2024: PHAGEVO
Directed evolution mimics and accelerates the natural evolution process by generating random mutations and selecting desired variants. This project introduces PHAGEVO, a novel tool that combines Phage-Assisted Non-Continuous Evolution (PANCE) and the Evolution.T7 system, providing a powerful method for in vivo protein evolution. While PANCE enables efficient selection of functional variants, it lacks targeted gene specificity. We decided to combine it with Evolution.T7, a system developed by Evry-Paris-Saclay team 2021 which enables targeted and modular double-stranded in vivo mutagenesis using RNA polymerase-guided cytosine and adenine deaminases’ that introduce mutations in specific gene sequences. As a proof of concept, the project focuses on evolving the XylS transcription factor to detect plastic degradation products Phthalic Acid (PA) and Terephthalic Acid (TPA). Our project, PHAGEVO, also leverages the power of artificial intelligence to engineer XylS for PA and TPA sensitivity owing to FLINT, a model developed by our team based on PocketGen.
For more infos, visit our WIKI and/or watch our presentation VIDEO.
Rewards
Gold Medal
TOP 10, Overgrad
Best Foundational Advance Project Award Nomination, Overgrad & Undergrad
The 2024 iGEM competition
In 2024, 437 team from 47 countries participated at the competition and more than 4500 people attended the Grand Jamboree that was held in Paris, at the Porte de Versailles Convention Center from 23th to 26th of October 2024. Full infos and results are available on the iGEM 2024 website.
