Engineering E.Coli to see Light

Voigt CA et. al. 2005

Light Engineering Imaging using E.Coli

SystemStimulus

SensorSensor

EffectorEffectorOutput

Signal Transducer

Signal Transducer

Stimulus

Red Light Highly defined edges Two-dimensional image

Sensor

Phytochrome Membrane bound extracellular sensor Intracellular regulator

Fusion protein: phytochrome and EnvZ histidine kinase domain

Extracellular sensor

Intracellular regulator

Photoreceptor Expression

PCB not produced in E.Coli Introduction of PCB synthesis genes Converts haem into PCB

Transduction Mechanism

Red light represses EnvZ auto-phosphorylation

Output

OmpR-P activates promoter linked to reporter gene

lacZ reporter produce black compound

OmpR-P dependent ompC promoter

System Revisited

Review

Created novel genetic circuit High definition film

(~100 megapixels per square inch) lacZ expression as a function of

light intensity / wavelength Transfer function

Something for the team to think about!!

Light Canon

Characterisation

Macro Resolution

Micro Transfer function SigB activity as a function of:

Intensity Wavelength