The Team
We are a group of motivated students from Gothenburg participating in the largest annual synthetic biology research competition in the world, iGEM. Participating teams are working on novel projects to develop solutions to current problems by engineering microorganisms. The extensive lab work is carried out during the summer, and at the end of the project, every team has the opportunity to present their work during the “Giant Jamboree” conference in Boston, Massachusetts in October.
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The pollution...
For a long time, the production of chemicals has been dependent on fossil sources of carbon that inevitably end up in our atmosphere. What if we could re-use that carbon? In this case nature is way ahead of us. Plants have been converting carbon dioxide into sugars for billions of years, it’s time we learn from the best.
...and the solution!
Our project aims to use the carbon fixating ability of photosynthetic bacteria to produce a carbon source that can be utilized as a food for a wide range of production organisms. To produce a stable bacterial society, we will employ the methods of synthetic biology to create a system that can convert carbon dioxide into everyday products in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way.
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The king of photosynthesis
Our cyanobacterium will form the basis for this society by providing food for the production organism. In return, it will receive an essential metabolite from the producer.
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The good guy
Synechocystis
Synechocystis is a photosynthetic bacterium. The process of photosynthesis allows it to grow on sunlight and carbon dioxide.
Introducing the producers
The four production organisms in our project will form a library of producers. This will allow a manufacturer to choose their production organism based on the desired product.
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Mr. Enzyme
Bacillus subtilis is a bacterium present in almost every environment on earth. It is widely used in industrial fermentation for production of enzymes.
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The Baker
One of the most commonly used microorganisms, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is known for its use in baking, brewing and wine-making.
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Ms. Yarrowia
Yarrowia lipolytica is a close relative to Saccharomyces cerevisiae that shows great promise for production of biofuels.
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E. Cooli
Escherichia coli is one of the most studied microorganisms and is widely used in scientific research. Among other things it is also used industrially to produce insulin for treatment of diabetes.
With your help, we will be able to create a platform for a versatile system that converts carbon dioxide into everyday products in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way.
Why do we need your help?
Since all iGEM teams are independently funded student organisations, we heavily rely on donations and sponsors to support our projects. Your support will allow the whole team to travel to the Jamboree, in Boston, in October and present the project we are working so hard on. Furthermore, your support will also help provide us with the needed research materials used during the summer.
Do you want more information about the team/project?
Follow us on social media to follow our work and visit our wiki page for more detailed information about the project.
Our wiki:
http://2016.igem.org/Team:Chalmers_Gothenburg (under construction)
Facebook: iGEM Team Chalmers Gothenburg
Instagram: @chalmersigem
Twitter: @igemchalmers
Thank you!
