Alberta

From 2007.igem.org

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With growing concerns in the global energy market there has been a continual push for the development of renewable energy sources.  Specifically, two fuels have dominated the media: biodiesel and ethanol.  However, both of these fuels have shortcomings in terms of being a viable fuel source.
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With growing concerns of global greenhouse gasses, the global energy market is in a continual push for the development of renewable energy sources.  Specifically, two fuels have dominated the media: biodiesel and ethanol.  However, both of these fuels have shortcomings in terms of being a viable fuel source.
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There has been huge attention to the use of ethanol in the typical auto cycle engine.  In many places it is already being blended with gasoline to create a hybrid fuel source.  However, running an engine on pure ethanol is beset by several major obstacles.  Firstly, ethanol is miscible with water at any concentration, which creates long term storage corrosion issues.  In addition, ethanol engines must be designed to expect water vapor unlike their gasoline counterparts.  Ethanol also has significantly different thermodynamic properties than gasoline such as a lower energy density and different vapor properties, which would reduce the economical advantage of using ethanol as a primary fuels source.
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There has been huge attention to the use of ethanol in the typical auto cycle engine.  In many places it is already being blended with gasoline to create a hybrid fuel source.  However, running an engine on pure ethanol is beset by several major obstacles.  Firstly, ethanol is miscible with water at any concentration, which creates long term storage corrosion issues.  Secondly, ethanol engines must be designed to expect water vapor unlike their gasoline counterparts.  Ethanol also has significantly different thermodynamic properties than gasoline such as a lower energy density and different vapor properties, which would reduce the economical advantage of using ethanol as a primary fuels source.
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We propose using a different fuels source to eventually replace gasoline, butanol.  Butanol is a superior to ethanol as a replacement for petroleum gasoline. With a low vapor pressure, high energy density, and a gasoline-like octane rating, it can be blended into existing gasoline at much higher proportions than ethanol without compromising performance, mileage, cold starting, or volatile organic pollution standards.  Blending butanol with gasoline also prevents modifications of the fuel-air ratio and modifications to the fuel system.  Butanol also is immiscible with water at concentrations higher than 7%, alleviating storage concerns.
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We propose using a different fuel source to eventually replace gasoline, butanol.  Butanol is a superior to ethanol as a replacement for petroleum gasoline. With a low vapor pressure, high energy density, and a gasoline-like octane rating, it can be blended into existing gasoline at much higher proportions than ethanol without compromising performance, mileage, organic pollution standards.  Blending butanol with gasoline also prevents major modifications of the fuel-air ratio and modifications to the fuel system.  Butanol also is immiscible with water at concentrations higher than 7%, alleviating storage concerns as well as offering the possiblity of phase separation which would realize huge cost savings in terms of production.
More information on the summary of biofuels viability and the inspiration to our project can be found '''[[Alberta/background|here]]'''.
More information on the summary of biofuels viability and the inspiration to our project can be found '''[[Alberta/background|here]]'''.
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== '''The Project: Plan B''' ==
 
