Team:ShanghaitechChina/Proof

igem2016:ShanghaiTech

Abstract

Solar Hunter is an artificial hydrogen production system made up of biofilm-anchored nanorods which efficiently convert photons to electrons, and engineered strain expressing [FeFe] Hydrogenase as the acceptor of the electrons to produce hydrogen. The process of making the Solar Hunter entails the testing of each component ’s function separately.

Detailed Proof

a. We, first, need to obtain a suitable nanomaterial that absorbs solar energy and convert it into electrons. The synthesis and characterization data is shown in our webpage, nanomaterials

b. To allow easy recycling and points of aggregation for the small material for a higher efficiency, we utilized biofilm to bind nanomaterials. Please refer to Biofilm for the data of the successful construction and the characterization of the binding of nanomaterials to biofilm.

c. Finally, high-activity hydrogenase is necessary. We have successfully produced hydrogen many times with our system. Please refer to Hydrogenase for data. Reference Hydrogenase

Main points we achieved in our project

1. Successful synthesis of CdS with desired features.

2. Confirmed the firm binding of nanomaterials on biofilm composed by CsgA-Histag fused protein.Tested the BioBrick BBa_K2132001 adhesion to multi-well and micro-beads, and its binding to nano materials within the hydrogen production system.

3. Transplanted of all the necessary subunits from the gene clusters of [FeFe]-hydrogenase from Clostridium. acetobutylicum onto one single plasmid to allow reliable expression.