Team:UiOslo Norway
U i O s l o : L A C E L L
UiOslo iGEM 2017 is based in the University of Oslo, and have taken up the challenge to make a yeast-based
biological laser, or biolaser.
According to wikipedia, a laser, is a device that emits light through
a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. The term
"laser" originated as an acronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation".
Our team of biologists and physicists have made this possible using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as the gain
medium. GFP is a protein that absorbs light and emits light with lower energy. The GFP is actively produced by
transgenic yeast (S.
pombe). The pinhole of the laser is equipped with a filter that only allows the emitted light to pass, making the output of the apparatus monochromatic.
Why is the biolaser useful?
One of the properties of a biolaser compared to a non-biological one is that the implementation could involve a
living, changing gain medium. The amount of fluorescent protein in the cell would change over time as protein is
synthesized or broken down, which is something that could be monitored over time. Coupled with a proper setup,
this has theorized to be a useful tool for monitoring gene expression in real time. We decided to put these theories to the test, and see if we could discover a practical way to use the properties of a bio-laser in a useful manner.
Our project plan is set up with two main goals: making a functional proof-of-concept by testing the lasing
potential of a superfolder GFP protein solution, and then taking it a step further by trying to use live yeast
cells as the gain medium.
References:
Nature Photonics 5, 406-410 2011: Single-cell Biological Lasers, Malthe C. Gathers & Seok Hyun Yun - DOI:10.1038/nphoton.2011.99
Science Advances 19 Aug 2016: An exciton-polariton laser based on biologically produced fluorescent protein, Dietrich et al - DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1600666
