BioBytes: A high throughput Method for Minimal Genome construction The U of A 2009 iGEM Project:

What’s what Synthetic biology - Engineering of organisms to perform artificial functions iGEM - International synthetic biology competition for undergraduate students Team REcoli - A collection of 30 life sciences, business, computer sciences, physical sciences and engineering undergraduate students E. coli - Well studied bacterium naturally found in the mammalian large intestine. Genome - All of the genes in an organism.

Anderson et al Bacteria that target metastatic tumors New organisms with controlled structure Inexpensive houses from engineered plants What could SynBio build?

What has SynBio built? Synthetic biological production of the antimalarial drug artemisinin Received $42 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation “Colliroids” A bacteria powered battery

Project REcoli What is the minimal set of genes E.coli needs to survive? Objectives: 1. Propose a minimal genome, about 10% of the original size 2. Develop methods to rapidly assemble hundred of genes 3. Develop an automated system for gene assembly

Why minimize a genome? To understand the requirements for life – if we know what is needed, we can start asking why To understand the requirements for life – if we know what is needed, we can start asking why Develop a simplified, well characterized chasse for other experiments Develop a simplified, well characterized chasse for other experiments To optimize and demonstrate high throughput techniques To optimize and demonstrate high throughput techniques

How we’re doing it E.coli genomic DNA Amplify just the essential genes Add special ends String genes together on a bead

How we’re doing it Insert into E. coli Cell division Move replication origin from original genome to essential genes Essential genes can replicate, original genome can not E.coli with Minimal genome Genomic DNA Essential genes ori

Why it Matters to You Interested in a career in biology or engineering? Interested in a career in biology or engineering? Synthetic biology is a promising emerging field. Want to do science? High school students and early Want to do science? High school students and early undergraduates can do great research that matters. iGEM is just one of many opportunities. Considering the societal impact? Play a role in how our Considering the societal impact? Play a role in how our society manages synthetic biology through your consumer choice, your vote, or your career.

Ethics If a man-made genome can sustain a living cell, is that creating life? Should that be permitted? If a man-made genome can sustain a living cell, is that creating life? Should that be permitted? Should we be allowed to own an organism whose genome we’ve design? Should we be allowed to own an organism whose genome we’ve design? Who should be allowed to ‘build their own bug’ with our assembly kit? How can we regulate it? Who should be allowed to ‘build their own bug’ with our assembly kit? How can we regulate it? Should the genetic parts in the assembly kits be free, or can the inventor own and charge money for them? Should the genetic parts in the assembly kits be free, or can the inventor own and charge money for them?

What do you think?