog, flick quartz, ex nymphs. Waltz, bad nymph, for quick jigs vex! Fox nymphs grab quick-jived waltz. Brick quiz whangs jumpy veldt fox. Bright vixens jump; dozy fowl quack.<br />
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<h1>References</h1><br />
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<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Water Samples</h1><br />
We collaborated with seven other iGEM teams to test the quality of environmental water across the United States. RHIT, IvyTech, Northwestern, BYU, UCSC, UCSF-UCB, and Yale iGEM teams were kind enough to send us 50 mL water samples from creeks, rivers, and lakes in their local areas. We tested these samples for heavy metal contaminants to gauge the extent of heavy metal pollution across the United States. Of the 9 total samples that we tested for heavy metals, 4 contained a measurable amount of nickel, four contained a measurable amount of lead, and three contained a measurable amount of mercury. These metals tended to be present together as three samples contained all three contaminants and one sample contained two. While these concentrations weren't incredibly high, measured concentrations of mercury and lead both exceeded the maximum allowable levels for drinking water. What this data suggests is that even in the United States where strict regulations are put on drinking water quality and waste disposal, heavy metal pollution is still a widespread problem that needs to be dealt with. <br />
</div><br />
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<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="caption center">Locations of water samples tested</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png"><br />
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<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Water Samples</h1><br />
We collaborated with seven other iGEM teams to test the quality of environmental water across the United States. RHIT, IvyTech, Northwestern, BYU, UCSC, UCSF-UCB, and Yale iGEM teams were kind enough to send us 50 mL water samples from creeks, rivers, and lakes in their local areas. We tested these samples for heavy metal contaminants to gauge the extent of heavy metal pollution across the United States. Of the 9 total samples that we tested for heavy metals, 4 contained a measurable amount of nickel, four contained a measurable amount of lead, and three contained a measurable amount of mercury. These metals tended to be present together as three samples contained all three contaminants and one sample contained two. While these concentrations weren't incredibly high, measured concentrations of mercury and lead both exceeded the maximum allowable levels for drinking water. What this data suggests is that even in the United States where strict regulations are put on drinking water quality and waste disposal, heavy metal pollution is still a widespread problem that needs to be dealt with. <br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="caption center">Locations of water samples tested</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png"><br />
</a><br />
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<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Risk Assessment: An Overview</h1><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)</h1><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/environTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/environ2014-10-16T03:39:30Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Water Samples</h1><br />
We collaborated with seven other iGEM teams to test the quality of environmental water across the United States. RHIT, IvyTech, Northwestern, BYU, UCSC, UCSF-UCB, and Yale iGEM teams were kind enough to send us 50 mL water samples from creeks, rivers, and lakes in their local areas. We tested these samples for heavy metal contaminants to gauge the extent of heavy metal pollution across the United States. Of the 9 total samples that we tested for heavy metals, 4 contained a measurable amount of nickel, four contained a measurable amount of lead, and three contained a measurable amount of mercury. These metals tended to be present together as three samples contained all three contaminants and one sample contained two. While these concentrations weren't incredibly high, measured concentrations of mercury and lead both exceeded the maximum allowable levels for drinking water. What this data suggests is that even in the United States where strict regulations are put on drinking water quality and waste disposal, heavy metal pollution is still a widespread problem that needs to be dealt with. <br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="caption center">Locations of water samples tested</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png"><br />
</a><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Risk Assessment: An Overview</h1><br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/environTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/environ2014-10-16T03:37:46Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Water Samples</h1><br />
We collaborated with seven other iGEM teams to test the quality of environmental water across the United States. RHIT, IvyTech, Northwestern, BYU, UCSC, UCSF-UCB, and Yale iGEM teams were kind enough to send us 50 mL water samples from creeks, rivers, and lakes in their local areas. We tested these samples for heavy metal contaminants to gauge the extent of heavy metal pollution across the United States. Of the 9 total samples that we tested for heavy metals, 4 contained a measurable amount of nickel, four contained a measurable amount of lead, and three contained a measurable amount of mercury. These metals tended to be present together as three samples contained all three contaminants and one sample contained two. While these concentrations weren't incredibly high, measured concentrations of mercury and lead both exceeded the maximum allowable levels for drinking water. What this data suggests is that even in the United States where strict regulations are put on drinking water quality and waste disposal, heavy metal pollution is still a widespread problem that needs to be dealt with. <br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="caption center">Locations of water samples tested</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png"><br />
</a><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Risk Assessment: An Overview</h1><br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/environTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/environ2014-10-16T03:34:41Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Water Samples</h1><br />
We collaborated with seven other iGEM teams to test the quality of environmental water across the United States. RHIT, IvyTech, Northwestern, BYU, UCSC, UCSF-UCB, and Yale iGEM teams were kind enough to send us 50 mL water samples from creeks, rivers, and lakes in their local areas. We tested these samples for heavy metal contaminants to gauge the extent of heavy metal pollution across the United States. Of the 9 total samples that we tested for heavy metals, 4 contained a measurable amount of nickel, four contained a measurable amount of lead, and three contained a measurable amount of mercury. These metals tended to be present together as three samples contained all three contaminants and one sample contained two. While these concentrations weren't incredibly high, measured concentrations of mercury and lead both exceeded the maximum allowable levels for drinking water. What this data suggests is that even in the United States where strict regulations are put on drinking water quality and waste disposal, heavy metal pollution is still a widespread problem that needs to be dealt with. <br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="caption center">Locations of water samples tested</div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png"><br />
</a><br />
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</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T03:33:14Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br>Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br>Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br><br>Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. [AUS sources 16-18]<br><br><br />
<br />
<b>Common Effects</b>:<sup>[1]</sup><br />
<ul><br />
<li>Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea</li><br />
<li>Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness)</li><br />
<li>Neurological effects</li><br />
<li>Nickel specific asthma</li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
<b>Extreme Cases:</b><br />
<ul><br />
<li> Coma </li><br />
<li> Death </li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Study</h1><br />
