Omega-hexatoxin-Hv1a
T7 Promoter+B0034+Hv1a+linker+6xHistag
Introduction:
By ligating the IPTG induced promoter T7 (BBa_ I712074), strong ribosome binding site (BBa_B0034), hv1a, linker, and the 6xHistag (BBa_ K1223006), we can express Hv1a, the toxin by IPTG induction.
This year we create a revolutionary system that integrates biological pesticides, an automatic detector, a sprinkler, and IoT. We made a database that contains most of the spider toxins and selected the target toxins by programming. Omega-hexatoxin-Hv1a is coded for the venom of a spider, Hadronyche versuta. It is under the control of the strong T7 promoter. A 6xHistag is added for further protein purification.
Mechanism of Hv1a
According to the reference, Omega-hexatoxin-Hv1a has a structure called ICK(inhibitor cysteine knot).[1] This kind of structure contains three disulfide bonds and beta-sheet. With this structure, Hv1a can resist the high temperature, acid base solution and the digest juice of insect gut. Hv1a can bind on insect voltage-gated Calcium channels (CaV1) in the central nervous system, making it paralyze and die eventually.
Features of Hv1a
1. Non-toxic: Omega-hexatoxin-Hv1a is non-toxic to mammals and Hymenoptera (bees). Since the structure of the target ion channel is different, omega-hexatoxin-Hv1a does not harm mammals and bees. So it is safe to use it as a biological pesticide.
2. Biodegradable: Omega-hexatoxin-Hv1a is a polypeptide so it must degrade over time. After degradation, the toxin will become nutrition in the soil.
3. Species-specific: According to reference, Omega-hexatoxin-Hv1a has specificity to Lepidopteran (moths), Dipteran (flies) and Orthopteran (grasshoppers).
4. Eco-friendly: Compare with chemical pesticides, Omega-hexatoxin-Hv1a will not remain in soil and water so that it will not pollute the environment and won’t harm the ecosystem.
Altogether, using Hv1a is totally an environmentally friendly way for solving harmful insect problems by using this ion channel inhibitor as a biological pesticide.
Experience assistance
Distribution kit
NTHU_Taiwan iGEM team
We provided NTHU_Taiwan iGEM team with BBa_B0012.
(NTHU linker)
Mingdao
We sent the biobricks BBa_K1694002, BBa_K1694010, BBa_K1694035, BBa_K1694044 and BBa_K1694045, which was registry by 2015 NCTU_Formosa, to help them express the outer membrane protein.
(Mingdao linker)
NCKU_Tainan
This year, it is the first time for NCKU_Tainan to participate in Giant Jamboree. Therefore, we provided them with the Part BBa_K861171, BBa_I712667, BBa_I712015, BBa_R0010, BBa_R0040, BBa_C0040, BBa_C0051, BBa_C0061, BBa_C0062, BBa_R0065, BBa_K592009 and BBa_R0052 to them.
(NCKU_Tainan linker)
Provided larvae by NYMU-Taipei
We are thankful to NYMU iGEM team for providing us the eggs of tobacco cutworms. For our insect test, we needed a great number of larvae to do the experiment. Additionally, they introduce the professor Hwang, who majors in agricultural science, and gave us advice in our insect test. We really appreciate the help of NTMU-Taipei.
Mentoring a new team
National Taichung First Senior High School
Learning about iGEM Competition
Concept of Synthetic Biology
Basic knowledge of Synthetic Biology
Basic Mathematical Modelling
Laboratory Practice
Project Brainstorming
Presentation Skill Guidance
This summer, fourteen high school students in science class from National Taichung First Senior High School came to National Chiao Tung University to learn about iGEM. In the two-weeks workshop, they have learned a lot of basic concepts of synthetic biology associated with laboratory practices. Furthermore, they were grouped into two teams and assigned to acquire ideas and knowledge from 2015 high school team’s wikis. It not only broadened their horizons but sorted out their thoughts through the presentation.
See Education for the workshop we are planning on.
On the last day of the workshop, each group presented their own project, which contained brainstorming, principles, and experimental designs. Their projects were creative, and yet there is still room for the more rigorous thinking. Through a series of compact training, we believe that they will be a competent high school team in the future iGEM competition.
National Chung Cheng University
Experience sharing of founding an iGEM team
Teaching Demonstration
How do Write Biobrick Sequences
Details of Biobrick construction
This year, the student leader of National Chung Cheng University came to National Chiao Tung University to learn about the experience of establishing a new team. We exchanged the experience of team operation and academic advice. Besides, she also joined the two-week workshop with students from National Taichung First Senior High School. National Chung Cheng University will establish its first team next year. We are glad to have another companion in Taiwan.
