| Project ID |
BPN478 |
| Website |
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| Start Date |
Wed 2008-Aug-13 11:18:14 |
| Last Updated |
Wed 2009-Feb-25 05:36:41 |
| Abstract |
We develop a technique for producing synthetic microbial patterns by means of direct activation and inactivation of gene expression in an initially homogenous population of cells using a microfluidic chemical interface system. A strain of E. coli was engineered such that the presence of the membrane diffusible molecule acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) activates the production of more AHL, thereby creating a positive feedback loop. Since the half-life of AHL decreases in high pH solutions, this feedback loop can be inhibited in a specific area by modulating the local pH using a microfluidic system. A series of microchannels beneath a permeable membrane were used to locally control the pH levels in a layer of the engineered E. coli strain. By combining a diffusible activator with a microfluidic inhibitor, we believe this type of system should be able to demonstrate controllable Turing pattern formation and contribute to the development of new classes of synthetic multi-cellular systems built from co-operating cell populations in a manner analogous to differentiation schemes in developmental biology. |
| Status |
Continuing |
| Funding Source |
Federal |
| IAB Research Area |
BioMEMS |
| Researcher(s) |
Taesung Kim |
| Advisor(s) |
Michel M. Maharbiz |
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