Morphogen-defined patterning of Escherichia coli enabled by an externally tunable band-pass filter.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gradients of morphogens pattern cell fate - a phenomenon that is especially important during development. A simple model system for studying how morphogens pattern cell behavior would overcome difficulties inherent in the study of natural morphogens in vivo. A synthetic biology approach to building such a system is attractive.

Results

Using an externally-tunable band-pass filter paradigm, we engineered Escherichia coli cells to function as a model system for the study of how multiple morphogens can pattern cell behavior. We demonstrate how our system exhibits behavior such as morphogen crosstalk and how the cells' growth and fluorescence can be patterned in a number of complex patterns. We extend our cell patterning from 2D cultures on the surface of plates to 3D

SUBMITTER: Sohka T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2715369 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature