Team:UNOTT/Description

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

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The first biological password that changes over time! We are looking into transforming bacteria with a unique array of existing iGEM systems to produce a unique signal of secondary metabolites, initially using fluorescence as a proof of concept. Eventually, we will use the system to produce a unique and random configuration of products, as our "key". In order to produce this randomness, alteration of the activity/presence of promoters associated with these metabolites will be applied using one of a few methods currently being considered by the team (detailed below).
This key will be used to open safes, secure doors and various other locks. Measurement of certain engineered metabolites such as volatiles will give a distinct mass spectrum. A combination of a detection technique such as gas chromatography.

-mass spectrometry with a data comparison software will compare the secondary metabolites of the "key" bacteria to the "reference/lock" from which it was taken. If the spectra of both colonies exceed a threshold of similarity then the system is unlocked.
After an amount of time, our Key will have to be renewed from the Lock colony, and when this occurs the configuration of the key is shuffled once again to ensure the key and lock are changing.