Engineering biology through computational design of new sensors
Abstract
The ability to detect small traces of substances using a fast and versatile system is of utmost importance for military and civilian applications. Current technology is mainly laboratory based, making it impractical for use in the field. An ideal detection system must be robust, with an immediate readout from a crude sample, and be able to withstand harsh environments. Ideally, such biosensor systems will be genetically encoded, readily produced in any living cell, and be fully operational either within the cell or on its own as a stable ex vivo entity. We are well positioned to take such a radically new approach due to the very substantial advances we have made in the de novo design of proteins. In Aim 1 (Applied Research), we will utilize an established computational design pipeline to generate novel proteins that bind and respond to DoD compounds of interest, starting with representative pesticide organophosphate compounds (i) diazinon and (ii) malathion wherein the target compounds can be readily produced with biotin affinity tags which are a current requirement in our current design protocol. In Aim 2 (Integration and Improvement), the designed proteins from Aim 1 will be expressed in bacteria and their ability to bind the compounds of interest will be assessed, and functional biosensors will be transferred to the collaborators for use as plant sentinels. The outcomes will be specific organophosphate biosensors as starting points for future DoD needs to sense organophosphate nerve toxins, including sensors that operate as plant sentinels.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 26, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141812421
Entities
People
- David Baker
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Washington