Project Summary

Which is our idea?

The project aims to implement a protein synthesis regulation system in Escherichia coli that acts at translational level, regardless of the target gene. This "general-purpose" device allows a faster control of protein expression.
The device was named T-Rex (Trans Repressor of Expression).

How can we achieve our goal?

T-Rex device consists of two new BioBricks:

• CIS-repressing, to be assembled upstream of the target protein coding sequence; it contains a ribosomal binding site (RBS);

• TRANS-repressor, to be placed under the control of a different promoter; it is complementary to the CIS-repressing, and contains a RBS cover in two versions of different length (4 and 7 nucleotides).

CIS-repressing and TRANS-repressor were designed using our [[Team:Bologna/Software#1|BASER]] tool.

Transcription of the target gene produces a mRNA strand, starting with the Cis element, which is translated into proteins by ribosome. Trans’ promoter induction produces a transcript that binds with the Cis part. The RNA duplex prevents ribosome from binding to RBS, repressing protein synthesis. Thus, the TRANS-repressor amount regulates the gene mRNA translation rate.

How can we test the device?


In order to test and characterize our T-REX device, we developed the following genetic circuit:

The T-REX device is proposed as a universal and fast switch in synthetic gene circuits.

More details about our work in the Project section.

Acknowledgements

• University of Bologna

• Ser.In.Ar. Cesena

• Cultural Association San Sebastiano

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