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We propose the use of butanol as the leading biofuel for use in internal combustion engines.  Specifically, we intend to genetically engineer ''E.coli'' bacteria to convert biomasses into butanol for use as an energy source.  This will be accomplished by introducing the genes responsible for butanol production in ''Clostridium acetobutylicum'' into ''E.coli''.  Furthermore, we hope to increase the E.coli's tolerance to solvents such as butanol.
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The Butanerds wanted to further evaluate the use of butanol as a fuel in standard spark ignition engines.  With the assistance of The University of Alberta's Engine Control Lab in Mechanical Engineering we were able to run a peak power test comparing butanol to iso-octane, a standard test measurement. Each fuel was burned at a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio at 4 different angular speeds.  The experimental setup and results can be seen below.
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[[image: alberta_engine1.jpeg|thumb|left|275px| Engine Test Setup Front View]]
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[[image: alberta_engine2.jpeg|thumb|left|275px| Engine Test Setup Side View]]
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[[image: alberta_enginechart2.jpeg|thumb|left|275px| Peak Power vs. RPM Experimental Data]]
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<br>
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Concurrently, we are looking into the use of a photoautotrophic bacterium, ''Chlorobium tepidum'', that we will also introduce butanol producing genes into. ''Chlorobium tepidum'' is a green sulfur bacterium that is strictly anaerobic and uses sulfur compounds as terminal electron donors. ''Chlorobium tepidum'' is a moderately thermophillic bacterium, growing at 40 degrees celcius (104 degrees fahrenheit for the yankees), and requires low light conditions for optimal growth. These bacteria grow well in a defined medium, utilizing the reverse/reductive tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to build up carbohydrates from carbon dioxide. For a more comprehensive overview of ''Chlorobium tepidum'' go to http://www.bmb.psu.edu/faculty/bryant/lab/chlorobiumtepidum/index.html
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== '''The Project: Plan B''' ==
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[[Image:spacer.jpeg|left]][[Image:Alberta_micrograph.gif|thumb|300px|left|Figure 1:''Chlorobium tepidum'' Transmission Micrograph Image]]
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We propose the use of butanol as the leading biofuel for use in internal combustion engines. Specifically, we intend to genetically engineer ''Escherichia coli'' bacteria to convert biomass into butanol for use as an energy source. This will be accomplished by introducing the genes responsible for butanol production from ''Clostridium acetobutylicum'' (i.e. endogenous butanoate pathway) into ''E. coli''.  Furthermore, we hope to increase ''E. coli'''s tolerance to solvents such as butanol.
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[[Image:Alberta_gramstain.jpg|thumb|330px|left|Figure 2:''Chlorobium tepidum'' Standard Light Microscope Image]]
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<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
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I: Transforming genes in ''C. acetobutylicum'''s butanoate pathway into ''E.coli''<br>
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Figure 1 and 2 Images from http://www.bmb.psu.edu/faculty/bryant/lab/chlorobiumtepidum/index.html
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Genes encoding the enzymes in the ''C. acetobutylicum'' butanoate metabolism pathway were identified using the KEGG database (KEGG number-ca00650: http://www.kegg.com/dbget-bin/www_bget?path:cac00650). Our cloning stragegy is to incorporate all the genes in a single operon with respective inducible promoter and ribosome binding site in a plasmid. Such construct enables easy transformation of multiple genes simultaneously into ''E.coli'' and allows the coordinated expression of genes within the operon.  <br>
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The advantage of manipulating this organism for butanol production is a matter of energy input. Rather than having to utilize vast amounts of food stocks, such as grains or sugars, a photoautotroph will fix carbon dioxide into the complex carbohydrates required for butanol production. Theoretically, if the only fuel on our planet was butanol, and it was produced in this manner, there would be little net carbon dioxide produced.
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After receiving the commercially synthesized coding sequences of the genes of interest, the coding sequences are restricted with proper BioBrick prefixes and suffixes out of the original plasmid and cloned into B0034 (ribosome binding site). Double digest (Xba I and Spe I) as well as automated sequencing reactions are performed to verify the proper insertion of the coding sequences and the presence of a ribosome binding site at the 5' end of each coding sequence. <br>
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== '''Project Timeline''' ==
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The operon, shown below, consists of all of the genes in the pathway (except ''E. coli'''s thiolase). Note that we purposedly added a Histamine tag to the carboxy terminus of each gene product such that we could use Nickel-NTA column to purify the tagged proteins and subsequently analyze protein expression and enzymatic activity.
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[[image: alberta_butanol_Operon.jpeg|thumb|center|400px|The Butanol Operon]]
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<center>[[Image: Alberta_timeline.jpg]] </center>
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II: Developing butanol tolerance with the mutagenic and toxic compound--Ethylnitrosourea ENU<br>
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<br>
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The concept is to make butanol-agar plates of various butanol concentrations and place an ENU disk in the centre.  We expect two ring-shaped kill zones.  The first where bacteria die due to the toxicity of ENU at the centre of the plate.  The second around the outer edge of the butanol-agr plate where bacteria die due to butanol toxicity.  In between these two zones we hope to see some cells that would be mutated in a benifical way to render them resistant to butanol.
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[[image: alberta_butanolplate2.jpeg|400px|thumb|center|Proposed Butanol-ENU Plate for Mutagenisis of ''E. coli'']]
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== '''Become A Partner''' ==
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Concurrently, we are investigating the possibiilty of introducing the butanol production pathway into a photoautotrophic bacterium, ''Chlorobium tepidum''. ''C. tepidum'' is a green sulfur bacterium that is strictly anaerobic and uses sulfur compounds as terminal electron donors. ''C. tepidum'' is a moderately thermophillic bacterium, growing at 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), and requires low light conditions for optimal growth. These bacteria grow well in a defined medium, utilizing the reverse/reductive tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to build up carbohydrates from carbon dioxide.  In addition, the genome of this bacterium has been completely sequenced.  For a more comprehensive overview of ''Chlorobium tepidum'' go to [[http://www.bmb.psu.edu/faculty/bryant/lab/chlorobiumtepidum/index.html ''here'']].  Images below from http://www.bmb.psu.edu/faculty/bryant/lab/chlorobiumtepidum/index.html
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This summer, eleven members are participating in this very exciting project voluntarily without monetary stipend and fundraising to do the project from scratch. We would love to form a relationship with your organization's support to help achieve our goals in this exciting learning experience. <br>
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[[Image:spacer.jpeg|left]][[Image:Alberta_micrograph.gif|thumb|300px|left|Figure 1:''Chlorobium tepidum'' Transmission Micrograph Image]]
