Nathan Reyna, BiologyJeff Matocha, Computer ScienceOuachita Baptist University

Kentuck-E. Derby

Project GoalsProject Goals Active, hands-on approach to teaching basic Active, hands-on approach to teaching basic

biology and computer science conceptsbiology and computer science concepts

Encourage abstract thinkingEncourage abstract thinking

Keeps students/faculty engaged in a Keeps students/faculty engaged in a semester long project.semester long project.

Have funHave fun

Project OverviewProject Overview GoalGoal

– To engineer a biological “wire” capable of To engineer a biological “wire” capable of propagating a chemical signal down its propagating a chemical signal down its lengthlength

Initial Signal

Harvard iGEM 2005

Orr AshenbergPatrick BradleyConnie ChengChris DoucetteHing EngJennifer Gao

Kang-Xing JinYin LiThomas NoriegaDaniel PopperAlexander RushYves Wang

Doh!Doh!

RequirementsRequirements Inducible PromoterInducible Promoter

Product/Signal that activates promoters in Product/Signal that activates promoters in other cellsother cells– Secrete product outside of cellSecrete product outside of cell

Cell to cell communication/Quorum sensingCell to cell communication/Quorum sensing

Detection MethodDetection Method

MethodMethod Signal: acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL) Signal: acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL)

used in bacterial quorum sensingused in bacterial quorum sensing– Lux system: 3OC6HSLLux system: 3OC6HSL– Las system: 3OC12HSLLas system: 3OC12HSL– Sender device Sender device

Other promoters associated with cell to Other promoters associated with cell to cell communicationcell communication– Most are “in planning” stageMost are “in planning” stage

– LacI generatorLacI generator– LacI promoterLacI promoter

Harvard’s ConclusionsHarvard’s Conclusions ConclusionsConclusions

– Degradation tags, RBS/promoter strength Degradation tags, RBS/promoter strength may need fine-tuningmay need fine-tuning

– Because of positive feedback, noise is Because of positive feedback, noise is amplifiedamplified

– Further experiments necessaryFurther experiments necessary

GFP production across plateGFP production across plate

Change in pH gradientChange in pH gradient

Vernier conductivity probeVernier conductivity probe– Senses changes in pHSenses changes in pH– Connects to a computerConnects to a computer– Currently use probes in Freshman Bio and Gen Currently use probes in Freshman Bio and Gen

ChemChem

Tracking the HorsesTracking the Horses

Data acquisitionData acquisition– interfacing with probesinterfacing with probes

Data reportingData reporting

CS student projectsCS student projects

Computer ScienceComputer Science

Time

Not just a one heat raceNot just a one heat race Reduce pathway bottlenecksReduce pathway bottlenecks

Diffusion rates/distance between cellsDiffusion rates/distance between cells

QuestionsQuestions What promoter/signal pairs do we have?What promoter/signal pairs do we have?

Are they secreted outside the cell?Are they secreted outside the cell?