Team:Imperial College London/Drylab/Protein Production

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Protein Production

Based on the Genetic circuit, a LacI-IPTG inducible promoter is responsible for kickstarting the production of the drug.

  • In the absence of IPTG, LacI represses the production of the drug (Cellulase or PAH)
  • When IPTG is introduced, the LacI repressing pathway is “de-repressed”, and some output protein is produced.
II09 NoIPTG yesIPTG.jpg


Our goals

The modelling aims to provide an overview and better understanding of the M1 system’s function by:

  • Characterizing the system.
  • Modeling to account for several factors that may reduce/hinder the production of the protein drug such as:
    • Lac promoter leakiness
    • IPTG toxicity
    • Stability of output protein


This module is an integral part of the design, as large-scale commercialization of the drug of interest depends on finding the optimal conditions for protein production.

  about the model assumptions and predictions!


The System

There are 6 differential equations that describe the behaviour of this system.
  about the equations and what they mean!


Summary of simulation results

  • When we introduce IPTG into the system, it temporarily removes LacI from the system. Hence, during this period of time, we produce the drug of interest.
  • When the effects of IPTG wear off, the system returns to equilibrium.
  • The more IPTG we add in, the higher the amount of output protein.

II09 SIm main prot.jpg

  about the simulations!

  • The effects of IPTG toxicity were investigated and we found that for these concentration ranges, IPTG is not toxic to cells. See the pdf of results for further details:Media:II09_IPTG_growth.ogg
  • The constants in this model are arbitrary. We justify our usage of these values with a more detailed dynamical analysis of the system, which shows that it can only have fixed points[ref Strogatz]. Media:II09_Prot_stability analysis.ogg



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