<b>Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia:</b>In 2004 Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia observed a huge spike in nickel concentration in their drinking water. (See graph) Although scientists don't know the exact reasons for how nickel concentrations increased so dramatically, as shown in figure 1, they hypothesize that it could be the result of a natural reduction of flow rate during a period of drought and the subsequent introduction of mine water into the drinking water supply. Overall fluctuations of nickel concentrations over the three years were attributed to natural dilution and changes in demands of water.<br><br><br />
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines mandates a safety threshold of 0.02 mg Ni/L water, a value that is based on 70 kg (154 lbs) average body weight, 2 L water consumed daily and 1000 as the safety factor to account for uncertainty of extending animal study results to humans. The residents of Sampleton are assumed to have a similar diet to the rest of Australia's population so that the results of the study can be extended to the whole country. The study also assumed that the entire population of Sampleton was nickel-sensitive. This would lead to a lower Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) and set stricter limit for tolerable mean nickel concentrations. The result of the study showed that the mean nickel concentration, 0.03 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 0.02-0.04 mg/L, is only approximately 7% of the LOAEL. Thus the mean nickel concentration in drinking water in Sampleton appears to have no health risks.<br><br><br />
<br />
Although no real risks were detected, the town implemented increased surveillance of nickel concentrations and made plans to use alternative sources to supplement drinking water supplies during droughts. This study shows the importance of continued vigilance in maintaining high water quality standards at all times, had the concentration of nickel increased past the LOAEL, health effects could have been more drastic. [2]<br><br><br />
[2]Alam, Noore, Stephen J. Corbett, and Helen C. Ptolemy. "Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Nickel Contamination of Drinking Water in a County Town in NSW." <i>NSW Public Health Bulletin</i> (2008): n. pag. Web. <http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=NB97043.pdf>.<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<b>Cyclic electrowinning/precipitation (CEP) :</b> use of electrical current to transform positively charged metal cations into a stable, solid state where they can be easily separated from water and removed. <br>Drawback: concentration of cations must be high (threshold of 100 ppm)<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Chemical precipitation:</b> use of hydroxides and sulfides to precipitate cations.<br> Advantages:<ol><li>Well-established, many available chemicals and equipment</li><li>Convenient, self-operating and low-maintenance due to closed system nature</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Formation of toxic sludge from precipitate, which is environmentally and economically costly to remove</li><li>Requires extra flocculation/coagulation due to precipitation</li><li>Each metal has a distinct pH for optimum precipitation</li><li>Corrosive chemicals increases safety concerns</li></ol><br />
<b>Ion exchange:</b> reversible chemical reaction where ions from water or wastewater solution are exchanged for similarly charged ions attached to a stationary solid particle that are usually inorganic zeolites or resins.<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Reverse osmosis:</b> effective molecular filter to remove dissolved solutes through a membrane <br>Advantages:<ol><li>Reduces concentration of all ionic contaminants, not just the heavy metal in question</li><li>Can be scaled up easily</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Expensive</li><li>Requires high pressure</li><li>Too sensitive to operating conditions</li></ol><br />
<b>Phytoremediation:</b> use of plants to remediate heavy metals in contaminated soil, sludge, water etc.<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Microbial remediation:</b> use of microorganisms to degrade hazardous contaminants<br />
<br />
<br />
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<div id="nixA"><br />
<h1>NixA</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
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</div><br />
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<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li></li><br />
<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T03:32:49Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br>Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br>Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br><br>Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. [AUS sources 16-18]<br><br><br />
<br />
<b>Common Effects</b>:<sup>[1]</sup><br />
<ul><br />
<li>Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea</li><br />
<li>Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness)</li><br />
<li>Neurological effects</li><br />
<li>Nickel specific asthma</li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
Extreme Cases:<br />
<ul><br />
<li> Coma </li><br />
<li> Death </li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Study</h1><br />
<b>Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia:</b>In 2004 Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia observed a huge spike in nickel concentration in their drinking water. (See graph) Although scientists don't know the exact reasons for how nickel concentrations increased so dramatically, as shown in figure 1, they hypothesize that it could be the result of a natural reduction of flow rate during a period of drought and the subsequent introduction of mine water into the drinking water supply. Overall fluctuations of nickel concentrations over the three years were attributed to natural dilution and changes in demands of water.<br><br><br />
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines mandates a safety threshold of 0.02 mg Ni/L water, a value that is based on 70 kg (154 lbs) average body weight, 2 L water consumed daily and 1000 as the safety factor to account for uncertainty of extending animal study results to humans. The residents of Sampleton are assumed to have a similar diet to the rest of Australia's population so that the results of the study can be extended to the whole country. The study also assumed that the entire population of Sampleton was nickel-sensitive. This would lead to a lower Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) and set stricter limit for tolerable mean nickel concentrations. The result of the study showed that the mean nickel concentration, 0.03 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 0.02-0.04 mg/L, is only approximately 7% of the LOAEL. Thus the mean nickel concentration in drinking water in Sampleton appears to have no health risks.<br><br><br />
<br />
Although no real risks were detected, the town implemented increased surveillance of nickel concentrations and made plans to use alternative sources to supplement drinking water supplies during droughts. This study shows the importance of continued vigilance in maintaining high water quality standards at all times, had the concentration of nickel increased past the LOAEL, health effects could have been more drastic. [2]<br><br><br />
[2]Alam, Noore, Stephen J. Corbett, and Helen C. Ptolemy. "Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Nickel Contamination of Drinking Water in a County Town in NSW." <i>NSW Public Health Bulletin</i> (2008): n. pag. Web. <http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=NB97043.pdf>.<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<b>Cyclic electrowinning/precipitation (CEP) :</b> use of electrical current to transform positively charged metal cations into a stable, solid state where they can be easily separated from water and removed. <br>Drawback: concentration of cations must be high (threshold of 100 ppm)<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Chemical precipitation:</b> use of hydroxides and sulfides to precipitate cations.<br> Advantages:<ol><li>Well-established, many available chemicals and equipment</li><li>Convenient, self-operating and low-maintenance due to closed system nature</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Formation of toxic sludge from precipitate, which is environmentally and economically costly to remove</li><li>Requires extra flocculation/coagulation due to precipitation</li><li>Each metal has a distinct pH for optimum precipitation</li><li>Corrosive chemicals increases safety concerns</li></ol><br />
