The Cambridge iGEM2009 team received sponsorship from DNA2.0 Inc., which allowed them to design and construct a synthetic operon for the biosynthesis of violacein. The operon is 7.5Kb in size, contains 5 genes, and has been submitted to the MIT Registry for Standard Parts in BioBrick format - Part BBa_K274002. Expression of the VioA-E genes results in conversion of L-Tyrosine to an intense violet pigment. Violacein is a hydrophobic compound, and is retained within cells.