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[[Image:Alberta_gramstain.jpg|thumb|330px|left|Figure 2:''Chlorobium tepidum'' Standard Light Microscope Image]]
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If your organization is interested in becoming a partner and supporting our exciting learning adventures, contact our fundraising coordinator Michelle; mcchan[at]ualberta.ca or our mentor Dr. Michael Deyholos; deyholos[at]ualberta.ca<br>
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<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
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<b>Major Sponsors</b>
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The advantage of manipulating this organism for butanol production is a matter of energy input and output. Rather than having to utilize vast amounts of food stocks, such as grains or sugars, a photoautotroph will fix carbon dioxide into the complex carbohydrates required for butanol production. Theoretically, if the only fuel on our planet was butanol, and it was produced in this manner, there would be little net carbon dioxide produced.
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{| align="center" style="color:white;"
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[[image: alberta_carboncycle1.jpeg|thumb|300px|center| Propose Closed Carbon-butanol Cycle]]
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|-
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| width="200pt" | [[Image: Alberta_uofa.gif]]
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| width="100pt" |  
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| width="100pt" | [[Image: Alberta_ingenuity.gif]]
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|}
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== '''Modeling Efforts''' ==
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{| align="center" style="color:white;"
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Initially our plan to model the efficiency of the butanol production hinged on developing a complete model for the entire glucose pathway in an ''E. coli'' cell using Michaelis-Menten kinetics. After further review, this proved to be beyond the scope of our project's timeline due both to the large number of species and reactions present in the system (as well as their non-linear behavior) and the relative difficulty in finding experimental kinetic information for some of the reactions in our pathway. <br>
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|-  
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| width="100pt" | [[Image: Alberta_UofABS.gif]]
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'''Monetary''' (in alphabetical order)
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Therefore, to obtain a rough "first-order" approximation for the behavior of the pathway, we considered three factors:
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{| align="center" style="color:white;"
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1) Stoichiometric factors (both redox and carbon)<br>
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|-
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2) Compared the relative production rates of the various end products of the glucose pathway in ''E. coli'' as found in previous experimentation to the production rates of butanol in ''C. acetobutylicum''. <br>
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| width="200pt" | [[Image: Alberta_Arc_color.GIF]]
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3) We have also a fuel E. coli Stoichometric Matrix, and intend to stoichiometrically model the system in order to optimize butanol production once the operon is in the system.
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| width="100pt" |
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| width="100pt" | [[Image: Alberta_Awsn.jpg]]
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| width="100pt"
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| width="200pt" | [[Image: Alberta_Bio_alberta.jpg]]
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{| align="center" style="color:white;"
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From these factors we can obtain an indicator of how likely butanol will be produced.
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<br>
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| width="100pt" | [[Image: Alberta_Gem.jpg]]
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| width="100pt" |
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| width="100pt" | [[Image: Alberta_Trimliner.jpg]]
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In order to further develop the system, we hope a full metabolic stochiometric model can be eventually realized for this project.  This would allow optimization of the system in order to maximize the flux through the butanol pathway.
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|}
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== '''Project Timeline''' ==
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{| align="center" style="color:white;"
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[[image: Alberta_gantt.jpeg|thumb|400px|center|[[Project Gantt Chart (click here to enlarge)]]]]
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| width="100pt" | [[Image: Alberta_Biochemr.jpg]]
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| width="100pt" | [[Image: Alberta_Office_of_provostr.jpg]]  
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|}
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The GANTT Chart Above details the schedule for the lab work that contributed to Plan B. Beginning in July and finishing with our final work in October, the schedule includes details on our different methods to compose an operon that would meet our objectives. In order to read the GANTT Chart for the Lab work of Plan B, please refer to the legend below.
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{| align="center" style="color:white;"
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'''Legend: ''' <br>
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|-  
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Benny - Butyryl CoA dehydrogenase<br>
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| width="100pt" | [[Image: Alberta_Pmcol.jpg]]
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Enny - Enoyl CoA hydratase<br>
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| width="100pt" |
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Buddy - Butanol dehydrogenase<br>
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| width="100pt" | [[Image:Alberta_Sciencer1.jpg]] 
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Betty - Beta-hydraoxy butyryl CoA dehydrogenase<br>
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|-
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Deisel Blaze - Butyraldehyde dehydrogenase<br>
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|}
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== '''Lab Book and Calendar''' ==
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[[image: Alberta_butapipettips.jpg]][[image: Alberta_arrow.jpg]] [[image: Alberta_Labbook.jpg]] <br>
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{| align="center" style="color:white;"
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Butanerd Event Calendar can be found below:
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|-
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| width="100pt" | [[Image: Alberta_Student_unionr.jpg]]
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|-
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|}
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[http://www.ualberta.ca/~mjl3/UofAIgemProtocols.pdf The Lab Protocols]
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'''Supplies''' (in alphabetical order)
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[[Alberta/Calender/July|July 2007]]
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[[Alberta/Calender/August|August 2007]]
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{| align="center" style="color:white;"
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[[Alberta/Calender/September|September 2007]]
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|-
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| width="200pt" | [[Image: Alberta_AB.gif]]
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| width="50pt" |
