Difference between revisions of "Team:Baltimore Bio-Crew"

 
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<h2>Project Description</h2>
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Our goal for this project is to genetically engineer E. coli bacteria that can break down plastic. These bacteria could have many different applications, such as: degrading plastic waste from labs that cannot be recycled, being used in a filter to catch and degrade micro plastic fibers from laundry, and breaking down plastic in a marine environment into harmless molecules. We made a lot of progress last year, and this year we plan to build on that progress.
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While searching for solutions to the issue of plastic pollution in the Baltimore Inner Harbor, we found a paper by Yoshida et. al. describing a bacteria called Ideonella sakaiensis that was capable of degrading PET plastic into monomers. The bacteria used the enzyme PETase (chlorogenate esterase) to break down PET into MHET, and the enzyme MHETase (Lipase) to break down MHET into ethylene glycol and therephthalic acid. We decided to use the genes from this bacteria for our project.
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To avoid the safety risks of working with a relatively undocumented bacteria, we decided to take the plastic degradation genes from I. sakaiensis and put them into K12 E. coli bacteria. We chose E. coli because they are safe to work with and commonly used in the lab. Using the genetic sequence found in the paper, we designed the two plastic degrading enzymes so that they could be expressed in E. coli bacteria. We then had them synthesized and worked on putting these genes into E. coli.
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By the end of last year’s competition, we had managed to insert the lipase gene into E.coli, but not the chlorogenate esterase gene. We confirmed that we had correctly inserted the lipase gene using colony PCR and gene sequencing, but we did not have the time to conduct additional assays, such as protein gels, to determine if the enzyme was being secreted from the bacteria.
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This year, we plan to redesign the chlorogenate esterase and lipase genes so that they contain the proper tags that will allow them to be detected, and a secretion sequence. After we insert both genes into E. coli cells, we will test them to make sure they can secrete the plastic degrading enzymes and degrade PET plastic.
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<h1> Welcome to iGEM 2017! </h1>
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<p>Your team has been approved and you are ready to start the iGEM season! </p>
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<h5>Before you start: </h5>
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<p> Please read the following pages:</p>
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<li>  <a href="https://2017.igem.org/Competition">Competition Hub</a> </li>
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<li> <a href="https://2017.igem.org/Competition/Deliverables/Wiki">Wiki Requirements page</a></li>
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<li> <a href="https://2017.igem.org/Resources/Template_Documentation">Template documentation</a></li>
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<h5> Styling your wiki </h5>
 
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<p>You may style this page as you like or you can simply leave the style as it is. You can easily keep the styling and edit the content of these default wiki pages with your project information and completely fulfill the requirement to document your project.</p>
 
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<p>While you may not win Best Wiki with this styling, your team is still eligible for all other awards. This default wiki meets the requirements, it improves navigability and ease of use for visitors, and you should not feel it is necessary to style beyond what has been provided.</p>
 
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<h5> Wiki template information </h5>
 
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<p>We have created these wiki template pages to help you get started and to help you think about how your team will be evaluated. You can find a list of all the pages tied to awards here at the <a href="https://2017.igem.org/Judging/Pages_for_Awards">Pages for awards</a> link. You must edit these pages to be evaluated for medals and awards, but ultimately the design, layout, style and all other elements of your team wiki is up to you!</p>
 
  
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        <div class="Intro">
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          <h1>BALTIMORE BIO-CREW</h1>
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          <h4>Bio-Engineering E.Coli To Degrade Plastic and Save The Baltimore Inner Harbor</h4>
 
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                        <h3> About Our Project </h3>
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Plastic pollution is a significant problem that not only affects the environment but human health as well. There have been many implementations created in order to eliminate plastic in the Earth’s waterways, but none of the approaches have been successful in collecting microplastics.
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Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic debris that occurs after years of plastic degradation in the environment. They also come from cosmetics and cleansers. Even though microplastics seem like they would cause fewer problems, there are extremely harmful due to the toxins that are still present in these tiny particles of plastic.
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<h5> Editing your wiki </h5>
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In 2014, researchers at Keio University and Kyoto Institute of Technology discovered a bacterium called Ideonella sakaiensis. This bacteria can use the enzymes PETase and MHETase to degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is the most common type of plastic debris found in marine environments. Instead of using the bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis, we inserted the enzymes into K-12 E.coli cells for safety reasons.  
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<p>On this page you can document your project, introduce your team members, document your progress and share your iGEM experience with the rest of the world! </p>
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<p> <a href="https://2017.igem.org/wiki/index.php?title=Team:Example&action=edit"> </a>Use WikiTools - Edit in the black menu bar to edit this page</p>
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<article>
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The genetically modified bacteria is expected to be able to degrade plastic into ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. We are investigating ways in which these monomers could be used as a possible energy source. The Baltimore Bio-Crew intends to use these engineered E.coli, or the enzymes separated from them, in a bioreactor to degrade PET plastic that cannot be recycled; in a laundry filter to degrade synthetic fibers that come off of clothes; or contained inside of a device to degrade plastic in marine environments such as the Inner Harbor.
  
