Contents

• 1) New Documentation for BBa_K1724002
• 2) New Documentation for BBa_K3946023
• 3) Docking simulation tutorial
• 4) Guide for forming a joint iGEM team
• References

New Documentation for BBa_K1724002

When we were doing our molecular modelling, we produced structures of BBa_K1724002 and characterized them using docking simulations. This confirmed in silico that the part can function as intended, as it binds Cd²⁺ with similar affinity as MerR binds Hg²⁺, and also successfully docks to PmerT in the absence of Cd²⁺.

New Documentation for BBa_K3946023

We characterized the part BBa_K3946023 and provided details about it's usage, as it had been previously submitted to the parts repository by the 2021 Edinburgh iGEM Team, but had not been documented thoroughly. We characterized this part by assessing the PET degradation activity with different silica tags, compared to other PETases. We showed that this part does degrade PET, but not as effectively as other parts, for example the FAST-PETase.

Beyond that we also created the DouPETase construct with different N-terminal Silica tag: Car9-DouPETase (BBa_K4390085) and L2NC-linker-DouPETase (BBa_K4390119). And we also help 2021 OG Edinburgh team to fill in more data about silica tags (L2NC,L2NC+linker, Car9+linker).

To avoid the error in JUMP assembly procedures, please dilute all the Lv.0 parts to 20 fmol/µl, therefore, you can take out 1 µl from every part you needed to make sure the correct amount of Lv.0 plasmids are added into the reaction.

For any future team that plan to immobilize enzymes and aptamers on the silica beads, please keep in mind that too much enzymes on the same silica bead would inhibit the enzyme activity overall, since the surface area on each silica bead is limited and can’t support infinite enzymes. So, remember to check the amount of protein loading on each silica bead to make sure enzymes on the same bead are not crowded.

Docking simulation tutorial

As part of our partnership with Team Munich, we produced a comprehensive guide to docking simulations, a bioinformatic method for studying protein-ligand interactions. This guide takes you step by step through an example docking simulation using AutoDock, and details many of the tools available for different skill levels and purposes. The guide is aimed at beginners to molecular docking, and should enable all iGEM teams to use this technique.

Read the tutorial below!

Guide for forming a joint iGEM team

Many iGEM teams are formed as joint teams, usually if two or more Universities in the same city want to form an iGEM team. However, not many joint teams are formed between two universities in different cities, countries, or even continents. Our transcontinental experiences led us to making a guide for forming joint teams, so hopefully more future iGEM teams will be able to span the boundary between global north and south. Find out more on our Human Practices Page.