How Far Have We Gotten?


Dr. Karmella Haynes and Samantha Simpson ('09) Continued Flipping

 


 

Convert Constructs to Numerical Symbols
Flippable Promoter (1) or (-1)
Flippable Tetracycline resistance (2) or (-2)

 


 

Unexpected Problems = opportunities to learn more

 

 

Position Matters for RBS

 


 

 

It Flips Too Fast!

 

 

Needed Two Plasmids to Reduce Hin Production; Remove RE

Pancakes in pSB1A7
Hin in pSB3K3

 


 

 

Test Predictions with Biological Reality

 

 


 

Needed Insulated Plasmid

 

 

 


 

Biological Equivalents

(1, 2) = (-2, -1)

Distinguish 1,2 from -2, -1

 


 

pBad is a Weak Promoter

 


 

 

pLac Promoter and Tetr Reveal Secrets

White Colonies Live on Tet Plates
Faint Pink Colonies Live on Tet Plates
Cells Die
Red Colonies Live on Tet Plates

 

 


 

4 PCR Primers Detect 4 Possible Orientations

 

 


 

4 PCR Primers to Detect 4 Possible Combinations

 


 

Screen Colonies for Flipping Order

 


 

One Flip Before Two Flips, No Size Preference

 

 


 

Hin Can Flip (-2, 1) to (-1, 2)

White Light
UV Light

 


 

What have we gained, besides having fun and learning a lot?

Cross-trained students in biology and math/CS

Understand: Promoters, Reporter Strengths, Critical Parts, and System Behavior

Successfully built biological computer

Produce better transgenic organisms?

Biological digital data storage (0's and 1's) device?

Massively parallel computation as cheap as an undercooked hamburger!

 


Biology Department


© Copyright 2007 Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28036
Send comments, questions, and suggestions to: macampbell@davidson.edu