Project Overview

Our abstract

Bacterial Relay Race

Research question: Can we achieve cell-to-cell communication in bacteria similar to a relay race:

1. Using delay device
2. Using self-destructive plasmid
3. Between two F+ cells

Goals:

• Build a delay device that can change the timing of transcribing the target protein
• Build a plasmid that will produce endonucleases and cut itself into pieces (i.e. destroy itself)
• Construct a modified F plasmid that will allow F+/F+ conjugation

Why?

• To send multiple messages to a cell from another induced cell.
• To test one condition and return to the original state without killing the cell or changing any of its previous genetic and physiological characteristics
• To generate a pulse in the expression of a certain gene
• To control the amplitude of the pulse created by the plasmid
• Because it is cool!!!

How?
Check out the research proposal page.

Applications:

• Cell synchronization
• Multiple bit signals within plasmid DNA comparing to AHL signals
• …

Project Details

The Experiments

Results