Bacterial Sunscreen: Layer-by-Layer Deposition of UV-Absorbing Polymers on Whole-Cell Biosensors (POSTPRINT)
Abstract
UV-protective coatings on live bacterial cells were created from the assembly of cationic and UV-absorbing anionic polyelectrolytes using layer-by-layer (LbL) methodology. A cationic polymer (poly-allylamine) and three different anionic polymers with varying absorbance in the UV range (poly-vinyl sulfate, poly-4-styrenesulfonic acid, and humic acid) were used to encapsulate E. coli cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) either constituitively or through a theophylline-inducible riboswitch. Riboswitches are regulatory elements that activate gene expression after a ligand-RNA binding event; hence, they operate as a cellular biosensor that will express a reporter protein after exposure to a ligand target. E. coli cells coated with polymers absorbing in the far UV range demonstrated enhanced protection to GFP stability, metabolic activity, and viability after prolonged exposure to radiation from a germicidal lamp. The results show the effectiveness of LbL coatings to provide enhanced protection to living cells for use in biosensor technology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 13, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA590816
Entities
People
- D. M. Eby
- Glenn R. Johnson
- Karen E. Farrington
- Nancy Kelley-Loughnane
- Randi N. Tatum
- Svetlana V Harbaugh
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory