Module 2 - Encapsulsation Overview

Freeze Drying

An important consideration when designing the E.ncapsulator was the ability to store the cells for extended periods of time. While biological material can be stored for extended periods of time by dehydration, under such conditions the integrety of both a cell's membrane and intracellular polypeptides can be compromised.

In order to preserve the integrity of our protein of interest during storage of the E.ncapsulator, we decided to incorporate a device for trehalose production within our system. Trehalose is a disaccharide formed from two glucose molecules. Throughout nature, trehalose is associated with resistance to dessication and cold shock, and is naturally produced in E.coli. We hope that by upregulating the trehalose production pathways in E.coli we can increase trehalose concentrations within our cell, thereby conferring some resistance to protein degredation in our system.