Riboswitching on the light: Breaking the speed limit of riboswitches to make fast optical sensor cells
Abstract
Riboswitching on the light: Breaking the speed limit of riboswitches to make fast optical sensor cellsThere is a critical need for fast, highly accurate, and sensitive remote warning systems that detect chemical analytes, such as chemical weapons, explosives, and environmental pollutants. In this proposal, we will advance RNA-based fluorescent (RBF) biosensors as a promising Synthetic Biology tool for generating a fast warning signal in response to a chemical analyte. In earlier work in support of this proposal, we showed that RBF biosensors are much faster than riboswitch reporters. This proposal seeks to address two important performance questions: Task 1.1: Howcan we make RBF biosensors~and possibly other RNA-based devices~even faster? Task 1.2: 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 evaluate novel biosensor designs, we will employ high-throughput methods for RNA synthesis and functional assays employing a fluorescence plate reader 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 underwaterthreats.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 07, 2019
- Source ID
- N000141912043
Entities
People
- Ming Hammond
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Utah