Abstract (iGEM Calgary)
Cellucoat iGEM Project
Globally, food waste rates are skyrocketing while fresh produce is becoming increasingly expensive. To address this, our project Cellucoat delivers a sustainable, biodegradable, and antimicrobial packaging that prolongs the shelf life of produce and replaces single-use plastics — all through the use of synthetic biology. This is accomplished through 3 components: preservation, protection, and production. Cellucoat preserves the freshness of fruit by functionalizing BC with a food-safe, antimicrobial peptide (AMP), called nisin. Protection of produce is ensured by integrating a bioplastic called polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) into BC, for increased mechanical properties. Production costs are reduced through our use of recycled fruit waste to grow our BC-producing bacteria. For homogeneous distribution of both proteins, our BC packaging is developed through a coculture between Escherichia coli and Komagataeibacter xylinus. To fulfill the needs of our stakeholders, our production process allows for the customization of the color, choice of AMP, and 3D shape.
Abstract (Dr. Ron Hugo)
Pipeline Systems and the Triple Helix: Economic, Social, and Environmental
Pipeline systems have been integral to the evolution of society for millennia. Concern over rapid climate change is motivating our energy systems to transition in efforts to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Pipeline systems will adapt through energy transition by flowing new energy products. Pipeline systems will also require greater resiliency during this warmest phase of the current interglacial. The presentation will discuss investigations underway within the Pipeline Engineering Centre that are related to both energy transition and enhanced resiliency while flowing diversified energy products.
Bios
iGEM Calgary Team Members
The iGEM Calgary team will be represented by Danielle Korsrud, Catherine Ko, and Marian Grell.
Danielle is in her 4th year of Biomedical Sciences and was a member of the wet lab team. She focused primarily on recombinant protein expression and antimicrobial characterization for nisin, as well as co-developing a new measurement tool.
Marian is in her 3rd year of Biomedical Sciences and was a member of the wet lab team. Her work throughout the research term was centered on developing fruit waste growth media and recombinant PHB expression.
Catherine is in her 3rd year of Biomedical Engineering and was a member of the dry lab team. She led the mechanical characterization of bacterial cellulose through uniaxial testing.
Dr. Ron Hugo
Dr. Hugo is Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering in the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary and since 2008, Director of the Pipeline Engineering Centre. He conducts research using non-invasive optical diagnostics and vibro-acoustic sensors to develop measurement systems for pipeline system health monitoring with application to both single and multiphase flows. Prior to his time at the University of Calgary, he spent four years working as a research scientist conducting atmospheric characterization experiments in support of the Airborne Laser Program at the US Air Force Research Laboratory in Albuquerque, NM. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary, and MS and PhD degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, USA.
Venue
7pm, Nov 9th, 2022.
For recording, please see above.