Hyperspectral communication channels for receiving information from fielded natural and engineered microbial sensors
Abstract
Every surface is coated by living bacteria and fungi that are continuously surveying their environment using sensors encoded in their genome. The presence of natural microbes are trackable signatures; for example, those left by people as they interact with objects, released by the ballast tanks of ships, or changes in soil microbes caused by subterranean facilities. Further, engineered bacteria are being tested as in-field sensors (e.g, to detect explosives, radiation, or pathogen/human DNA) that do not require an energy source and are difficult to reverse engineer. The challenge is being able to receive information from deployed natural and engineered microbes. Current techniques rely on growing the bacteria from a sample (culturing), genome sequencing, microscopy, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or other processes requiring hours to days. In this proposal, we will computationally survey metabolites produced by cells to identify those that are exploitable as signatures from long-range stand-off systems. These signatures will be compared to detection platforms that can be deployed on a variety of platforms, from handheld devices, to UAVs and satellites, with a focus on hyperspectral imaging. Tools from machine learning will be developed to design ideal metabolites that can be distinguished from noise in order to obtain multiple communication signals between surveillance systems and the living world. Computational models will be used to calculate the potential flux of the molecules and the total concentrations that could be released from bacteria/fungi residing on a surface or in soil. Metabolic pathways will be designed to produce the metabolites as the “output” of an engineered cell. This computational work will result in testable hypotheses regarding chemical signals and detection capabilities when we are able to re-enter the lab.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 2021
- Source ID
- HQ00342010020
Entities
People
- Christopher Voigt
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Washington Headquarters Services