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| width="100pt" | [[Image:Alberta_Nebr.jpg]]
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| width="50pt" |
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| width="100pt" | [[Image: Alberta_Qiagenr.jpg]]
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|-
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|} 
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[[Alberta/Calender/October|October 2007]]
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'''In-Kind'''
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Meetings (Agenda's, Minutes, Action Items):
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{| align="center" style="color:white;"
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[[Alberta/Calender/Meetings|Meeting Information]]
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|-
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| width="200pt" | [[Image: Alberta_biobasic.gif]]
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| width="50pt" |
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| width="100pt" | [[Image: Alberta_geneart.gif]]
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| width="50pt" |
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| width="100pt" | [[Image: Alberta_Office_of_dean_of_studentsr.jpg]]
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|-
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|}
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'''Advice'''
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Online Form:
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'''[http://butanerds.myfreeforum.org The Butanerd Online Forum]''' is up and running.  Feel free to post and check for posts here.  Make sure you register!
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'''Andrew Hessel''' - ''Alberta Ingenuity Mentor,''<br>
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== '''The Team''' ==
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'''Dr. Jonathan Dennis''' - ''University of Alberta,''<br>
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'''Dr. Perrin Beatty''' - ''University of Alberta,''<br>
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'''Dr. David Bressler''' - ''University of Alberta,''<br>
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'''Dr. Charles Lucy''' - ''University of Alberta,''<br>
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'''Dr. Gregory Kiema''' - ''University of Alberta,''<br>
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'''Dr. Donald Bryant''' - ''Penn State,''<br>
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'''Dr. Gaozhong Shen''' - ''Penn State,''<br>
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'''Amaya Garcia''' - ''Penn State,''<br>
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'''Dr. Mark S. Peppler''' - ''University of Alberta,''<br>
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'''Dr. James Harynuk''' - ''University of Alberta,''<br>
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'''Dr. Federick West'''-''University of Alberta,''<br>
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'''Dr. Todd Lowary'''-''University of Alberta,''<br>
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'''Desiree Schell''' - ''University of Alberta CJSR''<br>
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'''Dr. Jeff Fuller''' - ''University of Alberta/Capital Health''<br>
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'''Dr. Julia Foght''' - ''University of Alberta''<br>
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<center>[[Image: Alberta_team_new.jpg]] </center>
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<br>
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Our team has a rich background in biology, biochemistry and engineering.  To compliment our diversity we also have advisors who have a wealth of knowledge in research and applications of genetic engineering.  For more information about the group, check out the '''[[Alberta/Members|University of Alberta's iGEM Team Members Page]]'''.
 +
[[Advisors:]] <br>
 +
Dr. Michael Deyholos                         deyholos[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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Dr. Douglas Ridgway                         ridgway[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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Dr. Wayne Materi                         wayne.materi[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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James Maclagan                                 james.maclagan[at]ualberta.ca<br>
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[[Team:]] <br>
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Michelle Chan – Biological Sciences         mcchan[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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Erin Dul – Biochemistry edul[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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Jason Gardiner – Botany jlg6[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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Nick Glass – Mechanical Engineering         nglass[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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    Graduate student in Electrical Engineering<br>
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Veronica Houston – Mechanical Engineering         vhouston[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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Nikhil Kumar – Biological Sciences nkumar[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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Matt LaFleche – Engineering Physics         mjl3[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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Alex Lam – Pharmacology         pokman[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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Justin Pahara – Immunology & Infection         jpahara[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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    Graduate student in Cell Biology <br>
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Celine Zeng – Pharmacology youci[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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A list of experimental supplies we need can be found '''[[supplies|here]]'''
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We thank you for your interest, and further inquiries can be directed to igem[at]ualberta.ca <br>
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== '''Lab Book and Calendar''' ==
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Our University of Alberta Student Group Constitution can be found '''[[alberta/constitution|here]]'''
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[[image: Alberta_butapipettips.jpg]][[image: Alberta_arrow.jpg]] [[image: Alberta_Labbook.jpg]] <br>
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<nowiki>Insert non-formatted text here</nowiki>
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Butanerd Event Calendar can be found below:
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== '''Edmonton''' ==
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[[Alberta/Calender/July|July 2007]]
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Welcome to Edmonton!
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[[Alberta/Calender/August|August 2007]]
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<center>[[Image: Alberta_edmonton.jpg]]</center>
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<br>
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[[Alberta/Calender/September|September 2007]]
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For more on the city of Edmonton click '''[http://www.ualberta.ca/~mjl3/About.html here]'''.
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[[Alberta/Calender/October|October 2007]]
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== '''Sponsors''' ==
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[[Alberta/Calender/November|November 2007]]
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We would like to thank all of our sponsers for their gracious support and our advisors for invaluble advise.
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== '''Discussion Board''' ==
 