<b>Ion exchange:</b> reversible chemical reaction where ions from water or wastewater solution are exchanged for similarly charged ions attached to a stationary solid particle that are usually inorganic zeolites or resins.<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Reverse osmosis:</b> effective molecular filter to remove dissolved solutes through a membrane <br>Advantages:<ol><li>Reduces concentration of all ionic contaminants, not just the heavy metal in question</li><li>Can be scaled up easily</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Expensive</li><li>Requires high pressure</li><li>Too sensitive to operating conditions</li></ol><br />
<b>Phytoremediation:</b> use of plants to remediate heavy metals in contaminated soil, sludge, water etc.<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Microbial remediation:</b> use of microorganisms to degrade hazardous contaminants<br />
<br />
<br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li></li><br />
<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
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</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T03:32:30Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br>Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br>Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br><br>Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. [AUS sources 16-18]<br><br><br />
<br />
<b>Common Effects</b>:<sup>[1]</sup><br />
<ul><br />
<li>Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea</li><br />
<li>Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness)</li><br />
<li>Neurological effects</li><br />
<li>Nickel specific asthma</li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
Extreme Cases:<br />
<ul><br />
<li> Coma </li><br />
<li> Death </li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Study</h1><br />
<b>Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia:</b>In 2004 Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia observed a huge spike in nickel concentration in their drinking water. (See graph) Although scientists don't know the exact reasons for how nickel concentrations increased so dramatically, as shown in figure 1, they hypothesize that it could be the result of a natural reduction of flow rate during a period of drought and the subsequent introduction of mine water into the drinking water supply. Overall fluctuations of nickel concentrations over the three years were attributed to natural dilution and changes in demands of water.<br><br><br />
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines mandates a safety threshold of 0.02 mg Ni/L water, a value that is based on 70 kg (154 lbs) average body weight, 2 L water consumed daily and 1000 as the safety factor to account for uncertainty of extending animal study results to humans. The residents of Sampleton are assumed to have a similar diet to the rest of Australia's population so that the results of the study can be extended to the whole country. The study also assumed that the entire population of Sampleton was nickel-sensitive. This would lead to a lower Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) and set stricter limit for tolerable mean nickel concentrations. The result of the study showed that the mean nickel concentration, 0.03 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 0.02-0.04 mg/L, is only approximately 7% of the LOAEL. Thus the mean nickel concentration in drinking water in Sampleton appears to have no health risks.<br><br><br />
<br />
Although no real risks were detected, the town implemented increased surveillance of nickel concentrations and made plans to use alternative sources to supplement drinking water supplies during droughts. This study shows the importance of continued vigilance in maintaining high water quality standards at all times, had the concentration of nickel increased past the LOAEL, health effects could have been more drastic. [2]<br><br><br />
[2]Alam, Noore, Stephen J. Corbett, and Helen C. Ptolemy. "Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Nickel Contamination of Drinking Water in a County Town in NSW." <i>NSW Public Health Bulletin</i> (2008): n. pag. Web. <http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=NB97043.pdf>.<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<b>Cyclic electrowinning/precipitation (CEP) :</b> use of electrical current to transform positively charged metal cations into a stable, solid state where they can be easily separated from water and removed. <br>Drawback: concentration of cations must be high (threshold of 100 ppm)<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Chemical precipitation:</b> use of hydroxides and sulfides to precipitate cations.<br> Advantages:<ol><li>Well-established, many available chemicals and equipment</li><li>Convenient, self-operating and low-maintenance due to closed system nature</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Formation of toxic sludge from precipitate, which is environmentally and economically costly to remove</li><li>Requires extra flocculation/coagulation due to precipitation</li><li>Each metal has a distinct pH for optimum precipitation</li><li>Corrosive chemicals increases safety concerns</li></ol><br />
<b>Ion exchange:</b> reversible chemical reaction where ions from water or wastewater solution are exchanged for similarly charged ions attached to a stationary solid particle that are usually inorganic zeolites or resins.<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Reverse osmosis:</b> effective molecular filter to remove dissolved solutes through a membrane <br>Advantages:<ol><li>Reduces concentration of all ionic contaminants, not just the heavy metal in question</li><li>Can be scaled up easily</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Expensive</li><li>Requires high pressure</li><li>Too sensitive to operating conditions</li></ol><br />
<br><br />
<b>Phytoremediation:</b> use of plants to remediate heavy metals in contaminated soil, sludge, water etc.<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Microbial remediation:</b> use of microorganisms to degrade hazardous contaminants<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<div id="nixA"><br />
<h1>NixA</h1><br />
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</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li></li><br />
<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T03:30:27Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br>Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br>Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br><br>Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. [AUS sources 16-18]<br><br><br />
<br />
<b>Common Effects</b>:<sup>[1]</sup><br />
<ul><br />
<li>Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea</li><br />
<li>Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness)</li><br />
<li>Neurological effects</li><br />
<li>Nickel specific asthma</li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
Extreme Cases:<br />
<ul><br />
<li> Coma </li><br />
<li> Death </li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Study</h1><br />
<b>Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia:</b>In 2004 Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia observed a huge spike in nickel concentration in their drinking water. (See graph) Although scientists don't know the exact reasons for how nickel concentrations increased so dramatically, as shown in figure 1, they hypothesize that it could be the result of a natural reduction of flow rate during a period of drought and the subsequent introduction of mine water into the drinking water supply. Overall fluctuations of nickel concentrations over the three years were attributed to natural dilution and changes in demands of water.<br><br><br />
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines mandates a safety threshold of 0.02 mg Ni/L water, a value that is based on 70 kg (154 lbs) average body weight, 2 L water consumed daily and 1000 as the safety factor to account for uncertainty of extending animal study results to humans. The residents of Sampleton are assumed to have a similar diet to the rest of Australia's population so that the results of the study can be extended to the whole country. The study also assumed that the entire population of Sampleton was nickel-sensitive. This would lead to a lower Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) and set stricter limit for tolerable mean nickel concentrations. The result of the study showed that the mean nickel concentration, 0.03 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 0.02-0.04 mg/L, is only approximately 7% of the LOAEL. Thus the mean nickel concentration in drinking water in Sampleton appears to have no health risks.<br><br><br />
<br />
Although no real risks were detected, the town implemented increased surveillance of nickel concentrations and made plans to use alternative sources to supplement drinking water supplies during droughts. This study shows the importance of continued vigilance in maintaining high water quality standards at all times, had the concentration of nickel increased past the LOAEL, health effects could have been more drastic. [2]<br><br><br />
[2]Alam, Noore, Stephen J. Corbett, and Helen C. Ptolemy. "Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Nickel Contamination of Drinking Water in a County Town in NSW." <i>NSW Public Health Bulletin</i> (2008): n. pag. Web. <http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=NB97043.pdf>.<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<b>Cyclic electrowinning/precipitation (CEP) :</b> use of electrical current to transform positively charged metal cations into a stable, solid state where they can be easily separated from water and removed. <br>Drawback: concentration of cations must be high (threshold of 100 ppm)<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Chemical precipitation:</b> use of hydroxides and sulfides to precipitate cations.<br> Advantages:<ol><li>Well-established, many available chemicals and equipment</li><li>Convenient, self-operating and low-maintenance due to closed system nature</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Formation of toxic sludge from precipitate, which is environmentally and economically costly to remove</li><li>Requires extra flocculation/coagulation due to precipitation</li><li>Each metal has a distinct pH for optimum precipitation</li><li>Corrosive chemicals increases safety concerns</li></ol><br />
<br><br />
<b>Ion exchange:</b> reversible chemical reaction where ions from water or wastewater solution are exchanged for similarly charged ions attached to a stationary solid particle that are usually inorganic zeolites or resins.<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Reverse osmosis:</b> effective molecular filter to remove dissolved solutes through a membrane <br>Advantages:<ol><li>Reduces concentration of all ionic contaminants, not just the heavy metal in question</li><li>Can be scaled up easily</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Expensive</li><li>Requires high pressure</li><li>Too sensitive to operating conditions</li></ol><br />
<br><br />
<b>Phytoremediation:</b> use of plants to remediate heavy metals in contaminated soil, sludge, water etc.<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Microbial remediation:</b> use of microorganisms to degrade hazardous contaminants<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<div id="nixA"><br />
<h1>NixA</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li></li><br />
<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T03:30:12Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{:Team:Cornell/header}}<br />
{{:Team:Cornell/project/background/header}}<br />
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<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br>Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br>Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br><br>Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. [AUS sources 16-18]<br><br><br />
<br />
<b>Common Effects</b>:<sup>[1]</sup><br />
<ul><br />
<li>Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea</li><br />
<li>Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness)</li><br />
<li>Neurological effects</li><br />
<li>Nickel specific asthma</li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
Extreme Cases:<br />
<ul><br />
<li> Coma </li><br />
<li> Death </li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Study</h1><br />
<b>Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia:</b>In 2004 Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia observed a huge spike in nickel concentration in their drinking water. (See graph) Although scientists don't know the exact reasons for how nickel concentrations increased so dramatically, as shown in figure 1, they hypothesize that it could be the result of a natural reduction of flow rate during a period of drought and the subsequent introduction of mine water into the drinking water supply. Overall fluctuations of nickel concentrations over the three years were attributed to natural dilution and changes in demands of water.<br><br><br />
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines mandates a safety threshold of 0.02 mg Ni/L water, a value that is based on 70 kg (154 lbs) average body weight, 2 L water consumed daily and 1000 as the safety factor to account for uncertainty of extending animal study results to humans. The residents of Sampleton are assumed to have a similar diet to the rest of Australia's population so that the results of the study can be extended to the whole country. The study also assumed that the entire population of Sampleton was nickel-sensitive. This would lead to a lower Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) and set stricter limit for tolerable mean nickel concentrations. The result of the study showed that the mean nickel concentration, 0.03 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 0.02-0.04 mg/L, is only approximately 7% of the LOAEL. Thus the mean nickel concentration in drinking water in Sampleton appears to have no health risks.<br><br><br />
<br />
Although no real risks were detected, the town implemented increased surveillance of nickel concentrations and made plans to use alternative sources to supplement drinking water supplies during droughts. This study shows the importance of continued vigilance in maintaining high water quality standards at all times, had the concentration of nickel increased past the LOAEL, health effects could have been more drastic. [2]<br><br><br />
[2]Alam, Noore, Stephen J. Corbett, and Helen C. Ptolemy. "Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Nickel Contamination of Drinking Water in a County Town in NSW." <i>NSW Public Health Bulletin</i> (2008): n. pag. Web. <http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=NB97043.pdf>.<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<b>Cyclic electrowinning/precipitation (CEP) :</b> use of electrical current to transform positively charged metal cations into a stable, solid state where they can be easily separated from water and removed. <br>Drawback: concentration of cations must be high (threshold of 100 ppm)<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Chemical precipitation:</b> use of hydroxides and sulfides to precipitate cations.<br> Advantages:<ol><li>Well-established, many available chemicals and equipment</li><li>Convenient, self-operating and low-maintenance due to closed system nature</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Formation of toxic sludge from precipitate, which is environmentally and economically costly to remove</li><li>Requires extra flocculation/coagulation due to precipitation</li><li>Each metal has a distinct pH for optimum precipitation</li><li>Corrosive chemicals increases safety concerns</li></ol><br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Ion exchange:</b> reversible chemical reaction where ions from water or wastewater solution are exchanged for similarly charged ions attached to a stationary solid particle that are usually inorganic zeolites or resins.<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Reverse osmosis:</b> effective molecular filter to remove dissolved solutes through a membrane <br>Advantages:<ol><li>Reduces concentration of all ionic contaminants, not just the heavy metal in question</li><li>Can be scaled up easily</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Expensive</li><li>Requires high pressure</li><li>Too sensitive to operating conditions</li></ol><br />
<br><br />
<b>Phytoremediation:</b> use of plants to remediate heavy metals in contaminated soil, sludge, water etc.<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Microbial remediation:</b> use of microorganisms to degrade hazardous contaminants<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<div id="nixA"><br />
<h1>NixA</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li></li><br />
<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T03:29:40Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br>Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br>Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br><br>Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. [AUS sources 16-18]<br><br><br />
<br />
<b>Common Effects</b>:<sup>[1]</sup><br />
<ul><br />
<li>Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea</li><br />
<li>Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness)</li><br />
<li>Neurological effects</li><br />
<li>Nickel specific asthma</li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
Extreme Cases:<br />
<ul><br />
<li> Coma </li><br />
<li> Death </li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Study</h1><br />
