BioBytes:BioBytes:A high throughput Method for Minimal A high throughput Method for Minimal

Genome constructionGenome construction

The U of A 2009 iGEM Project:

What’s whatWhat’s whatSynthetic biology - Engineering of organisms to perform artificial functions iGEM - International synthetic biology competition for

undergraduate students Team REcoli- A collection of 30 life sciences, business, computer

sciences, physical sciences and engineering undergraduate students

E. coli- Well studied bacterium naturally found in the

mammalian large intestine.Genome - All of the genes in an organism.

Anderson et al. 2006

Bacteria that target metastatic tumors

New organisms with controlled structure

Inexpensive houses from engineered plants

What could SynBio build?What could SynBio build?

What has SynBio built?What has SynBio built?

Synthetic biological production of the antimalarial drug artemisinin Received $42 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation http://www.artemisininproject.org

http://openwetware.org/wiki/LightCannon

“Colliroids”

http://2008.igem.org/Team:Harvard

A bacteria powered battery

Project REcoliProject REcoli

What is the minimal set of genes What is the minimal set of genes E.coli needs to survive?E.coli needs to survive?

Objectives:Objectives:1. Propose a minimal genome, about 10% of the original 1. Propose a minimal genome, about 10% of the original

sizesize

2. Develop methods to rapidly assemble hundred of 2. Develop methods to rapidly assemble hundred of genesgenes

3. Develop an automated system for gene assembly3. Develop an automated system for gene assembly

Why minimize a genome?Why minimize a genome?

To understand the requirements for life – if we To understand the requirements for life – if we know what is needed, we can start asking whyknow what is needed, we can start asking why

Develop a simplified, well characterized chasse Develop a simplified, well characterized chasse for other experimentsfor other experiments

To optimize and demonstrate high throughput To optimize and demonstrate high throughput techniquestechniques

How we’re doing itHow we’re doing it

E.coli genomic DNA

Amplify just the essential genes

Add special ends

String genes together on a bead

How we’re doing itHow we’re doing it

Insert into E. coli

Cell division

Move replication origin from original genome to essential genes

Essential genes can replicate, original genome can not

E.coli with Minimal genome

Genomic DNA

Essential genes

ori

ori ori

ori ori

Why it Matters to YouWhy it Matters to You

Interested in a career in biology or engineering?Interested in a career in biology or engineering? Synthetic biology is a promising emerging field.Synthetic biology is a promising emerging field.

Want to do science?Want to do science? High school students and early High school students and early undergraduates can do great research that matters. undergraduates can do great research that matters.

iGEM is just one of many opportunities.iGEM is just one of many opportunities.

Considering the societal impact?Considering the societal impact? Play a role in how Play a role in how our our

society manages synthetic biology through your society manages synthetic biology through your consumer choice, your vote, or your career.consumer choice, your vote, or your career.

EthicsEthics If a man-made genome can sustain a living cell, is If a man-made genome can sustain a living cell, is

that creating life? Should that be permitted? that creating life? Should that be permitted?

Should we be allowed to own an organism whose Should we be allowed to own an organism whose genome we’ve design? genome we’ve design?

Who should be allowed to ‘build their own bug’ Who should be allowed to ‘build their own bug’ with our assembly kit? How can we regulate it?with our assembly kit? How can we regulate it?

Should the genetic parts in the assembly kits be Should the genetic parts in the assembly kits be free, or can the inventor own and charge money free, or can the inventor own and charge money for them? for them?

What do you think?What do you think?