<p>Chemical compounds are able to absorb and refract light at different wavelengths depending on their structures, more precisely because of their ability to delocalise their π-electrons. The more freedom a π-electron has to move around the structure, the shorter the wavelength it can absorb, and the longer the wavelength which can be refracted. The ability of a compound to delocalize its π-electrons is determined by the consecutive overlap of multiple p-type orbitals generated by the presence of consecutive double (or triple) bonds. Compounds with an high degree of conjugation, like Beta-carotene (Fig. 1 Beta-carotene) absorb light in the blue region of the visible light spectrum (~450 nm) and refract on the opposite side of the spectrum, the red region (~750 nm), giving molecules their characteristic colours. </p>
<p>Integrating the construct into the genome would eliminate the risk of the organism dropping maintenance of the plasmid, as well as remove the need of growing it in antibiotic-supplemented media.</p>
@@ -125,5 +125,6 @@ With these considerations, and research completed, pSEVA261 was deemed the ideal
Following extensive literature review and brainstorming, the team completed the initial version of the design seen above, a framework from which our experimentation could begin and lab work could be set into motion. Protocols were gathered from the resources gathered from the literature review and adapted to suit the facilities at our disposal, and g-blocks, cells and plasmid ordered, in order to begin the next phase of the project, the Design Build Test Learn (DBTL) cycles.
*With the literature review and dry lab research completed, the gears of the DBTL cycles could begin to turn…*
# DBTL Cycles
The design, build, test, learn (DBTL) is an important component of engineering as as much extends to genetic engineering as well. We have successfully completed multiple DBTL cycles.
