Riboswitching on the light: Breaking the speed limit of riboswitches to make fast optical sensor cells
Abstract
There is a critical need for fast, highly accurate, and sensitive remote warning systems that detectchemical analytes, such as chem""ical weapons, explosives, and environmental pollutants. In thisproposal, we will advance RNA-based fluorescent (RBF) biosensors as" a promising SyntheticBiology tool for generating a fast warning signal in response to a chemical analyte. This proposalseeks to address three important performance questions: Task 1.1: How much faster are RBFbiosensors compared to riboswitch reporters? Task 1.2: How can we make RBF biosensors~and possibly other RNA-based devices~even faster? Task 1.3: What can we do by taking advantage of the unique performance characteristics of RBF biosensors that are not possible using conventional technologies? In order to evaluat"e novel biosensor designs, we will employ high-throughput methods for RNA synthesis and functional assays employing a fluorescencep"latereader for in vitro analysis and a flow cytometer for in vivo analysis. Our long-term goal is to develop arrays of sentinel cells genetically programmed with RBF biosensors to sense and initiate appropriate mitigation responses to diverse underwater threats.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 07, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141712638
Entities
People
- Ming Hammond
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California Regents