Near-infrared based optogenetic switch for activation and repression of gene expression in bacteria Towards multi-level tight, fast and reversible control of gene expression
Abstract
The aim of the project is to develop novel near-infrared light-controllable inducible and repressible system in bacteria. This will be beneficial as a multifunctional optogenetic system for simultaneous use with blue light-controllable optogenetic tools. The uniqueness of the proposed system is the use of near-infrared light-mediated single transcription factor together with functional regulatory proteins to overcome limitations of existing optogenetic systems and to expand the number of orthogonal optogenetic systems. We aim to make the system compact and portable. Light as a stimulus to modulate gene expression offers several advantages over traditional chemical-based induction control. Importantly, light stimulus can be rapidly delivered to cells in different patterns with precise spatiotemporal control. To date, a limited number of light-switchable systems have been engineered to regulate gene expression in prokaryotes, mainly in?Escherichia coli. However, most of the existing optogenetic systems have shortcomings that include the dependence for non-endogenous chromophores, requirement for multiple protein components limiting their portability, and having low gene expression levels. To address these shortcomings, we have developed compact optogenetic systems which rely on single transcription factor. However, these systems are mostly blue-light dependent. We still lack orthogonal optogenetic tools (particularly compact and portable tools) to enable synthetic biologists to modulate multiple gene expression in a parallel and more controlled fashion. Therefore, for simultaneous use with blue-light-controlled optogenetic tools, we aim to develop near-infrared light-controllable inducible and repressible systems, by utilizing a subclass of bacterial phytochrome photoreceptors?(BphPs)?which heterodimerizes with its natural binding partner?PpsR2 under far-red or near-infrared (NIR) light.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 28, 2018
- Source ID
- FA23861814053
Entities
People
- Cheuh Loo Poh
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- National University of Singapore
- United States Air Force