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'''[http://butanerds.myfreeforum.org The Butanerd Online Forum]''' is up and running.  Feel free to post and check for posts here.  Make sure you register!
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<b>Major Sponsors</b>
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== '''Protocols''' ==
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{| align="center" style="color:white;"
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|[[Image: Alberta_sponsors1.gif]]
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|}
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[http://www.ualberta.ca/~mjl3/UofAIgemProtocols.pdf The Lab Protocols]
 
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== '''Files''' ==
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'''Sponsors'''
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Meeting minutes, agendas and action items can be found '''[[alberta/meeting files|here]]'''
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{| align="center" style="color:white;"
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|[[Image: Alberta_sponsors2.gif]]
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|}
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Other shared files can be found '''[[alberta/files|here]]'''.  (If you have a file to post please contact Nick Glass)
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'''Advice'''
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== '''The Team''' ==
 
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<center>[[Image: Alberta_team.jpg]] </center>
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'''Andrew Hessel''' - ''Alberta Ingenuity Mentor''<br>
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<br>
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'''Dr. Jonathan Dennis''' - ''University of Alberta''<br>
 +
'''Dr. Perrin Beatty''' - ''University of Alberta''<br>
 +
'''Dr. David Bressler''' - ''University of Alberta''<br>
 +
'''Dr. Charles Lucy''' - ''University of Alberta''<br>
 +
'''Dr. Gregory Kiema''' - ''University of Alberta''<br>
 +
'''Dr. Mark S. Peppler''' - ''University of Alberta''<br>
 +
'''Dr. James Harynuk''' - ''University of Alberta''<br>
 +
'''Dr. Federick West'''-''University of Alberta''<br>
 +
'''Dr. Todd Lowary'''-''University of Alberta''<br>
 +
'''Desiree Schell''' - ''University of Alberta CJSR''<br>
 +
'''Dr. Jeff Fuller''' - ''University of Alberta/Capital Health''<br>
 +
'''Dr. Julia Foght''' - ''University of Alberta''<br>
 +
'''Dr. David Checkel''' - ''University of Alberta''<br>
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'''Adrian Audiet''' - ''University of Alberta''<br>
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'''Dr. Koch''' - ''University of Alberta''<br>
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'''Dr. Donald Bryant''' - ''Pennsylvania State''<br>
 +
'''Dr. Gaozhong Shen''' - ''Pennsylvania State''<br>
 +
'''Amaya Garcia''' - ''Pennsylvania State''<br>
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Our team has a rich background in biology, biochemistry and engineering.  To compliment our diversity we also have advisors who have a wealth of knowledge in research and applications of genetic engineering.  For more information about the group, check out the '''[[Alberta/Members|University of Alberta's iGEM Team Members Page]]'''.
 
