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Team:Tokyo Tech/BlackenedEcoli
From 2009.igem.org
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Contents |
Summary
1, We created Blackened E.coli by the melA gene.
2, Darkness of melA expressing cells are up 10 fold from control.
Introduction
One of the famous black pigment is a Melanin which was utilized in a number of organism. Previously. It’s noted that the body color of E.coli was changed from white to black by a large amount of Melanin. Melanin was made by the melA gene. The melA gene code for a Tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1). Tyrosinase catalyze the first step of Melanin production pathway to make Dopaquinone. After production of Dopaquinone, Melanin is generated by nonenzymatical chain reaction. So, Overexprssion of tyrosinase in E.coli cause a large amount of Melanin. Therefore, We considered these mechanism enable us to control the Mars temperature, get the heat energy that help to grow bacteria and, protect DNA from UV on the mars surface. Because of Melanin has a high efficiency heat absorption and absorb Ultra Violet.
Why do we need to create darker coloered E.coli?
Increase Mars temperature
Increase Reserving thermal energy
E.coli can get thermal energy, even if it is a little, by changing the body-color to black and uses the energy for its metabolism.
Protection from UV ray
UV strength on the Mars’ surface is weakened by initial energy supply. But it can be easily changed by the convection of the atmosphere. So, we think it significant to blacken E.coli, which can protect them from variable UV ray.
How to make darker colored E.coli
Utilize Melanin production pathway
Melanin was made by Tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1). Tyrosinase catalyze the first step of Melanin production pathway to make Dopaquinone. After production of Dopaquinone, Melanin is generated by nonenzymatical chain reaction. So, Overexprssion of tyrosinase in E.coli cause a large amount of Melanin.
Materials and Methods
Bacterial strains and cultivation
Construction of melA expressing vector
melA expressing analysis
We transformed respectively BBa_K193602(placIQ-RBS-melA on pSB4A5) and control(placIQ-RBS on pSB4A5) into JM109 strain, and cultured them. Then we dispersed cultured strains on Casein medium. After 72 hour, we took a picture of these medium and measured darkness of these medium. Darkness was quantified with ImageJ softwere.
Analytical methods
According to Stefan-Boltzmann law, blackbody emit per surface in unit time is calculated as
σT4,
where T is the temperature of the black body and σ = 5.67 * 10 − 8(W / m2K4) is constant value. The total energy that comes from the sun is calculated as
S(1 − A)πr2,
where S = 597(W / m2) is the energy which actually reaches the mars from the sun, A is the albedo of the Mars and r = 3.3972 * 106(m) is the radius of the Mars. Albedo is a ratio at which a planet reflect the sun light. Regarding the Mars as blackbody, the radiative equilibrium temperature of the Mars is estimated as
T=
.
If we succeeded in decreasing the albedo by making the Mars black, the temperature will change as the graph shows. x axis is year and y axis is temperature.
We assume that the albedo decreases as
A = 0.15 * exp( − x).
If we could change the albedo from 0.15 to 0.05, the temperature of the Mars would increase by about 6 Celsius degree.
Discussion and Future vision
Conclusion we could build melA into BioBricks, and create blackened E.coli by melanin.
Further blackened E.coli
Please, look under figure. This pathway is very simplified Phe and Tyr biosynthesis pathway. In previous study, forced expression of aroG and TyrA induced large accumulation of Tyrosine in E.coli. So, we will be planning to construct new igem parts to expressing aroG and tyrA.
Control mars temperature by temperature regulated response color change
Finally, we will want to create temperature-regulated genetic circuit using LacI_ts. This protein is temperature-sensitive. It inhibit LacI promoter at conventional temperature. Though, this protein isn’t inhibit promoter when environment temperature reach high.
If this plan is completely execution, E.coli is black to heat the mars during the cold. But, color of E.coli body change for white when the Mars is warmed.
This Genetic Circuit will can controls mars temperature?
