Team:Imperial College London/M3/RestrictionEnzymes
From 2009.igem.org
- Overview
- Restriction Enzymes
- Dam Methylation
- Thermoinduction
Restriction Enzymes
After Module 2 has been completed, genome deletion is triggered by raising the temperature.
see thermoinduction under temporal control)
The cell then produces the restriction enzymes DpnII and TaqI.
Restriction enzymes DpnII and TaqI specifically target and cut short 4 base DNA sequences. With a high frequency of cutting, the genetic material contained within the cell will all be destroyed, including any inserted DNA.
A distinct advantage of using restriction enzymes for our 'killing' mechanism is that the cell membrane is left intact afterwards, and the protein of interest will still be protected by the encapsulated cell. This renders the bacterium no more than an inanimate shell containing our protein drug of choice.