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The U of A 2009 iGEM Project:
BioBytes:
A high throughput Method for Minimal
Genome construction
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.
What could SynBio build?
Anderson et al. 2006
Bacteria that target
metastatic tumors
New organisms with
controlled structure
Inexpensive houses from
engineered plants
What has SynBio built?
“Colliroids”
A bacteria powered
battery
http://openwetware.org/wiki/LightCannon
http://2008.igem.org/Team:Harvard
Synthetic biological production
of the antimalarial drug
artemisinin
Received $42 million from the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
http://www.artemisininproject.org
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?
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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
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
Genomic
DNA
Essential
genes
Insert into E. coli
ori
ori
ori
ori
Cell
division
Move replication origin from
original genome to essential
genes
Essential genes can replicate,
original genome can not
ori
E.coli with
Minimal
genome
Why it Matters to You
Interested in a career in biology or engineering?
Synthetic biology is a promising emerging field.

Want to do science? High school students and early
undergraduates can do great research that matters. iGEM
is just one of many opportunities.
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Considering the societal impact? Play a role in how our
society manages synthetic biology through your consumer
choice, your vote, or your career.
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Ethics
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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?
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?
What do you think?