iGEM @ Imperial

iGEM @ ImperialiGEM @ Imperial

Bio Hard Drive

Cell Networking

Bacterial balloon

Biological to Electrical Interface

Bio-Clock

Bio Calculator

Remote Controlled

Bacteria

Crazy Ideas

Only three ideas Only three ideas made the cut.made the cut.

Bio-Clock Bio-Clock (Re-defining Time)(Re-defining Time)

• Pulse of AHL moves along a gutter of medium

• Cells fluoresce when activated

•Refractory period

•The time period is controlled by

•the radius

•gutter width

•cell density

Bio-MemoryBio-Memory

•Data stored in bacteria written using a green laser

•Data read using a UV laser + fluorimeter

•Cells either 1 (RFP) or 0 (no RFP)

•Data stored in switch

Very High Compression due to small size of bacteria

The OscillatorThe Oscillator

Changing Concentration of AHL

Culture Wide Culture Wide oscillations of AHLoscillations of AHL

Frequency must Frequency must be tuned easilybe tuned easily

Oscillations must Oscillations must be stablebe stable

Lotka-Voltarra Model output

Predator Prey DynamicsPredator Prey Dynamics

Simply Make a Bio-

chemical system

that can do this.

DesignDesign

A

B

A B

• Positive Feedback of A

• AB Induces production of more B

• Both A and B are used to make AB

Two Cell SystemTwo Cell SystemTwo independent populations of CellsTwo independent populations of Cells

These cells These cells do notdo not kill each other kill each other

AB

Altering the initial ratios of these cells will Altering the initial ratios of these cells will alter the frequency of oscillationsalter the frequency of oscillations

Design Cell1 (Prey)Design Cell1 (Prey)

Prey cell must produce molecule A exponentiallyPrey cell must produce molecule A exponentially

Pc

Plux

Lux R

Lux I

Pc is always on

Lux R is produced which detects molecule A

Then initiates transcription at Plux

Which Produces More AA

A

A

A

Design (isolated models)Design (isolated models)

Modelling of Prey Cell (system 1)Modelling of Prey Cell (system 1)

Design (isolated models)Design (isolated models)

Modelling of Prey Cell (system 1)Modelling of Prey Cell (system 1)

DesignDesign

The Predator CellThe Predator Cell

The role of a predator is to reduce the prey numbers as a function of the predator population numbers.

PredatorDetect Prey Population Size

Reduce Prey Population Size

DesignDesign

Plux Lux R aiiA

The Predator CellThe Predator Cell

Detects Prey Population Size

Reduces Prey Population Size

DesignDesign

Plux Lux R aiiA

The Predator CellThe Predator Cell A

A

LuxR

LuxR A

aiiA

Design (Entire System)Design (Entire System)

Extra cellular pool of A (HSL) (this should oscillate)

Diffusion

Plux

Lux R aiiA

The Predator CellThe Predator CellA

A

LuxR

LuxR

A

aiiA

A

Pc

Plux

Lux R

Lux I

A

The Prey Cell

ModellingModelling

Tom’s Tom’s MonsterMonster

ModellingModelling