Intended Experiments
We intend to synthesize the homologous genes (from phylogenetically similar species),
of oxidosqualene cylase and cytochrome oxidase, enzymes from the A. indica plant
involved in the biosynthesis of dihydronilocticin. They will be cloned onto a yeast
specific expression plasmid which will be transformed into S. cerevisae.
Selection for transformants will be done and then the resultant cells are allowed
to express the desired component. The cell contents after expression will be extracted
and purified. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses made to test for the
presence of dihydronilocticin. Thereafter, the goal will be to synthesize azadirachtin
from the dihydronilocticin which will then be infused into a stable solution which
will be used in a solar based diffuser.
Safety precautions
- The respective laboratory managers in the laboratory to be used are trained in biosafety and biosecurity of all techniques performed in the lab under which our project falls.
- The research center for tropical diseases and vector control guides us through all the experiments.
- All team members received safety and security training.
Future prospects
- In the future, after the project is fully developed into a real product that real people could use, people could buy it and use it in their homes
- The continued development of the project would require release beyond containment of the product of the engineered yeast strain
- People on our team have had a conversation (within your team or with someone outside the team) about how any of the bad outcomes below might relate to your project in terms of breaking norms about synthetic biology
Laws and regulations governing our work
Note:
- The guidelines picked from the trainings and consultations have helped us formulate biosafety and biosecurity strategies for the project.
- Additionally, the interaction with other IGEM teams allows us to learn about laboratory security in other countries and understand synthetic biology policies.
- A responsible communication plan is crucial for team safety and proper guidance by our PI and other supervisors
- The actions, support and information received will allow the team to formulate steps on how to identify and analyze potential risks in equipment, activities and personnel.
- Appropriate waste management strategies shall be put in place and a system to monitor and review the whole process will be drafted and implemented hence the necessary experiments are performed under a certified safety hood, wearing all the personal protective equipment required (lab coats, gloves, and masks), and respecting the laboratory rules.
- Our training has guaranteed the safety of the entire team, all by our PI. All the equipment used is properly handled and waste management is done as to limit environmental impact