BBa_426100 is a dual expression cassette designed for the combinatorial expression of (S)-cheilanthifoline synthase from Eschscholzia californica (EcCFS), a cytochrome P450 involved in the synthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in the sanguinarine pathway, and a cytochrome P450 reductase partner from Arabidopsis thaliana, ATR1. Both genes have been codon-optimized for expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The sequence includes a TEF1 promoter sequence paired with an ADH1 terminator for the first cassette (ATR1) and a TDH3 promoter paired with a CYC1 terminator for the second (EcCFS). The second cassette immediately follows the first, allowing for simultaneous expression of both the cytochrome P450 and its redox partner - a novel expression method for this application. Both P_TEF1 and P_TDH3 are strong constitutive promoters commonly used in vectors for the reconstitution of plant biosynthetic pathways in yeast. (S)-cheilanthifoline synthase was placed under P_TDH3 due to the greater comparative strength of that promoter and better yield as reported by Trenchard and Smolke, 2015, who expressed these genes separately in individual plasmids.

For descriptions of the basic parts constituting this composite cassette, see BBa_K4261011 (P_TEF1), BBa_K4261002 (ATR1 yeast-codon optimized cds), BBa_K4261012 (T_ADH1), BBa_K4261022 (P_TDH3), BBa_K4261001 (EcCFS yeast-codon optimized cds), and BBa_K4261014 (T_CYC1).

Starting off the season, our lab team researched numerous sources pertaining to our project that guided us in our decision making. We wrote shortened summaries and key points from 26 papers, which we deem as enriching to iGEM teams who are looking for the most comprehensive and relevant information out of the boundless expanse of schistosome related literature. Our approach is targeted towards other high school teams in a "for students, by students" approach that we are confident will support future iGEM teams working on the general issue of schistosomiasis. CCA iGEM's literature collective covers 4 topics encapsulating the complete process of the project: schistosoma and Biomphalaria glabrata, antischistosomal compounds, expressing antischistosomal compounds, and alternative methods of targeting schistosoma.

Our Science Communication team wrote a 40 page book about bacteria. We included key basic details such as bacteria's anatomy, classification, and functions. The content is advanced and in-depth, yet easy to read and understand; there isn't much confusing scientific jargon used. There is also a section called “Bacteria in Synthetic Biology,” which we hope will be beneficial to future iGEM teams. In it, we talk about common techniques used and bacteria's role in synbio. We also translated our book into four languages—Chinese, French, Spanish, and Korean—in case any international teams wanted to read our book as well.

We collaborated with Lambert HS iGEM team to create a lab safety video for those who are hoping to get into the lab and do synthetic biology work. We explained basic topics such as disinfecting equipment and surroundings, as well as how to use certain equipment in the lab. Although the information we covered was pretty basic, they are crucial to know for anyone working in synthetic biology, and we hope that this video benefits any beginning iGEM teams who are starting out in the lab.

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