Reprogramming bacteria to seek and destroy an herbicide
J Sinha, SJ Reyes, JP Gallivan - Nature chemical biology, 2010 - nature.com
J Sinha, SJ Reyes, JP Gallivan
Nature chemical biology, 2010•nature.comA major goal of synthetic biology is to reprogram cells to perform complex tasks. Here we
show how a combination of in vitro and in vivo selection rapidly identifies a synthetic
riboswitch that activates protein translation in response to the herbicide atrazine. We further
demonstrate that this riboswitch can reprogram bacteria to migrate in the presence of
atrazine. Finally, we show that incorporating a gene from an atrazine catabolic pathway
allows these cells to seek and destroy atrazine.
show how a combination of in vitro and in vivo selection rapidly identifies a synthetic
riboswitch that activates protein translation in response to the herbicide atrazine. We further
demonstrate that this riboswitch can reprogram bacteria to migrate in the presence of
atrazine. Finally, we show that incorporating a gene from an atrazine catabolic pathway
allows these cells to seek and destroy atrazine.
Abstract
A major goal of synthetic biology is to reprogram cells to perform complex tasks. Here we show how a combination of in vitro and in vivo selection rapidly identifies a synthetic riboswitch that activates protein translation in response to the herbicide atrazine. We further demonstrate that this riboswitch can reprogram bacteria to migrate in the presence of atrazine. Finally, we show that incorporating a gene from an atrazine catabolic pathway allows these cells to seek and destroy atrazine.
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