Drylab Hub

The goal of the Drylab has been to support the Wetlab by answering questions of interest. The conclusions from the models will provide the team with functional understanding of the system, and provide design constraints and considerations that should be taken into account in the genetic constructs.

Summary of Models

In the Drylab, we have implemented several functional models, explaining the behaviour of different parts of the system.This section will provide a summary of the models, with the conclusions drawn from them.

Automatic induction of protein production and encapsulation

Large scale automation of production of protein of interest relies on being able to control when the manufacturing process begins. To do this, the initial design consisted of genetic constructs ([timers]). After implementing the simulations and obtaining design constraints, we realized that they were too complicated for the system. Instead, we chose to focus on autoinduction media, where we relied on primary and secondary consumption of sugars to control both the production of protein of interest and the encapsulation process.

Production of protein of interest

Induction of production of the protein of interest has been achieved using a LacI-IPTG induction system.
File:II09 M1 model1.jpg
Several factors must be taken into account in the system, and the goals of this model have been the following:

Characterizing the LacI-IPTG system that is responsible for the production of the drug of interest.
Modeling and accounting for several factors that may reduce/hinder the production of our output protein of interest such as:
- Lac promoter leakiness
- IPTG toxicity
- Stability of output protein

The protein production module is an integral part of our design, as large-scale commercialization of the product of interest depends on finding the optimal conditions for protein production and being able to tune and regulate the output.

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