Team:Harvard BioDesign/Achievements

Harvard BioDesign 2016

Achievements

Project Achievements:

  • Constructed BioBricks for PETase and confirmed presence of protein using sfGFP
  • Constructed BioBricks with secretion systems for PETase
  • Validated PETase expression through SDS Page and Western blot
  • Validated PETase enzymatic activity through pNPB substrate assay
  • Characterized growth of three bacteria species in TPA minimal media
  • Optimized PH for growth and PETase activity
  • Demonstrated TPA signal can be detected by voltage increase in microbial fuel cell

MEDAL REQUIREMENTS

BRONZE

1. REGISTER AND ATTEND [Completed]

2. DELIVERABLES [Completed]


  • We met all of the deliverable requirements: team wiki, poster, presentation, project attribution, registry parts page, sample submission, safety forms, and judging forms.

    • 3. ATTRIBUTIONS [Completed]

    4. PART/ CONTRIBUTION [Completed]


  • We documented and submitted to the registry BioBrick part Bba_K2010000 (PETase)

    • SILVER

    1. VALIDATED PART/ VALIDATED CONTRIBUTION [Completed]


  • (pelB + sfGFP + PETase; PET-degrading enzyme, origin I. sakaiensis)

    • 2. COLLABORATION [Completed]


  • We collaborated with team Northeastern by characterizing each other’s constructs.

    • 3. HUMAN PRACTICES
  • Our team has identified, investigated, and addressed issues relating to safety, sustainability, and education. Read about it here!

    • GOLD

    1. INTEGRATED HUMAN PRACTICES [Completed]


  • The design and direction of our project were directly influenced by the feedback we received from both The Seabin Project and microbial fuel cell experts we interviewed throughout the duration of our project. (For example, The Seabin Project brought to our attention real-life factors typically unaccounted for in a lab setting, such as the variance in ocean plastic age; from there, we obtained plastic collected from a beach cleanup for experimental use. Moreover, after interviewing Professor Peter Girguis, Ph.D. we modified the design of our project, particularly the usage of the electrical output of our microbial fuel cell.) Read more about it here!

    • 2. IMPROVE A PREVIOUS PART OR PROJECT [Completed]


  • We further characterized Team UC Davis’ (2012) part BBa_K936000

    • 3. PROOF OF CONCEPT [Completed]