Creating a lipid biosynthesis hybrid: E. nemone Teresa and Jodi

Goals Combine our research interests – Teresa: lipid biosynthesis – Jodi: coral symbiosis and genomics Teach our students Try something new Keep it low risk

Anemone host Photosynthetic symbionts Symbiotic unit Combine our research interests: Roles of L ipids in Coral Symbiosis and Bleaching Lipids involved in establishment of symbiosis Lipids produced during thermal stress and loss of symbiosis

+ E-nemone!

PA CDP-DAG PS PE PG-P PG CL PC PI E. coli pathway Eukaryotic pathway Eukaryotic only lipids Lipid Biosynthetic Pathways

Teach our students: A hybrid course to build E. nemone Combine our two existing courses – Chem 145: Chemistry Research Techniques for accelerated freshmen 9 students – Biol 244: Genomics sophomore/junior lab course 16 students Six week intersection Research questions: Can we alter the lipidome of E. coli? Can we learn about Anemone lipid biosynthesis and function?

Week 2 Intro to project Context of project Brainstorming about genomics and biochemistry approaches Learn about E. coli and eukaryotic lipid biosynthesis pathways Identify target genes in E. coli and anemone genomes Choose target enzymes Chem students search for E. coli genes Bio students search for genes in anemone genomes Decide what is feasible to engineer and get started Presentation of genes/discussion of which genes to target Synthetic Bio (Bio Bricks) discussion Design primers Build the hybrid E. nemone: PCR, ligation, transformations, colony PCR Characterize lipids: Grow cells, extract lipids, TLC, MS Presentations Discussion: what would we do next? Week 1 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6

Synthetic Biology Approach We can use parts from the mini-registry pLac --- RBS --- RFP:GOI --- tt pLac --- RBS --- GOI --- RFP --- tt pLac --- RBS --- GOI --- tt GOI = Gene of Interest RFP = Red Fluorescent Protein

Outcomes Chem students learn genomics Genomics students learn biochemistry Development of interdisciplinary collaborations Introduce Synthetic Biology to Vassar Develop tools to enhance scholarship Engage students in REAL research!