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In 1/3 of the world’s oceans, iron concentration limits phytoplankton growth. Iron is required for photosynthesis and is a critical micronutrient for the marine food web. Improved abilities to capture iron could increase phytoplankton populations, resulting in numerous environmental benefits. To this end, we engineered a cyanobacteria to transport iron into cells and reduce it to the bioavailable Fe(II) form. We predict this will promote phytoplankton growth, stabilizing the marine food chain.

https://2020.igem.org/Team:Baltimore_BioCrew

Produced by Baltimore BioCrew
Edited by Nathan Dayie
Researcher Heaven Cross
Narrator Sam Ferraro
Actor #1 Kayla Le
Actor #2 Sam Ferraro
Artist Shubhan S Bhat
Translator Zoe Hsieh
Content Creators Kayla Le, Heaven Cross, Angelique Allen, Avipsa Hamal

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Instagram: @bugsslab

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Title: JoyBiotic

Description: The 2021 Baltimore Biocrew is developing a psychobiotic product to help relieve the symptoms of mental illnesses including depression and anxiety. This psychobiotic will increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter implicated in mental illnesses. As adolescents who’ve endured a worldwide pandemic, we understand firsthand the toll COVID-19 and social isolation has taken on all of us, and we want to help disadvantaged communities who don’t have easy access to mental health treatment.

Wiki

Title: Improving Iron Uptake and Processing in Synechococcus CB0101 to Bolster Marine Ecosystems

Abstract: In 1/3 of the world's oceans, the iron concentration limits phytoplankton growth. Iron is required for photosynthesis and is critical for the base of the marine food web. A better ability to capture iron could increase phytoplankton populations which would have benefits such as reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide by acting as a carbon sink. We decided to engineer Synechococcus (cyanobacteria) because it consumes high levels of CO2, has a high replication rate, and has been used by many previous iGEM teams. Our project will engineer cyanobacteria to transport iron into cells and reduce it to the bioavailable Fe(II) form. The increased iron utilization will increase photosynthesis and growth of phytoplankton. To prevent harmful phytoplankton blooms, a kill switch will also be added to the cells to prevent overgrowth of cells if iron concentration increased significantly. These modifications will stabilize the marine food chain and absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.

Wiki | Project Promotion