We worked on the further characterization of the FRET-based system for the detection of erythromycin (BBa_K4447004) in water bodies, where we performed a protein dynamics simulation. Additionally, we successfully ligated the ECFP_eryK_mVENUS construct into the pET28b(+) plasmid, which was transformed into E. coli BL21, resulting in the appearance of fluorescent colonies in contrast to a negative control, indicating that the construct was present and emitting fluorescence. Finally, cell induction, sonication and purification were performed, where a band was observed on an SDS-PAGE gel present at the appropriate weight of the construct.
For additional information, we invite you to consult the Experiments page.
We are focused on the detection of not only antibiotics but also heavy metals in the polluted water bodies of Mexico. Our team has developed and documented a new basic part within the Parts Registry. The basic part BBa_K4763007, phytochelatin synthase from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtPCS) is an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of glutathione polymers (phytochelatins), produced as a defense mechanism in response to heavy metal stress, with cadmium being the main inducer of the enzyme's activity. Our objective is to incorporate this enzyme into the FRET-based system (BBa_K4447004) for the purpose of cadmium detection.
Detailed information regarding the construction of this part can be found on the Experiments page.
In collaboration with the iGEM teams Tec-Chihuahua, KU Leuven and Lund, we created a wet lab troubleshooting guide, providing insights, recommendations and steps to develop molecular biology laboratory experimentation.
We hope that this guide will be of great help to future teams in their experimentation process.
To help future iGEM teams, we created a guide called "Research Planning Guide 101", as part of our efforts in Human Practices, which provides recommendations and steps for conducting in-depth field research no matter what village the team is in.
The Mexican Lottery, commonly known as “Lotería Mexicana”, is a traditional Mexican game of chance, usually played during holidays, family gatherings and festivals, embodying the essence of cultural tradition and social interaction. The traditional game cards represent elements of Mexican culture, but we decided to use scientific elements as a way of teaching science through games.
The boards and the card deck are shown below:
We developed an efficient, cheap, portable and easy to use device able to identify the presence of emergent contaminants in polluted water through fluorescence emitted by a FRET-based biosensor. Our proposal includes the use of ultraviolet light and a TCS34725 color sensor module to detect changes on fluorescence signals based on the conformal changes of the FRET system. The data is classified by a machine learning algorithm depending on the color components. Then, a graphical visualization interface will make the results easy to read for all users.
Our aim is that everyone can use this device, so we provided designs and construction steps that can be found on the Hardware page.