Genetic and Molecular Basis of Marine Fouling

Abstract

The goal of our research is to use molecular and genetic techniques to investigate the process of bacterial attachment to and colonization of surfaces in the marine environment. We are focusing on exploring the mechanism which controls surface-induced swarmer cell differentiation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Gene fusions which couple transcription of swarmer cell genes, laf, to luminescence reporter genes, lux, have been used to analyze how environmental signals regulate differentiation, and a novel mechanism of surface recognition involving a tactile sensor and an iron sensor has been discovered. Work is continuing to develop a refined understanding of the sensors and other elements in the information transduction circuit which controls expression of swarmer cell genes. Keywords: Surface recognition; Gene regulation; Bacterial differentiation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 17, 1990
Accession Number
ADA220929

Entities

People

  • Michael R. Silverman

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bacteria
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Cellular Structures
  • Coding
  • Contracts
  • Environment
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes
  • Genetic Techniques
  • Genetics
  • Indian Ocean
  • Information Processing
  • Medical Personnel
  • Propeller Components
  • Propellers
  • Regulations

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Microbial Pathology
  • Molecular and genetic basis of cancer.
  • Robotics and Automation.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology