For our final project we had to apply our knowledge of biotechnology to solve a world problem. We went through the stages of the engineering and design cycle. My team and I choose the energy crisis to find an alternative source of energy. We released that there are a lot of lights that have to stay on for long periods of time like street lamps. We wanted to look for an alternative to these types of light sources. The result was changing the DNA of plants to make them glow. The genetic modification to the plant would produce luciferien, a chemical created using the enzyme Luciferase (it comes from fireflies). This uses a similar process to our pGLO (GMO) lab.
Content:
Luciferin:
A chemical that reacts with oxygen to produce light without any heat or waste product. It is what makes our plants glow.
Luciferase:
The enzyme that produces Luciferin.
Engineering Design Cycle:
A process that makes sure you full think through an idea or lab. We used it for this project so we did not miss any details.
Argo-bacterium:
The strain of bacteria we are using to transport our plasmid into the plant.
Gene Gun:
A process that involves shooting a metal, DNA covered pellet into a seed to genetically modify it.
Electroportation:
A process that involves zapping a plant with electricity to open it pores to allow us to get the transport bacteria into the plant.
Xylem Transport:
A process that involves putting glowing bacteria in water and then putting a cut flower into the water.
Plasmidify:
To turn into a plasimid that can be injected into the plant.
A chemical that reacts with oxygen to produce light without any heat or waste product. It is what makes our plants glow.
Luciferase:
The enzyme that produces Luciferin.
Engineering Design Cycle:
A process that makes sure you full think through an idea or lab. We used it for this project so we did not miss any details.
Argo-bacterium:
The strain of bacteria we are using to transport our plasmid into the plant.
Gene Gun:
A process that involves shooting a metal, DNA covered pellet into a seed to genetically modify it.
Electroportation:
A process that involves zapping a plant with electricity to open it pores to allow us to get the transport bacteria into the plant.
Xylem Transport:
A process that involves putting glowing bacteria in water and then putting a cut flower into the water.
Plasmidify:
To turn into a plasimid that can be injected into the plant.
Science behind it:
Business Plan:
This is our presentation:
Reflection:
One big challenge I had in this project was making my voice be heard because I was in a group full of people with great leadership skills, so I did not take as active as a leadership role. This showed me that I need to be more assertive when I am surrounded by brilliant, smart people. Other than that I had a blast working on this project, as my group consisted of many of my friends. We were all very comfortable around each other, which made for a fun relaxed work environment were no one was carrying all the weight. In this project I had a lot of fun coming up with the design of the product and working on the marketing aspect of coming up with a consumer good. Throughout this project I also learned more about how to genetically modify an organism to make it function the way you want it to. I never knew there were so many different way one could open the cell membrane so you could insert new DNA. One other challenge I working in this group was that since everyone was my friend, it was hard to stay on task.