<b>Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia:</b>In 2004 Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia observed a huge spike in nickel concentration in their drinking water. (See graph) Although scientists don't know the exact reasons for how nickel concentrations increased so dramatically, as shown in figure 1, they hypothesize that it could be the result of a natural reduction of flow rate during a period of drought and the subsequent introduction of mine water into the drinking water supply. Overall fluctuations of nickel concentrations over the three years were attributed to natural dilution and changes in demands of water.<br><br><br />
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines mandates a safety threshold of 0.02 mg Ni/L water, a value that is based on 70 kg (154 lbs) average body weight, 2 L water consumed daily and 1000 as the safety factor to account for uncertainty of extending animal study results to humans. The residents of Sampleton are assumed to have a similar diet to the rest of Australia's population so that the results of the study can be extended to the whole country. The study also assumed that the entire population of Sampleton was nickel-sensitive. This would lead to a lower Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) and set stricter limit for tolerable mean nickel concentrations. The result of the study showed that the mean nickel concentration, 0.03 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 0.02-0.04 mg/L, is only approximately 7% of the LOAEL. Thus the mean nickel concentration in drinking water in Sampleton appears to have no health risks.<br><br><br />
<br />
Although no real risks were detected, the town implemented increased surveillance of nickel concentrations and made plans to use alternative sources to supplement drinking water supplies during droughts. This study shows the importance of continued vigilance in maintaining high water quality standards at all times, had the concentration of nickel increased past the LOAEL, health effects could have been more drastic. [2]<br><br><br />
[2]Alam, Noore, Stephen J. Corbett, and Helen C. Ptolemy. "Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Nickel Contamination of Drinking Water in a County Town in NSW." <i>NSW Public Health Bulletin</i> (2008): n. pag. Web. <http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=NB97043.pdf>.<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<b>Cyclic electrowinning/precipitation (CEP) :</b> use of electrical current to transform positively charged metal cations into a stable, solid state where they can be easily separated from water and removed. <br>Drawback: concentration of cations must be high (threshold of 100 ppm)<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Chemical precipitation:</b> use of hydroxides and sulfides to precipitate cations.<br> Advantages:<ol><li>Well-established, many available chemicals and equipment</li><li>Convenient, self-operating and low-maintenance due to closed system nature</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Formation of toxic sludge from precipitate, which is environmentally and economically costly to remove</li><li>Requires extra flocculation/coagulation due to precipitation</li><li>Each metal has a distinct pH for optimum precipitation</li><li>Corrosive chemicals increases safety concerns</li></ol><br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Ion exchange:</b> reversible chemical reaction where ions from water or wastewater solution are exchanged for similarly charged ions attached to a stationary solid particle that are usually inorganic zeolites or resins.<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Reverse osmosis:</b> effective molecular filter to remove dissolved solutes through a membrane <br>Advantages:<ol><li>Reduces concentration of all ionic contaminants, not just the heavy metal in question</li><li>Can be scaled up easily</li></ol><br>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Expensive</li><li>Requires high pressure</li><li>Too sensitive to operating conditions</li></ol><br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Phytoremediation:</b> use of plants to remediate heavy metals in contaminated soil, sludge, water etc.<br />
<br><br><br />
<b>Microbial remediation:</b> use of microorganisms to degrade hazardous contaminants<br />
<br />
<br />
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<h1>NixA</h1><br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li></li><br />
<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T03:22:32Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
<hr />
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<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br>Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br>Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br><br>Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. [AUS sources 16-18]<br><br><br />
<br />
<b>Common Effects</b>:<sup>[1]</sup><br />
<ul><br />
<li>Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea</li><br />
<li>Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness)</li><br />
<li>Neurological effects</li><br />
<li>Nickel specific asthma</li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
Extreme Cases:<br />
<ul><br />
<li> Coma </li><br />
<li> Death </li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Study</h1><br />
<b>Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia:</b>In 2004 Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia observed a huge spike in nickel concentration in their drinking water. (See graph) Although scientists don't know the exact reasons for how nickel concentrations increased so dramatically, as shown in figure 1, they hypothesize that it could be the result of a natural reduction of flow rate during a period of drought and the subsequent introduction of mine water into the drinking water supply. Overall fluctuations of nickel concentrations over the three years were attributed to natural dilution and changes in demands of water.<br><br><br />
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines mandates a safety threshold of 0.02 mg Ni/L water, a value that is based on 70 kg (154 lbs) average body weight, 2 L water consumed daily and 1000 as the safety factor to account for uncertainty of extending animal study results to humans. The residents of Sampleton are assumed to have a similar diet to the rest of Australia's population so that the results of the study can be extended to the whole country. The study also assumed that the entire population of Sampleton was nickel-sensitive. This would lead to a lower Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) and set stricter limit for tolerable mean nickel concentrations. The result of the study showed that the mean nickel concentration, 0.03 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 0.02-0.04 mg/L, is only approximately 7% of the LOAEL. Thus the mean nickel concentration in drinking water in Sampleton appears to have no health risks.<br><br><br />
<br />
Although no real risks were detected, the town implemented increased surveillance of nickel concentrations and made plans to use alternative sources to supplement drinking water supplies during droughts. This study shows the importance of continued vigilance in maintaining high water quality standards at all times, had the concentration of nickel increased past the LOAEL, health effects could have been more drastic. [2]<br><br><br />
[2]Alam, Noore, Stephen J. Corbett, and Helen C. Ptolemy. "Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Nickel Contamination of Drinking Water in a County Town in NSW." <i>NSW Public Health Bulletin</i> (2008): n. pag. Web. <http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=NB97043.pdf>.<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<b>Cyclic electrowinning/precipitation (CEP) :</b> use of electrical current to transform positively charged metal cations into a stable, solid state where they can be easily separated from water and removed. <br>Drawback: concentration of cations must be high (threshold of 100 ppm)<br><br><br />
<b>Chemical precipitation:</b> use of hydroxides and sulfides to precipitate cations.<br> Advantages:<ol><li>Well-established, many available chemicals and equipment</li><li>Convenient, self-operating and low-maintenance due to closed system nature</li></ol>Disadvantages:<ol><li>Formation of toxic sludge from precipitate, which is environmentally and economically costly to remove</li><li>Requires extra flocculation/coagulation due to precipitation</li><li>Each metal has a distinct pH for optimum precipitation</li><li>Corrosive chemicals increases safety concerns</li></ol><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
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<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<div id="nixA"><br />
<h1>NixA</h1><br />
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</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li></li><br />
<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T03:22:04Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{:Team:Cornell/header}}<br />
