Team:William and Mary/Interlab
Interlab Measurement Study
Introduction
Inter-laboratory studies have great implications in both academia research and industry. Comparison of results can not only help determine the characteristics of certain products, but can also validate the test method and determine the source of uncertainty. Synthetic biology aims to achieve predicable gene expression outcomes [1], but challenges for this goal still exist on every level from parts design, circuity complexity to measurement methods. iGEM InterLab study is exactly designed to unravel the source of unpredictability and to quantify the degree of variability [2], the logical of which William and Mary iGEM team shares deeply. We have been an active participator of the InterLab Study since 2015 (the second year William and Mary joined the iGEM family) and we are very honored to be able to continue to contribute this study.
This year, the objective of InterLab is to test the precision of gene expression over different RBS devices with a GFP reporter. Teams from around the world are using the standard biological parts, same laboratory bacterium and standardized measurement procedure provided in a detailed protocol. Our team was excited about this year’s project and the improvements that InterLab has made such as the dried down DNA and extra reagents. We started our study on August, 8th.
Methods
Transformation
We transformed the plasmids (listed below) resuspended from the Distribution Kit into E. coli DH5-alpha cells. Colonies were given 16 hours to grow.
Transformation
John Marken, Graduate Research Student, provided us with mathematical modeling advice and invaluable assistance with data analysis. His guidance during brainstorming was also pivotal in determining our project idea.
Human Practices Support
We would like to thank Dr. Hannes Schniepp, Dr. Oliver Kerscher, and Dr. Joshua Puzey for partcipating in our Bioengineering Speaker Series.
Funding Support
First and foremost, we would like to thank Dr. Dennis Manos, Vice Provost of Research. He provided us with vital financial and intellectual support, and made the time-lapse microscopy aspect of our project possible. We would also like to thank the following organizations and offices for generously providing us with the financial support necessary for realizing our project:
Dean Kate Conley, Dean of the Faculty, Arts and Sciences
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Science Education Grant to the College of William and Mary
GenScript
Epoch Life Science Inc.