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Our University of Alberta Student Group Constitution can be found '''[[alberta/constitution|here]]'''
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A list of experimental supplies we need can be found '''[[supplies|here]]'''
 +
== '''External Links''' ==
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== '''Edmonton''' ==
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[http://www.albertaingenuity.ca/ Alberta Ingenuity Fund]
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For more on the city of Edmonton click [http://www.ualberta.ca/~mjl3/About.html here].
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[http://www.ualberta.ca The University of Alberta Hompage]
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For more info on the University of Alberta '''[http://www.ualberta.ca University of Alberta click here]'''
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== '''External Links''' ==
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'''Computational Modelling'''
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[http://www.mece.ualberta.ca/~ckoch/ Dr. Koch's Engine Lab]
[http://www.systems-biology.org/cd Cell Designer Homepage]
[http://www.systems-biology.org/cd Cell Designer Homepage]
[http://www.biomodels.org Biomodels Home Page]
[http://www.biomodels.org Biomodels Home Page]

Latest revision as of 01:33, 10 January 2008

Headbanner.jpg


The Offical Wiki of the 2007 University of Alberta iGEM Team

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Contents

Background: Biofuels

With growing concerns of global greenhouse gasses, the global energy market is in a continual push for the development of renewable energy sources. Specifically, two fuels have dominated the media: biodiesel and ethanol. However, both of these fuels have shortcomings in terms of being a viable fuel source.


Biodiesel is a fuel produced from the vegetable oils of crops that can be used in an engine system very similar to a traditional diesel engine. However, vegetable oils in crops only make up a small portion of the biomass of the plants, ultimately producing low yields of fuel per acre of crops. As such, it is more economically sound to use these resources for food production.


There has been huge attention to the use of ethanol in the typical auto cycle engine. In many places it is already being blended with gasoline to create a hybrid fuel source. However, running an engine on pure ethanol is beset by several major obstacles. Firstly, ethanol is miscible with water at any concentration, which creates long term storage corrosion issues. Secondly, ethanol engines must be designed to expect water vapor unlike their gasoline counterparts. Ethanol also has significantly different thermodynamic properties than gasoline such as a lower energy density and different vapor properties, which would reduce the economical advantage of using ethanol as a primary fuels source.


We propose using a different fuel source to eventually replace gasoline, butanol. Butanol is a superior to ethanol as a replacement for petroleum gasoline. With a low vapor pressure, high energy density, and a gasoline-like octane rating, it can be blended into existing gasoline at much higher proportions than ethanol without compromising performance, mileage, organic pollution standards. Blending butanol with gasoline also prevents major modifications of the fuel-air ratio and modifications to the fuel system. Butanol also is immiscible with water at concentrations higher than 7%, alleviating storage concerns as well as offering the possiblity of phase separation which would realize huge cost savings in terms of production.


More information on the summary of biofuels viability and the inspiration to our project can be found here.


The Butanerds wanted to further evaluate the use of butanol as a fuel in standard spark ignition engines. With the assistance of The University of Alberta's Engine Control Lab in Mechanical Engineering we were able to run a peak power test comparing butanol to iso-octane, a standard test measurement. Each fuel was burned at a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio at 4 different angular speeds. The experimental setup and results can be seen below.

Engine Test Setup Front View
Engine Test Setup Side View
Peak Power vs. RPM Experimental Data


The Project: Plan B

We propose the use of butanol as the leading biofuel for use in internal combustion engines. Specifically, we intend to genetically engineer Escherichia coli bacteria to convert biomass into butanol for use as an energy source. This will be accomplished by introducing the genes responsible for butanol production from Clostridium acetobutylicum (i.e. endogenous butanoate pathway) into E. coli. Furthermore, we hope to increase E. coli's tolerance to solvents such as butanol.