{{:Team:Cornell/project/background/header}}<br />
<html><br />
<script type="text/javascript"><br />
$(window).load(function() {<br />
$('li.p_back_nickel').addClass('active');<br />
});<br />
</script><br />
<body><br />
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<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br>Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br>Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br><br>Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. [AUS sources 16-18]<br><br><br />
<br />
<b>Common Effects</b>:<sup>[1]</sup><br />
<ul><br />
<li>Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea</li><br />
<li>Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness)</li><br />
<li>Neurological effects</li><br />
<li>Nickel specific asthma</li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
Extreme Cases:<br />
<ul><br />
<li> Coma </li><br />
<li> Death </li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Study</h1><br />
<b>Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia:</b>In 2004 Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia observed a huge spike in nickel concentration in their drinking water. (See graph) Although scientists don't know the exact reasons for how nickel concentrations increased so dramatically, as shown in figure 1, they hypothesize that it could be the result of a natural reduction of flow rate during a period of drought and the subsequent introduction of mine water into the drinking water supply. Overall fluctuations of nickel concentrations over the three years were attributed to natural dilution and changes in demands of water.<br><br><br />
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines mandates a safety threshold of 0.02 mg Ni/L water, a value that is based on 70 kg (154 lbs) average body weight, 2 L water consumed daily and 1000 as the safety factor to account for uncertainty of extending animal study results to humans. The residents of Sampleton are assumed to have a similar diet to the rest of Australia's population so that the results of the study can be extended to the whole country. The study also assumed that the entire population of Sampleton was nickel-sensitive. This would lead to a lower Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) and set stricter limit for tolerable mean nickel concentrations. The result of the study showed that the mean nickel concentration, 0.03 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 0.02-0.04 mg/L, is only approximately 7% of the LOAEL. Thus the mean nickel concentration in drinking water in Sampleton appears to have no health risks.<br><br><br />
<br />
Although no real risks were detected, the town implemented increased surveillance of nickel concentrations and made plans to use alternative sources to supplement drinking water supplies during droughts. This study shows the importance of continued vigilance in maintaining high water quality standards at all times, had the concentration of nickel increased past the LOAEL, health effects could have been more drastic. [2]<br><br><br />
[2]Alam, Noore, Stephen J. Corbett, and Helen C. Ptolemy. "Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Nickel Contamination of Drinking Water in a County Town in NSW." <i>NSW Public Health Bulletin</i> (2008): n. pag. Web. <http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=NB97043.pdf>.<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<b>Cyclic electrowinning/precipitation (CEP) :</b> use of electrical current to transform positively charged metal cations into a stable, solid state where they can be easily separated from water and removed. <br>Drawback: concentration of cations must be high (threshold of 100 ppm)<br><br><br />
<b>Chemical precipitation:</b> use of hydroxides and sulfides to precipitate cations.<br> Advantages:<ol><li>Well-established, many available chemicals and equipment</li><li>Convenient, self-operating and low-maintenance due to closed system nature</li></ol><br> Disadvantages:<ol><li>Formation of toxic sludge from precipitate, which is environmentally and economically costly to remove</li><li>Requires extra flocculation/coagulation due to precipitation</li><li>Each metal has a distinct pH for optimum precipitation</li><li>Corrosive chemicals increases safety concerns</li></ol><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<div id="nixA"><br />
<h1>NixA</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li></li><br />
<br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/environTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/environ2014-10-16T03:13:59Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{:Team:Cornell/header}}<br />
{{:Team:Cornell/project/hprac/header}}<br />
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<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Water Samples</h1><br />
We collaborated with seven other iGEM teams to test the quality of environmental water across the United States. RHIT, IvyTech, Northwestern, BYU, UCSC, UCSF-UCB, and Yale iGEM teams were kind enough to send us 50 mL water samples from creeks, rivers, and lakes in their local areas. We tested these samples for heavy metal contaminants to gauge the extent of heavy metal pollution across the United States. Of the 9 total samples that we tested for heavy metals, 4 contained a measurable amount of nickel, four contained a measurable amount of lead, and three contained a measurable amount of mercury. These metals tended to be present together as three samples contained all three contaminants and one sample contained two. While these concentrations weren't incredibly high, measured concentrations of mercury and lead both exceeded the maximum allowable levels for drinking water. What this data suggests is that even in the United States where strict regulations are put on drinking water quality and waste disposal, heavy metal pollution is still a widespread problem that needs to be dealt with. <br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Risk Assessment: An Overview</h1><br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="caption center">Locations of water samples tested</div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png"><br />
</a><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/environTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/environ2014-10-16T03:13:48Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{:Team:Cornell/header}}<br />
{{:Team:Cornell/project/hprac/header}}<br />
<html><br />
<script type="text/javascript"><br />
$(window).load(function() {<br />
$('li.p_hprac_environ').addClass('active');<br />
});<br />
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<body><br />
<div class="container" id="top"><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Water Samples</h1><br />
We collaborated with seven other iGEM teams to test the quality of environmental water across the United States. RHIT, IvyTech, Northwestern, BYU, UCSC, UCSF-UCB, and Yale iGEM teams were kind enough to send us 50 mL water samples from creeks, rivers, and lakes in their local areas. We tested these samples for heavy metal contaminants to gauge the extent of heavy metal pollution across the United States. Of the 9 total samples that we tested for heavy metals, 4 contained a measurable amount of nickel, four contained a measurable amount of lead, and three contained a measurable amount of mercury. These metals tended to be present together as three samples contained all three contaminants and one sample contained two. While these concentrations weren't incredibly high, measured concentrations of mercury and lead both exceeded the maximum allowable levels for drinking water. What this data suggests is that even in the United States where strict regulations are put on drinking water quality and waste disposal, heavy metal pollution is still a widespread problem that needs to be dealt with. <br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="caption center">Locations of water samples tested</div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png"><br />
</a><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/environTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/environ2014-10-16T03:13:22Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
<hr />
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{{:Team:Cornell/project/hprac/header}}<br />
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<script type="text/javascript"><br />
$(window).load(function() {<br />
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<div class="container" id="top"><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Water Samples</h1><br />
