Difference between revisions of "Team:IngenuityLab Canada"

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<h1>dNANO</h1>
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Despite recent advances in nanotechnology, techniques have been largely geared towards a specific type of application. One of the fundamental problems that scientists face is choosing the type of material that is compatible with the whole system.</em>
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In dNANO, our team has developed a nanoscaffold built on what we find is the ideal nanomaterial: DNA. It is relatively cheap to manufacture synthetically and well suited to the purpose because of its biocompatibility and flexible structure. One of the biggest advantages of DNA-based nanostructure is its single-pot reaction, with the self-assembling properties of DNA.  
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Using computer software called CADnano, we have designed a 3D structure that serves as a scaffold with a hollow cavity. The cavity can be used for variety of purposes; one test we recently did was to build gold nanowire via gold precipitation along the hollow cavity. The DNA-based gold nanowires can be self-assembled via Teslaphoresis into a long chain of wires. The self-assembly of the structure is what our team of young innovators has always strived for - because of its uniqueness.
 
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To further suggest an application for our product, we attempted to test if we can successfully harvest electron from an organic source. The source we choose was Photosystem II, a protein that is highly efficient in converting light energy into electrical energy. This protein was isolated from a mutant strain of cyanobacteria and stabilized in liposomes.
<h2> Project Description </h2>
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</p><p>
<p>Like the intricate folds of origami showpieces, students from diverse backgrounds at the University of Alberta have come together to form the Ingenuity Lab Future Innovators iGEM team. Our team consists of students from various disciplines of Science and Engineering such as biology, biochemistry, microbiology and chemical engineering. With a macroscopic view overlooking the picturesque River Valley in Edmonton AB, we are a team of scientists who are passionate about discovering the intricate folds and details that are found in the microscopic world. </p>
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Through development of this DNA-based scaffold, we have attempted to create an assembly standard where anyone with minimal experience can create 3D shape out of DNA and apply it in various fields such as the healthcare and energy sectors.   
 
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<p>Our project uses the principle behind DNA origami to design an organic/inorganic bionanoarchitecture that serves to function as DNA-based gold nanowire. There are vast potential applications using DNA nanotechnology. The project inspiration came from Dr. Seidel’s group at the Leipzig University. Following their work, we used the same DNA origami modelling software, CaDNano, to design a boxed structure using 214 short oligonucleotides (called staples) and a 7249nt scaffold DNA from M13mp18. Subsequently, this hollow cavity will then be seeded with a gold nanoparticle (AuNP). Seeding occurs because the inner cavity will contain polyA capture strands whereas the AuNP will have its complementary polyT strands. Once the AuNP is seeded, the DNA origami structure will be placed in gold ion solution, H[AuCl4], to allow the precipitation of gold within the hollow cavity. In other words, the DNA uses the gold nanoparticles as a reaction seed to mould and grow into the desired shape, pattern and complex components needed for programmable circuits. Through this, our design gains several advantages over conventional methods. Our system self-assembles on the nano-scale, is a single-pot reaction, allows us to predefine the 3D moulded shape, and is likely to be biocompatible. We plan on developing a new assembly standard that will allow nano-circuit construction. </p>
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<p>One of the applications we are exploring is attaching Photosystem II (PSII) protein, purified from a mutant Synechocystis 6803, to the DNA nanowire to generate a usable current and act as a nanoscale battery. Our system harnesses electrons that are generated by the splitting of H2O in the photosynthesis biochemical pathway. To test this, we engineered the PSII protein to be embedded in artificial liposomes, E. coli total lipid extract, to mimic the transmembrane environment that PSII is naturally found in. Our end goal seeks to link the two systems together, that is connecting our DNA-based gold nanocircuit to the PSII protein and harnessing its electrons to generate a usable current. </p>
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<p>Moreover, our DNA Origami nano-circuitry design can be adapted to more complex circuits for potential applications in various fields like health sciences. </p>
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<h2> Welcome to iGEM 2016! </h2>
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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://2016.igem.org/Requirements">Requirements page </a> </li>
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<li> <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Wiki_How-To">Wiki Requirements page</a></li>
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<li> <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Resources/Template_Documentation"> Template Documentation </a></li>
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</ul>
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<div class="highlight">
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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://2016.igem.org/Judging/Pages_for_Awards/Instructions">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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<h5> Editing your wiki </h5>
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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://2016.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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<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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<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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<li>Make sure information is easy to find; nothing should be more than 3 clicks away.  </li>
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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://2016.igem.org/Calendar">iGEM 2016 calendar</a> </li>
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<li>Have lots of fun! </li>
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<h5>Inspiration</h5>
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<p> You can also view other team wikis for inspiration! Here are some examples:</p>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:SDU-Denmark/"> 2014 SDU Denmark </a> </li>
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<li> <a href="https://2014.igem.org/Team:Aalto-Helsinki">2014 Aalto-Helsinki</a> </li>
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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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<p> You can upload your pictures and files to the iGEM 2016 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!)</p>
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UPLOAD FILES
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Revision as of 16:31, 11 October 2016

dNANO

Despite recent advances in nanotechnology, techniques have been largely geared towards a specific type of application. One of the fundamental problems that scientists face is choosing the type of material that is compatible with the whole system.

In dNANO, our team has developed a nanoscaffold built on what we find is the ideal nanomaterial: DNA. It is relatively cheap to manufacture synthetically and well suited to the purpose because of its biocompatibility and flexible structure. One of the biggest advantages of DNA-based nanostructure is its single-pot reaction, with the self-assembling properties of DNA.

Using computer software called CADnano, we have designed a 3D structure that serves as a scaffold with a hollow cavity. The cavity can be used for variety of purposes; one test we recently did was to build gold nanowire via gold precipitation along the hollow cavity. The DNA-based gold nanowires can be self-assembled via Teslaphoresis into a long chain of wires. The self-assembly of the structure is what our team of young innovators has always strived for - because of its uniqueness.

To further suggest an application for our product, we attempted to test if we can successfully harvest electron from an organic source. The source we choose was Photosystem II, a protein that is highly efficient in converting light energy into electrical energy. This protein was isolated from a mutant strain of cyanobacteria and stabilized in liposomes.

Through development of this DNA-based scaffold, we have attempted to create an assembly standard where anyone with minimal experience can create 3D shape out of DNA and apply it in various fields such as the healthcare and energy sectors.

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