I: Transforming genes in C. acetobutylicum's butanoate pathway into E.coli
Genes encoding the enzymes in the C. acetobutylicum butanoate metabolism pathway were identified using the KEGG database (KEGG number-ca00650: http://www.kegg.com/dbget-bin/www_bget?path:cac00650). Our cloning stragegy is to incorporate all the genes in a single operon with respective inducible promoter and ribosome binding site in a plasmid. Such construct enables easy transformation of multiple genes simultaneously into E.coli and allows the coordinated expression of genes within the operon.

After receiving the commercially synthesized coding sequences of the genes of interest, the coding sequences are restricted with proper BioBrick prefixes and suffixes out of the original plasmid and cloned into B0034 (ribosome binding site). Double digest (Xba I and Spe I) as well as automated sequencing reactions are performed to verify the proper insertion of the coding sequences and the presence of a ribosome binding site at the 5' end of each coding sequence.

The operon, shown below, consists of all of the genes in the pathway (except E. coli's thiolase). Note that we purposedly added a Histamine tag to the carboxy terminus of each gene product such that we could use Nickel-NTA column to purify the tagged proteins and subsequently analyze protein expression and enzymatic activity.

The Butanol Operon

II: Developing butanol tolerance with the mutagenic and toxic compound--Ethylnitrosourea ENU
The concept is to make butanol-agar plates of various butanol concentrations and place an ENU disk in the centre. We expect two ring-shaped kill zones. The first where bacteria die due to the toxicity of ENU at the centre of the plate. The second around the outer edge of the butanol-agr plate where bacteria die due to butanol toxicity. In between these two zones we hope to see some cells that would be mutated in a benifical way to render them resistant to butanol.

Proposed Butanol-ENU Plate for Mutagenisis of E. coli


Concurrently, we are investigating the possibiilty of introducing the butanol production pathway into a photoautotrophic bacterium, Chlorobium tepidum. C. tepidum is a green sulfur bacterium that is strictly anaerobic and uses sulfur compounds as terminal electron donors. C. tepidum is a moderately thermophillic bacterium, growing at 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), and requires low light conditions for optimal growth. These bacteria grow well in a defined medium, utilizing the reverse/reductive tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to build up carbohydrates from carbon dioxide. In addition, the genome of this bacterium has been completely sequenced. For a more comprehensive overview of Chlorobium tepidum go to [[http://www.bmb.psu.edu/faculty/bryant/lab/chlorobiumtepidum/index.html here]]. Images below from http://www.bmb.psu.edu/faculty/bryant/lab/chlorobiumtepidum/index.html

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Figure 1:Chlorobium tepidum Transmission Micrograph Image
Figure 2:Chlorobium tepidum Standard Light Microscope Image












The advantage of manipulating this organism for butanol production is a matter of energy input and output. Rather than having to utilize vast amounts of food stocks, such as grains or sugars, a photoautotroph will fix carbon dioxide into the complex carbohydrates required for butanol production. Theoretically, if the only fuel on our planet was butanol, and it was produced in this manner, there would be little net carbon dioxide produced.

Propose Closed Carbon-butanol Cycle

Modeling Efforts

Initially our plan to model the efficiency of the butanol production hinged on developing a complete model for the entire glucose pathway in an E. coli cell using Michaelis-Menten kinetics. After further review, this proved to be beyond the scope of our project's timeline due both to the large number of species and reactions present in the system (as well as their non-linear behavior) and the relative difficulty in finding experimental kinetic information for some of the reactions in our pathway.


Therefore, to obtain a rough "first-order" approximation for the behavior of the pathway, we considered three factors:

1) Stoichiometric factors (both redox and carbon)
2) Compared the relative production rates of the various end products of the glucose pathway in E. coli as found in previous experimentation to the production rates of butanol in C. acetobutylicum.
3) We have also a fuel E. coli Stoichometric Matrix, and intend to stoichiometrically model the system in order to optimize butanol production once the operon is in the system.


From these factors we can obtain an indicator of how likely butanol will be produced.

In order to further develop the system, we hope a full metabolic stochiometric model can be eventually realized for this project. This would allow optimization of the system in order to maximize the flux through the butanol pathway.