We collaborated with seven other iGEM teams to test the quality of environmental water across the United States. RHIT, IvyTech, Northwestern, BYU, UCSC, UCSF-UCB, and Yale iGEM teams were kind enough to send us 50 mL water samples from creeks, rivers, and lakes in their local areas. We tested these samples for heavy metal contaminants to gauge the extent of heavy metal pollution across the United States. Of the 9 total samples that we tested for heavy metals, 4 contained a measurable amount of nickel, four contained a measurable amount of lead, and three contained a measurable amount of mercury. These metals tended to be present together as three samples contained all three contaminants and one sample contained two. While these concentrations weren't incredibly high, measured concentrations of mercury and lead both exceeded the maximum allowable levels for drinking water. What this data suggests is that even in the United States where strict regulations are put on drinking water quality and waste disposal, heavy metal pollution is still a widespread problem that needs to be dealt with. <br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Risk Assessment: An Overview</h1><br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="caption center">Locations of water samples tested</div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png"><br />
</a><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/hprac/environTeam:Cornell/project/hprac/environ2014-10-16T03:12:59Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
<hr />
<div>{{:Team:Cornell/header}}<br />
{{:Team:Cornell/project/hprac/header}}<br />
<html><br />
<script type="text/javascript"><br />
$(window).load(function() {<br />
$('li.p_hprac_environ').addClass('active');<br />
});<br />
</script><br />
<body><br />
<div class="container" id="top"><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Water Samples</h1><br />
We collaborated with seven other iGEM teams to test the quality of environmental water across the United States. RHIT, IvyTech, Northwestern, BYU, UCSC, UCSF-UCB, and Yale iGEM teams were kind enough to send us 50 mL water samples from creeks, rivers, and lakes in their local areas. We tested these samples for heavy metal contaminants to gauge the extent of heavy metal pollution across the United States. Of the 9 total samples that we tested for heavy metals, 4 contained a measurable amount of nickel, four contained a measurable amount of lead, and three contained a measurable amount of mercury. These metals tended to be present together as three samples contained all three contaminants and one sample contained two. While these concentrations weren't incredibly high, measured concentrations of mercury and lead both exceeded the maximum allowable levels for drinking water. What this data suggests is that even in the United States where strict regulations are put on drinking water quality and waste disposal, heavy metal pollution is still a widespread problem that needs to be dealt with. <br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<br />
<div class="col-md-6 col-xs-9"><br />
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png"><br />
</a><br />
</div><br />
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Environmental Water Samples</h1><br />
We collaborated with seven other iGEM teams to test the quality of environmental water across the United States. RHIT, IvyTech, Northwestern, BYU, UCSC, UCSF-UCB, and Yale iGEM teams were kind enough to send us 50 mL water samples from creeks, rivers, and lakes in their local areas. We tested these samples for heavy metal contaminants to gauge the extent of heavy metal pollution across the United States. Of the 9 total samples that we tested for heavy metals, 4 contained a measurable amount of nickel, four contained a measurable amount of lead, and three contained a measurable amount of mercury. These metals tended to be present together as three samples contained all three contaminants and one sample contained two. While these concentrations weren't incredibly high, measured concentrations of mercury and lead both exceeded the maximum allowable levels for drinking water. What this data suggests is that even in the United States where strict regulations are put on drinking water quality and waste disposal, heavy metal pollution is still a widespread problem that needs to be dealt with. <br />
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Risk Assessment: An Overview</h1><br />
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<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png" data-toggle="lightbox" class="thumbnail"> <br />
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/e/ea/Cornell_Water_Sample_Collaboration.png"><br />
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<div class="caption center">Locations of water samples tested</div><br />
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2014/5/54/Cornell_Environmental_contaminants.png"><br />
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br><br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br><br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br />
<br />
Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. [AUS sources 16-18]<br><br><br />
<br />
<b>Common Effects</b>:[1]<br />
<ul><br />
<li>Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea</li><br />
<li>Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness)</li><br />
<li>Neurological effects</li><br />
<li>Nickel specific asthma</li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
Extreme Cases:<br />
<ul><br />
<li> Coma </li><br />
<li> Death </li><br />
</ul><br />
<br />
[1] "Nickel Compounds." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. <http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/nickel.html>.<br />
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<h1>Case Study</h1><br />
<b>Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia:</b>In 2004 Sampleton, New South Wales, Australia observed a huge spike in nickel concentration in their drinking water. (See graph) Although scientists don't know the exact reasons for how nickel concentrations increased so dramatically, as shown in figure 1, they hypothesize that it could be the result of a natural reduction of flow rate during a period of drought and the subsequent introduction of mine water into the drinking water supply. Overall fluctuations of nickel concentrations over the three years were attributed to natural dilution and changes in demands of water.<br><br><br />
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines mandates a safety threshold of 0.02 mg Ni/L water, a value that is based on 70 kg (154 lbs) average body weight, 2 L water consumed daily and 1000 as the safety factor to account for uncertainty of extending animal study results to humans. The residents of Sampleton are assumed to have a similar diet to the rest of Australia's population so that the results of the study can be extended to the whole country. The study also assumed that the entire population of Sampleton was nickel-sensitive. This would lead to a lower Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) and set stricter limit for tolerable mean nickel concentrations. The result of the study showed that the mean nickel concentration, 0.03 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 0.02-0.04 mg/L, is only approximately 7% of the LOAEL. Thus the mean nickel concentration in drinking water in Sampleton appears to have no health risks.<br><br><br />
<br />
Although no real risks were detected, the town implemented increased surveillance of nickel concentrations and made plans to use alternative sources to supplement drinking water supplies during droughts. This study shows the importance of continued vigilance in maintaining high water quality standards at all times, had the concentration of nickel increased past the LOAEL, health effects could have been more drastic. [2]<br><br><br />
[2]Alam, Noore, Stephen J. Corbett, and Helen C. Ptolemy. "Environmental Health Risk Assessment of Nickel Contamination of Drinking Water in a County Town in NSW." NSW <br />
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<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
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<h1>NixA</h1><br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/File:NickelconcentraioninWater.zipFile:NickelconcentraioninWater.zip2014-10-16T02:56:01Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<div></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T02:49:38Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br><br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br><br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br />
<br />
Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. [AUS sources 16-18]<br><br><br />
<br />
<b>Common Effects</b>:[1]<br><br />
Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea<br> <br />
Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness) <br><br />
Neurological effects<br><br />
Nickel specific asthma<br><br><br />
<br />