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<h5>Tips</h5>
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<p>This wiki will be your team’s first interaction with the rest of the world, so here are a few tips to help you get started: </p>
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<li>State your accomplishments! Tell people what you have achieved from the start. </li>
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Sponsors
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<li>Be clear about what you are doing and how you plan to do this.</li>
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<li>You have a global audience! Consider the different backgrounds that your users come from.</li>
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<h4>
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<li>Make sure information is easy to find; nothing should be more than 3 clicks away.  </li>
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The Baltimore Bio-Crew thanks our sponsors for their generous support of our team that made our project and travel to the Jamboree possible. Thank you!
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<li>Avoid using very small fonts and low contrast colors; information should be easy to read.  </li>
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<li>Start documenting your project as early as possible; don’t leave anything to the last minute before the Wiki Freeze. For a complete list of deadlines visit the <a href="https://2017.igem.org/Calendar">iGEM 2017 calendar</a> </li>
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<li>Have lots of fun! </li>
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<a href="http://www.bd.com/en-us">
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<h5>Inspiration</h5>
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  <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/Update_Color_BD_PNG_Logo.png" alt="BD Medical Technology, Advancing the World of Health - BD" style="width:100px; height:100px;">
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<p> You can also view other team wikis for inspiration! Here are some examples:</p>
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<a href="http://familyleague.org/">
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:SDU-Denmark/"> 2014 SDU Denmark </a> </li>
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  <img src="http://baltimoreattendance.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/flbcinc-360x230.png" alt="Family League of Baltimore" style="width:100px; height:100px;">
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aalto-Helsinki">2014 Aalto-Helsinki</a> </li>
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</a>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:LMU-Munich">2014 LMU-Munich</a> </li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Michigan"> 2014 Michigan</a></li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:ITESM-Guadalajara">2014 ITESM-Guadalajara </a></li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:SCU-China"> 2014 SCU-China </a></li>
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<h5> Uploading pictures and files </h5>
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  <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/6/6c/T--Baltimore_Bio-Crew--fabian_kolker_small_icon.png" alt="Fabian Kolker Foundation" style="width:100px; height:100px;">
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<p> You can upload your pictures and files to the iGEM 2017 server. Remember to keep all your pictures and files within your team's namespace or at least include your team's name in the file name. <br />
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When you upload, set the "Destination Filename" to <br><code>T--YourOfficialTeamName--NameOfFile.jpg</code>. (If you don't do this, someone else might upload a different file with the same "Destination Filename", and your file would be erased!)<br><br>
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<a href="https://2017.igem.org/Special:Upload">
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<a href="http://vwrfoundation.org/">
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UPLOAD FILES
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  <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/1/1a/T--Baltimore_Biocrew--VWR_Foundation_LOGO.jpeg" alt="VWR Charitable Foundation" style="width:100px; height:100px;">
 
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<a href="http://www.marylandrecyclingnetwork.org/">
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  <img src="https://media.licdn.com/mpr/mpr/shrink_200_200/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAI8AAAAJDY0ZDg0ZjlkLWVlMTItNGI1Mi1iNWEwLWYzMDVlYWMwMTZhZg.png" alt="Maryland Recycling Network" style="width:100px; height:100px;">
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-->
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</a>
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<a href="https://www.rwdfoundation.org/">
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  <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2016/6/65/T--Baltimore_BioCrew--DeutschFoundation.png" alt="The Robert W. Deutsch Foundation" style="width:100px; height:100px;">
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Latest revision as of 19:34, 19 November 2017


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BALTIMORE BIO-CREW

Bio-Engineering E.Coli To Degrade Plastic and Save The Baltimore Inner Harbor

About Our Project

Plastic pollution is a significant problem that not only affects the environment but human health as well. There have been many implementations created in order to eliminate plastic in the Earth’s waterways, but none of the approaches have been successful in collecting microplastics.
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic debris that occurs after years of plastic degradation in the environment. They also come from cosmetics and cleansers. Even though microplastics seem like they would cause fewer problems, there are extremely harmful due to the toxins that are still present in these tiny particles of plastic.
In 2014, researchers at Keio University and Kyoto Institute of Technology discovered a bacterium called Ideonella sakaiensis. This bacteria can use the enzymes PETase and MHETase to degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is the most common type of plastic debris found in marine environments. Instead of using the bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis, we inserted the enzymes into K-12 E.coli cells for safety reasons.
The genetically modified bacteria is expected to be able to degrade plastic into ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. We are investigating ways in which these monomers could be used as a possible energy source. The Baltimore Bio-Crew intends to use these engineered E.coli, or the enzymes separated from them, in a bioreactor to degrade PET plastic that cannot be recycled; in a laundry filter to degrade synthetic fibers that come off of clothes; or contained inside of a device to degrade plastic in marine environments such as the Inner Harbor.