Project Timeline

Project Gantt Chart (click here to enlarge)

The GANTT Chart Above details the schedule for the lab work that contributed to Plan B. Beginning in July and finishing with our final work in October, the schedule includes details on our different methods to compose an operon that would meet our objectives. In order to read the GANTT Chart for the Lab work of Plan B, please refer to the legend below.

Legend:
Benny - Butyryl CoA dehydrogenase
Enny - Enoyl CoA hydratase
Buddy - Butanol dehydrogenase
Betty - Beta-hydraoxy butyryl CoA dehydrogenase
Deisel Blaze - Butyraldehyde dehydrogenase

Lab Book and Calendar

Alberta butapipettips.jpgAlberta arrow.jpg Alberta Labbook.jpg

Butanerd Event Calendar can be found below:

[http://www.ualberta.ca/~mjl3/UofAIgemProtocols.pdf The Lab Protocols]

July 2007

August 2007

September 2007

October 2007

Meetings (Agenda's, Minutes, Action Items):

Meeting Information


Online Form:

[http://butanerds.myfreeforum.org The Butanerd Online Forum] is up and running. Feel free to post and check for posts here. Make sure you register!

The Team

Alberta team new.jpg


Our team has a rich background in biology, biochemistry and engineering. To compliment our diversity we also have advisors who have a wealth of knowledge in research and applications of genetic engineering. For more information about the group, check out the University of Alberta's iGEM Team Members Page.

Advisors:
Dr. Michael Deyholos deyholos[at]ualberta.ca
Dr. Douglas Ridgway ridgway[at]ualberta.ca
Dr. Wayne Materi wayne.materi[at]ualberta.ca
James Maclagan james.maclagan[at]ualberta.ca

Team:
Michelle Chan – Biological Sciences mcchan[at]ualberta.ca
Erin Dul – Biochemistry edul[at]ualberta.ca
Jason Gardiner – Botany jlg6[at]ualberta.ca
Nick Glass – Mechanical Engineering nglass[at]ualberta.ca 

    Graduate student in Electrical Engineering

Veronica Houston – Mechanical Engineering vhouston[at]ualberta.ca
Nikhil Kumar – Biological Sciences nkumar[at]ualberta.ca
Matt LaFleche – Engineering Physics mjl3[at]ualberta.ca
Alex Lam – Pharmacology pokman[at]ualberta.ca
Justin Pahara – Immunology & Infection jpahara[at]ualberta.ca 

    Graduate student in Cell Biology

Celine Zeng – Pharmacology youci[at]ualberta.ca

We thank you for your interest, and further inquiries can be directed to igem[at]ualberta.ca

Our University of Alberta Student Group Constitution can be found here Insert non-formatted text here

Edmonton

Welcome to Edmonton!

Alberta edmonton.jpg


For more on the city of Edmonton click [http://www.ualberta.ca/~mjl3/About.html here].

Sponsors

We would like to thank all of our sponsers for their gracious support and our advisors for invaluble advise.


Major Sponsors

Alberta sponsors1.gif


Sponsors

Alberta sponsors2.gif

Advice


Andrew Hessel - Alberta Ingenuity Mentor
Dr. Jonathan Dennis - University of Alberta
Dr. Perrin Beatty - University of Alberta
Dr. David Bressler - University of Alberta
Dr. Charles Lucy - University of Alberta
Dr. Gregory Kiema - University of Alberta
Dr. Mark S. Peppler - University of Alberta
Dr. James Harynuk - University of Alberta
Dr. Federick West-University of Alberta
Dr. Todd Lowary-University of Alberta
Desiree Schell - University of Alberta CJSR
Dr. Jeff Fuller - University of Alberta/Capital Health
Dr. Julia Foght - University of Alberta
Dr. David Checkel - University of Alberta
Adrian Audiet - University of Alberta
Dr. Koch - University of Alberta
Dr. Donald Bryant - Pennsylvania State
Dr. Gaozhong Shen - Pennsylvania State
Amaya Garcia - Pennsylvania State


A list of experimental supplies we need can be found here

External Links

[http://www.albertaingenuity.ca/ Alberta Ingenuity Fund]

[http://www.ualberta.ca The University of Alberta Hompage]

[http://www.mece.ualberta.ca/~ckoch/ Dr. Koch's Engine Lab]

[http://www.systems-biology.org/cd Cell Designer Homepage]

[http://www.biomodels.org Biomodels Home Page]

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