[1] "Nickel Compounds." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. <http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/nickel.html>.<br />
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<h1>Case Studies</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
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<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T02:49:04Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br><br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br><br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br />
<br />
Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. [AUS sources 16-18]<br><br><br />
<br />
<b>Common Effects</b>:[1]<br><br />
Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea<br> <br />
Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness) <br><br />
Neurological effects<br><br />
Nickel specific asthma<br><br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Studies</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
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<h1>NixA</h1><br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T02:48:20Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br><br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br><br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br />
<br />
Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. [AUS sources 16-18]<br><br><br />
<br />
<b>Common Effects</b>:[1]<br />
Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea <br />
Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness) <br />
Neurological effects<br />
Nickel specific asthma<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Studies</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
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<h1>NixA</h1><br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T02:48:05Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br><br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br><br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br />
<br />
Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. [AUS sources 16-18]<br />
<br />
<b>Common Effects</b>:[1]<br />
Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea <br />
Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness) <br />
Neurological effects<br />
Nickel specific asthma<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Studies</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
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<div id="nixA"><br />
<h1>NixA</h1><br />
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</div><br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/leadTeam:Cornell/project/background/lead2014-10-16T02:46:59Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
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<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Studies</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
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<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
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<h1>CBP4</h1><br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T02:46:15Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<html><br />
<script type="text/javascript"><br />
$(window).load(function() {<br />
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<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br><br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br><br><br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts.<br />
<br />
Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. Susceptibility to nickel increases with age [AUS sources 16-18]<br />
<br />
Common Effects:[1]<br />
Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea <br />
Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness) <br />
Neurological effects<br />
Nickel specific asthma<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Studies</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
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<h1>NixA</h1><br />
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<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T02:43:58Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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$(window).load(function() {<br />
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<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is a natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are commonly used in mining and natural resources [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. Domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores, refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores, reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries. <br><br><br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts. However, extremely oxidizing acids like nitric acid can often do the trick to break down nickel compounds.<br />
<br />
Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. Susceptibility to nickel increases with age [AUS sources 16-18]<br />
<br />
Common Effects:[1]<br />
Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea <br />
Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness) <br />
Neurological effects<br />
Nickel specific asthma<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Studies</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<div id="nixA"><br />
<h1>NixA</h1><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermorehttp://2014.igem.org/Team:Cornell/project/background/nickelTeam:Cornell/project/background/nickel2014-10-16T02:41:15Z<p>G.Livermore: </p>
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<div>{{:Team:Cornell/header}}<br />
{{:Team:Cornell/project/background/header}}<br />
<html><br />
<script type="text/javascript"><br />
$(window).load(function() {<br />
$('li.p_back_nickel').addClass('active');<br />
});<br />
</script><br />
<body><br />
<div class="container" id="top"><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-top: 0px;">Health Risks</h1><br />
Nickel, is an essential natural element that constitutes approximately 0.009% of the earth's crust. It exists as components of other minerals; Nickel sulfides, silicates and oxides are three of the most important nickel minerals from a mining and natural resource perspective [EPA paper, source 2]. The most common nickel sulfide mineral is pentlandite [(NiFe)9S8] accounts for the majority of nickel produced globally [source 4,5]. 40% of domestic nickel production comes from the smelting of natural nickel ores or refining nickel matte, an impure metallic sulfide product from smelting of sulfides of metal ores. The other 60% of domestic nickel production comes from reclamation of nickel metal from nickel based or non-nickel based scrap metal, including salvaged machinery, sheet metal, aircraft and other vehicular parts and discarded consumer goods such as batteries<br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are used in construction, mining, smelting, electrical equipment manufacturing, and battery and fuel cell production, among numerous other materials. During construction, there is a high risk for nickel contamination. They can also make their way into the household through ceramics since they often form the bond between enamel and iron. <br />
<br />
Nickel compounds are so toxic because they are highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation in air and aqueous environments; they are resistant to corrosion by organic acids and exposure to chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen chloride and molten salts. However, extremely oxidizing acids like nitric acid can often do the trick to break down nickel compounds.<br />
<br />
Est. average daily dietary intake is 0.1-0.3 mg/day [AUS sources 7,8] Less than 0.2 mg/day of which is consumed via food and 5-25 ug/day from water [AUS source 4]. Dermal exposure is one of the most common routes of exposure and even low levels of exposure may cause nickel allergic dermatitis. Susceptibility to nickel increases with age [AUS sources 16-18]<br />
<br />
Common Effects:[1]<br />
Gastrointestinal distress like: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea <br />
Dermatitis (eczema like effects: rash, itchiness) <br />
Neurological effects<br />
Nickel specific asthma<br />
<br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Case Studies</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1>Current Remediation Techniques</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<div id="nixA"><br />
<h1>NixA</h1><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="row"><br />
<div class="col-md-12 col-xs-18"><br />
<h1 style="margin-bottom: 0px">References</h1><br />
<hr><br />
<ol><br />
<li>Ref 1</li><br />
<li>Ref 2</li><br />
<li>Ref 3</li><br />
<br><br><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</div><br />
</body><br />
</html></div>G.Livermore