Engineering microbes to sense and eradicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a human pathogen.

ABSTRACT: Synthetic biology aims to systematically design and construct novel biological systems that address energy, environment, and health issues. Herein, we describe the development of a synthetic genetic system, which comprises quorum sensing, killing, and lysing devices, that enables Escherichia coli to sense and kill a pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain through the production and release of pyocin. The sensing, killing, and lysing devices were characterized to elucidate their detection, antimicrobial and pyocin release functionalities, which subsequently aided in the construction of the final system and the verification of its designed behavior. We demonstrated that our engineered E. coli sensed and killed planktonic P. aeruginosa, evidenced by 99% reduction in the viable cells. Moreove

SUBMITTER: Saeidi N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3202794 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature