DNA Submission Instructions
2011 Submission Details
All parts must be submitted in pSB1C3. The Registry only accepts parts in the standard DNA-shipping plasmid backbone: pSB1C3. The 2011 DNA Distribution kits contained samples of linearized plasmid backbones for easy use. You can also make your own linearized plasmid backbone or request more by sending an email to hq [at] igem [dot] org. If you have issues with sending any of your parts in pSB1C3 send us an email!
"Quality over quantity" is our motto this year! Teams and labs should submit parts that are well documented and characterized. For examples of well documented parts check out BBa_K274210, BBa_F2620, and BBa_E0040. Sending a few well-documented parts is always better than sending several that aren't!
Starting a New DNA Submission
Before starting a submission make sure that all the parts you intend to send are documented on the Registry. See the "Adding a Part" tutorial or the video!
When you are ready to send your parts to the Registry, go to the DNA Submission main page. To begin the submission process click on “start a new DNA submission.”
Your Information
Make sure that the username and full name that we have listed for you is correct. Use the drop down box to select your group, this will be the iGEM Team or Lab you are sending the parts on behalf of. Correct your email if necessary and enter a contact number as well.
Format
You must tell us in what format you are sending your DNA. Please be sure to follow the preparation requirements for the accepted formats. You should also let us know if there are any special instructions that we must know about.
Sample Information
At the top of this page you will see your Shipment #, which is what we use to identify and keep track of your shipment. The shipment # must be written clearly on your submission.
Enter the information for your first part, beginning with the part number. Remember, your part must be documented on the Registry before you can add it as a sample. You must enter the plasmid backbone (pSB1C3) that your part is in. See the “Notes” section below for more details on plasmid information.
Once you have entered the part number and plasmid for your part, you can tab over to the antibiotic resistance field. The software will automatically fill in the antibiotic resistance based on the plasmid that you have entered. Please check to make sure that the resistance is correct. You may change it manually if it is not correct. The antibiotic abbreviation is the first letter of the antibiotic.
Please check any of the boxes that apply to your part if:
- It is toxic to E.coli strains
- You are only sending a plasmid
- It is not a part or plasmid
- Your team has sequenced this part
We need to know specifically whether your part is toxic to the NEB 10b strain. We will be transforming all parts into NEB 10b and we need to know if this will be a problem for any of your parts.
If you are sending us a plasmid backbone, you need to check the appropriate box (see below for more plasmid information). Plasmid backbones should be paired with BBa_J04450 as it is the selection tool used at the Registry.
Please let us know by checking the box if you or your team has sequenced this part. This is not a box to have your part sequenced. At the moment the Registry does not collect any sequence data or trace files, but you should include this information on your part's main page.
At this point you may add any notes that you may want to communicate with the Registry regarding your part in the comments field.
Once you have finished adding all of the information for your part, click on the “save” link and then “add another sample” button if you are sending more parts to the Registry. The information for each sample is automatically saved to this shipment number once you click on the “save” link.
Shipment Information
When you are done filling in the information for all of your samples, click on the “I am finished specifying the samples” button.
Be prepared with your tracking #! Once you select "I am finished filling in the information, Send this batch to the Registry" you will no longer be able to edit your shipment as it will be finalized. We recommend having all your details (Carrier, Tracking #, and Send Date) on hand as you enter the information. If you have finalized your shipment but did not add a tracking number you can send an email to hq [at] igem [dot] org with your team name, shipment #, and tracking #.
When you are finished providing shipping details, click on the “I am finished filling in this information” button to send your information to the Registry.
This finalizes your shipment information. You will see a confirmation page that congratulates you on submitting your information. It will also show all parts that are part of that shipment number. We recommend printing out this page for your records.
At this point you can go back to the DNA Submission Registry page and click on “see your DNA submissions” to check on the status of your shipment. You will be able to see when we have received your shipment and once we have finished testing your parts, you will be able to see the results from our quality control tests.
Shipping Instructions
Make sure your team name, shipment #, and send date are written clearly on your submission!
We also highly recommend using a shipping carrier that that will let you track the shipment. For iGEM competition teams, physical DNA for parts is due before their Regional Jamboree and if we do not receive your shipment, we will track your package and give that information to the judges. If your shipment does not have tracking information and has not arrived at the Registry we will count your physical DNA as not available. You will not be able to receive a medal, as per the iGEM requirements.
*Important*: When shipping your samples, make sure to include a detailed description of the package so that it gets through customs. Write the following:
Dry/liquid DNA, non-hazardous, non-infectious, non-regulated. For research use only.
Mark Parts as Favorites
To mark your parts as your team's Favorites follow the instructions below.
- go to the part Main Page on parts.igem.org
- go to the Hard Information page
- click Edit on the right-hand side of the Group Favorite box
- change to Yes
Notes
- Accepting bacteria
- The Registry does not accept bacteria shipments at this time. Please only send isolated plasmid DNA. You may contact us if you have any questions regarding this policy.
- Editing your shipment after it has been finalized
- You may edit your shipment at any point up until the time you finalize your shipment after entering your shipping details. After you have finalized your shipment and sent all parts and information to the Registry, you will not be able to edit your online submission form. If you need to make a change to your submission form information, you must contact hq [at] igem [dot] org. Please include your shipment number, your name, your team name, and the sample information that you would like to change.
- Part and plasmid specification details
- In specifying your parts you must clearly understand the relationship between parts and plasmids. You must be explicitly aware that a part does NOT include the flanking restriction enzyme sites (called BioBrick™ prefix and suffix if you are using the BioBrick™ standard for which the restriction enzymes are: EcoRI, XbaI, SpeI, PstI). These sites are included in the plasmid backbone that your part is in (pSB1C3). Your part, then, begins with the first letter (A, C, T, G) following the prefix cloning site of the plasmid and ends with the last letter preceding the suffix cloning site of the plasmid.
- Take a look at this help page for more information on Biobrick™ parts and plasmids and how they are defined.
Useful links:
- Introduction to Biobricks™: including details on part and plasmid definitions.
Have any questions? Contact hq [AT] igem [DOT] org.