2021: Evolution.T7
Every life form has emerged through evolution. Successive random mutations followed by selection of the fittest individuals has resulted in vastly complex and diverse living organisms. This process can be accelerated in the laboratory to create new protein variants with desirable properties by diversification of a known DNA sequence followed by selective amplification, an approach known as directed evolution. In vivo diversification with locus-specific targeting has recently become possible using T7-RNAP-guided deaminases. Here, aiming to maximize the effectiveness of this method, we have combined two strategies. First, we use new cytosine and adenosine deaminases with improved mutagenesis rates. Second, our innovative design can target both DNA strands simultaneously, resulting in improved diversification and reducing the bias observed in existing systems that mainly target only one of the strands of DNA in each mutation cycle. Finally, we validate the performance of our system by evolving enzymes, fluorescent proteins and transcription factors.
For more infos, visit our WIKI and/or watch our presentation VIDEO.
Rewards
Gold Medal
Best Wiki Award Nomination, Overgrad
The 2021 iGEM competition
In 2021, 352 team from 46 countries participated at the competition and more than 7100 people attended the Giant Jamboree that was held in online from 4th to 6th of November 2021. Full infos and results are available on the iGEM 2021 website.