There is not enough $25,000 for glowing gardens
A group of specialists in the field of synthetic biology, working at several universities and biotech companies in the United States, announced the launch of a project called the Glowing Plant Project. They hope that the end result of the project will be the creation of kits that will allow everyone to create their own glowing plant using the fluorescent protein gene.
The first glowing plant was created by scientists in 1986, but its glow, like the glow of subsequent versions, is rather dim, and the project participants plan to significantly improve the results already available. To do this, they have already created several genomic sequences designed to be embedded in the genome of a plant of the cruciferous family known as Arabidopsis, or rhesus Thaliana (Arabidopsis Thaliana), and is a favorite model for genetic experiments. The nucleotide sequences will be calculated using the Genome Compiler software (you can download it for free on the developers' website and collect any genes – unfortunately, only virtual ones).
To receive funding for the project, its participants need to collect voluntary donations in the amount of at least 65,000 by June 7 of this year. As of April 24, almost $40,000 has been collected.
The collected funds will be spent on synthesizing the constructed DNA sequences using a special printer, embedding them into the rhesus genome and growing glowing plants in the laboratory.
DNA synthesis costs at least 25 cents for a pair of nucleotide bases. The length of each of the constructed sequences is approximately 10,000 pairs. The researchers plan to synthesize several sequences in order to test the effectiveness of using different gene promoters and choose the best option. DNA synthesis will be carried out by specialists of Cambrian Genomics, which has developed a revolutionary laser printing system that has significantly reduced the cost of the procedure.
Initially, the transformation of the plant will be carried out with the help of agrobacteria (Agrobacterium). To do this, synthesized DNA sequences will be introduced into cells of a special type of bacteria capable of embedding DNA into plant cells. The seeds of the Tal rhesus will be placed in a solution containing transformed bacteria that will introduce DNA into the seed cells. Glowing plants will grow from the seeds modified in this way.
The sequence that provides the maximum result will subsequently be embedded in the plant cells using the so-called gene gun. This method is more complex and is accompanied by a risk of damage to the gene sequence, however, the result obtained with its help is not subject to regulation by the US Department of Agriculture and may go beyond the walls of a research institution.
The funds raised will also be spent to support the development of a system for regulating the work of DIY Bio, a group of enthusiasts carried out by the project participants, whose goal is to create manuals that will help everyone inspired by this project who wants to understand regulatory and social issues related to synthetic biology.
The volunteers who donated the funds will receive rewards, the nature of which depends on the amount contributed – from $ 5 to $ 10,000, or even more.
On the project page on the Kickstarter website, you can find out all the details, view pictures and videos and submit as many as you can to support this brilliant idea.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru25.04.2013